Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
#326
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hoodsport, WA
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Gary, thanks for the explanation on dots on the tape. Great idea!
Not sure if you mentioned if you're shooting your primer with a spray gun or using cans.
The panel line taping job is great - good eye!
#327
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
I sprayed the primer Wed. night and let it dry until this morning. ( I use a cheap Harbor Freight spray gun) I sanded back the primer with 800 grit just until the top of the tape is visible. I then carefully peel the tape off making sure to get all the adhesive out of the line. After all the tape is removed I hit it one more time with a worn out piece of 800 grit taking care not to go too far, and she's ready for paint.
I really like how the raised inspection hatches came out with some of the metal showing on the edges. After paint and a little weathering she's gonna look real nice. I need to start now finishing the cockpit and finishing off the rudder and elevators.
I really like how the raised inspection hatches came out with some of the metal showing on the edges. After paint and a little weathering she's gonna look real nice. I need to start now finishing the cockpit and finishing off the rudder and elevators.
#330
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Hey Gary, haven't heard anything in a while! What's the latest on your bird? Cant' wait to see how far you've gotten...
Anyway, finally got my stand and getting the bottom started. I've got all the formers on and need to fit the tail wheel. I haven't gotten any pics of progress yet, but here's how the top turned out. I'm really psyched! DAMN I love the building. I think I'm going to like the building more than the flying at this point but I haven't gotten my trainer up yet too much. Well, all is going according to plan though. By the time I'm ready to put my P-47 in the air, I'll have enough experience with my trainers etc... Well, here's the top anyway and the bottom ready for formers...
Anyway, finally got my stand and getting the bottom started. I've got all the formers on and need to fit the tail wheel. I haven't gotten any pics of progress yet, but here's how the top turned out. I'm really psyched! DAMN I love the building. I think I'm going to like the building more than the flying at this point but I haven't gotten my trainer up yet too much. Well, all is going according to plan though. By the time I'm ready to put my P-47 in the air, I'll have enough experience with my trainers etc... Well, here's the top anyway and the bottom ready for formers...
#331
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
I decided to sell the Corsair and build the P-47 with the Brison engine. I already ordered the kit from tower. My biggest concern is how much weight I will need in the nose to balance it. This will be my first big plane build and first warbird. I have not painted a plane yet so I’m not sure if I’m going to or not.
What retracts work best Robart and CJM? Are there any electric ones that work good?
What retracts work best Robart and CJM? Are there any electric ones that work good?
#332
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Nice work Deryk, building is the other half of this hobby for me too.
Now I know where that long piece of shaped balsa goes, on top of the razorback. I was thinking I left something off!
We have been really busy the last couple of weeks with the end of the school year, cub scouts, mowing grass, the HOA, Memorial Day, our clubs Jet Rally and a couple of other events at other clubs. Looking forward to some garage time very soon.
Steve, I haven't heard too many good things about CJM retracts, I have read they have a lot of slop in them. As far as electric goes, Robart hasn't released theirs to Tower yet, although Robart's website says they have them, but without the struts. So I don't know. ??? You can always get the air ones converted to electric from a place called "Down and Locked", Too rich for my blood though.
Deryk, Get plenty of time on those trainers before you even think about going up in your Jug. And once you think your ready, spend another 2 weeks flying figure 8's inverted.
Now I know where that long piece of shaped balsa goes, on top of the razorback. I was thinking I left something off!
We have been really busy the last couple of weeks with the end of the school year, cub scouts, mowing grass, the HOA, Memorial Day, our clubs Jet Rally and a couple of other events at other clubs. Looking forward to some garage time very soon.
Steve, I haven't heard too many good things about CJM retracts, I have read they have a lot of slop in them. As far as electric goes, Robart hasn't released theirs to Tower yet, although Robart's website says they have them, but without the struts. So I don't know. ??? You can always get the air ones converted to electric from a place called "Down and Locked", Too rich for my blood though.
Deryk, Get plenty of time on those trainers before you even think about going up in your Jug. And once you think your ready, spend another 2 weeks flying figure 8's inverted.
#333
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Hey Gary, I have a serious question for you. My tail wheel won't go down. the spacing between F8 and F9 is too close together, but I built it according to spec (formers are 90° etc), and now I've got a problem! Did you run into this? It's a 1/4" off!
#335
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Yep...
Dumb me, I got impatient and glued the stringers on without the wheel, b/c the hub on my wheel is too small to accomodate drilling to fit the axle.
Well, it's a learning curve thing!
Dumb me, I got impatient and glued the stringers on without the wheel, b/c the hub on my wheel is too small to accomodate drilling to fit the axle.
Well, it's a learning curve thing!
#337
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Not yet. Not until I know what I have to do to fix it... Sucks, but the cool thing is that I can just get more stick if I need to bust a couple things out...
#339
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
I looked and the f-8 former is already 3/16 of an inch forward giving me more room??!! And I still don't have enough... As I look at the elevation plan, I see the wheel sitting inside the f9 former hole, so is there something I'm missing about how the retract pulls the wheel backwards and then sits it into the hole? What diameter wheel did you use? I've got a 1 3/4" wheel.
