Habraken

Hi, i'am scratch building a p-38 from Model World plans.
The p-38 will get 52 inch span foam balsa sheeted wings, and retracts.
I still do not know what the engine size will be, .15 ore .25.
The retract are made in Italy by the Eurokit factory, and looking good.
The wheels will retract for half inside the booms and centerpod.
I use also a few parts from the GP p-38 profile, like the top canopy and the radiators.
I will use Waypoint servo's (new brand for me), for the controls.

I hope more people are building the same size p-38, so we can share some tips and hints.

Regards, Kees.

twinman

My Feedback: (2)

And I thought I had trouble with getting the servos in a Wing Mfg and VQ P-38!!! You are putting retracts in this!!! I cannot imagine!! I am unworthy!! Have you considered mini and micro servos with metal gears and 6V? I had good luck with these type servos in the Wing P-38. Would also really suggest two servos for the elevator to avoid flutter.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Twinman

Habraken

The servo's for steering controls will be with metal gear (50oz/inch they promised).
The others will be normal mini servo's.
I am planning also to install a gyro ore autopilot, if the final weight off the plane allows it.
But first finnish the plane and then we will see where we put the control equipment.

Kees.

flying2bill

My Feedback: (2)

Are you going to install rudders? I have seen a couple of P38 designs this size and neither used rudders, but then again neither had retracts, well in fact one had no gear at all, I would not do flaps at this size either

mattfair

twinman,
Who are your plans made by?

twinman

My Feedback: (2)

Sorry, not my plans. Habraken says his came from Model World plans.
Was at swap meet yesterday and saw and old Kyosho kit about this size, Maybe you can find that.
Twinman

Habraken

imTime for a update of the project.
Aileron servo,s are installed (maker Waypoint) and I aligned the tail and rudders.
It starts to look like a Fork Tailed Devil!

Regards Kees.

Habraken

Update from my p-38 project.
Now I'am building the centerpod. It will be a puzzle to give all equipment a good place.
Speciale the steeringservo for the retractable frontwheel...

Has somebody some pics from the steering servo's for retracts?

twinman

My Feedback: (2)

Habraken
As for servo installation for the nose retract, it kind of depends upon the linkage requirement of the retracts themselves. Some use a steering arm and others require a pull, pull arrangement that folds the wires upon retraction.
Twinman

Habraken

Twinman,
mine will get the pull pull system. But i still have to figure out what is the best position for the servo.
The wheel will come also very close to the position off the servo.
After a night sleep i will find a solution, but a few examples will help.

Kees.

rwlewis

My Feedback: (4)

OMG this is an impressive little project...Good luck with it and keep updating this thread.

I built the P-38 from K&A Models last year. It's fiberglass pod and booms with sheeted and glassed foam wing. It's powered by 2xspeed 480 geared motors and a 10 cell cp1700 pack. It's about 1/12 scale, 50" wingspan, 350 in sq.

Flying weight is a hefty 64 oz (yes, that's 4 lbs)....I've flown it a total of three times, at that weight and hand launched, I just can't get motiviated to fly it. After seeing your project, you got me thinking about it again.......

Here are some pics...

Habraken

Nice plane, and nice covering.

let me know how she was flying?
The one I'am building will be also around the 70 Oz.
I plan to use the OS .15 CVA engines to give her the power to fly.
Covering will be in the scheme off the famous "Californian Cuty"

The prototype on my drawing was 72 Oz and was also hand launched.
The author was very satisfied the way she was flying.
Find all your guts and fly your plane......

regards, Kees.

Habraken

Here a new update from my P-38 project.
I'am now buzzy with the centerpod and it starts to look like the P-38 know.
The top canopy from the GP profile 38 fits almost, the gaps on the wing i will fill up with some scrap pieces.

It gets a bit crowded inside the centerpod, but so fare i can give all equipment a good place.
The connection's are all fitted underneath the wing and (with fingers crossed) i hope they stay
there without leaking.

Regards, Kees.

Habraken

The workshop after a few days working.

Habraken

Here a update from my p-38 project.

i made two cowls with the lost foam method, and a old panty as glass. with 3 layers epoxy and sanding/filling etc this is the final result.

p-38lightningman

Hi I am starting to build a p-38 from the same plan, Habraken. I have one problem though Instead of using the gp profile parts i am looking desprately for a clear canopy. anyone know where i could get something like that?

obviously i must love the p-38
regards, P38lighthningman

Habraken

ref : clear canopy,
I made a mould from the GP canopy with gietgips (dutch). Maybe you call it white modelling cement.
From this mould they will make the clear canopy in my local Hobbyshop.
Then i cut out the ABS canopy and replace it with the clear canopy.

Regards, Kees.

Habraken

Standing on the wheels for the first time.

Habraken

Covering is started.

Habraken

As we say in Holland,

"Zo, nu eerst een biertje".

Habraken

The California Cutie is ready to go!!

2 .15 Magnums with 8x6 props have to pull the 2450 gr into the air.
During taxie on long grass the plane showed to have anough power.

Now waiting for a nice sunny day and some guts, for the first flight.

kram

My Feedback: (7)

Very nicely done!

Certainly required a lot more talent and dedication than an ARF.

Good luck with the first flight. Try to remember to breathe at least once within 30 seconds of takeoff.


mt

twinman

My Feedback: (2)

Take a big slow deep breath before take off. You will need the oxygen during the roll out and lift off.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Twinman

Habraken

2 weeks ago i made the first flight with the Californian Cutie. The plane had enough power with the 2 magnums and the take off was breathtaking.
But then in the first turn... radio disturbance and before we could land we had it another 2 times.
Lucky that my club-mate was a very good pilot, and he landed the plane the best he could. She came in a bit fast and when she was on the field she turned upside down.

Very little damage on the 2 fins, but nothing serious.
I changed from PPM to PCM and the problem was solved. But why ppm was not working correctly I still do'nt know.

Anyway a soon as it nice weather again she will make her 2nd flight.

regards, CH.

ayarpee

My Feedback: (15)

Is the P-38 hard to fly? I have never owned a twin, but have an opportunity to trade for one. It looks rather fragile, but I would like to try one. What if an engine quits?