pilotdude57

OK, thanks. I was thinking about putting out a fiberglass 1/10 kit, and may still do it, but I think I would like to go a bit bigger. If I make a 1/8 scale kit then to solve the previously mentioned shipping problem I would just make the fuselage into two separate sections about 57 inches long each, and then the customer would have to join the halves together with epoxy and filler, and of course there would be about a two inch section on the rear that would fit inside the forward section (can't remember what's that's called, I don't think it is a flange).

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

WOW, that would be something to see. How many P-38s escorts do you think?

mjjolley

What's the date in September?

Matt Jolley

Pilot P51

My Feedback: (6)

Kram
She looks great, I am currently building the same plane with help from David Johns in Houston. I am not as far long as you are yet, but getting their. I talked to a few guys at Bomber Field on the size of engine to use. I am going with the Saito FA100. I am glad I read this thread. I was just getting to the point on the size fuel tanks to go with. I am thinking the 20oz tanks for this size engines I am running. I am also going with Likes Electric Main gear.
What are doing for the Glow Driver system?
Thanks Walt

kram

My Feedback: (7)

pilotdude: Sounds like an impressive kit. 1/10 scale is a pretty impressive plane, yet is well-powered with engines most people are already comfortable with (FS .65-.91) I know my pictures don't do it justice, but the 1/9 B-17 is a big Mama Jamma of a plane to build and power and transport and I'm afraid anything over that is going to have a limited of number potential buyers.

ram3500: We'll take all we can get! I had an incredible thrill flying P-38 escort for B-17's this summer. Raised the hair on the back of my neck. One problem is that at least two of our P-38 regulars (myself included) will be amongst the B-17 pilots in that group of 6 or 7, so we need some new blood in the 38 ranks. Know anybody?

mjjolley: Saturday, September 4, 2010 is the Main Event...show off, hand out awards, etc. Sunday, September 5 is more informal: participation is opened up to any multi or any warbird. Both days were beautiful this year.

Pilot P51: I think the Saito 1.00's will work well. They are proven, powerful (and thirsty) beasts, and were on our Final 3 of choices. When I saw this kit take full form, however, I was not sorry to have chosen a bigger powerplant. It's a lot more plane than a 1/10 scale. Our engines are mounted a little up from horizontal, so we will not use on-board glow. If you are so inclined, I would not consider it an imposition or a hijacking if you post pictures/comments of your progress on this thread. Cross-referencing of experience is very valuable for a project this size.



mt

pilotdude57

Yeah, I will probably produce both the 1/9 and the 1/8 composite kits then. The B-17 has always been my favorite WWII aircraft, and when I was in high school (73-76) I read alot about them and their missions and envisioned what it must have been like. I have close to 1,000 hours flight time in full scale and almost all possible pilot ratings, and I was working in the control tower at Felts Field in Spokane, Washington about 10 years ago and "Sentimental Journey" came through. They invited me to fly down to Boise Idaho with them and I got to fly left seat for about 15 minutes doing some gentle turns. Even got it on video. Never thought THAT would happen!!

pilotdude57

Forgot to mention. On the 1/8 scale a person could use the Cermark 28cc gas engines (about $250 each) or the Zenoah G26's (about $270 each) and use gas instead of glow fuel. I figure that with four engines turning the fuel consumption would be way less expensive than glow ($2.75 per gallon for gas, instead of $25 or $30 for glow). Also, can you get scale dummy radials for the 1/9? Thanks

pilotdude57

The smaller Evolution gas engines would work on the 1/9, but they are more expensive so it would take awhile to save enough on fuel to make up for the extra expense.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Pilot P51, for what it is worth, I have Saito 100s on my P-38 and love the power, reliability (even with out on board glow, and mounted inverted), easy starting, and with TurboHeaders installed, I get about 200 more RPM, better idle to mid-range, and easily 15 minutes on 14oz tanks, and they are easily housed in most warbird cowls. I would install 16oz tanks on #1 and #2, start these first, and 14oz on #3 and #4. Extra weight on the right wing is helpful anyway. You could use 18oz on all 4 but you don't need it.

Pilot P51

My Feedback: (6)

ram3500-RCU: Thanks for the info on the tanks and engine. I have run the FA100 & the FA125 in other planes. They both are great engines with plenty of power, but they do like the fuel as well when hot dogging as we all do. Now that won’t be case in flying the B17. Also I did some checking into what tank I was running with the FA100 and it was a 16oz, I don’t know what I was thinking when I said 20oz. Yes you are correct and this does give you a good 15 mins of flying. This is probably what I will go with. As Kram stated earlier it is a thigh fit were the wheel wells are. The 16oz tank will fit with room to spare.

Kram: For me I just want that extra insurance running an onboard glow system. Plus with this plane you will need extra nose weight. I run the glow system on most of my 4 stroke engines, again that is just me. I will take you up on posting pictures on your thread as I put this plane together, this way we all can learn something from it I hope. I will post a few pictures of what I have done in a few days. I am currently shut down on building until after Christmas. In saying that I did buy myself a few extra Christmas gifts for the plane.

Again thanks for all the info and Kram please keep the info on your build coming in.
I will be in touch.

