Big Squaw update: about a week after the in-flight "explosion", we finally found the still-connected prop hub/motor/motor mount/ESC/6s 5000 Lipo. The ESC was beeping, and the lipo still had 11% charge (it's since been recharged and flown twice). I had ordered a new fuselage, wings and stab, but the fuselage arrived badly creased in several places. Now that I had the motor mount, I decided to try and repair the fuselage, while I reinforced the new wing panels as I had previously to eliminate the foam cracking above the retracts, using lightweight fiberglass cloth on the top panel (which includes the entire retract bay) and on the inside, directly above the electric retract itself. The panels were repainted to the new scheme, and the electronics transferred from the old wing panels. I returned to the original motor and prop. I also did some additional weathering using a technique I've been experimenting with using powdered artists pastels, for both grime and dirt, referencing some photos of the real Squaw. I used "heavy duty" post-it notes to mask the edges. After achieving the desired effect, I sealed this with an airbrushed overspray -- a mix of matte polycrylic, artist's matte media, and windex to thin. This gives a dead-flat sheen that can't be beat.
Today was the re-re-re-maiden, and I had three very nice flights, so I'm happy. I still have a new fuselage (a replacement), which I might either save, or finish out to be a different P-47 from the same squadron -- "8-Ball". I already have the new graphics, so I probably will.
My latest thinking on the crash: I think the prop threw a blade and the badly out of balance motor ripped away the left side of the cowling, and this "power train" swung around, ripping off the left wing panel and dragging out all the "guts" before being flung sideways to the flight path (it was found about 200 feet to the left of the rest of the parts). Why? I used the 5060 360 Kv motor from the FMS Pitts (I was given a new one). The 1700mm Corsair and P-47 use the same size motor, but only 300 Kv. That means I had a 20% higher Kv and I think that may have been the cause. If I try this again, it'll be with a lower Kv motor!
Today was the re-re-re-maiden, and I had three very nice flights, so I'm happy. I still have a new fuselage (a replacement), which I might either save, or finish out to be a different P-47 from the same squadron -- "8-Ball". I already have the new graphics, so I probably will.
My latest thinking on the crash: I think the prop threw a blade and the badly out of balance motor ripped away the left side of the cowling, and this "power train" swung around, ripping off the left wing panel and dragging out all the "guts" before being flung sideways to the flight path (it was found about 200 feet to the left of the rest of the parts). Why? I used the 5060 360 Kv motor from the FMS Pitts (I was given a new one). The 1700mm Corsair and P-47 use the same size motor, but only 300 Kv. That means I had a 20% higher Kv and I think that may have been the cause. If I try this again, it'll be with a lower Kv motor!
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