Official FlightLine 1600mm B-25J Mitchell PNP Thread

[Fast N Light]

After seeing the posts here, I contacted Motion for guidance on how to best manage this ESC fire issue before I powered up the model. They claimed it was rare, but that I should video the plane in case something should occur. I did that for a few minutes of ground testing and will repeat for the maiden.

For those who have had ESC fires, it's not rare enough! There have been enough reports that this should be be recognized by Motion as a product issue. Failure to address product issue undermines customer satisfaction and confidence in the brand. In the long run sales, margins and profitability will suffer. This one should be easy to recognize with a couple photos. I encourage those who experience this issue to post photos as this will encourage Motion to address it.

[Ocalavol]

Hi guys! Just received my model yesterday and got started immediately with assembly. Everything went well all the way thru getting the Lemon 10-channel receiver installed and the gyros working properly. THEN I pushed the throttle up just a little to stop the transmitter lack-of-use tone.....and POP, smoke started coming out of the right nacelle. I managed to get the battery disconnected pretty quick, but the residual smoke was awful. I remember in several earlier posts reports of this happening. I disassembled the nacelle (not fun with the LG struts) and pulled the ESC. It was fried. Looks like the capacitors may have failed or something like that. I'm no electronics guru. I have a customer service ticket in with MRC and am waiting for their response. I wonder if they have a QC problem with these particular ESCs.

[Fast N Light]

3D printed gunship nose in work

[Elbee]

borntoolate Copy that.

[borntoolate]

borntoolate,

Thank you, Bob, very kind, but that's not necessary.

If I figure a way to fabricate the part to my satisfaction, I imagine one would find its way to you.

Best, Steve

Thank you, Steve. However, my offer stands!

[Elbee]

borntoolate,

Thank you, Bob, very kind, but that's not necessary.

If I figure a way to fabricate the part to my satisfaction, I imagine one would find its way to you.

Best, Steve

[borntoolate]

Thanks, I will look into this. Best, LB

Steve, I would be willing to share this cost with you - within reason!

Bob

[Elbee]

I would get the plastic from a local hobby store, but ePlastics seems to be a good site.

If you have room, and depending on how much you plan to make, you can always source an old oven from a scrap yard, or a big box store that is just throwing them away. Typically, you may have to spend $20 to $30 dollars for a heating element, but sometimes you can get a good working one that someone traded in for an upgrade.

Some vacuum form companies like https://cwthomas.com/ may make you a vacuum formed part if you send them a plug at very little cost. As long as they don't have to engineer something, they are very customer friendly. (STM Plastics – Let Us Shape Your Project is in your neck of the woods).

Huge Selection of Clear Polycarbonate Sheets In Stock & Cut-to-Size at ePlastics

Thanks, I will look into this. Best, LB

[rlcamden]

I would get the plastic from a local hobby store, but ePlastics seems to be a good site.

If you have room, and depending on how much you plan to make, you can always source an old oven from a scrap yard, or a big box store that is just throwing them away. Typically, you may have to spend $20 to $30 dollars for a heating element, but sometimes you can get a good working one that someone traded in for an upgrade.

Some vacuum form companies like https://cwthomas.com/ may make you a vacuum formed part if you send them a plug at very little cost. As long as they don't have to engineer something, they are very customer friendly. (STM Plastics – Let Us Shape Your Project is in your neck of the woods).

Huge Selection of Clear Polycarbonate Sheets In Stock & Cut-to-Size at ePlastics

[Elbee]

Gentlemen,Sorry to jump in this conversation, but I used to vacuum form RC truck bodies years ago. I used my household oven, peg board, and a shop vac. For the small parts, I used an easy bake oven with a smaller peg board. For the plastic, I used thin Lexan sheets. I use this method for clear canopies for some of my 3D printed planes. The below video is not me, but the same process I used.

RLC, not at all, there's no apology needed.

I have been thinking about this for some time.
She, whose authority exceeds my rank, won't allow me within 2 feet of the oven unless I'm cleaning the stove-top.

So that is not an option here.

Where did you source your Lexan. That would be my preferred material.

I looked online at vacuform machines, but the price is out there for something I might use a couple of times a year.

I did not look for services, but again, costs are a concern for one-offs or two-offs.