Walt

Scotsman

Is the 16 oz. tank going in front of the former that the front gear mount attaches to? In all honesty, I can't see where a 16 oz tank will fit in the inboard nacelles. I'm stll hoping Kram gets the chance to get photos of the tank positions for his in-board engines.

Scot

kram

My Feedback: (7)

Update:

Outboard throttle servos are mounted on the backside of the firewalls. (pic 1)

Without getting too much in the way of this masterpiece, I tried to get a few pictures of how the nacelles go together. Perhaps what I failed to explain well is how the inboard nacelles have custom-made removable underside hatches to allow gear installation as well as access to tanks and servos. (pix 2 & 3)

The obsessive attention to the perfect finish continues:

The flat red Rustoleum auto primer and bright red "glazing putty" (pic 4) will be sanded baby-smooth, then softened with a thin coat of thinner, then 1/64" tape for panel lines, then last coat of primer, then the aluminum KlassKoat.

The outboard tanks slide in and out after removal of the firewalls. (pic 5)

Inboard throttle servos are in the gear well. (pic 6)

Obviously a 17 builder with Frank's experience considers plans to be guidelines, rather than rules. In addition to building contoured hatches, he has modified positions of some of the nacelle formers and even wing components to address access issues that he has encountered with previous projects.

I can't seem to get any pictures to upload. Doesn't seem to be a network problem on my end. Will try again later.


mt

kram

My Feedback: (7)

Pix?

Pilot P51

My Feedback: (6)

Kram
Here are a few pictures as promised. I am putting in working bomb doors as you can see. I also have both wings about 80% sheeted, but I have not taken any new pictures. Your is really coming along. Keep the info and pictures coming.
Thanks Walt

pilotdude57

So as far as you know nobody puts out a 1/9 total fiberglass kit either? Thanks.

Pilot P51

My Feedback: (6)

I don't know of any fiberglass kits in this model.
Walt

Scotsman

Kram,

Thanks for the pictures!! Clearly a high quality job to say the least. Looks like the inboard engine fuel tanks end up in the wing below the aft fairing hatch. That hatch over the gear makes it clear how they can come in and out after finishing. I ended up with a similar arrangement, just bigger hatch since I have a second flap servo and gear and brake valves stuffed in there as well. What are you guys doing for superchargers?

Keep up the great work!!

Scot

pilotdude57

A previous post lead me to believe there is a 1/10 fiberglass kit, just a few posts ago.

kram-RCU

Scotsman:

Yours is lookin' good, too!

Thanks for the pictures.

I hope to get some more this weekend.

We have the turbochargers, but decided not to install them till after we fly it for one year: A) make sure it's gonna be a airshow-worthy model, and B) we might need easier and more frequent access to the nacelles the first 20 flights.

It's sort of inspirational to see how you got them to fit and look good.

Have planned your color scheme, yet?

I suppose as far apart as we are, there's not much chance they will ever fly together

I bought my latest Z-61 from Bill Fuori...he lives in NY....we met halfway in Toledo. It was certainly worth the trip for me!



mt

kram-RCU

pilotdude57:

www.flyrcmodels.com

Fiberglass fuse, I think.


mt

pilotdude57

Yeah I just took a look at that about two hours ago. Thanks. I am going to check with Wingspan and see if they plan on putting out a full fiberglass 1/9.

foodstick

Hey is this KRAM, or KRAM-RCU ? you two have a lot of common interests in planes ! I gotta stop over to Franks Airplane Emporium and check the recent progress... before its done gone and flown the coup, or was that a hog shed?

kram-RCU

BY WAY OF EXPLANATION:

Foodstick's got tongue in cheek (pun), 'cause he knows this already, but for the restuvya:

"kram" is my home computer and "kram-RCU" is from work.

Maybe I should have the two of them get in a knock-down, drag-out fight over something, just to make everybody uncomfortable

I'm headed out to Frank's "HogWorks" for a progress update and a photo session tomorrow. I've finally got my old P-61 fixed up and programmed on my 12X, including the 8-point throttle sync. You and Bill should come up for a ceremonial pin-on-the-nose-art and jam session.


mt

foodstick

Man what time is the big throw down happening?

I might bring a soda and chips, sit back and watch the artistry, and B.S. happen

Never quite sure when Bill will be up, he sleeps weirder hours than a grizzly in winter, what with his night job and all....

8 point throttle sync? That sounds like a fun and simple alternative to one servo slaving off another ! hahahaha

kram

My Feedback: (7)

foodstick:

I suggest THREE sodas and a LARGE bagga chips

Don't know the time yet.

Actually, it's exactly that: one throttle servo slaving off the other. The advantage is they can both be trimmed at the low end and I can mechanically throttle-sync them at EIGHT points along the curve. That's the theory, anyway. I've got it all set up on the radio, but I haven't the fortitude to run the engines in this weather.

Theoretically, I could designate three separate slave channels for the B-17 if I were willing to invest in 12-channel receivers, but that's getting a little complex for a hillbilly like me. Frank is pretty entrenched in the art of mechanical throttle sync with his Saito's, and certainly his old B-17's work great with it.


mt