raptureboy

I believe the manual is referring to the balance using the included fixed landing gear. I have a p-40, and a Hellcat, and if you balance with the gear down you will most definitly be tail heavy gear up as the wheels are behind the C.G. I started out using 4" Robart wheels on mine and when I dropped the gear for the first time it took a big nose dive so I switched to Dave Brown foam wheels. Try it on your balance machine and see for yourself. I suspect they are going to discontinue it because it has been unavailable now for months, but thats just my opinion.

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

I just double-checked the manual and it doesn't differentiate between fixed or retractable at this step. I merely shows the gear extended and says to check the balance in this configuration.

raptureboy

Go with the manual or go with experience your choice. One thing is for certain you will know who was right when you hit the retract switch

Antoinebobrob

Ok, I will just follow the manual. I will tell you guys how it goes. Thanks

predman

My Feedback: (7)

I balanced mine with the gear up, as with all warbirds w gear. I had to add over a lb to balance mine, flies superb! I wouldn't chance it, this arf is discontinued.

raptureboy

Do you know this for a fact that it has been discontinued?

predman

My Feedback: (7)

a buddy of mine lost his BH p40 and needed a home for his sierra gear, so he went to order the topflite. There was none in stock at tower and they said they don't know if they are getting anymore. He talked to great planes and they confimed it, so did topflite, that's what he told me and he was upset.

RBean

Discontinued? Well, I guess that eliminates my P-36 plans. I thought this ARF was selling very well. I wonder who makes these decisions.

raptureboy

I don't get it, what the heck is going on with these guys This is such a great plane and now after only a couple of years they discontinue it. I better p.u spare parts now, before they are gone. I just purchased a new cowl last month to replace my original after suffering through the robart gear. I have a GP pt.17 and they have been selling that one for years along with the Super Stearman and I was always afraid they would discontinue those any day since it seems 2-3 years is the avg lifespan before they discontinue a model. Start shopping around guys.

raptureboy

I just found this site http://www.*********andmore.com/Sear...px?Search=p-40 better give them a call as it looks like they may have some yet. I checked many others and they all say out of stock no update. Sinnce the filter system blocked out the address because it has rc in it. go to rc hobbies and more . com Man these guys are really threatened by rc groups

jet22b

raptureboy;
You would think, that any company who put out a ARF ( like this one ), would let it run for about 5 years and if it not selling, than pull it!! I have been in this hobby for over 40 years and I have miss a lot of good kits and arfs,
because at that time I was not looking for another kit or ARF. When it's time for something new, I start looking and then find what I want, and then get the bad news, they don't make them any more!! If they don't want to make the ARF, than let the parts go for another 5 to 6 years, to keep the guys who have them, keep their bird in the air!! But we don't see the big !!!
Just my 2 cents!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

Joespeeder

Hi RBean,

FYI.... A friend bought a Black Horse P-36 last year and it's a different model than the old version. Two piece plug in wings and the retract set up is correct now !!!!

You don't see the changes in the advertising however it may give you the P-36 you're looking for.

Maybe contact Hobby People and get some current iPhone pics of one of the bits in the box if they still have one.

Joe

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

I believe that if you find a kit/arf/plane you like, buy it. If you really like it, buy two because it will eventually be gone.

RBean

Joespeeder, thanks, I may check with hobby people. On theirs one you had to redo the gear and on the Top Flite, the nose to get a P-36.

warhwk

My Feedback: (3)

RaptureBoy,
Thanks so much for directing me to RC hobbies and more. I believe I just purchased the last NIB TF P40 ARF 60 in the country. Sorry to everyone else

Correction...Second to last. Chad get's credit for the last NIB TF P40 ARF.

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

ITS GONE !
I have been asking tower for two years because they keep listing it in there monthly mailer (so annoying ) !!!
So , some places you will see or may find --action sports in Cali run dont walk from this company , they dont want calls lol , sure if if you see there ratings you would not want calls either , no word if they really have them .
The kit is a good buy but...... experience builders will tell you that the wing needs a washout fix that is responcible for many of the kits meeting an early demise .
I have the red box new in box, planning on a total bash but not crazy about all the work and then I have a smaller version then the gold edition , so I may get the gold edition and just sell the red box

warhwk

My Feedback: (3)

I test flew a Red Box P40 several years ago. 60 two-stroke, no flaps or retracts. If flew nice until it stalled, then it was vicious. Absolutely no warning before the stall. The owner spun it in after only a few flights.

I hope the TF P40 ARF flies better as it will be getting a YS 1.20 and electric retracts. What are people's thoughts on reflexing the ailerons up to provide washout on the ARF?

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

I have used reflex on a number of models and it serves the intended purpose. Washout is best, but both serve to help the tips stall after the center section stalls, which makes a landing much less exciting! The Top Flite ARF has flaps so the need for reflex is lessened. If you use reflex, use between 3/32nds to 1/8th inch. Take it up high, and practice your stalls with and without flaps. Most likely, the stall will result in the nose dropping, maybe a little yaw to the left. In any event, it will be more gentle that without reflex.
If you have an advanced radio system, you could couple the reflex to flap deployment or throttle a little below 50 percent power.

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

I have heard that the Gold Edition ARF is more docile around the stall than the kit built version and speculation was that TF may have increased the wash out on the ARF version. I just picked up a brand new ARF from my LHS (Last one in the country apparently!) and will try and remember to have a look at the wing to see if I can discern any wash out. I owned and flew the kit version a few years back and while it exhibited some interesting ground handling characteristics it flew great and was surprisingly docile around the stall. I did not find it to be any snappier than the majority of warbirds I have flown and a whole lot better than a couple of them! If the ARF flys as good as the kit did I will be satisfied. I too have used a bit of reflex in both ailerons to simulate wash out on occasion and have not experienced any negative results from doing so. Not sure if it is necessary in this case but I doubt it would cause any harm.

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

Chad you are correct ,the fixed the washout in the ARF , no need to add any .
It was the gold edition kit that had many at the field struggeling with snaps/stalls .
So If I go kit version I will add washout .

The red box is a easy flyer i had one , flew it , sold it for some big cash back for ARFs hit the market

handyman 220

My Feedback: (54)

I still have my TF p-40 arf NIB. Glad I bought it while they were available.

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

I had to settle for form so I bashed the Hobby King P40N , this plane is now also discontinued

handyman 220

My Feedback: (54)

Lou I also have the HK P-40N. Mine is still in the stock paint silver/orange trim. I wish I had your talent to bash planes as fast as you do. I'm more the slow boat from china when it comes to bashing them. My LX P-40 is still in the box waiting to get built.

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks but I am slow as well, I tend to post less pics so progress seems faster lol .
I am working on my second LX P40 , this one is getting the paint stripped from day one , powered canopy , scratch built interior , modified FMS retracts and a real GI Joe with turning head lol .
I just dont like the LX stock paint
The bottom of the Hobby King P40 N , I added a sound system to the P40 center wing , invested about $70 in the Freewing el cheapo system but it seems to be good on the ground , soon will test in the air !!
Sorry to stray from the TF P40 , no disrecpect meant just P40 Envy !!!

handyman 220

My Feedback: (54)

Hey Lou, to me it's about P-40s so it's all good. I have yet to maiden the HK P-40. I would rather learn to fly a P-40 on that one than the TF ARF.