Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
02-20-2013, 06:45 AM
#1
Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
My A.D.D. kicks in again, and I am workig with a 3rd project now.....why, I ask myself!
OK, this is a plane I have wanted to do forever. My buddy had a set of Lewis Pancoast P-26 plans. I took them to Kinkos and enlarged them to 115 inch span. I am working with Lenny Sarbin (shindin machine), who is looking to see if he can make a set of gear. The plans provide info on making the gear, and looks fairly easy if you have to tooling. The plane looks fairly simple and straight forward to build. I have started tracing out and preparing to cut parts. The fused will encompass the center section and landing gear as part of the fuselage integral structure, with plug-in wing panels. I will fit this one in somewhere between the Ki-45 and the Comp-ARF Spitfire.
The concern: KEEPING THE TAIL LIGHT!
Jeff
OK, this is a plane I have wanted to do forever. My buddy had a set of Lewis Pancoast P-26 plans. I took them to Kinkos and enlarged them to 115 inch span. I am working with Lenny Sarbin (shindin machine), who is looking to see if he can make a set of gear. The plans provide info on making the gear, and looks fairly easy if you have to tooling. The plane looks fairly simple and straight forward to build. I have started tracing out and preparing to cut parts. The fused will encompass the center section and landing gear as part of the fuselage integral structure, with plug-in wing panels. I will fit this one in somewhere between the Ki-45 and the Comp-ARF Spitfire.
The concern: KEEPING THE TAIL LIGHT!
Jeff
02-20-2013, 07:08 AM
#2
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
You are a man with a lot of energy Jeff. With 3 builds going the snow must not let you out of the house often.
This should be an easy one without retracts. The hardest part will probably be the engine and cowl area.
Mike
This should be an easy one without retracts. The hardest part will probably be the engine and cowl area.
Mike
02-20-2013, 08:39 AM
#5
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Great pick Jeff, this plane will be worth the drive to your annual Giant warbird show by itself. not that I would miss it anyway 
02-20-2013, 04:28 PM
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Jeff,
I wish I had your case of A.D.D. as long as I had your building skills to go along with it....................LOL I'll leave you with a little bit of inspiration.
David
I wish I had your case of A.D.D. as long as I had your building skills to go along with it....................LOL I'll leave you with a little bit of inspiration.
David
02-20-2013, 05:08 PM
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
A bit more inspiration for you Jeff. I had the very good fortune of seeing this one fly a few years ago. A very unique sight and sound! I can assure you that I would have no interest in being the guy who had to drive this thing straight down a paved runway though!
02-20-2013, 08:04 PM
#8
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
You might want to look at Robart's straight gear struts. Myself and several other flyer used them in Ziroli's Stuka. Same type of strut cover. They will handle probably 40 lbs. easy. Awesome airplane to pick to enlarge. Good luck
02-21-2013, 06:28 AM
#10
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Thanks guys, stay tuned, I hope to cut some parts this weekend and get started on the fuse.
Chad I agree...keeping the full scale down the straight line must be a task. I am already anxious about landing rollouts on the model....I see nose overs in my future.
David, you just happened to post a pic of the scheme I plan to do. I was going to do the similar olive drab version, but while showing my wife pictures of the P-26, she said, "NO, you always pick the boring ugly colors. Why not do the pretty red and blue on this one?"
. Well she puts up with me so I told her I would do the pretty red and blue for her. At least this is the perfect plane to do it on.
The Robart gear are no where long enough for this bird, and I don't think they would hold up....I wanted same tubing diameter. Lenny has some good ideas on his websire for fixed gear types.
Darren, I get all my balsa from BUSA.
Jeff
Chad I agree...keeping the full scale down the straight line must be a task. I am already anxious about landing rollouts on the model....I see nose overs in my future.
David, you just happened to post a pic of the scheme I plan to do. I was going to do the similar olive drab version, but while showing my wife pictures of the P-26, she said, "NO, you always pick the boring ugly colors. Why not do the pretty red and blue on this one?"
. Well she puts up with me so I told her I would do the pretty red and blue for her. At least this is the perfect plane to do it on.The Robart gear are no where long enough for this bird, and I don't think they would hold up....I wanted same tubing diameter. Lenny has some good ideas on his websire for fixed gear types.
Darren, I get all my balsa from BUSA.
Jeff
02-21-2013, 08:07 AM
#13
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Dave...not sure I want to invest in a radial at this point, on this bird. I just don't se nose-overs NOT happening. I plan an Evo 260 7 cylinder on my BUSA Stearman down he road to get my feet wet in radials. The P-26 will likely have my 3W140 in it.
Roger, as for this year, not likely, unless late, late fall. I have to get the Ki-45 and Comp-ARF Spit in the air first, but never say never.
