large scale planes sources

[hopefully1]

Could anyone help me please ? A friend of mine is wanting to get into large scale models 7ft wingspan or larger. He is happy to build from plans but not to scale up smaller plans yet.Does anyone know of a good source for plans, preferably in the UK but not essential.Apparently a member of the LMA at Cosford was most unhelpful.Many thanks

[Mike Emilio]

I have full drawings for:

- 1/3 scale P51D Mustang
- XP-67 Moonbat, 100" or 70" ,
- SR-71 Blackbird, 73" span, 138" length


Edited the pictures

[hopefully1]

Thankyou Mike, sorry for the delay, been on holiday climbing the Welsh moutains in the worst weather for six weeks.will inform my friend as he would be intrested in the p-51 and he may be in touch with you later.Once again thankyou.

[Ercoupe Ed]

Check on Ebay.
There's guy who goes by "Uncle Willies" on Ebay who sells many very nice plans he has restored.
His plans are TOP SHELF QUALITY!!!
There are others also, but no one beats 'Willies' qaulity and his service!

[Joe2003]

You could try traplet, they sell loads of plans:-

www.traplet.com

and there in the Uk to

[Mike Emilio]

Updated.

All the large scale plans have now been moved to a web site.

www.cmsmithplans.com

[Hinckley Bill]

Hey Mike,

What engine do you recommend for the 1/3rd scale P51?

I have some "rather large" twins that might do the trick if I can come up with some custom made exhaust to match the real thing.

Also, are retracts, cockpit, tailwheel, etc, available from a "standard" source like Sierra, Glennis, Fiberglass Specialties, ???

I'd really like to build this baby to keep my 18 foot wingspan B17 company (if I ever get going on that).

Bill

[Mike Emilio]

Hi Bill, , ,

Yup, those look big all right.

The plans will build the basic airframe, but still needs to be adjusted by the builder.
Obviously, you'll have to adjust the firewall and some of the wood sizes depending on the powerplant, choice of gear, electronics, etc, etc.

Nothing is standard in Monster scale!

Century Jets could probably do a good set of landing gear, and we all know that Glennis is just top notch when it comes to custom work as well.
Sierra does good work too, but I've been experiencing communication problems with Darrell.

I have a new mold now for the 30" canopies. The old mold was kinda crappy.
My problem now is finding a company that has a big enough vacuum machine to pull it.

In the interm, I include the plans for making the canopy plug. It's really quite easy to make.

You beat me on the B17, mine is only 12 foot span. :(

[Hinckley Bill]

Mike,

Appreciate the feedback on the 'Stang.......I'd sure like to order those plans, if for no other reason than to look them over and drool!

I saw your B17 when it was up for sale and couldn't help but be impressed. What engines did you use for power?

Bill

[Mike Emilio]

It started out with 4 120's, but now has 4 new ST90's in it.

[Hinckley Bill]

Mike,

Are those the BME "converted" gas ST90's?????

How do they perform, as I've alway thought this would be a great way to get the power you need and still be able to hide most if not all of the engine in the nacelles of planes like the B17?

[Mike Emilio]

Sorry for the long delay Bill. I've been quite busy.

No they are not. But with the new 26 gasser's, I'm thinking about giving them a try.


For Hopefully1, , ,

Another giant scale plan just went up on the website today.

An OV-1 Mohawk at 120" span.

[Hinckley Bill]

Mike,

Appreciate the response.

I actually acquired a partially built 120" OV-10 Bronco from a fellow out in the great Northwest U.S.A. He intended to install ST -3000's in it but I just took 'em and sold them, looking to use gas on it.

Wondering where to get retracts, cowls, canopy and such for it though...any thoughts???

Bill

[Mike Emilio]

Mike,

Appreciate the response.

I actually acquired a partially built 120" OV-10 Bronco from a fellow out in the great Northwest U.S.A. He intended to install ST -3000's in it but I just took 'em and sold them, looking to use gas on it.

Wondering where to get retracts, cowls, canopy and such for it though...any thoughts???

Bill
I checked the usual sources, no luck for 120".

- Palmer has, if I remember, at 96"
- Uravitch has at 81"

but no luck for anything at 120"

The rare giant scale stuff is often best suited for the real die-hard modeller that want's what very few others have.

As in your case, when someone reads about a giant OV-10, the odds are pretty good that it will probably be yours, and that's what sets you apart from most others.

Companies most often carry items that have a higher turnover in sales, and thus make more money. The bigger stuff is for a much smaller group that a company wouldn't make much on. It all boils down to the companies profit per sale. Crappy, but unfortunatley that's business for ya.

Most of the folks I know make their own canopies etc, using the styrofoam plug method.

[Mike Emilio]

Could anyone help me please ? A friend of mine is wanting to get into large scale models 7ft wingspan or larger. He is happy to build from plans but not to scale up smaller plans yet.Does anyone know of a good source for plans, preferably in the UK but not essential.Apparently a member of the LMA at Cosford was most unhelpful.Many thanks
A giant 1/6 scale F15 was recently added, 7 foot span.
www.cmsmithplans.com

[nimmo1971]

ok I;ll bite whats the "styrofoamplug " method?

[Mike Emilio]

ok I;ll bite whats the "styrofoamplug " method?

Styrofoam is filled between the formers to create a solid fuselage. The whole thing is then sheeted with maybe 1/8 balsa, sanded smooth, then finished with fiberglas cloth.
After the fiberglas work, it's sanded smooth with a very fine water paper to get a good finish.

You now have a solid plug suitable for moulding.

Typically the same method applies to making a canopy.