I finally got the latest B-25 finished up and scheduled a maiden flight at Skypark Airport. Here is a video of the control surface checks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=qLGAcL_CfKY

Before I get comments on the accuracy of the aircraft, the actual B-25 "Poontang" was a B-25C. I decided early on to not convert the FMS "J" to a "C". I previously converted a "J" into a B-25B - the Ruptured Duck of the Doolittle Raid fame.

I may convert the Poontang into a "C" at a later date. Then again, I may not!

Bob

I modified the "glue-on" tail to a "screw-on" tail for my FMS Zero. Not a difficult mod. Here are some pictures that I think pretty much explains it:

Bob

I decided to modify the 1100 mm P-51D from 3S to handle 4S batteries. The mod was pretty simple as mods go. I exchanged the 30a ESC for a 60a ESC from Hobby King. There are a series of pictures below to show this easy mod. It took about 90 minutes, not including touch up paint drying time. I can now fit a 4S 4000 mah battery. Result - a much better performing airplane.

I saw the beautiful job that Karltrek did on his FW190 last weekend at RSA in Cupertino. I knew I had to add the flaps to my FW190. After looking at the construction of the wing, I decided to try to make split flaps. I used 1/16 " sheet styrene and 1/4 " round styrene tubes. It was actually pretty easy to do. Slicing the wing foam was probably the hardest part. I used small sections of 9/32" brass tube to act as hinges. As the plane is not super scale anyway, I think it came out ok.

I have corrected the seam on the drop tanks. I do not know why the factory has not corrected this issue. My 1100mm P-51D has the same issue. I have corrected the tanks for that one also. Very easy to do. Using a very sharp Xacto, I sliced off the vertical seam. The better you do this part directly reflects on how much sanding, filling or covering you will have to do later. I know others have done this mod. My method was to buy half-round styrene. Simply glue the styrene in place along the horizontal line of the tank. I used Testor's liquid cement. It comes with a handy brush which make glue application easy. I then taped the seam in place till dry. Some light sanding and/or filler and it is ready for paint. The strip styrene comes in various sizes. I used .125 " half round on this mod. If someone is going to try this, the styrene comes in 14" lengths. It is not enough to go completely around the tank. Save yourself a lot of extra work and start at the pointed end of the tank, make a nice bend in the middle of the 14" length. This way, the next piece of half round styrene will butt up nicely against your first piece and your seam will be nearly invisible. I started from the round end of the tank and I struggled to get a nice "point" at the aft end. When I do this again, I will take my own advice and make it much easier and quicker.

I decided to not wait for my new receiver to arrive, so I "borrowed" the one in the FW190. I got DingHao! all powered up and all controls adjusted after the servos centered. Before I attempted to drop the gear, I had a last minute visual inspection.
Good thing I did as almost all my gear doors were "glued" shut by my application of clear satin Polycrylic!

I ran an exacto knife around all of the edges to free them up. They were down pretty tight. I shudder to think what would have happened if I tried dropping the gear!

Well, everything worked out. I really, really like the new 6 second scale gear and doors. I cycled them a few times and they are just great looking. I started some minor paint work while they were in the open position. She looks good on her feet!

It took longer than I thought it would, but I added the ETO stripes to Col. Howard's plane.

Still need some clear coats after detail decals added.

BTL

I have started the complete repaint. I prepared the surface by cleaning with denatured alcohol to remove dust, debris and any oil contaminants. The tail and fuselage have been painted neutral grey. I will add pictures during the process.

It was a long haul (8 days) from Florida to California, via Georgia, but my plain silver P-51B arrived this afternoon. As promised, here are some pictures of the unboxing. Aside from a ding on one wing and a loose aileron servo, the plane arrived in great shape....Continue Reading

B-25B bomb run!

The Ruptured Duck went on her first bombing mission on Feb 12. There were 2 bomb runs with 2 bombs each time. She performed as designed. Here are a few pictures:

Well, it has been a long, long time coming, but the B-25B, Ruptured Duck, finally took to the skies at Rancho San Antonio today.

The weather has not been kind lately, but today, mother nature gave us a window of cool, relatively calm skies. We decided to take advantage of mother nature's gift.

We, of course is Tsukai (Tengarang) my test pilot and me, the owner builder/modder.

We planned on one flight to trim out the Duck. Tsukai did an excellent job from taxi to landing. He did a couple of high passes to trim, then made a couple of low passes and finally a very good landing. It was a small gift from mother nature, as it started to rain and the wind picked up as soon as he taxied back to us..

I am pleased that all systems and mods worked well. The landing was made with full flaps (thank you MerlinV16). Although operational, we did not drop any bombs from the bomb bay! Maybe next flight!

I want to thank Tsukai for his help and excellent piloting skills as well as all you on RCG that inspired me with ideas and mods!

BF110 machine gun flashing and sound.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=UxIhlZOeLW4

BF110

Adding guns with light and sound.


Here are a few pictures of my mod adding the machine gun sound and LED flashing lights to my BF110. The idea is not mine, it came from numerous people - mainly Taz101! Tengarang did the brunt of the electronics connections as I am quite clueless in that area.

I cut small slots where the nacelle meets the wing. I went through both sides of the nacelle with the wire. Make sure you secure the wire inside the nacelle so it does not interfere with the movement of the landing gear. I cut a thin channel in the bottom of the wing to imbed the speaker wires, and ran them into the fuselage. There might be a cleaner way, but the slots are not very visible.

The rest is just making the connections inside the fuselage.

I have added a couple of more pictures detailing the underside of the wing and nacelle.

FMS B-25 receiver bay hatch

Since I added flaps, a bomb bay and a BEC, my B-25 was very cramped for space. So, I added a hatch to give me access to some badly needed space.

BF110

Callie Graphics came through today with my decals and I had to take some pictures. I am pretty happy with the results so far.

FMS Zero!


Wheel wells and gear doors painted.

I have painted the wheel wells as well as the landing gear doors and struts. I mixed up my version of Aotake blue/green. I also painted the wheel hubs aluminum. My next step will be to re-spray the bottom of the entire wing after I mask off the 'meatball" insignias

BTL

Japanese Zero!

I have nearly completed my FMS 1400mm Zero. I wanted both the grey and green versions, but I had to choose. So green it was! The only mods so far are re-hinging all the control surfaces, the landing gear mod (washers in the rear) and replacing the caucasian pilot with a Japanese pilot. The pilot was from Pete's Pilots. I am still working on the Aotake green for the gear wells and doors. I mixed up a color and will paint the doors/wheel wells soon. Here are a few pictures:

DYNAM CATALINA

I made a modification to the wing mounting on the Catalina. I was not happy with the tiny screws that threaded into small plastic inserts. Here are a few pictures to show where I am at so far.

I inserted nylon spacers in the wing. This was necessary otherwise tightening the new bolts would just crush the foam together. The bolts slide through easily and the length is such that keeps the wing from being deformed.

FMS B-25 Tondaleyo Conversion


Here are some more pictures of my Tondaleyo conversion.

I am nearly finished modifying my Tondaleyo into a strafer gunship from the 498th Bomb Squadron. I still have some cosmetic details to finish up as well as installing all the machine guns. I will put a couple of coats of WBPU on her tomorrow. I struggled a bit with the decals. Callie did a great job on them, it was my in-experience with them that gave me problems.