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**Jdcrow** · Aug 29, 2023, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Fast N Light View Post

Purchased mine June 27th 5PM PST. No tracking email so far...

Some additional help with the scale rims would be appreciated.

Is there room for Robart 3.5" and 2.5" tires? The actual Robart ODs are approx 88mm and 63mm. FL OEM tire ODs previously reported at 85mm and 60mm above.

Could someone share the precise front and main axle diameters and rim width at axle? eg caliper accurate to +-0.01mm

i had an old file for some F-14 Main wheel hubcaps. Expanded the dimension to 50mm to see how they would fit.

Cant wait to print out a scale wheel set

Attached Files

**tab28682** · Aug 30, 2023, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by Tom View Post

Update - The B-25 shipment is now 16th in line to be inspected. I've been told this type of Inspection does not take place over the weekend so we remain 16th in line as of Monday morning. It looks like 2 to 4 exams per day are taking place at this location. Given the current pace, I can only guess we'll see the container between Sept 8th - Sept 12th. I wish I had better news.

Tom, thanks for going the extra mile to keep us up to date on the situation. You guys are awesome; the US government, in this case, much less so....:)

It's not like I don't have plenty of models to fly and work on........

**Tom** · Aug 30, 2023, 07:36 PM

Update - As of this evening, we are now 12th in line to be inspected.

Unfortunately, the wait is MUCH longer than expected 🤨. At this point there is a possibility the 3rd shipment of B-25 may arrive before the first. It looks like the total transit time is going to end up about 3 months by the time this container arrives. Normal is 4-5 weeks right now.

**desertdrifter7** · Aug 30, 2023, 08:25 PM

Tom, Ouch. That means only 4 orders/containers were surveyed in 3 days. That's incredible in the negative sense. Bureaucracy at it's finest. Thank you for the update. It's better knowing than not. I appreciate it, even though the news wasn't great, and I am sure the others waiting do as well.

**Gilatrout** · Aug 31, 2023, 09:49 AM

Sigh thanks for the update.

In a couple of days we lose one of our flying fields for a couple of months to the Balloon Fiesta. At least I won’t be tempted to fly it before I get my graphics, weathering and crew installed.

**Evan D** · Aug 31, 2023, 11:20 AM

Not sure if anyone wants to know but mine pulls 76.88A and 1764.3W on a fresh non-HV LiPo.

**RCAZDES20** · Aug 31, 2023, 05:30 PM

Evan D, To clarify-do you mean both motors combined produced 1764W, or approx. 832W each motor?. Any idea what your plane weighed w/ battery onboard? That much power seems impressive at 100W per pound of plane.

**RCAZDES20** · Aug 31, 2023, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Tom View Post

Update - As of this evening, we are now 12th in line to be inspected.

Unfortunately, the wait is MUCH longer than expected 🤨. At this point there is a possibility the 3rd shipment of B-25 may arrive before the first. It looks like the total transit time is going to end up about 3 months by the time this container arrives. Normal is 4-5 weeks right now.

Tom, what is expected ETA for 3rd shipment receipt at MRC? If the 3rd shipment arrives before the first, will there be any "extra" units in addition to preorder fullfillments that would be able to be had from this 3rd shipment?

**Evan D** · Aug 31, 2023, 05:42 PM

Both combined. I don’t know the weight but the batteries I use are 645g.

Originally posted by RCAZDES20 View Post

Evan D, To clarify-do you mean both motors combined produced 1764W, or approx. 832W each motor?. Any idea what your plane weighed w/ battery onboard? That much power seems impressive at 100W per pound of plane.

**Hammerhead** · Aug 31, 2023, 08:12 PM

Yes….. our government at work. Now the are expecting a 5.3% pay raise. This may slow the down even slower.

**RRHandy** · Sep 1, 2023, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by RCAZDES20 View Post

Tom, what is expected ETA for 3rd shipment receipt at MRC? If the 3rd shipment arrives before the first, will there be any "extra" units in addition to preorder fullfillments that would be able to be had from this 3rd shipment?

Another week if you do the math.

**Elbee** · Sep 1, 2023, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by Hammerhead View Post

Yes….. our government at work. Now the are expecting a 5.3% pay raise. This may slow the down even slower.

HH, Welcome to "Hobby Squawk". Glad to have you onboard, Sir. Best, LB

**Elbee** · Sep 1, 2023, 09:42 AM

Hey y'all,

Gotta love the photos with the crew. Some Mitchell Aviation inspiration (at least to me anyway). Best, LB

**CAPTNG** · Sep 1, 2023, 12:13 PM

Has anyone set up the top gun turret on a random motion servo? Like many on this thread, I'm waiting for the pre-orders to be filled, but in the mean time I'm thinking of mods etc. I note that the turret is in/on the battery hatch, so I would think that would cause problems with push rods or direct mount over battery. Thoughts on mechanical mounting and receiver setup for getting movement?

**Evan D** · Sep 1, 2023, 02:21 PM

It moves very easy so it wouldn’t take a large motor or servo but there’s almost no room for it. Maybe imbedded magnets and a stator to make the turret itself a motor?

**Elbee** · Sep 1, 2023, 03:48 PM

Hey Y'all, I used the battery hatch as a mount for the canopy slide mechanism for my Bubble Top Corsair. Point is in that case there was room and it was logical to do so there.

