RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Hey Grumpy,

I am using standard servos all around. HiTec 425s in the wing and Futaba 3004s in the fuse. I suspect that they will handle my flying style just fine. The DS821s are great servos, I've got a set of those in a Super Sportster.

Hey Leroy,

Thanks for the panel line tips!

I have come to a standstill on the final details on my P-47... I need to catch some spring fever![8D] I need to mount the Flap servos and finish up the control rods for the elevator and aileron and a bit more final fitting of the gear doors then... I'll be ready to fire her up!

Build Well!
Ben

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Ben you can put details in monocoat and ultracoat pretty easy,Leroy

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Thanks for the input. Any of you Jugheads out there used the Top Flite interior kit for this bird? I find the instructions somewhat lacking and would appreciate any pointers. Thanks

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

On the interior kit, I glued in some 3/32" balsa in the recessed back of each plastic panel using CA. This stiffens it to keep it flat and gives you something to glue the panels to the airframe. When you cut out the opening in the cockpit, you can fit each piece in and see where it touches the airframe for gluing. The side pieces had to be notched on the top edge to fit against the side formers, and they tuck under another piece of balsa along their top edge. It may not make sense to read it, but as soon as you get the parts in there it will make more sense.

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Thanks. Yes, I started foolin around with it and it is gradually coming along

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Some of the cheapest junk cockpit kits can be made into something pretty nice with a little work. I made all the dials, levers and switches and instraments to dress mine up.:)

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Nice work! :D

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Alright! I am getting really excited about the Jug! I fired her up tonight for the first time and she purrs like a kitten! I've decided to add some panel lines and a little bit of detail before the first flight, so maybe in a few weeks, I'll have a maiden flight under my belt!
Thanks everyone for all of the input, and I'll post again when I have more news...[8D]

Build well!

Ben

Have tried to post pics but no luck....[>:]
Maybe later.

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Here they are...

Build well!
Ben

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Looks GREAT!!! Finally painted mine and starting final assembly. I decided to take the easy way out and went with the color scheme shown on the box. I made one change and used black for the anti glare panel and spine as shown in this link: http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazin...iam-dunham.htm

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Looks great Scott. What paint did you use to for the "natural" aluminum?

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Thanks! The paint is Sherwin Williams Ultra 7000 automotive paint. The color code is 36422 Sunbeam Silver Metalic. It's a 2 part base coat/ clear coat system. The base coat does require their Base Coat Stabilizer. It's really nice paint to use and dries extreamly fast-you can handle the plane within 15 min. I used just the base coat silver and cleared it with Old Masters Satin finish acrylic interior poly-urethane. I sprayed 4 light coats thinned with approximatly 1/3 water. I think it gives just the right sheen for the natural aluminum look. I've used the water based poly on other glow planes and it holds up good as long as you clean off any fuel residue when you're done flying.

Scott

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Good work Scott!

FINALLY! Made the first flight today... I've been helping a guy and his son learn to fly over the past several weeks and it has taken all of my attention. Didn't get all of the detailing done....

The plane flew great had to add left aileron trim but other than that it was solid. Only problem was on the landing when she nosed over toward the end of the roll out. Our runway is a little bumpy so it may have contributed to the problem. I have also left the struts and gear doors off for the time being.

Sorry no in flight pics, the guy who was going to take the photos got too caught up in the moment and forgot!

Build Well!

Ben

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Don't feel bad my jug has nosed over on every flight I've had with it but congratulations on the job well done

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Got the maiden in today with mine! Fortunatly we have been able to work out a deal with the renters at the location we were flying at and will be able to fly there for the next year or so!!! I hear you guys on the nose over tendancy with the P-47. The first few takeoff attempts ended in the plane on its back. After a few clicks of up trim and holding in full up elevator until it broke ground, it was finally airborne. Besides the up trim, it flew hands off and like it was on rails. What a *****cat in the air!!! My landing was a little hot and she did nose over but no damage thanks to the thick grass - or was that the problem [8D] All in all a good day. Can't wait to get some more flights on this girl. I'll have to bring it over to Wolcott International for some flying with you or you can come UP here to the high altitude for aome fun!!!

