Top Flite P-47D ARF: Electric ready?

[CorsairJock]

Just got word that the new ARF from Top Flite has a battery access hatch, just as thier Mustang does.
So, anyone out there planning on getting one of these and electrifying it?
BTW, while some of you are waiting for the new Hangar 9 P-51D: these P-47s are now in stock and shipping, and could be at your door for $60 less than the H9 'Stang, plus free shipping (IF you are a Tower Club member):

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0005p?&I=TOPA0955&P=Z

http://www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0955.html

NOTE: this ARF comes with decals for 3 different 'Jugs' (all 3 are accurate for depictions of WW II combat flown Jug's), as well as full cockpit kit, and retracts.

If you are building this model and intend to install the cockpit kit, I urge you to proceed immediately to the following post:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8886021

[Yak18]

Sold CorsairJock!

[stuart warne]

Wooo, I've been waiting to see what the TF P47 looks like compared to the H9 one. Really a much more scale bird. This one I'd be very interested in. I should think a 7 cell A123 pack would do the job.

Don't see any kind of battery hatch in the image below though. But I'm guessing it would take much to turn this bird electric ;)

[800mZero]

If its like the mustang the battery hatch is "hidden" from the factory--it is just infront of the windscreen covered over --simply slice and seal the edges of the covering and you have a hatch with rare earth magnets already installed.

If I wasnt commited to the new hanger 9 mustang I would be all over this---great looking bird!

[CorsairJock]

If its like the mustang the battery hatch is "hidden" from the factory--it is just infront of the windscreen covered over --simply slice and seal the edges of the covering and you have a hatch with rare earth magnets already installed.

Word is: the hatch is EXACTLY like the Mustang version (hidden, and held on with magnets).
This is a good setup, since if you don't need and/ or use the hatch: no-one will ever know it is there. If you DO need/ use it: all you need to do is cafefully slice the covering where hatch meets fuselage.

I would think the tried and proven 6S 5000 mAh/ AXI 4130 combo fly this bird well enough, with more power being an option for those that want it.

The above setup has been flying my 10 lb Top Flite Mustang ARF for a year now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLVGWnSlKrs

BTW: I wasn't aware of the hatch when I built it, so I removed (Dremeled) what I believed was excess material in the upper fuselage, and now I cannot utilize the hatch. If only I had known before I built it.

[skylake]

I just finished my Mustang and it will fly this weekend Turnigy motor on 6S 4000 with Lado electric retracts. I have had my finger on the P-47 order button 3 or 4 times so far, I may slip and hit it soon.

[PerlAddict]

Do Top Flite birds come pre-covered? I never gave them much of a look because in a review I read of the Razorback, the writer mentioned all the covering he did on it with the striping for the panel lines and whatnot afterwards. Way more than I had time to devote to building. But if their kits are pre-covered, I may definitely have to start giving them some looks.

[mike early]

some are kits. some are ARFs. ARFs are almost ready to fly.

[Thrawn150]

Why on earth if there is a battery hatch would you not advertise it as electric option? I mean you increase the audience that is willing to buy your product. Oh well, I am about to start my H9 P-47 build.

[Wilit run? 353]

I like the top flite range but they are a bit pricey

[mike early]

I like the top flite range but they are a bit pricey


Not really,
H9 sport/warbirds are 280 dollars.
This beauty only cost 30-40 dollars more. 10x better.
And Tower is always having deals you can use to save 50 bucks on this plane.

Same price as the new, improved H9 Mustang. Both are good deals.
But, this one has an optional hatch. MUCH better for the electric crowd.

[CorsairJock]

I like the top flite range but they are a bit pricey

If you are a member of the Tower Club, you can get $60 off PLUS Free Shipping (well, U.S.A. anyway).
Total price delivered to your front door: $259.98. The Top Flite Mustang ARF is $40 less. Even the old Hangar 9 warbirds can't be had that cheap.

That's too pricey? If so, I suggest you find a different hobby.

[flemsus]

What to use for motormount on these Top Flite bird's? My new Hyperion motor can only be backmounted. And where to buy in europe?

[kahloq]

Saw one of these TF P-47's at local hobbytown the other day. Im not a fan of the bubble top or I would have bought it.

[800mZero]

Not really,
H9 sport/warbirds are 280 dollars.
This beauty only cost 30-40 dollars more. 10x better.
And Tower is always having deals you can use to save 50 bucks on this plane.

Same price as the new, improved H9 Mustang. Both are good deals.
But, this one has an optional hatch. MUCH better for the electric crowd.


umm the new hanger nine mustang has a huge battery hatch---the whole upper canopy comes off like a 3d plane---just to let you know.

