ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Hello everyone!

After much time away from our beautiful hobby(jobs suck!!) I will pick it up again! I have been reading all the wonderful posts about the KMP and VQ P-38 (thank you sooo much Sonnich Johannesen and Samparfitt.) I have decided to go with a KMP after all. I called Matt in the Seattle office and he will be sending me a Jostlin' Josie in 2 weeks when they are expected back in stock. I am not a crazy scale guy and the VQ seems almost "too" pretty for me. Some of you may have seen my build of a world's P-51 GS about a year or so ago here(which I still haven't flown....now that's embarrassing!) I will try to take as many pictures as possible (Sonnich, your posts were CASH MONEY).

Three anticipated deviations on the build....

1. I will buy with out retracts (MSRP is $546 with retracts and Matt said he'll get back to me with the new Price with out retracts) I decided that I'm gonna have to spend another $250-$350 in retracts (I plan on "fat" oleos (1/2 inch likely).) I have a paved runway. Brakes maybe?....thoughts?.....

2. I will also place the rudder and elevator servos in the boom like I have seen in the posts.

3. I will do a samparfitt engine mount, ie sideways. My reasoning is that if the engines are inverted, I will have some sort of exhaust machinery coming out of the side of the cowling and then there are the reliability issues (I will be using OS 91 fx's, however). If I HAVE to have some sort of "machinery" sticking out side of the cowling, it might as well be the head! I know there will be more costs because I will have to buy pitt mufflers but, I might as well enjoy the added reliability of a non inverted glow! (Twinman and all who come before me, be praised...reliability, reliability, reliability!)

Matt told me the elevator "issues" have been resolved and frankly Sonnich's P-38 looks wonderful. So I'm pulling the preverbial trigger. Wish me luck and lets have some fun!

Here is a picture of the bird from KMP's website.

av8r4aa

My Feedback: (82)

I have the first generation P-38 kit.
I also went with different gear.
I used Robart 630 series and 640 series.
the nose gear is the same use on the P-39
Airacobra kit. It is raked forward about 115
degrees. It looks very good.
On my kit I removed the stock gear platform and moved the
new gear plates closer to the middle.
That way the tire is fully enclosed in the nacelle.
A lot of other little mods also.
I think if I ever finish it it will be a winner.
Greg

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Greg,

Thanks for the input on the front gear. I was perusing (is that even a word?) at the different nose units and was wondering which one to pick. I will definitely take a look at your choice. I was also wondering if the complete rear wheel would fit in the boom....aparently not because you moved yours up. I can't wait to get the bird. I have 2 broken in 91 fx's that are purring for the lightning!

Rafael

av8r4aa

My Feedback: (82)

Yes, with the stock gear plate completely removed and a different
one installed the 4 inch tire will be completely inclosed.
I think 4 inch robart tire (main) is very close to scale.
Plus bigger tires work better.
Look on Robart website to see what I bought.
Nose gear looks awsome also.
.On your 91 FX engines get the "large Volume"
Pitts muffler from Slimline. They are very robust and
are made for the larger engine.
Greg

SJN

Thanks for the Compliments Rafael [8D]

Havn`t flown mine yet, so let us know how it flys....... you will probably get it airborn before mine

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Sonnich,

I have to wait 2 weeks before I can even start building! And, I have to find some time to study for tests I have coming up. I will make it happen, however, I promise!!!

rafael

easton24

My Feedback: (1)

I have been looking at both VQ and KMP P38's. Which one is a better flier. Also how well do they put together.
I have been reading on other threads how they need gyros to fly.

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Hello fellow forumers...

