Over the last three years I have been looking for a 10e sized Piper Tomahawk kit and was unable to find one. So over a year ago a good friend showed me how to use a good 2D Cad program. I told him I was not going to use it learn, unless I do an airplane that I want. Well this Tomahawk was definitely it. Over the last year, I spent a great deal of time Cadding this Tomahawk.

As a young child I was always intrigued by this airplane. I loved the bubble canopy, the low wing and of course the T-Tail. This bird also had a bad reputation in the aviation world do to the Spin Characteristics. One Nickname it was given was the Traumahawk, and I am sure there are several others.

I worked out some deals with a couple of companies to make it possible for everyone to order laser cut parts, plans and plastic parts. Below are the links: If you need laser cut parts and plans, contact Laser Design Services.

http://store.laser-design-services.com/

If you need a plastic cowling contact Park Flyer Plastics

http://parkflyerplastics.com/cart/

Anyway I am doing a build log on this bird, and we will see how it comes out. Here is a picture of the parts that have been laser cut.

Tom

Tuning in to go along for the ride on this one, especially hoping a kit or something may ultimately come out of it.

I did about 25 hours in a Tomahawk and soloed in it, so I'd love to build one too.

Thanks for taking the time to do this thread,

No problem, Barnesjonr.

Anyway a few things I would also like to mention before the build log. The laser parts were cut by Jim and Tina from JTech laser.

http://www.jtechlaser.com/

Qrome from BlueSkyRC taught me the Cad program.

http://blueskyrc.com/

Mike from BMK designs.

http://www.bmkdesigns.net/

All these people have helped me get going with this project.

The specs for this Tomahawk are:

Flt weight goal 26 to 28 ozs.

Motor: HXT 20-22L
ESC: TURNIGY Basic 25A v3.1 Speed Controller
4 Servos: HXT 9 gram servos
Battery for Use: LM Loong max 1300 3S1P 20C Lipo pack


Here is a picture of a real Piper Tomahawk

I too flew the real Tomy back in the day...around 1980. Wow I can't believe it was that long ago. Anyway, I loved the airplane much more than the 152s I learned on. The cockpit was roomy and you sat up high. Well, atleast it felt higher. I thought it was much easier to get a good landing with it due to the wing floating in ground effect during the flare. I would love to build this one if short kits become available.

I logged time in two Tomahawks waaaay back in the late 1970s-early 1980s. Compared to the other Pipers I flew it seemed very flimsy, and it was downright scary just before a stall, shaking and bucking like nothing I've experienced in anything else. So, I can't understand how anyone could accidentally do a stall/spin in one. Still, it IS a cute little bugger, so I'm signed on!

I decided to first start building the Horizontal Stabilizer and the elevator. I used 3/16" balsa sticks. I choose this because I did not want the tail to be flimsy. Here are some pictures.

I will eventually offer a short kit, for those that want one. I will need to work out some details for pakaging and selling it as a short kit.

Tom

Tom,
Looking good. Do you have any connection with the real Tomahawk you have in the photo or is that just the color scheme you have chosen?

Jim

Heh Geofinpdx, want to feel a plane buck and jump- try doing knife edge in a C-152, not the aerobat version. NOW that was just plane scary, and stupid!

Jim, it is just a paint scheme for a Tomahawk II. I really like the Tomahawk II. The Tomahawk I taught in was Grey, Maroon and White. I will see if I can find any pictures of it.

Here are some more building pictures of the vertical stab and Rudder. I built the rudder first then the vertical stab. The tail went together very quick. The vertical stab is sandwich together with 1/16" balsa on the outside and 1/8" balsa in the center. When I designed the Tail I made it with a canyon for the elevator cable. Before all three pieces of wood were sandwich together I glued the elevator cable housing in the vertical stab.

Tom

Here are some pictures of the Tomahawk I gave instruction in.

Tom

Be sure to check: www.airliners.net they have plenty of pics.

<---Also has time in Tomahawks

Many years back Gulliows had one that was actually designed for R/C and .10 power. I built one and flew it for a season back in the 1980s with a glow OS .10. It was a nice little flyer!

I have a couple of hours in a real one as well...I much prefered the Cessna 150/152, personally.

A couple of years back someone had a rare Guillows Tomahawk for sale here on R/C groups:

www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=587840

Signing on - great project!

It has always been a favorite plane (for looks) but I too preferred flying the 150/152 (full scale that is....) but only had one flight in the Tomahawk so not very much comparison.

Mike

Its all I ever knew Mike, unless you count some stick time in my buddys 180 flying to the Bahamas and Key West.

I'm hoping I can get a short kit of this one for sure.

Originally Posted by BARNESJONR

Its all I ever knew Mike, unless you count some stick time in my buddys 180 flying to the Bahamas and Key West.

I'm hoping I can get a short kit of this one for sure.

To be honest I have very few hours on anything so.......................

But agree a short kit would be great!