I am planning a TF P47 kit but have been out of the hobby for some years. Can anyone suggest the proper engine and retracts for this plane (63" version). I am thinking of the Saito FA 91S for sound, size, and weight. Does this fit properly in the cowl with a muffler.

Also, what would be a decent set of retracts. The product review on the TF web site used Century Jet Models.

This project will also have me buying a 7 channel radio. Any views on that, Futaba, JR, someone else?

I see from other threads out there that some of you know this kit and I would appreciate any help. I have been banished to England for a few years by my employer and access to clubs and well equipped hobby shops is difficult. Thanks.

use a strong 2 stroke like a super tiger 90 or a 120 4 stroke. for retracts use spring air- either the 116s or the 700 series and robart oleos.

i had a good 2 stroke in mine (super tiger 61) at first and it flew but not strong. so i wnet to the 90 and it flies like a fighter.

ed

Thanks. Wish I could afford/fit in a radial. I think I will go for the larger 4 stroke. Also, following up on your retract suggestion I found a web site for spring air products at www.retracts.com.

Have you heard of a web site called P-47 Advocates? I typed this in and no luck even though I saw a similar title on another thread.

no- haven't heard about that site-

you might search here for other threads about this plane. lots of good info here.

mine flies well. it does not snap at low speeds- it just mushes ahead. it does take some distance to slow down with the cowl on, so give it plenty of room. of course if you test the stall about 150 feet up you will probably see this. mine has flaps but i don't use them.

by the way it seems to be designed for the 4 strokes as mine took a fair amount of lead in the nose to balance.

ed

Mine flys around great with a Surpass .91. It's a bit heavier than usual because I fiberglassed it, but that wing doesn't seem to mind a bit.

Hi I use a Saito 90 it pulls the plane great plenty of power. I have century Jet retracts. No problems with this setup . Flew it all summer. It flys very well. I even tip stalled once and cartwhelled the aircraft. NO DAMAGE AT ALL. If you loose your engine belly in with gear up it will save your gear as the jug falls out of the sky fast without power.

I had an Enya 80 2 stroke in my P-47 but it was no ball of fire, a Magnum 108 2 stroke made it a much better flyer. No extra weight, just less lead & more aluminium in the nose! I used Aussie Custom Retracts in mine with a Robart retractable tail wheel

Thanks to everyone for commenting. I have'nt looked at the computer for awhile as I have been building the kit when I am not at work.

Considering how soft some of the sheeting is, I think the plane will need to be glassed instead of monokote. Besides, I love a paint job. Has anyone tried glassing, detailed cockpit, drop tank, and oleo struts, or will this add so much pork that the thing won't fly?

If you like Saito 4 strokes, you may want to look at their 1.0 It is about the same size and weight as their 90 and it will provide a bit more power without going overboard.

I see that the Saito 100 comes in about 20 oz. which is half a pound lighter than any of the 120s that I can find. I had one comment where the person mentioned having to put a lot of lead in the nose when using a 2 stroke, but I am not sure if his "a lot" is two ounces or eight. I also would like to know if he covered with glass or plastic film. I would be nice to know in advance what weight would be necessary to balance the plane so I could buy the right engine and not use lead. Oh well, I may not know this answer until I build the second dream P-47.

I just started building my Jug last week. I bought the Robart retracts and some of the cloned struts from VQ. I am planning on using a OS 91FX with the T/F muffler they say won't fit, but I made it work...
I, too, see that some of the sheeting is soft (having poked a finger almost thru the vert fin sheeting) and will decide later to glass or not... Probably will...
I will keep one eye here and see what everyone else is doing...[:-]

I used a OS .91FX with a bisson muffler. worked well. (I did have to bend the exhust pipes due to the nose art I put on the cowl.) I also used Robart retracts and they have worked perfectly so far. I have about thirty flights on it and it is a great flier. The OS is more than enough power. As far as a radio I swear by the Futabe 9C it is a great radio and easy to program.

good luck,
Josh.

My attempt at retract in scale location.

[img]Nice job! I will give this to Jethro! Thank you!

Mine has a ST90, TF muffler with a macs header and it fits perfect. I had Robart gear but they wore out after about 300 flights. I put spring air in because they were free. The robarts were realistic going up and down. The spring airs pop up and down but they always come down. No more one wheel landings(although its looks very dramatic and everyone enjoys it) It has Robart oleo struts. Oleo struts are a must have. They really make you look like a pro on the landings. It just sticks to the runway.

It balanced perfect. No lead in nose, tail or wing tip. I did add a remote mixture control and a mini servo on the engine box to help with the balance and because there was no way to get to the needle valve while the engine is running. It has a dummy radial in the cowl and the battery is right behind the firewall. It has a bomb/drop tank release under the belly and has the wing pods.

I covered it with silver ultracote and painted with Coverite 21st century paint(great stuff) I would glass it next time however. No wrinkles!
It uses 8 channels with the normal four and gear, flaps, remote mixture and bomb release.

The dry weight is 10# and flies great. Very fast at full throttle and tracks like it is on rails. I fly at full throttle for the adrenaline and about 2/3 throttle for a more scale like flight. Lands very realistic with the flaps down 50% and will slow to a crawl with full flaps.
Oh yeah, I sheeted the wing with 3/32 balsa to avoid the punch throughs and put carbon fiber mat (with CyA) in and around the gear mounting area and wheel well. Very strong!

One more thing, I used a razor saw to cut into the wing, stab and fin tips and put in 1/64 ply. It makes a nice sharp tip and helps with the hanger rash.
Good luck on yours! You will love it! If mine ever crashes(oh I hate to say that!) I will build another. It is my best flying aircraft and I have a few.

This information helps a lot. I have the spring air kit but just need to get a web address where I can order the Robart oleos. I have just finished installing the tail wheel gear and am putting in the control rods for the elevators and rudder.

I was really impressed with Parabellum's job of fitting the retract doors to the oleos. I didn't know that could be done.