I have just got off the phone with Matt from KMP in seattle, we have formalized my deposit and he told me the nonretract price of $500. That makes a difference of about $50 dollars. Makes me wonder what the stock retracts lack to be desired......The kits are still expected by the end of the month of jan '05. (Hey that's this month!!! )

Easton,
Samparfitt has a very large and thorough runthrough on the very subject of VQ vs KMP. Sonnich has a very picturesque runthrough of his kmp. Apperently there have been what seems to be two "redo's" by kmp. Samparfitt looks at the first one(with all of its strengths and weaknesses), Sonnich looks at the second with all of its strengths and weaknesses. I will be the only one (as of yet!) who will take pictures of the third installment, if you will, of the KMP P-38. I think only samparfitt's friend has flown the kmp(of these two reviews,which he liked alot apperently) and sonnich has told us that he has not flown. Other people have commented that they have flown theirs and most have not been dissapointed.

And the subject of "needing" gyros, I think has been a subject of much debate, but it seems that the general consencus is that a gyro is not "needed" but it may help some. I think that if I have a flame out a gyro might help but, more than likely the plane will take some "ruffage" as I plan to kill the second engine and land it where it "falls" sort to speak. Oh and remember those who came before you, get the most reliable engines as possible and know that you will have about $1000++ flying around and you want the most reliable "crucials" in the sky(runon sentence, hey am I in english class!?). All this said, and I have never flown a twin before!!! Lets learn together!!!

William Robison

My Feedback: (3)

Do not count dollars when you play with twins. If you do you'll go back to single engined planes. I have around $1200 in my Ultra Stick 120, and that's a single engined plane. I figured my C-3/10 twin, it's right at $2K and it didn't start with a $500 kit. Haven't had the nerve to cost out any of the later ones.

A nasty example. The F7F I'm working on is getting engines for $3K. Admitted, they are seven cylinder radials, but I'm D****d well not going to do a total on the plane.

Repeating myself: Don't count the cost, or you'll quit.

Bill.

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Ha ha Will....so true so true.

I just wanted to post the actual price I was paying for the kit itself since so many people usually do not just volunteer the price. All the other stuff, engines and rado equipment are usually pretty easy to "price" if one was so inclined.

Believe me I also have thousands in airplanes (I'm dumb enough to like jets....which everybody knows are flying vacuums that need constant money throwing!) and when I think too much about it, it hurts. All said, I love to fly my Kyosho Cap 232 with a 91....very reasonable and certainly not $1000!

Matt, from KMP, called me today regarding emails and the such, so I just ran over the essentials like delivery date, etc... I also asked about the elevator issue and he told me that he "thought" it was fixed. He said we'll have to read the manual. Anyways, I'll keep you posted.

Rafael

hemi

I have the F model on order as well. Andrew told me the incidence issue was corrected and that the F model had new cowls and that the entire model was air brushed. The F model had different shaped scoops on the booms than the J. I doubt they fixed this, but we'll see. As for the gear I'm going to use the 600 series Robart gear that I have already. It will be great to compare building notes. I'm just finishing a Thunder Tiger Rare Bear kit.

Thanks

John

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Hi Hemi,

Do you actually "have" the F model....drool....? If you do, how about some pictures for the ignorant public! And I assume that the .....oops brain misfire...I just read that you have one "on order as well" oh well excited for nothing! Does J model mean the model that sonnich has? And F is the model we ordered? If so what is the designation of the first, and the model which seems to need alot of work?

Rafael

hemi

The P38 came in two main versions, early and late. The best of the early versions was the F model. The F model had drop tanks, improved engine performance and the top portion of the canopy opened rearward. The cowls on the F model were very streamlined. The F model radiator intercooler scoops on the boom scoops were more oval shaped. Early models came painted from the factory

The J and later model P-38's are the late version. The biggest visible changes were in the cowls, they were much deeper below the spinner and allowed for improved oil cooling and airflow into the engines induction system. The radiator, intercooler boom scopes were more rounded. Late versions were natual metal.

You need to look up Glacier Girl for a great pictues of an F model P-38. A great reference book is P-38 Detail In Scale. This covers all of the major variants of the P-38.