Scott

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Thanks Jordan! Is the DLE still working OK for you?

Scott, congrats on getting some air under the wings! I'm glad you've negotiated more time at your field! I look forward to the day we get together and "rip up the sky" together... We should go up to Camp Hale and do some real nostalgic WWII flying :D BTW how's the water level in Dillon Reservoir these days? Haven't been over that way yet this summer...

Back to the nose over issue, I did some modifications to the mounting blocks for my retracts. I gave them 5 degrees more forward angle and boy am I glad I did! I figure a little better elevator control and maybe a CG adjustment, I'll have a pretty stable airplane on the ground. I may shim the gear to give it a little bit more forward angle, we'll see.

Here are some pics of the modification.

Build Well!

Ben

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

I absolutely love the dle I would recommend it to anyone building this plane. It's a perfect combination, I would also recommend a 16x10 or 17x8 prop. Just pulls it beautifully little over power but not much, also sounds hell of a lot better too.

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Camp Hale!!! Now there's an idea [8D] Dillon Reservoir is down a little ways but not as bad as I've seen in the past. All the rain lately has really helped!

Thanks for the pics. I may try and shim the gear a little myself - it sure can't hurt to try. Flying off the grass didn't help any either.

I had to add 12 oz of nose weight to balance at the recomended point, so after a few more flights I might remove some to get the weight back just a touch. Came in at 10 lb 12 oz.

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Got a couple more flights in today after shimming the gear forward about 3 deg. Definate improvement on take off and landing. Greased the landing on the 1st flight but not quite on the 2nd [X(] CG seems to be right on so I don't think I'll mess with changing it. Here's a video of the second flight. Notice the slum section of Colorado we have to fly at :D 8700' elev.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gem6sFK-E2Y&feature=plcp

Scott

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Hi guys, The P-47 has the same nose over problems that Most all scale planes have that I have seen. I started out moving my Axles 1 inch forward from what the plans had drawn but ended up haveing them 1.5" inches forward and the plane handles like a dream on take off and landing. No nose over problems ...unless there is a pot hole ..lol . Good to see so many p-47's going. I have really enjoyed mine. I built a P51 gold kit after this and it is not as friendly as the thunderbolt but still a great plane...Keep posting pictures please..Terry

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Terry,
I just posted a note about my 1969 P-47 Razorback kit.  I'm looking for instructions and worth.  Please look at it and let me know what you think.  I have 19 arf's, but would it be a first time build challenge for a beginner builder? 

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

HELPI think I might have messed something up and cannot figure what I did wroingI am working on the fuse (upper section) and am at the point where I am carving/sanding the fuse spine for finishing the razorback.

Problem is it looks like the canopy does not fit properly. Can someone give me a measurement at the point where the back of the deck rises up to the top of this spineI believe this is part CB plus the razor spine plus the fuse spine. It basically comes down to how far do I have to sand down this 1/2 inch piece of balsa.

Alternately, it looks like I need to raise the sheeting on both sides of the deck in order to match the edge of the canopy. In other words it looks like the canopy height is too short and the only way to make it up is by adding some sheeting above the flight deck.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks-

Larry

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Hey Larry,

Here's how mine looked... Are you close to that? BTW there is a step where you add a filler plank to the side of the fuse at the canopy... (second pic)

Ben

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Ben-

ARRGH I must have missed that step about the filler plankgotta reas more closely

I'll find it in there-

Thanks much

Larry

RE: Topflite Gold kit P-47
 

Sure thing Larry! Flew my Jug this morning, man I gotta get a decent video camera and get some footage. She sure does fly sweet! You'll love it Larry!

Build well!

Ben

P-47 Top Flie Gold Edition Kit plans
 

Hi guys.
Is there abyvody who can provide me plans for this warbird? I have an almost complite kit but plans are missing.
best choice would be in digital format but printed are ok as well.
Thank you