Now, do I add the late model flaps, even tho this is a "A" model? Hmmmmm, scale deviation may be necessary. But, I do believe that they did go back thru Boeing and have at least some P-26A's fitted with ailerons.
I also have a really cool P-26 book.
Jeff
Roger, as for this year, not likely, unless late, late fall. I have to get the Ki-45 and Comp-ARF Spit in the air first, but never say never.
Now, do I add the late model flaps, even tho this is a "A" model? Hmmmmm, scale deviation may be necessary. But, I do believe that they did go back thru Boeing and have at least some P-26A's fitted with ailerons.
I also have a really cool P-26 book.
Jeff
02-21-2013, 09:36 AM
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
ORIGINAL: F4u5
Chad I agree...keeping the full scale down the straight line must be a task. I am already anxious about landing rollouts on the model....I see nose overs in my future.
Chad I agree...keeping the full scale down the straight line must be a task. I am already anxious about landing rollouts on the model....I see nose overs in my future.
02-21-2013, 12:04 PM
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
The full size pictures on here dont look like a nose muncher, the centre of the wheels are right on the leading edge,well ahead of the cg, iown a 1/4 scale one, which is in the process of getting a good looking at prior to finishing, i am not expecting any problems
02-21-2013, 12:59 PM
#17
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
I am more worried about tail coming down too fast, leading to ground loop/rudder reaction issues, wingtip grab/scrape, and up and over. We've all seen it. I can see where this one will be like my old Avenger and fly it all the way to brakes ON..[8D]
Jeff
Jeff
02-21-2013, 01:31 PM
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
ORIGINAL: alanc
The full size pictures on here dont look like a nose muncher, the centre of the wheels are right on the leading edge, well ahead of the cg, i own a 1/4 scale one, which is in the process of getting a good looking at prior to finishing, i am not expecting any problems
The full size pictures on here dont look like a nose muncher, the centre of the wheels are right on the leading edge, well ahead of the cg, i own a 1/4 scale one, which is in the process of getting a good looking at prior to finishing, i am not expecting any problems
My statements were not in regards to nose overs as much as ground loops due to the very narrow track of the undercarriage which is also relatively long.
02-21-2013, 03:08 PM
#19
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Awesome project! I've been wanting to build one of those for quite awhile. Got the Dan Santech plans but have yet to run into anyone that has built one from them to see how good or bad they are. Would love to put a radial in it for sure.
02-21-2013, 04:38 PM
#20
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RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
I picked up a 'smaller' Peashooter a few years ago and never have gotten a chance to take it up.....powered by a G-45
The original builder actually made a mold for making those rather unique wheel pants that I got as part of the deal.................plans by Lew Pancoast, wingspan 79", length 68". He also made specific diagrams for home built landing gear that you see.....I can shoot you a copy if you want.
Will be watching your build and searching for threads on take-offs and landings so that I can try and get mine in the air this season.
Oh, I do have documentation that came with my plane that I'd be happy to borrow you should you need it.
The original builder actually made a mold for making those rather unique wheel pants that I got as part of the deal.................plans by Lew Pancoast, wingspan 79", length 68". He also made specific diagrams for home built landing gear that you see.....I can shoot you a copy if you want.
Will be watching your build and searching for threads on take-offs and landings so that I can try and get mine in the air this season.
Oh, I do have documentation that came with my plane that I'd be happy to borrow you should you need it.
02-22-2013, 05:23 AM
#21
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Thanks Bill, I can tell from the gear area that you definitely have a Pancoast P-26. You were lucky to get those molds. I am hoping ariend of mine who does glass work an pull me some gear pants as I work on his all composite P-51B. I have the PAncoast gear drawings and have forwarded them to Lenny Sarbin to see if he can make some sets.
Jeff
Jeff
02-22-2013, 11:47 AM
#22
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Jeff, I can relate to the color thing! You have discovered the secret to happiness and tranquility...find out what she wants, then give it to her!!! I always enjoyed the P26 we see at NAMFI and will be following your build...great choice.
You have discovered the secret to happiness and tranquility...find out what she wants, then give it to her!!! I always enjoyed the P26 we see at NAMFI and will be following your build...great choice.
02-25-2013, 01:40 PM
#24
RE: Lewis Pancoast 115 inch P-26 Peashooter
Aww, c'mon Jeff. Just because you're building an unusual Warbird doesn't mean you can't finish it in an unusual color. What d'ya think...save the boobies?! 
Here's one that might almost qualify! Eighth one down. Looks kinda cool, don't ya think?
http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww15/f/746/3/0
Here's one that might almost qualify! Eighth one down. Looks kinda cool, don't ya think?http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww15/f/746/3/0