I have not completely unpacked my Mitchell, but it looks as though one could design a near flush mounted grooved ring attached to the base of the turret and use round cording as the belt and smaller same grooved design on a servo or motor.

That will my first crack at it, though I'm considering modding my Mitchell into a "C" which can have up to two (2) aft turrets sans forward turret, which would solve the space issue anyway.

It is definitely doable though dependent entirely on your willingness to do it.

Great modification no matter how it gets done or who does it.

Best, LB

**CAPTNG** · Sep 2, 2023, 04:53 AM

I like the "C" version suggestion. Might be able to fashion the MRC replacement battery hatch to do the job and allow for occasional servo access.

Attached Files

***Aros*** · Sep 2, 2023, 03:55 PM

Brought my P-38 out to the field this morning for a quick sortie. Met Neil (he says he is a member here but doesn't post much), nice guy...Had the FlightLine B-25 with him so I got to watch him fly it. Really nice looking model in person, flew great! Has a little pep to its step! Looking forward to getting mine. Another beauty from FlightLine.

**Fast N Light** · Sep 2, 2023, 08:49 PM

I have taken these wheels as far as I can without the plane. If someone wants to give them a try, I just posted the .STL files.

B-25 J RC Airplane Scale Wheel Rims FlightLine by FnL_Flyer

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6184138

Scale wheel rims for the FlightLine 1.6m B-25J for use with Robart tires (3.5" Main, 2.25" Front). These rims and tires have been fitted and optimized to fit the B-25. Link https://robart.com/collections/wheels-scale-wheels-2-4Motion RC https://www.motionrc.com/collections/main-wheels?filters%5Bbrand%5D%5B0%5D=RobartThe OEM main tires measure OD 3.33" and the Robart 3.5" measure OD ~3.53". The increased diameter decreases the clearances to the gear strut and doors. Moving the wheel inboard seems to balance these clearances. Removing the OEM 1.75mm aluminum spacer will create space for the outboard gear door to close. A single washer may replace the spacer.The 3.5" Robart mains looks great on the B-25. The fit to the gear strut and outer door is a bit closer than the OEM tire. The Robart tires have ~2mm clearance and do not interfere on my setup.If you want to support my contributions here, please consider leaving a tip https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ShowmethedenaroMain Wheels Options1) Robart 3.5" Tires on 3.5" printed rims.2) B-25 OEM Main Tires on 3.5" printed rims. Destructively remove the wheel spokes from 1 side of the OEM rim. Remove tire and trim its ID to approximate the printed rim OD. Posted on HobbySquawk https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-propeller-airplanes/380695-official-flightline-1600mm-b-25j-mitchell-pnp-thread?p=388746#post3887463) Robart 3.25" Main Tires on 3.25" printed rims - This rim appears much smaller and spoils the scale appearance IMHO. It should offer greater clearance when retracted. I don't have this tire so it was not fitted to the rim or plane, but I think it should work. Side by side photo of 3.25", 3.5" and OEM is included in the image set.Robart rim measurements 3.5" OD 47mm, W 23mm. 3.25" OD 41mm, W 21mm.Front Wheel Options1) Robart 2.25" Tire on 2.25" printed G16 rim (G16.2 provides a better grip on the tire)2) TPU Tire on 2.25" printed G17 rim, printed G1 tire - my 1st TPU part design. Pretty basic3) B-25 OEM Front Tire on 2.25" printed G18 rimBuild StepsThe rims are joined with a tapered hex key and are intended to snap together. Recommend securing the rim halves to each other with glue prior to flight. I am planning to use Clear Gorilla Glue (non-foaming) on the OD of the hex pins and along the rim split line inside of the tire ID. Tool Set P04.STL is provided to facilitate clamp fixtures of the Main and Front rims while adhesive is curing.CAUTION: Radial loads on the rims from taxi, take-off or landing may introduce a force which could separate the rim halves. Use your judgement & appropriate countermeasures to ensure this doesn't result in a wheel lockup or wheel separation from the landing gear. This includes blue thread lock on the axle grub screws.Post Print StepsFinish drill the axle holes before installing the tires. Press the hex pin into one half of the rim. Use a fine felt tip pen to accent the timing marks on the OD of the rims and the hex pin peak. Press the second rim half onto the hex pin. The center-line gap between halves should be very small. Step drill the axle holes 3.9, 4.0, 4.1 mm and 4.9, 5.0, and 5.1 mm. Verify the wheels roll smoothly on the axles.Rims are ready for painting if desired.For tire assembly, align the timing marks on the rim ODs and press/snap the hex key into place. Minor cleaning of the rubber flash on the ID of the tires can reduce interference at the rim split line. Hand stretching the tire while squeezing the rim is an effective way to close the gap between rim halves. A bit of strength and a good amount of persistence is helpful. Use a light to verify the split line gaps are same as when axle drilling was performed.I used a single thin metal washer between the rims and the struts both main and front.The front wheel cap is also snap on/off. Removal is best accomplished by using the mushroom head of the installed OEM B-25 axle to apply force from the inside of the cap.

Planning to wait until the designs are validated to the plane before sharing on RCG. Special release for the folks here who helped me with them.

**Elbee** · Sep 3, 2023, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Fast N Light View Post

If someone wants to give them a try, I just posted the .STL files.

FNL. Outstanding detail. Nicely done, Sir.

Best, LB

Announcement

Official FlightLine 1600mm B-25J Mitchell PNP Thread

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