[mike early]

duly noted!
"Large, removable top hatch"

[Joespeeder]

Hi Guys,

I just opened one of these at the LHS where I help out. It does have a hatch built in just waiting for you to slice through the Monokote. It looked to be magneticly secured.

I've got enough on my plate right now so i'll not be doing one of these but I wanted to see the hatch in case someone asked while I was working.

Joe




www.thecaterhamproject.com

[stuart warne]

Any chance you can take some pics of the model in the box etc. Would be interesting to see.


Stuart.

[Joespeeder]

Hi Stuart,

I wont be down there for a while now. I just fill in when needed. If I can, I will next time I'm there.

Joe




www.thecaterhamproject.com

[CorsairJock]

Well I 'pushed the button': I ordered one from Tower. I'll post pics of the hatch when it arrives.

[stuart warne]

Not just the hatch, we'd like a whole lot more. ;)

[CorsairJock]

Well it arrived on Tuesady, June 9. UPS put a few dents in the box, only damage was to the cowl, and Tower says they have a new one on the way.

I didn't find the time to take LOTS of pics, and Top Flite has many posted on their web-site anyway (see 1st post), so I only took what I really thought was necessary.

One thing that really caught my eye: the instrument panel, which not only is extemely good looking, but also already assembled (unlike the Mustang version which requires assembly). BTW, it comes with a FULL cockpit kit (unlike the Mustang also).

The hiddeen hatch is shown in the next 2 pics: a close-up and then a slightly more distant view. In the 1st one you can see where the magnets are hidden (round brown wood tabs) on the front of the hatch, while the rear is held down with wooden dowels.

Next pics show the access in the fuselage before the painted/ molded fairings are installed.

Last pic is an attempt to show the built in right thrust offset (as viewed from above).

[stuart warne]

Wow that was quick. Thank you for posting. What is your planned set-up?

[zup]

cosairjock
like ta know what power setup your going to use. i have a top flite razorback jug kit i started building 15 years ago. i,ll be following this any maybe finish it and convert it to electric.
zup

[800mZero]

looks really really nice!

[mike early]

Best looking instrument panel I ever saw.


Are you going to cut the hatch out?
I'd be happy to see a photo of the open hatch.

We all live vicariously through you, CJ!

[CorsairJock]

Wow that was quick. Thank you for posting. What is your planned set-up?

Actually, I thought the delivery time from Tower was on the slow side. I remember when I could just about guarantee that I would recieve ordes from Tower within 48 hours. In this case, I ordered on Wde. afternoon, THEY didn't even get it out of their warhouse until late Friday, and it finally arrived on Tues..

As for my planned setup: well, the last 3 warbirds that I have built have been electrics (including the Top Flite Mustang ARF), and my electrics are starting way outnumber my fuel ones.
I need a fuel powered one, so I'm going with the Saito 1.00 on this one.
That said, I will NOT be cutting the hatch out on mine.

That gives someone else to be the 1st to convert this one. I'd be glad to offer advice if anyone is interested (since I already have experience with other 60 size conversions).

[old p47]

Just because your going fuel I had to get one to go electric. I got two outrunners. A eflight 60 400kv 410grams maybe 6s 5000 pack or a AXI 5330-24 197KV 692grams that would need a 10s 5000 pack.

Mike

[mike early]

Link us up to your build thread when it happens, old p47.

[Wefinance01]

Got to get me one of this to do this;

http://vimeo.com/4752279

[countrygentleman]

Unreal!!!!

[mike early]

viva la France?

[Thrawn150]

That was fricken awesome. Nice video, nice plane.

[old p47]

I have just ordered it so next week should have it.

[stuart warne]

Good, it would be great to see a lot more pictures and a conversion thread.

Stuart.

[Ron101]

This plane has been along time dream of mine... so I'm going to convert it
I'm so happy with my Hanger 9 P-51 miss america.. I run a hacker A50-12L on 6s 30c 5000 packs... with a 16x12 prop... I was getting 1200 watts on my old 25c packs.. these new 30c have given me much more power... I'll check it .. but I'm guessing more like 1600 watts...

