Unknown Ki-61
#51
RE: Unknown Ki-61
Americo, I have this plane. Got it from Hobby King $170.00 plus shipping from US warehouse. I moved the servos to the middle of the fuslage. DLE 20 gas engine is plenty of power. The plane flies very will and lands nice and slow for a warbird. I added the camo.
#52
Join Date: Apr 2012
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RE: Unknown Ki-61
ORIGINAL: RBean
Americo, I have this plane. Got it from Hobby King $170.00 plus shipping from US warehouse. I moved the servos to the middle of the fuslage. DLE 20 gas engine is plenty of power. The plane flies very will and lands nice and slow for a warbird. I added the camo.
Americo, I have this plane. Got it from Hobby King $170.00 plus shipping from US warehouse. I moved the servos to the middle of the fuslage. DLE 20 gas engine is plenty of power. The plane flies very will and lands nice and slow for a warbird. I added the camo.
#54
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
TampaRC,
For getting a less "boxy" shape and rounding the fuse see the 3rd pic in post #22 for a pic of the sheeted fuse. I laid a piece of triangle stock in the bottom sides of the framework and then Sheeted the fuse in a layer effect before sanding most everything away again to get a better shape. Pic/drawing; Black is the original framework, Blue is void space in the sheeting, red is sheeting. There are some stringers running under the top layer to keep it from distorting when sanding. The green line is the shape after sanding.
The stand offs were made from a piece of 1/8 aluminium bar stock cut and shaped with a dremel cutoff wheel, hand file, drill press and a couple thread taps. Here's a pic of the same type mount modified for a different application. It shows a better idea of how it's made. Basically just a solid "U" shape, drill for strut in the curve, slit the top to the strut hole, cross drill the top and tap for the "squeeze" bolt, then tap for gear door bolts.
Hope this helps.
For getting a less "boxy" shape and rounding the fuse see the 3rd pic in post #22 for a pic of the sheeted fuse. I laid a piece of triangle stock in the bottom sides of the framework and then Sheeted the fuse in a layer effect before sanding most everything away again to get a better shape. Pic/drawing; Black is the original framework, Blue is void space in the sheeting, red is sheeting. There are some stringers running under the top layer to keep it from distorting when sanding. The green line is the shape after sanding.
The stand offs were made from a piece of 1/8 aluminium bar stock cut and shaped with a dremel cutoff wheel, hand file, drill press and a couple thread taps. Here's a pic of the same type mount modified for a different application. It shows a better idea of how it's made. Basically just a solid "U" shape, drill for strut in the curve, slit the top to the strut hole, cross drill the top and tap for the "squeeze" bolt, then tap for gear door bolts.
Hope this helps.
#56
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
The pic above is from a P-51, but the stand-off is basically the same. On the KI-61 the door is screwed directly on to the stand-off.
The reason for the slider on the pic is that on the P-51 the door is hinged and attached at the wing so the geometry changes as the gear raises and lowers. Full scale used a different method but it prove to small and tedious to replicate at 1/6.5 scale.
The reason for the slider on the pic is that on the P-51 the door is hinged and attached at the wing so the geometry changes as the gear raises and lowers. Full scale used a different method but it prove to small and tedious to replicate at 1/6.5 scale.
#58
RE: Unknown Ki-61
TampaRC, I think Hobby King charged about $30 + for shipping. I used a 3.5" P-40 type plastic spinner from K&B Products. It was uncut so I could use it for a three blade prop. Using a Master Airscrew 16-8 three blade prop. Pilot is 1/6 scale Japanese pilot from Troy Built models. I did the instrument panel and gun sight from pictures I found on the internet.
#59
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
For shape, the 3.5 p-40 spinner is about your best bet. For fit you'll need a 3.75 spinner. Unfortunately this size only offers parabolic and P-51 spinners. Parabolic is the one you'll want...Thats what I'm using and even though it is a bit too long/deep to be scale it's about the only game in town. What this plane really needs is a P-38 spinner in 3.75...that would be perfect. Too bad there aren't any available[]
#60
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
Glad to see some more Kawasaki's are making it out. It's got to be my favorite warbird. My 84" Don Smith Ki-61 has a few years on it and looks great in the air. Somthing different from the typical 244th Sentai aircraft. Most are one of Kobayashi's planes, I used a scheme flown by SGt Ando.