#340
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Deryk, I'm having a hard time visualizing what may be going on. Perhaps you could post a pic or two so we can see exactly what is happening. I have the same diameter tail wheel as you and everything is working on mine. Are you sure you mounted the tailwheel retract in the correct location? Did you trim the stringers, the former and the sheeting to allow the retract to function properly?
This is from step 9 on page 24:
â 9. Trim the bottom sheeting, former 9 and a
portion of the aft fuse block to allow the tail gear to
retract. Use a 1/4" brass tube sharpened at the end
to cut four holes through the sheeting so you can
reach the tail gear mounting screws with a
screwdriver (you thought we were going to forget
didn’t you?).
This is from step 9 on page 24:
â 9. Trim the bottom sheeting, former 9 and a
portion of the aft fuse block to allow the tail gear to
retract. Use a 1/4" brass tube sharpened at the end
to cut four holes through the sheeting so you can
reach the tail gear mounting screws with a
screwdriver (you thought we were going to forget
didn’t you?).
#341
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
OOoohhhh, I didn't read that far ahead. I should have. I didn't realize that the aft fuse block and the former 9 had to be trimmed to allow the wheel to retract all the way. That makes a heck of a lot more sense. I haven't gotten to the sheeting yet so the top of former 9 isn't cut out to allow the wheel to get in there. Thanks... I'll post pics anyway when I get a chance..
#342
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Latest...
I was pretty ticked until you explained what was going on... Well, they said read through the whole section before you freak out! I'll do that from now on! Would you suggest building out double the stringers here as well like you suggested for the top to make the curves more smooth?
I was pretty ticked until you explained what was going on... Well, they said read through the whole section before you freak out! I'll do that from now on! Would you suggest building out double the stringers here as well like you suggested for the top to make the curves more smooth?
#345
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
That power surge reached all the way to the midwest? Wow! Good one Fabio...Hahaha
Don't worry about it Deryk, we're just messin with ya, it happens to all of us at one point or another. I would add the extra stringers in there if you can. It will make the sheeting look better in the end with less filling.
Don't worry about it Deryk, we're just messin with ya, it happens to all of us at one point or another. I would add the extra stringers in there if you can. It will make the sheeting look better in the end with less filling.
#346
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Oooowwww, owww! My pride!
I also picked up the air system for the retracts and going to borrow a pump for the pressure test before I glue that into my bird... Looking at the next few steps, I don't have much more before I fit the servos and the engines! Wow, this is freakin cool!!
I also picked up the air system for the retracts and going to borrow a pump for the pressure test before I glue that into my bird... Looking at the next few steps, I don't have much more before I fit the servos and the engines! Wow, this is freakin cool!!
#347
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Back at it.....
I've been really thinking how I was going to do the upper and lower gear doors. I have read just about every possible way of how other guy's have done it and just didn't like how it looked. What I came up with this afternoon is a sliding tube set-up. Since the upper door is hard mounted with a hinge, the door has to have a way to slide down the strut as it opens.
Anyway, I hope the pictures explain themselves.
I've been really thinking how I was going to do the upper and lower gear doors. I have read just about every possible way of how other guy's have done it and just didn't like how it looked. What I came up with this afternoon is a sliding tube set-up. Since the upper door is hard mounted with a hinge, the door has to have a way to slide down the strut as it opens.
Anyway, I hope the pictures explain themselves.
#349
My Feedback: (38)
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Hi Gary
I Like your approach.
For me however when I build my scale models I always draw a line between scale fidelity and practicality.
The TF p-51 have the same wheel well. On mine for wheel covers I made a one piece of wheel and strut cover and attached it to the strut with the included struts mounts.
All you see is four screws and a little gap when closed which is practical invisible when flying the plane around.
Doing away with the hinge it takes away all the geometry confusion and aggravation and the cover is now both attractive and functional.
Fabio
I Like your approach.
For me however when I build my scale models I always draw a line between scale fidelity and practicality.
The TF p-51 have the same wheel well. On mine for wheel covers I made a one piece of wheel and strut cover and attached it to the strut with the included struts mounts.
All you see is four screws and a little gap when closed which is practical invisible when flying the plane around.
Doing away with the hinge it takes away all the geometry confusion and aggravation and the cover is now both attractive and functional.
Fabio
#350
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MASHPEE, MA
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Top Flite Giant P-47 Build
Just curious, are you going to do inner gear doors?
Also kind of stuck on some of the retract system. Did you epoxy the tank in place? I didn't see anything on that, but maybe I just missed it. Any advice on where you would put the fill valve and the pressure guage? I'm at a bit of a loss...
Also kind of stuck on some of the retract system. Did you epoxy the tank in place? I didn't see anything on that, but maybe I just missed it. Any advice on where you would put the fill valve and the pressure guage? I'm at a bit of a loss...