I'm hoping to use the same setup in it... I'll run the 85 HV so if I need to bump up to 8s it won't be an issue...
The Key will be keeping it light.... does anyone know if a 6s 5000 pack with fit through the hatch on this bird?

this is going to be awsome :D

Ron

[Fidelity101]

Did you ever find an answer to your question Ron? I am searching for my next plane and I'd like to use a 10S 5000mAh battery setup. Just wondering how much space there is in the battery hatch

[Ron101]

Did you ever find an answer to your question Ron? I am searching for my next plane and I'd like to use a 10S 5000mAh battery setup. Just wondering how much space there is in the battery hatch

Hey Fidelity101,
I'll be able to let you know in a few days :D
The plane got ordered today from Tower Hobbies... I've wanted this plane for like 15 + years... I'm just so excited P-47's are my favorite

I really think it will need at least 8s... I think two 4s 5000 30c pro powers will do the trick real well... but I'd still like to experiment with the 6s

I'll post a few pics once it show up and let you know how big the hatch it
I love this plane so much if the hatch is small I'm will to take the wing on and off

later
Ron

[Fidelity101]

Thanks Ron. I ask about 5S only because I have five 5S packs. I spent to much money on lipo's this year and can't seem to sell any of them, so why not make use of them whenever possible right!

[Ron101]

She showed up today... what a great looking ARF!!
tower is so fast ... ordered it on sunday night , here on tuesday afternoon

The covering and build look really good I'm very impressed

I need to cut the hatch out to get a good look.. but I'd have to say 5s would be tight... I'm hoping the 4s will fit in the shelf they have made..
but I'm sure it could be modified to fit.. I'll have a better idea tomorrow once I cut into it

here's a pic 5 minutes out of the box

later
Ron

[BARNESJONR]

Hey wait a minute Ron .... where does the fan go on THIS one?! :p

You have FINE taste in planes sir! Another airframe in your possession that says I need to meet you and shoot photos of your sweet fleet! :D

[Ron101]

I called hacker today.. those guys are great to deal with.
I'm in love with the hacker setup in my P-51 A50-12L on 6s with a 16x12 prop

but the P-47 is a bulkier airplane and will weigh more than my P-51 which only 8.5 pounds... I think the P-47 will with packs will be more like 11 pounds..
that's my guess

so Hacker thinks the A50-16L on 8s 30c 5000 mah packs with a 17x12 will be a hot setup.. I'll run two 4s packs which I think will fit on the stock shelf
will see

later
Ron

[Ron101]

Hey wait a minute Ron .... where does the fan go on THIS one?!

You have FINE taste in planes sir! Another airframe in your possession that says I need to meet you and shoot photos of your sweet fleet!



LOL... thanks.... I wonder if I could get a TJ 100 in this thing.. :D

The P-47 is my all time favorite airplane and I've never owned one... I always said if I did get one I would have to build it.. but top flight is doing such a great job on there ARF's I could not hold back.. I'm going to a few extras to put my touch on it.. I'm going to build a cockpit, paint my own pilot, airbrush some smoke stains, do my own radial engine... I want this to be really nice

I'll pay you to shoot photo's and I'm not kidding you do such a great job.. will have to work something out for sure :D

Ron

[BARNESJONR]

We're pretty close together and we'll just HAVE to meet up for sure. I'll watch your progress on this one. I am hoping to have a Tam 1/12 F16 soon...maybe you can help me since you are well versed in the cool world of all things Tam. :D

[Ron101]

Dude,
what ever you need, I'll help out anytime...PM anytime or I can PM my phone number I talk about this stuff all day...lol.. Your going to love that F-16.
Those things scream... fun fun

[stuart warne]

Ron, look forward to seeing more and do please keep us updated with photo's etc. I've spoken to ripmax, but as of yet they have not clue as to when this P47 will be in the UK! I'd consider one but I think I'll try and use A123 cells, maybe 4S2P pack in parallell?

Stuart.

[Thrawn150]

SO do all the gold editions have the battery hatch, like the corsair?

[Ron101]

SO do all the gold editions have the battery hatch, like the corsair?
For now the only gold editions ARF are the P-51 and P-47 and both have the hatch... it has to be cut out. The Corsair is still a kit.. but I hope it will be and ARF soon.

I cut out my Hatch today to see what we are working with.. it was a bit hard to cut nice.. but I got it pretty good.. just a little filler, sanding and covering and I'll be good to go. I have a roll on the way to cover it.. I want to rap into the the cutout and around the hatch anyway..

The hatch is really well done and tight fitting.. I'll work it into my panel lines to help hide it. So here is the low down on the packs.. I'm going to run two Thunder Power Pro Power 4s 30c 5000 mah pack they are a perfect fit.. just a little dremel work to one former..remove and 1/8 and it's perfect. I you want to run one 6s brick it could be done.. you woulc just have to cut out the upper tray and put it down lower in the fuse and wing once the wing is on... I just hope it will balance out there's not alot of room to move the packs
so we shall see.. but so far so good

Later
Ronnie

[CorsairJock]

If you are building this model and intend to install the cockpit kit, I urge you to proceed immediately to the following post:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8886021

[Fidelity101]

Ron...So is there enough room for a 5S pack without any modifications? My only other option is two 3S 4000mAh packs in Series.

Also, how did the CG come out?