#61
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
Todd,
So glad you posted. I had some pics of your Tony in my research folder and had no idea where they came from. Now I know I'm guilty of doing a Kobayashi mount as well. It was mainly because I could find a good deal of documentation on it as well as being in awe of a guy who survives TWO aerial ramming attacks.[X(]
Love your plane and was contemplating doing the vine camo based on how good yours looks before choosing the Kobay scheme.
The ki-61 has been my fave WWII fighter since I built a Revell plastic model of it as a kid in the mid 70's...1/32 if I recall correctly.
So glad you posted. I had some pics of your Tony in my research folder and had no idea where they came from. Now I know I'm guilty of doing a Kobayashi mount as well. It was mainly because I could find a good deal of documentation on it as well as being in awe of a guy who survives TWO aerial ramming attacks.[X(]
Love your plane and was contemplating doing the vine camo based on how good yours looks before choosing the Kobay scheme.
The ki-61 has been my fave WWII fighter since I built a Revell plastic model of it as a kid in the mid 70's...1/32 if I recall correctly.
#63
Join Date: Apr 2012
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RE: Unknown Ki-61
Ya the model is not perfect but it is the most inexpensive 1.20 70" warbird on the market today and it is the lightest as well. So it lends itself well to add ons and mods.
#64
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
Scale only,
The canopy positioning and shape are definitely the worst feature on this one followed by the stock radiator. The radiator is a relatively easy fix, not so much for the canopy. I've actually been working on a plug for vacuforming a new hatch that moves the canopy forward about 1 1/4", lengthens it a bit and adds the bubblelike aspect of the sliding part as well as reshaping the rearmost canopy part. Now I just need to find someone who can pull an 18'' long part in .060 PETG. May do the canopy and the gun cover as seperate parts myself.
Other than that the rest of the lines are pretty good. Over all it's a great flyer and mine is really fat at 12.8lbs due to all of the glassing, add-ons and fuse mods. Still flys like like an intermediate trainer.
The canopy positioning and shape are definitely the worst feature on this one followed by the stock radiator. The radiator is a relatively easy fix, not so much for the canopy. I've actually been working on a plug for vacuforming a new hatch that moves the canopy forward about 1 1/4", lengthens it a bit and adds the bubblelike aspect of the sliding part as well as reshaping the rearmost canopy part. Now I just need to find someone who can pull an 18'' long part in .060 PETG. May do the canopy and the gun cover as seperate parts myself.
Other than that the rest of the lines are pretty good. Over all it's a great flyer and mine is really fat at 12.8lbs due to all of the glassing, add-ons and fuse mods. Still flys like like an intermediate trainer.
#65
My Feedback: (158)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
I'd think .40 plastic would be plenty strong, I pulled taller parts than that on my Kingfisher out of .40. If you wanted to go crazy you could make it a fiberglass frame w/plastic insert,, A lot of work for a sports scale ARF though.
I should probably order one before they're discontinued,, I think I'd go EP if I do one
I should probably order one before they're discontinued,, I think I'd go EP if I do one
#66
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
You're probably right; .040 would probably be sufficient. The front hatch could easily be done in balsa or fiberglass as well, leaving just the canopy to pull in plastic. I don't have any problem with the height of the parts, just the length. My vaccu-form bed and largest frame is 14x18...Plenty of width for the height but nothing for the overall single piece length. I'm also running low on my 4x8 roll of .040, but have most of my similar roll of .060 left.
As far as a lot of work put into an ARF; You're probably right again. I just enjoy the bash immensly and like your screen name, I believe in "scale only(for me)" and like 77chickenhawks tagline; "just make it look real!"
I've seen a bunch of your work too...All excellent!
As far as a lot of work put into an ARF; You're probably right again. I just enjoy the bash immensly and like your screen name, I believe in "scale only(for me)" and like 77chickenhawks tagline; "just make it look real!"
I've seen a bunch of your work too...All excellent!
#67
Join Date: Jan 2010
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RE: Unknown Ki-61
Found some 3.75" CF spinners. http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/TBMSPCF3753BL.html
Having the ele n rud servo installed inside is better. Could someone post pics how? Thanks
Simon
Having the ele n rud servo installed inside is better. Could someone post pics how? Thanks
Simon
#68
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
Hi Simon,
Just put the servos in the servo tray ahead of the wing tube sleeve in the fuselage. I used pull-pull wires for the rudder but you can use a CF push rod just as well. For the ele you'll need to use a "Y" type termination at the rear end so you can serve both ele's from the same servo/pushrod.
