Another TF P-47 Build
10-09-2011, 06:27 PM
#1
Another TF P-47 Build
Hello all! Although I have been lurking for a bit this is my 1st post at RCU. I have kicked off this year's building season a bit early with my first scale building project, a Top FLite .60 sized P-47. Yeah, I know this has been done to death, but I am hoping to tap into some of the experience here and learn from others who have gone before me. I am keeping a detailed journal of my activities on my blog site at arcplane.wordpress.com. Please check it out and let me know how I am doing,
My plans are to build this close to stock, adding a few additional scale details where I can. One major deviation will be to use electric power instead of gas or glow. I definitely plan to include retracts (including the tail wheel). One of my early decisions will be whether or not use larger scale wheels and doors for the main gear, which will require extensive modifications to the wing spar.
Other plans include functional flaps and using hinge-points instead of CA hinges for all control surfaces. I am leaning towards fiberglass and paint instead of traditional film covering, but not certain if that yet.
So far, constructions has begun (as always
) with the stab. Nothing much exciting here. but will be getting into the more interesting bits in the near future.
My plans are to build this close to stock, adding a few additional scale details where I can. One major deviation will be to use electric power instead of gas or glow. I definitely plan to include retracts (including the tail wheel). One of my early decisions will be whether or not use larger scale wheels and doors for the main gear, which will require extensive modifications to the wing spar.
Other plans include functional flaps and using hinge-points instead of CA hinges for all control surfaces. I am leaning towards fiberglass and paint instead of traditional film covering, but not certain if that yet.
So far, constructions has begun (as always
) with the stab. Nothing much exciting here. but will be getting into the more interesting bits in the near future.
10-11-2011, 08:16 AM
#3
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Hi Tequesta,
I plan to keep a detailed journal on my blog site, but I doubt that I will get much traffic. I will post a summarized version here where I hope to be able to tap into the experience base of a larger audience and learn from that group. I may even post on other RC sites as well (I can use all the help I can get!).
Al
I plan to keep a detailed journal on my blog site, but I doubt that I will get much traffic. I will post a summarized version here where I hope to be able to tap into the experience base of a larger audience and learn from that group. I may even post on other RC sites as well (I can use all the help I can get!).
Al
10-16-2011, 05:15 PM
#5
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Not much new progress this week (too many other obligations). Just got the sheeting onto the top of the stab. I decided to install these with aliphatic resin (yellow wood glue) instead of CA. I prefer this as it is slow drying, giving you time to ‘fuss’ with the pieces and because it produces a very light-weight but very strong bond.
Hopefully I will have time for a bit more progress next week!
Please check out my blog site arcplane.wordpress.com/blog/ for a detailed descripition of my build.
Al
Hopefully I will have time for a bit more progress next week!
Please check out my blog site arcplane.wordpress.com/blog/ for a detailed descripition of my build.
Al
10-20-2011, 07:26 AM
#6
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Check out this thread for some of those mods your doing http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_28...tm.htm#2856415 also this one http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10332537 I'm also building this one a 2nd time, the 1st met an early demise[
] I'll be adding all the mods so I'll post some of my work here if you like.
] I'll be adding all the mods so I'll post some of my work here if you like.
10-23-2011, 12:13 PM
#7
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Hi raptureboy. Thanks for the thread pointers and I would love to see your posts here. I had stumbled across Connery's Dallas Blonde build but had not seen the more current build thread.
