120" B-17 ON FIRST SORTIE!

[kartman24]

Here is my 10ft span Fortress built from the RCM&E plan during it`s first post conversion flight. I bought it last year with .52 4-strokes fitted and i quickly ditched the slimmers. It is now fitted with Axi motors, a123 cells and 3-blade vario props, it fly`s superbly........Martin

[davidleitch]

Well tell us a bit more.

[Ace of Spades]

Wow!

Now that's a superb piece of work! I just watched the Top Ten Bombers on the Military Channel the other day and this was #10 on the list. What a machine it was in it's time. I would have loved to be there for your maiden flight! I bet it's a hoot to fly! Got any more pics or maybe some videos????? We'd love to see them!!!

[Edd Spidell]

Martin,

Pat yourself twice on the back...you are keeping history for many of us alive! I hope you can post some more photos (or video???) for all to enjoy

The B-17 was the make-or-break aircraft (IMHO) of the war.

www.457thbombgroup.org/New/Newsletter/Newsletter2/POWstory.html

The history of my family in aviation started with the B-17, and continues with my own son today...

Best regards,

Edd Spidell

[Ercoupe Ed]

Edd,
First of all I enjoyed your post, and reading the POW story.
Also thankyou to you and your son for your service to our country.
Just this past week, while visiting a local library, I picked up and checked out a book titled "THE FORGOTTEN 500" by Gregory A Freeman
The untold story of the men who risked all for the greatest rescue mission of World War II.
I am about 1/3 way through the book so far, but it is an excellent story so far about the air combat crews flying B-17's and B-24s against the Ploesti oil fields.
I highly recommend it.
Very recently released , first printing was September 2007
Published by New American Library.
Another great book on the life of Colonel Harold Weekely USAF (Ret) who flew the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" for the EAA for a long time is titled

"The Last of the Combat B-17 Drivers"
available through Atlas Bookstors PO Box 388
Amberwood Parkway
Ashland Ohio 44805
1-800-247-6553

or
www.atlasbooks.com

online orders at onlineorders@bookmasters.com

$24.95 softback
$39.95 hardback




I wish that I could find a nice B-17 kit in at least an 84 inch to 120 inch span to build.
Of all my favorite airplanes, the B-17, the JN-4 Jenny and the Ercoupe (kits) in a larger scale other than Balsa USA's 1/3 scale are about the most difficult to find.

Ed

[GordonTarling]

C'mon Martin, don't keep us all in suspense! More details please? Which Axi's? Battery packs? Prop size? Current draw? ESC's? All-up weight?

[Ace of Spades]

C'mon Martin, don't keep us all in suspense! More details please? Which Axi's? Battery packs? Prop size? Current draw? ESC's? All-up weight?
Yeah, really Martin. You've got us all excited to learn more about your creation! Every time I look at that picture of yours in the first post, I get that much more excited about building one for myself. I need to learn how to fly first before I decide to do that, but it will be in my arsenal some day in the future.

The B-17 was the make-or-break aircraft (IMHO) of the war.

I agree, Edd. The B-17 was a very integral part of the war and the best looking bomber as well! It just looks mean! Too bad it wasn't as agile as a P-51 so it could avert enemy fire! I heard at least 25% of the planes were lost in their first few flights out. And the crew of 10 got a free trip home to take a leave of absence if they made 25 successful flights. One of the first was the Memphis Belle if I'm not mistaken. Not many could boast that kind of success.

I wish that I could find a nice B-17 kit in at least an 84 inch to 120 inch span to build.
Check this site out, Ed.

http://www.wingspanmodels.com/Products/Kits/B-17FG/B-17FG.html

It gives you three different sizes to chose from. The kits are very expensive, but you could probably figure it out on your own from the plan pics on the site.

[kartman24]

Ok guys here is some more info, motors are Axi 4120/14`s with Hi Model controllers. Batteries are 5s a123 and props are 12x8 Vario prop 3 bladers. All up dry as an i.c it was 32lbs, i haven`t weighed it since conversion but i was able to remove a fair bit of nose weight when re balancing it. At present it is in the colours of `Double trouble` a plane that flew from `Rougham` (Bury st Edmunds) airfield with the Mighty Eighth. I may add a sound system and give her a repaint later this year, i will be flying her at RAF Scampton in April and from Rougham in May. She is a delight to fly and gets in and out of my club`s small strip very easily........Martin (still grinning!)
Please take the time to sign the petition to stop a link road being built across the former USAAF Rougham airfield.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/STOP_Rougham_Relief_Road/index.html