Blown-Up Plans

[BillParker]

Totally the new guy here, so If I break protocol, please let me know. Want to share what I've been up to over the last few months...

Guillow's, Balsa Wood Airplanes P-40 WARHAWK Kit Number 501

Plan blown to 80" wingspan. Proof of concept model:

http://www.parkerinfo.com/ap46.htm

Guillow's, Balsa Wood Airplanes F6F-3 HELLCAT Kit Number: 1005

Plan blown to 92" wingspan. Flying Electric U-Control Model:

http://www.parkerinfo.com/ap47.htm

Comet Industries Balsa Wood Airplanes P-38 Lightning Kit Number 3504

Plan blown to 96" wingspan. Flying Electric U-Control Model: (twin motors)

http://www.parkerinfo.com/p38/

Comments?

[blucor basher]

Really nice work...let's see one flying RC!

[BillParker]

Thank you!

R/C is a little outside my budget, so I'm a U-Control guy...

Now if I a had a builder buddy who understood R/C better than I do...

My actual goal is to someday build full scale.

[blucor basher]

Have you ever built a kit intended for RC? A good one will provide a wealth of wisdom on airframe construction.

Any chance you have video of one of those big birds flying U-control? Love to see it.

[BillParker]

I have not built any R/C kits. Nicest Kit I ever built has been made by Guillow.

Keep in mind, the P-38 is going to be a $60 airplane. Costs on the F6F got out of control, as it's made of balsa. P-38 is plywood from Home Depot. I blow up rubber power kits, and it keeps the weight down. My motors are surplus chinese mfg equipment. I buy em for $6 each. A brushless R/C motor big enough to do what I need costs like $700.. (I'm sure I don't have to tell you that...)

I'm confident that I can build ailerons, and flaps, rudder and elevator, but my understanding of servo placement and selection is exactly zero.

I'm the webmaster for bomberfiledusa.com, so I have a bunch of guys at my disposal to teach me, I just haven't gotten em all in a pile yet. I will.

Thank you again!

[Martin Irvine]

Bill, try some 3/16" or 1/4" foam core for sheet. I get basswood in a 2X4 plank, plane and re-saw 3/16" and 1/4" thick. Rip stringers to the width you need. $10 worth of basswood will keep you building for a year. (But you do need access to the woodworking machines.)

Martin

[BillParker]

Great suggestion, Martin.

Where do you buy basswood? Seems to be the same price as balsa, everywhere I go here...?

I've got all the tools to cut and shape it.

[Martin Irvine]

Try a local mill. Call your local cabinet makers. I think we paid about $15 for a 2X4 8ft long, and milled it ourselves. That has to be about 10 years ago and I haven't used the last of it!

Martin