Skyshark TBM-3

[jetfool]

Cleaning shop table today and thought I would show a long-term project that I have been working on. Bought at Toledo 2004 originally was going IC but after my FL Corsair, I'm flying mostly electric, so the extra Corsair prop and motor have been installed. Prop really looks great on this. I made a scale retractable TW, wing spoilers, opening canopy, internal linkages to rudder/elevator. Plan to make the scale main struts (using Rhom- Airs). I have an idea to make and hinge the scale torpedo doors. A few photos to look at.




As you can see there is much, much more to do but someday it will be finished. Now on to the Phantom makeover.

Happy Thanksgiving, Rex

[davegee]

Cleaning shop table today and thought I would show a long-term project that I have been working on. Bought at Toledo 2004 originally was going IC but after my FL Corsair, I'm flying mostly electric, so the extra Corsair prop and motor have been installed. Prop really looks great on this. I made a scale retractable TW, wing spoilers, opening canopy, internal linkages to rudder/elevator. Plan to make the scale main struts (using Rhom- Airs). I have an idea to make and hinge the scale torpedo doors. A few photos to look at.




As you can see there is much, much more to do but someday it will be finished. Now on to the Phantom makeover.

Happy Thanksgiving, Rex

Looking great, Rex! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Davegee

[jetfool]

A few more photo's









Wing spoilers

[davegee]

A few more photo's









Wing spoilers

Very Cool!

davegee

[CF-105]

Very nice! I’m jealous.

Btw those are slots, not spoilers. They help maintain a laminar airflow over the wing. Spoilers are drag-increasing devices.

[jetfool]

CF-105,

Don't be jealous, I have worked on this off and on for several years and in my dreams/nightmares I figure out those little details that I want to add. Today I'm working on the TW retract and steering before I add the bottom section to the upper fuselage. Lot of head scratching but it's getting there.
Best Regards, Rex

[Joe Hockey]

Rex, beautiful build , really nice. The TBM is one of the most under modeled planes in RC, so its great to see some action on this iconic model.

I have had the CY models TBM, added full cockpit, powered Actuonix canopy and tons of detail. Now I own the Skyshark TBM that I was incredibly lucky to acquire at a swap meet fully assembled with servos and retracts ( no power system).

My concern in your power selection is that I am not sure the Flightline Corsair motor and prop is enough for this model. I would have speculated at least an 8s system with 110 or larger motor. My TBM was expertly build ( not by me ) and it feels much heavier then a 60 size power system. Just wondering do you have an AUW projected and if so did you use Ecal or other methods to determine your power system ? Thanks !

[jetfool]

Joe,
You may be right on the power system. I have this extra prop and motor and used for a guideline. I can up-grade if needed. I'm building this as lite as I can and will cover with 3/4 oz cloth and poly-acrylic. I have found this to be very lite and strong. Just received new canopies from Parkflyer Plastics, Outstanding work and the Turrent is one piece. Prices very reasonable.
I try to fly scale and the TBF will be flown like the real one so hoping this motor set-up will work. I'm using the TAR method for my calculations. Trying for around 9-10 lbs.
Best Regards, Rex

[Joe Hockey]

Good plan Rex ! I will be working on my acquired TBM this winter, wrapping up a ARF P40 bash and then onto the TBM. I will keep you posted with my all up weight. The model has Spring air retracts for main gear and a fixed tail. I have to do the conversion to epower and cut in a lipo box. Have a happy holiday, will be following your excellent build.

[jetfool]

Joe,
Feel free to post your progress here if you want. Better yet start your post then I can steal ideas from you. LOL
Check out how I have my battery behind a removable firewall. The cowl, prop all stays together as a unit, (6) 6-32 shcs hold firewall to fixed firewall. Easiest way I could find to change the battery. I have a scale panel on the left top fuselage ahead of the windscreen that allows me to plug the battery into the ECM and can quickly un-plug in an emergency.
I am building a TBF-1 from the Midway survivor B-T-1 and will change the cowl flaps to reflect this model. I have Rhom-Air retracts and will make my own struts from alum tubing and rod. Please post your build.

Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

Joe,
I will post photos of my removable firewall/battery box, cowl, prop assembly

[jetfool]

Joe,
Here are some photos of my removable eng. assembly







My 6s battery fits fine and through the scale panel I can hook up to the motor. I f I need more power 2 4s batteries fit side by side in the same battery area. Figure this was the best way to quickly change out batteries if at a flying competition or at the home field.
Best Regards, Rex

[Joe Hockey]

Rex , sorry for the blackout but for some reason I was not getting updates to your incredible build ! This is Top Gun level , really nice ! I ran into a ton of challenges much like your “head scratching “ but my issues were from the previous builder and just trying to make this plane flyable.
1) wing bolts would not line up -after many frustrating hours, i cut slots ( ugly ) into the bellypan in order to have easy access to the screws.
2) 8s proved to be challenging with my planned lipo box /hatch between the canopy and cowl. The area was small and made it limiting to the type of lipos ai own. Then adding to this challenge, the 8s 5000 combo /2x4s 5000 packs made the model excessively nose heavy . So I had to move the compartment back ( more cutting ) so one of two lipos could be move aft. This reduced my tail weight needed from 6.4 oz down to 2.5 oz.
3) Tail wheel ( still a challenge ) I think the stock tail wheel is really undersized. I fly from grass and i dont see this tail wheel have any authority. So my easy fix to simply go to a larger tail wheel was met with the builders work of literally fusing the set screw holding the wheel on. So far heating it, using the best tools I have did not result in anything . I may have to cut it off and add an extension to the robart tail unit.
4) I am waiting for a one piece 3 blade prop to arrive from China and I can go back to my CG confirmation. I am surprised that your flightline prop has the clearance needed on retracts. What brand retracts did you use ? I have spring air I would not get clearance on that size prop . I am in the process of weathering her, added the exaust and need to add the wing guns . Now doing details ) lines and rivets to the wings.

Ignore the prop, i was just using it for weight while waiting for my real prop to arrive. The third pic colors are more accurate , I think the garage lighting is changing the look.