I am finishing up the basic stab construction, but before I started to shape the elevator leading edge I wanted to think through the hinge point location. If I give a full radius to the leading edge (which is about 3/4" at is thickest point, then I will need to set the hinge center back 3/8" from the stab trailing edge. I do not want notch the elevator that deeply (I am trying to keep it 3/16" max), which means that I will not be able to use a full radius to the leading. I did put reinforcing blocks in the elevator so the hinge points will have something to mount to.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Al
I am finishing up the basic stab construction, but before I started to shape the elevator leading edge I wanted to think through the hinge point location. If I give a full radius to the leading edge (which is about 3/4" at is thickest point, then I will need to set the hinge center back 3/8" from the stab trailing edge. I do not want notch the elevator that deeply (I am trying to keep it 3/16" max), which means that I will not be able to use a full radius to the leading. I did put reinforcing blocks in the elevator so the hinge points will have something to mount to.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Al
11-06-2011, 04:44 PM
#8
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Unfortunately, I have not been able to make much new progress. I have been traveling for work way too much lately, and we had surprise October snow storm dumping a foot and half of snow over northern Connecticut and knocking power out to much of the state (hard to build when there are no lights).
I was able to put in a few hours today and got the sheeting onto the bottom of the stab, rough shaped the leading edge of the elevator halves, and started construction on the fin. I used my new Great Planes balsa building board for the fin construction. It is definitely an improvement over my old ceiling tile as items pinned hold much more firmly.
I’m back on the road again for the next two weeks, so I won’t be able to make any new progress for a while.
11-07-2011, 12:19 PM
#9
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Stay safe out there. I am also on the road until Tues, I managed to work out the scale landing gear setup before I left and I will post my pics and process here later.
12-09-2011, 07:31 AM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ranson,
WV
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
I am envious of your building skill.... Once I learn how to build a couple RC airplanes, I am purchasing this one! Been looking at it for at least 7 years now!!
12-11-2011, 06:32 AM
#12
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Sorry Ihave not posted lately. Between work travel and holiday travel Ihave not had much time to any hobby work lately 
'Tis the season, I guess ...
I have one more week of travel coming up, but then I'll have a bit a time off and should be able to get back at it in earnest. In the mean time, I'll try to post what meager progress I have been able to make later today.
'Tis the season, I guess ...I have one more week of travel coming up, but then I'll have a bit a time off and should be able to get back at it in earnest. In the mean time, I'll try to post what meager progress I have been able to make later today.
12-11-2011, 03:13 PM
#13
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
ORIGINAL: PPower05
I am envious of your building skill.... Once I learn how to build a couple RC airplanes, I am purchasing this one! Been looking at it for at least 7 years now!!
I am envious of your building skill.... Once I learn how to build a couple RC airplanes, I am purchasing this one! Been looking at it for at least 7 years now!!
I suggest you jump in and start building something - afterall, there is no time like the present!
12-11-2011, 03:30 PM
#14
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Well it has been over a month since I last posted and unfortunately, I am still working on the tail feathers. Between work travel and holiday travel, I really have only had a few hours here and there to putter around in my workshop. No real surprise, as I knew this was going to be a long slow process!
My major accomplishment on the stabilizer has been to complete carving and shaping the tips. This went much easier than I feared.My next step will be to cut the elevator free from the stab. Instead of the straight cut shown on the plans, I will cut them using a scale curve near the tip. Freehand curve cuts have always been my woodworking “Achilles Heel”, so I will wait until I have time to do this carefully.
On the fin, the right skin has been glued down along with both left and right skins on the rudder. The fin has been lifted from the board and the left side prepped for its skin – but that’s as far as I got.
I am back traveling again this week, but I will have some time off after that. Hopefully I will finally be able to get some quality time in my shop!
12-12-2011, 06:15 PM
#15
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
First I would like to thank Aymodeler for allowing me to tag onto his build. I hate to have to start another 47 build[X(] Ok here are some of the mods I have been doing to my P-47. First off I will being doing the bubble version modeled after an P-47 M called the MRS K. I found her in the book P-47 detail and scale by Squadron Signal publication. It has a very unusal color scheme. I am using many of the mods from the Dallas Blonde build by Connor and others http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_28...tm.htm#2856415 I have already framed the fuselage and stab and have started on the wings. I will have the retractable tail wheel and scale hinging, and a more scale location of the main gear, as well as lots of other goodies. The last one I made weighed around 13 lbs with the gas engine and flew on rails with no bad habits. So here we go, with some opening shots.