Up until now the KMP P-38 has been essentially a J model. Your model Joltin Josie is based on the J model. The version KMP calls the Sharkmouth version is based on the F model with the the streamlined cowls. I would guess the plans are identical except for the cowls.

Hope this helps. I'm pretty excited about getting mine in a couple of weeks as well.

John

SJN

..

hemi

Sonnich

A pictures always worth a thousand words. I didn't any reference materials with me to add to my post to help Ravill.

Ravill
The 2 P-38's on the left are late models and the two on the right are Glacier Girl. F model P38. Note the difference in the cowling. The radiator intercooler scoops are realy visible in these 4 pictures.

John

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Hemi and Sonnich,

Thanks for the clarification. I thought that KMP had designated an F and J model to their P-38's. I didn't know that you were discussing the real, full scale P-38s. I can see from your pictures that we all have the J version, ie the late version of the full scale.

Thanks again and lets keep each other posted!

Rafael

hemi

Ravill

The sharkmouth version in camo from KMP is supposed to be an F model and is suppose to have the correct F model cowling. I decided I'd rather get the F model and finish it in the colors and markings of Glacier Girl.

Thanks

John

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Anyday now......still waiting......how about now?...... Is it here yet?

AKondor

Hi guys:

In the warehouse in 3 days!! Yahoo...

yes, the difference between the planes is the cowls...the F is more streamlined. Also we covered the F models in Solartex Fabric and then airbrushed the wings and fuses together at once for a pefect " FLAT " paint match throughout.

Cheers,
Andrew Kondor
KMP

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Wow Mr. KMP himself! It is wonderful to see Mr. Kondor on this site and responding no less. I must admit that Matt in seattle has been nothing short of wonderful himself. I am excited about this arf and so are most of the people reading this....

I bought my OS 91's from tower and they are on their way.

AV8r4aa I had a "friend" who had 2 bison large volume pitts (you suggested slimeline that I have on my CAP) that he basically gave me that were brand new! I was just about to press submit on my tower order when he told me he had some....just had to say yes!

Also, I bought volume three of Real Flight (this is the one with the p-38) so I can get some more twin time. (I only have the deluxe version which has the twinstar)

Anyways will post pics as they become available......

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

[&:] Matt just told me that my P-38 was shipped to me today!!!! Ahhhhhh yeaaah......! Pictures are comin' when it gets here. My 91's just got here from tower! pictures to follow. It's almost 10 pm here on the west coast and I've got to get up in seven hours......jobs suck!!! (didn't I write that on my first post?!) But hey I've got to pay for this shisssss some how! See you guys soon!

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

As promised two OS 91's just growling for a P-38....

Oh yeah and that add on for real flight(which is pretty awsome by the way I just downloaded a paint scheme for the F-86 that is awsome, I didn't think I could do that!)

See you soon

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Ok, Here it came in all its glory!!!

I think this is an excellent model. What better way to celebrate the coming of the Normandy invasion than a bottle of french wine!! (ok, you caught me this is a northern California wine, but it was just as good!!)


I have to admit it came packeged very intuitively and efficiently. I will post some pictures of the instructions.

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

This is a nice sized plane. I have my BVM F-86 in the background to compare the size.

The instructions are very well put together with detailed pictures that I think might be more organized than world's instructions. (I have compared my P-51 GS)

The detail on the airplane is BETTER than, say a world's P-51 GIANT SCALE!!! I must admit I am impressed with the quality of this model. $500 for the kit, without retracts, is a very fair price and I might even venture to say that KMP should make a frickin killing with this model.....!!!

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Here are the instructions....

You can see that the KMP instructions have quite nice detailed, picturesque discriptions....


2 immediate mentions from SJN's P-38 are the elevator servo on the actual elevator and the lacking of the correction on the elevator

Also, unfortunatly, the rubber band attachment of the outer wings continue. I PROMISE to do something different!!!

And, ofcourse, our average RC universe member is a VERY astute observer, notice no retracts