Tired-Iron's P-38 Build

[MikeT]

Looks great. Mine arrived yesterday. Looking forward to the assembly.

Mike

[TiredIronGRB]

Spray can? It doesn't look brushed on... From the photos I assume you paint matched as it looks like a perfect match to the OD.

Brushed, I had it color matched but you can still tell in person even though I feathered it out. I used several types of brushes including squirrel tail hair and exploded tip polyester which will give you a very smooth finish.

[Aros]

Wow that's impressive! Looked smooth enough to trick me into thinking it was sprayed on.

[TiredIronGRB]

I'm thinking about adding suspension to the struts, I think I can modify the FMS 1400MM P51 struts to work, I'm going to get two sets so I can use one on the nose gear so if it works out I will have a spare.

Stay tuned...

[Aros]

..........

[Lon]

He stated it was aluminum screen material. Mine are hard to see (I used black fabric screen material as I had a roll on hand). I think I'll paint mine silver so they stand out a little more.

I used the aluminum screen material. Looks great!

[StormyDog1962]

I for one am very impressed, looks great!!

[TiredIronGRB]

Thanks Wayne!

[Aros]

I used the aluminum screen material. Looks great!

Yeah I am going to paint my screen mesh aluminum. I like the look of how it stands out more.

[TiredIronGRB]

I couldn't wait until the parts to come in so yes, that is "Iron Ass" tits up in the background...this worked out really good on the mains, I may even try to get the 3.35" tires to work.



This is the pin to adapt the P38 retract to the FW strut.



Will probably have to go with the FMS P51 3" wheels...probably...maybe not.





The Robart 2.75" compared to the FW P51 3.35".

[rtwatkins]

how's the fit for the wheels and gear doors when retracted? any issues?

[Alpha]

That's quite a size difference, Tired Iron. Looks nice. The one note I would add is to be mindful of the weight you're adding. The stock wheel is significantly lighter than the Freewing strut/wheel, and it's all shifting aft during retraction.

[TiredIronGRB]

The 3.35" are way too large, hopefully the 3" FMS will clear well...I'll work on the weight balance one I get the front wheel working.

[Aros]

Oh man those oleos on the P-51 struts look SWEET on this bird. Fantastic.

[Grossman56]

Great idea Tired Iron, really dresses her up!

Grossman56

[TiredIronGRB]

The nose gear was a job...



To make the rod to steer the nose wheel I used a straight section of a spring, to keep it from twisting in the strut I drilled holes at 9 and 4 o'clock then drove the rod through which put a bend in it and keeps it from moving...this was a pain.



I cut the stock strut off at the flat, then tightened the P51 strut on the stub.



I used the 2.5" Robart on the Nose and will use the FMS P51 3" wheels on the mains.



The nose gear is a little stiff so I will cut a couple coils off the spring inside the strut, the main will need the spring stretched as they are about a quarter of the way compressed from the weight of the plane.

Here's a short video of the gear deploying and steering.

[Aros]

That's a lot of work but the payoff is that it looks absolutely incredible. I sure wish it came with those oleo struts. I am tempted to follow your lead but I don't think I have the patience and skill.

[TiredIronGRB]

That's a lot of work but the payoff is that it looks absolutely incredible. I sure wish it came with those oleo struts. I am tempted to follow your lead but I don't think I have the patience and skill.

The mains are easy...the nose, not so much ;)

[TSHobbies]

That does look great.Im assuming it wasnt possible to use the stock steer arm?

[TiredIronGRB]

That does look great.Im assuming it wasnt possible to use the stock steer arm?

I thought about milling out the P51 strut and sliding the P38 steering arm up ino it but that would have weakened the strut considerably. I used the straight section of a throttle spring because of it's tensile strength.