TiredIronGRB's Dynam PBY Catalina build

[TiredIronGRB]

I really like these PBYs, great flying plane that does great on grass runways. I like these so much that this is my third one, two I fly almost daily and have learned a lot about them so I decided to build a third one and really mod it out.

I love chopping up a new kit.



I used a cockpit latch for a Flightline P-38.

[TiredIronGRB]

I decided to make the wing floats retractable and even though it's not really scale I'm using the wing tip as the float.





















I used a FlightLineRC Electronic Retract Type A, the magnet is to keep the float from sagging when retracted.







Here's a video of the retract.

https://youtu.be/Zuq5aVYNxm4

[TiredIronGRB]

I cut all the control surfaces off and put hinges on them.





I did away with the metal rods and single point control by adding another control rod and tube.







After having crashed my other PBYs a few time I found that this area is a weak spot and will bend up and let the props hit the cockpit so I added 1/8" plywood from the nose to the mid-fuse rib.



I know the scale PBY didn't have counter rotating props but this one will, I used two 1250KV motors which have a 4mm shaft and different props.





A 50 cal for the turret.

[TiredIronGRB]

I didn't like the wheels being decals so I used a Robart 2.5" tire and just cut it in half then cut a slight recess for each half to sit in. I used 1/8" plywood on the inside to secure the half to the fuse and to give it more support.







Yes the wing supports are glued to the fuse and will be smoothed in before painting.

[Prowler901]

Nice! Looking forward to the next update. I have this plane too. It's a great flyer.

[TiredIronGRB]

Ready for the "Black Cat" graphics...

[Prowler901]

Beautifully done! The graphics will really set it off. How did you attach the bombs? Are they releasable?

[TiredIronGRB]

The bombs and brackets came off a 1/18 scale 21st Century Old Crow P-51, I just glued the mount to the wing.

[Hippie 64]

Wow , what a great job you've done !!! Love the retracts on the floats .


Bryan

[TiredIronGRB]

I got my Callie Graphics today and finished up the "Black Eagle".

[F106DeltaDart]

Great job! It looks fantastic! Now all you need is a Japanese convoy to attack..

[Prowler901]

That's just perfect! Will you be flying her from water?

[Dewey H Lee]

Now that's definitely a night hunter. Sneak up on them in the dark and bang. It's a beautiful build. My hats off to you as usual.

[TiredIronGRB]

That's just perfect! Will you be flying her from water?

Yes, probably water only and early morning flights do to the black paint...I've got two other PBYs that I fly almost every day, matter of fact I just came in from burning three batteries through one of them.

Thanks guys for all the good comments.

[wvrailfan]

Neat looking Black Cat you have created. I think I may have a hard time flying an all black plane.

My Dynam PBY is going on five years old and still going strong, though I don't get to fly it as often as I'd like. I painted mine in a USAF rescue scheme, makes it really easy to see.

Jim

[TiredIronGRB]

Neat looking Black Cat you have created. I think I may have a hard time flying an all black plane.

My Dynam PBY is going on five years old and still going strong, though I don't get to fly it as often as I'd like. I painted mine in a USAF rescue scheme, makes it really easy to see.

Jim

She looks great, this is my third one, all still flying.

[Wartoy]

Did yours come with a twisted tail?

[TiredIronGRB]

Did yours come with a twisted tail?

Welcome to Hobby Squawk Wartoy! I have three of these and all had some twist to them but I was able to run hot water over them and carefully twist them back in place.

[rifleman_btx]

Interesting enough I bought a spare part fuse and it was straight as an arrow

[ScottMe262]

Wow! What a stunning job!
I am blown away at the work you did to this.

Looks like I will be putting the plywood inside the compartment on mine for strength. Thanks for the info.