12-12-2011, 06:32 PM
#16
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Next up are some shots of the fuselage build and the layout for the retractable tail wheel. I am not going to go into the normal building process much, these mods are not what I would call beginner stuff but if you have time and like learning and developing new skills then go for it! I am using air retracts and a pull/pull cable system to control the rudder and tail wheel.
12-12-2011, 06:39 PM
#17
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
O.K a few more of the tail wheel set up and then I have to call it a night. There is more to life than building airplanes you know! Yea! right If anybody has any questions I will try to answer them in the least confusing way and provide measurements if needed.
If anybody has any questions I will try to answer them in the least confusing way and provide measurements if needed.
12-13-2011, 06:38 PM
#18
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
First I would like to thank Aymodeler for allowing me to tag onto his build ...
First I would like to thank Aymodeler for allowing me to tag onto his build ...
12-14-2011, 05:57 AM
#20
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Thanks Tim, I saw your thread and also Connors and adapted some of both your installations I want to make the whole bottom section from the tail wheel back in fiberglass, kind of like a cowl so it is removable for servicing. I bought some of the little hinges from Sonictronics which are spring loaded so the doors should pop open when the gear comes down.
I want to make the whole bottom section from the tail wheel back in fiberglass, kind of like a cowl so it is removable for servicing. I bought some of the little hinges from Sonictronics which are spring loaded so the doors should pop open when the gear comes down.
12-30-2011, 06:17 PM
#21
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
After three short months I have finally finished the tail feathers – well mostly finished anyway. I still need to add the hinges and round the leading edges of the elevator halves and the rudder.
To give a more scale-like look, I decided to cut the elevator and rudder tips with curve instead of the straight cut called for in the plans. To generate the curve, I enlarged a section of a three-view drawing on a photocopier (by trial and error) until it matched the size of the stab-elevator assembly. If you look closely, you will see two lines drawn onto the elevator tip. The curve of the “scale” line (bottom line) extends slightly past the solid balsa tip. I modified the curve slightly (the top line) to blend directly into the existing gap – close enough to scale for my purposes.
The curves were carefully cut with a jewelers saw. The left tip came out perfect, but unfortunately, the right tip ended up a bit rough. To fix this, I carved the trailing edge of the elevator back slightly and laminated on a piece of scrap 1/16th sheet balsa. Once sanded and blended in, the curve matched up with the elevator perfectly.
The same basic technique was used on the rudder.
To give a more scale-like look, I decided to cut the elevator and rudder tips with curve instead of the straight cut called for in the plans. To generate the curve, I enlarged a section of a three-view drawing on a photocopier (by trial and error) until it matched the size of the stab-elevator assembly. If you look closely, you will see two lines drawn onto the elevator tip. The curve of the “scale” line (bottom line) extends slightly past the solid balsa tip. I modified the curve slightly (the top line) to blend directly into the existing gap – close enough to scale for my purposes.
The curves were carefully cut with a jewelers saw. The left tip came out perfect, but unfortunately, the right tip ended up a bit rough. To fix this, I carved the trailing edge of the elevator back slightly and laminated on a piece of scrap 1/16th sheet balsa. Once sanded and blended in, the curve matched up with the elevator perfectly.
The same basic technique was used on the rudder.
12-30-2011, 06:22 PM
#22
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
I decided to hold off on hinging the elevator/rudder and move on to fuselage construction today. I went back-and-forth a few times, but finally settled on building the razor-back version. So far, I have managed to sort through and separate the parts for the fuse top. Construction in earnest will begin in the morning.
Off topic: I got a new toy for Christmas!!! My wife took a trip down to the local hobby store and picked out a Parkzone P-51 RTF as a Christmas surprise for me! Although she is not into RC, she shares my passion for aircraft and aviation (she has a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from MIT). Knowing I am a fan of WWII warbirds, she specifically looked for a P-51. Unknowingly, she picked out an RTF which includes a Spektrum 4 channel transmitter. This works out perfectly as I also have a Parkzone F4F Wildcat bind-and-fly that I won in a raffle earlier this year, but I only have a Futaba transmitter. The included Spektrum radio is pretty basic, but it will definitely do until I am ready to lay out the cash for a full featured Spektrum radio.
