Tired-Iron's P-38 Build

[TiredIronGRB]

Well, I am seeing the obvious drawback of sliding the FW nose strut onto the OEM strut post the way I did. Impossible to run a 2.75 inch nose tire, and have the door close. Tire wouldnt even go in the wheel well. I shaved quite a bit of foam before I just gave up, and put one of the OEM mains on the nose. I made a skin for the nose gear door to tighten the gap I created after shaving so much foam. I will likely order a Robart to match on the nose, but for now, its done.

-CC

That's why I had to do mine the way I did...I agree on the loctite, I had to heat mine to get them out.

[CubCrazy]

Well, I am seeing the obvious drawback of sliding the FW nose strut onto the OEM strut post the way I did. Impossible to run a 2.75 inch nose tire, and have the door close. Tire wouldnt even go in the wheel well. I shaved quite a bit of foam before I just gave up, and put one of the OEM mains on the nose. I made a skin for the nose gear door to tighten the gap I created after shaving so much foam. I will likely order a Robart to match on the nose, but for now, its done.

-CC

[CubCrazy]

My install is basically done. I fabricated a new axle for the nose gear, but I also ordered 2 more lower arms and axles. For the nose gear, all I did was cut the stock gear leg to length so I could install the new strut to it without changing anything about the steering linkage. My mains compress a lot just like everyone is saying. My nose does not compress at all. With the rake of the nose (I only added 1 washers worth of space on all retracts), the compression force is not properly aligned to cause it to move. It WILL compress, if you get it started a little. So, my intent is to put a small spacer in the track where the spring set screw goes, to stop it from extending all the way. I will put a spacer in the mains to keep them extended more as well. I' m not too worried about any lost travel. Its still better than no suspension, and looks totally awesome anyway.

-CC

[ruffneckx1]

AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woody

[CubCrazy]

What I am not impressed with, is manufacturers putting glue/loctite compound on little tiny grub screws. I will have to order another Gear supporting arm and axle because the grub screw for the axle stripped out immediately. I tried to drill it out, and I still may be able to salvage it to go fly in the AM, but I doubt it. Stock nose gear will probably remain till I get the MORE parts in.

Note to all manufacturers: STOP PUTTING LOCKING COMPOUNDS OF ANY KIND ON GRUB SCREWS!!

[tdevince]

I'm super impressed with the FW Stang gear legs.

+1, I don't own any FW aircraft, just FMS in the foamies so I was not familiar with the difference. Like you, I was very impressed with the quality of the FW gear when I got them.

[TiredIronGRB]

Clear Gorilla tape works great, just cut it with scissors to cover servos or any other void then paint to match.

[Lon]

hey can someone answer me a question,in pic,s of these planes shows servo,s are glued in and no covers on them,but i just seen some pic,s in here that shows they are covered so which is it they have covers on servo,s or not??

I have seen some posts of people covering and then painting over the servos. I myself found some good matching paint and just painted the exposed servos. You can see in the picture the matching paint almost makes them disappear.

[stitch]

hey can someone answer me a question,in pic,s of these planes shows servo,s are glued in and no covers on them,but i just seen some pic,s in here that shows they are covered so which is it they have covers on servo,s or not??

[TiredIronGRB]

I just installed one of the mains with the FW tire still on it. Already looks 1000% better. If the FW tires were a bit smaller, I would probably just run them. I'm super impressed with the FW Stang gear legs. Might be adapting them to some other projects.

Cool, I'm glad to see others using these.

[CubCrazy]

I just installed one of the mains with the FW tire still on it. Already looks 1000% better. If the FW tires were a bit smaller, I would probably just run them. I'm super impressed with the FW Stang gear legs. Might be adapting them to some other projects.

[TiredIronGRB]

Yes, I had the 3" FMS on the mains and they cleared...my 3" Robarts should be here any time and I'll post up pictures once I have them installed.

[CubCrazy]

TH,
Did you settle on 3 inch mains, and 2.75 for the nose? My Robart 3 inch and 2.75 inch tires should be here today, and now I'm wondering if I should have gone with 2.75 on mains. ( I still can, just means I won't have a matching nosewheel till I make another order)

-CC

[Aros]

Wow, actual, honest to goodness nose art! That is amazing work!

Agreed! So cool!

[TiredIronGRB]

he's good, does all my Hot-Rods.

[crxmanpat]

Wow, actual, honest to goodness nose art! That is amazing work!

[TiredIronGRB]

My Pinstripper came over and did my nose art...

[ryramZ]

Perfect, thanks!

[TiredIronGRB]

What did you do to keep the strut from falling out of the nose retract?

I used about an inch of the stock strut with the C-clip and the new strut mounts on it.

[ryramZ]

What did you do to keep the strut from falling out of the nose retract?