Best, LB

[borntoolate]

Gentlemen,

Sorry to jump in this conversation, but I used to vacuum form RC truck bodies years ago. I used my household oven, peg board, and a shop vac. For the small parts, I used an easy bake oven with a smaller peg board. For the plastic, I used thin Lexan sheets. I use this method for clear canopies for some of my 3D printed planes. The below video is not me, but the same process I used.

https://youtu.be/ooVBJbYac_4?si=pRIiUBEvbe2tZEPI

This pretty much describes what I built to form parts. The wife, of course, was not too happy with me heating plastic in "her" oven!

[rlcamden]

Gentlemen,

Sorry to jump in this conversation, but I used to vacuum form RC truck bodies years ago. I used my household oven, peg board, and a shop vac. For the small parts, I used an easy bake oven with a smaller peg board. For the plastic, I used thin Lexan sheets. I use this method for clear canopies for some of my 3D printed planes. The below video is not me, but the same process I used.

https://youtu.be/ooVBJbYac_4?si=pRIiUBEvbe2tZEPI

[Elbee]

Hey, Bob,

After your earlier post I got to thinking about vacuum-forming (again).

As a kid in the '60s, I had a Mattel Vac-u-Form and loved it, but like most 'kid' things I tossed it out somewhere in my early idiot-teens.

I have everything I would need around here to build a larger version,

I have watched u-toob vids ad nauseum over the last few years about how to build one.

The thing is, I do not have a place to keep it after I build it and use it.
.
So, I might reach back into my childhood and pickup an old Mattel Vacu-u-Form.

This part isn't going to be very big, I think the build plate on the Mattel is about 4" x 4".

Clear sheets I could get from Evergreen Plastics, I think.

The part could be perfectly smooth and the panel lines applied with a thin tape after.

Anyway, those are my current thoughts.

Still in thinking stages.

Best, Steve

[borntoolate]

borntoolate, Absolutely, sounds like a plan.

The rear fuselage glass is a challenge.

I've been thinking about building a small vacuum-forming machine for doing 'clear' parts for a couple years.

I figure this is now a good time to start that project.

Stay in touch.

Best, Steve

Steve, I built a simple vacuum form box to form some parts for my FMS B-25s. I made a plug out of balsa for both the B clear tailcone as well as solid noses for the B-25 gunship versions. They came out pretty nice.
I suppose I can try to make a tailcone plug for this new FL model. The clear parts were a bit more difficult than the nose parts but I did manage to complete both. I am looking forward to finally getting back into the build/mod action. Of course, if you manage to achieve this before me (highly likely), I would certainly like to buy one from you!

Bob

[flazz]

HEADS UP GUYS...........SPARES ARE IN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elbee]

borntoolate, Absolutely, sounds like a plan.

The rear fuselage glass is a challenge.

I've been thinking about building a small vacuum-forming machine for doing 'clear' parts for a couple years.

I figure this is now a good time to start that project.

Stay in touch.

Best, Steve

[borntoolate]

F4u, Yes, I have this beautiful Mitchell.

I am probably going to convert mine into an early war "C" Model.

I am waiting for Motion to get in some spare parts for this airframe so I don't have to reinvent the wheel on the second turret.

The rear tail fuselage glass is different so I might have to improve my vacuum forming skills, we'll see.

In any event, I hope this is my Winter project, but I have not ruled out the Tomcat which was going to be my Winter project until Motion surprised us with the B-25.

Good news is it is still January, which is also the bad news...I really dislike the cold any more.

Best, LB

When I am recovered enough physically, I will be modding my B-25 into a "B" model. I did this on one of my FMS B-25s.
Like my FMS, I will be relocating the top turret rearwards, removing the "cheek" guns and rear gunner position and adding the clear tail cone. I did vacuum form a rear glass for my FMS.
it was not easy but it can be done. I did order and receive the spare parts from Motion to help me along with the mod.

I am curious to see how you fare on your conversion. Maybe we can help guide each other!

Take care, LB.

[jetfool]

Oh Man Hugh you are just rubbing it in! Been 0 below last week in Indiana. Sweater at 75 in jan.,I feel for you. LOL

[Elbee]

[QUOTE=Hugh Wiedman;n395698] I love the winter cold weather, gets down to 75 and I can break out the sweaters. 😎

Keep killin' me.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Come on Elbee, get those old bones a-move -in. Missing my daily dose of modification where I learn many new things . I hate this cold weather also.

Best Regards, Rex

I'm with you J Fool, how else am I going to learn stuff! As for me, I love the winter cold weather, gets down to 75 and I can break out the sweaters. 😎 Better than the 98 in the shade coming back in the summer.