Off topic: I got a new toy for Christmas!!! My wife took a trip down to the local hobby store and picked out a Parkzone P-51 RTF as a Christmas surprise for me! Although she is not into RC, she shares my passion for aircraft and aviation (she has a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from MIT). Knowing I am a fan of WWII warbirds, she specifically looked for a P-51. Unknowingly, she picked out an RTF which includes a Spektrum 4 channel transmitter. This works out perfectly as I also have a Parkzone F4F Wildcat bind-and-fly that I won in a raffle earlier this year, but I only have a Futaba transmitter. The included Spektrum radio is pretty basic, but it will definitely do until I am ready to lay out the cash for a full featured Spektrum radio.
01-02-2012, 06:26 PM
#23
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Progress continues on the P-47 fuselage top. I spent more time than I care to admit cleaning up and fussing with the formers. It’s hard to see in the photo, but some of the plywood was a bit rough and it was quite a challenge to separate the parts without damage. Although I am working on the fuse top, I took the time to punch out all of the bottom formers and fine tune the fit between the top and bottom formers now. After all the clean-up, the top formers glued up quickly.
01-02-2012, 07:22 PM
#24
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
Happy New Year all! Glad to see your getting some progress going. I moved on to the wings and left the finish of the fuselage for later. I have to work out a few more details with the tail wheel yet and I knew the wing mods were going to involve a lot of R&D. I finally gave up on using the bellcranks and instead I will use a low profile wing servo for each aileron. Mainly it was because of the new location of the gear that the pushrods were too hard to try to reroute. I have 1 half of a wing framed and I started on the other, should go a lot faster. Nice new toy AY I bet if you teach her to fly she will love it, heck being an engineer she can design her own planes and you can start scratch building, LOL. I also got a couple of nice gifts from the honey for my project, a DLE 20 gas engine and some cash to pick out a new TF P-40 ARF it will be here on Wed, ooh rah! I will post some more pics on the wing build and the gear mods soon. Let's gitter done!
Glad to see your getting some progress going. I moved on to the wings and left the finish of the fuselage for later. I have to work out a few more details with the tail wheel yet and I knew the wing mods were going to involve a lot of R&D. I finally gave up on using the bellcranks and instead I will use a low profile wing servo for each aileron. Mainly it was because of the new location of the gear that the pushrods were too hard to try to reroute. I have 1 half of a wing framed and I started on the other, should go a lot faster. Nice new toy AY I bet if you teach her to fly she will love it, heck being an engineer she can design her own planes and you can start scratch building, LOL. I also got a couple of nice gifts from the honey for my project, a DLE 20 gas engine and some cash to pick out a new TF P-40 ARF it will be here on Wed, ooh rah! I will post some more pics on the wing build and the gear mods soon. Let's gitter done!
01-08-2012, 08:27 AM
#25
RE: Another TF P-47 Build
ORIGINAL: raptureboy
Next up are some shots of the fuselage build and the layout for the retractable tail wheel. I am not going to go into the normal building process much, these mods are not what I would call beginner stuff but if you have time and like learning and developing new skills then go for it! I am using air retracts and a pull/pull cable system to control the rudder and tail wheel.
Next up are some shots of the fuselage build and the layout for the retractable tail wheel. I am not going to go into the normal building process much, these mods are not what I would call beginner stuff but if you have time and like learning and developing new skills then go for it! I am using air retracts and a pull/pull cable system to control the rudder and tail wheel.
I'm starting to plan out the geometry for my pull-pull setup. Your post shows some great shots of the tail-wheel cables. Do you have the rudder cables installed yet? I am interested in to see where you positioned your
rudder control horns and where the cables exit. I saw in Connery's Dallas Blonde that he had them almost completely hidden, but I am not quite that ambitious.
I'll be posting some pics of my latest progress later today.