The CF spinner is nice, but it's still a parabolic spinner shape and is not the right one for a scale shape. You can get the aluminum spinners in that size and shape for about half the price or less of the CF and since we seem to be forced to settle on that shape anyway they're a decent compromise.
Good heads up on the CF spinners just the same!
Just put the servos in the servo tray ahead of the wing tube sleeve in the fuselage. I used pull-pull wires for the rudder but you can use a CF push rod just as well. For the ele you'll need to use a "Y" type termination at the rear end so you can serve both ele's from the same servo/pushrod.
The CF spinner is nice, but it's still a parabolic spinner shape and is not the right one for a scale shape. You can get the aluminum spinners in that size and shape for about half the price or less of the CF and since we seem to be forced to settle on that shape anyway they're a decent compromise.
Good heads up on the CF spinners just the same!
#70
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
I'll try to get you some pics tonight, but in the mean time here are a couple links to spinners. The good news is that in searching the spinners again it appears that tru-turn has introduced som additions to the FAI series of spinners so there is now a 2.75'' two and three blade spinner with a more scale shape relative to the KI-61
Cheers!
http://www.nitroplanes.com/alumspin.html
http://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-11.html
And the tru turn stuff:
http://www.truturn.com/cgi-bin/store...ers160&maxp=30
Cheers!
http://www.nitroplanes.com/alumspin.html
http://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-11.html
And the tru turn stuff:
http://www.truturn.com/cgi-bin/store...ers160&maxp=30
#71
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RE: Unknown Ki-61
frets24,
Your Hien looks fantastic!
I'm thinking of picking one of these up. However, I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with.
1. Have you created your more scale canopy yet? If so, any pics?
2. How did you create the wing fairing? (this is probably the most lacking part of the kit)
3. I see you are using the RC skylite struts. Can you point me to the exact version?
4. Are you using the skylite struts with the stock retracts or did you switch them out?
5. I see you listed the tru-turn 2.75" spinner but I thought 3.75" was the right size. Can you confirm?
TIA.
M3
Your Hien looks fantastic!
I'm thinking of picking one of these up. However, I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with.
1. Have you created your more scale canopy yet? If so, any pics?
2. How did you create the wing fairing? (this is probably the most lacking part of the kit)
3. I see you are using the RC skylite struts. Can you point me to the exact version?
4. Are you using the skylite struts with the stock retracts or did you switch them out?
5. I see you listed the tru-turn 2.75" spinner but I thought 3.75" was the right size. Can you confirm?
TIA.
M3
#72
My Feedback: (15)
RE: Unknown Ki-61
Thanks m3,
It's a good flyer too; even at just under 13lbs auw.
1. Haven't worked up a new canopy yet...may still do so in the summer.
2. Built up with thick balsa and sanded. I also stripped and sheeted the whole thing, cut a relief for the wing through the sheeting and notched the fairing/sheeting for a real panel/joint line at the radiator attachment. Obviously a new radiator as well. The rear door is linked to the throttle servo and opens/closes. There are a couple of pics below.
3. I don't remember which exact model it was because I ordered a bunch of struts all at once. I have an extra pair of the ones I'm using that you can have for $35 shipped.
4. Stock retracts, but I mounted a servo in each wheel well so I don't have to deal with linkages every time I dis-assemble for transport. Drilled both the trunion block and the strut to accept the next size wire in a more readily available SAE wire size in the USA. Very minimal increase.
5. The link is no longer valid as Tru-Turn once again discontinued the 3.75 FAI. I'm using an MPI parabolic 2 and/or 3 blade spinner. the shape is wrong but, it's all we have.
It's a good flyer too; even at just under 13lbs auw.
1. Haven't worked up a new canopy yet...may still do so in the summer.
2. Built up with thick balsa and sanded. I also stripped and sheeted the whole thing, cut a relief for the wing through the sheeting and notched the fairing/sheeting for a real panel/joint line at the radiator attachment. Obviously a new radiator as well. The rear door is linked to the throttle servo and opens/closes. There are a couple of pics below.
3. I don't remember which exact model it was because I ordered a bunch of struts all at once. I have an extra pair of the ones I'm using that you can have for $35 shipped.
4. Stock retracts, but I mounted a servo in each wheel well so I don't have to deal with linkages every time I dis-assemble for transport. Drilled both the trunion block and the strut to accept the next size wire in a more readily available SAE wire size in the USA. Very minimal increase.
5. The link is no longer valid as Tru-Turn once again discontinued the 3.75 FAI. I'm using an MPI parabolic 2 and/or 3 blade spinner. the shape is wrong but, it's all we have.