P40, almost there!
#1
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From: redmond, WA
Here are some pics of my P40 TF kit, which I'm building since last year
Installed is a OS91 4 strk and the idea is to use a flex pipe for the muffler to be hidden under the plane and inside the cowl.
Decided to use fixed gear to save some bucks. Not completly convinced about this, but $200+ for retracts are not in my budget right now
. Besides, the whole sort of troubles of Robart615 are not atractive[:@]
The plan is to prime and paint the plane, but the color scheme is still to be selected.
This is the first kit I built so I'm unable to compare, but its overall quality seems ok, with few headaches here and there which could be avoided with better instructions.
Hope to get it completed and fying next summer.

Installed is a OS91 4 strk and the idea is to use a flex pipe for the muffler to be hidden under the plane and inside the cowl.
Decided to use fixed gear to save some bucks. Not completly convinced about this, but $200+ for retracts are not in my budget right now
. Besides, the whole sort of troubles of Robart615 are not atractive[:@]The plan is to prime and paint the plane, but the color scheme is still to be selected.
This is the first kit I built so I'm unable to compare, but its overall quality seems ok, with few headaches here and there which could be avoided with better instructions.
Hope to get it completed and fying next summer.
#4
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From: Republic,
WA
The P-40 also looks good done in the RAF desert paint. The RAF had the Kittyhawk which was the export version of the Warhawk, The Russians even had a few wearing the Red Star. I even saw where the Japaneese had a flight of captured P-40's in green with a yellow lightning bolt and the Meatball. I think that story can be found in the Warbird forum, very interesting story with pictures.
#5
nilo, I'm in the process now of finishing a TF P-40. It was almost finished when the builder pass away. I bought it from his son. It has the Robart 615's installed. I've pumped them up and tried to cycle them a few times with varying success. What 615 problems have you heard of?
#6
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From: Olathe, KS
Nilo,
Your P40 looks great. I'm glad to see the Master Airscrew 3 bladed prop on her. I have built a couple of these planes and they are great fliers, (with 3 bladed props). Use a little right rudder input on takeoff and she should do well. I'll try to post some photos of some of my Warbirds in my gallery in the next couple of days. The problem with the Robart retracts in the 60 size is the thickness of the robo struts and the one set screw on each side of the strut to the leg tends to loosen after anything but glass smooth landings. A flat spot on the leg helps, but only slightly. Once the Robo strut is set with the proper wheel alignment for the plane to taxi straight ahead, a tac weld where the strut meets the leg will help greatly. I would also like to complement you on the smoothness of all the joints on the plane. The wing fits the fillets very nicely. The fillets themselves are very smooth. I was successfull in completely enclosing a Super Tigre 90 and exhaust system in my last T/F P-40. My P-40's have been from the T/F "Red Box" kits. I did my last P-40 after "Old Exterminator" the stead of Colonel Scott. I'm turning one P-40 into a P-36...should be interesting. I won't recommend a color scheme, as that should be to your liking. Good luck.
"Keep 'Em Flying!"
Flak
Your P40 looks great. I'm glad to see the Master Airscrew 3 bladed prop on her. I have built a couple of these planes and they are great fliers, (with 3 bladed props). Use a little right rudder input on takeoff and she should do well. I'll try to post some photos of some of my Warbirds in my gallery in the next couple of days. The problem with the Robart retracts in the 60 size is the thickness of the robo struts and the one set screw on each side of the strut to the leg tends to loosen after anything but glass smooth landings. A flat spot on the leg helps, but only slightly. Once the Robo strut is set with the proper wheel alignment for the plane to taxi straight ahead, a tac weld where the strut meets the leg will help greatly. I would also like to complement you on the smoothness of all the joints on the plane. The wing fits the fillets very nicely. The fillets themselves are very smooth. I was successfull in completely enclosing a Super Tigre 90 and exhaust system in my last T/F P-40. My P-40's have been from the T/F "Red Box" kits. I did my last P-40 after "Old Exterminator" the stead of Colonel Scott. I'm turning one P-40 into a P-36...should be interesting. I won't recommend a color scheme, as that should be to your liking. Good luck.
"Keep 'Em Flying!"
Flak
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From: redmond, WA
I'm planning to seal the wood grain and paint[>:]. I have tested one sanding sealler with denatured alchohol as thinner(forgot the name now), in the hz and vertical stab, and it sealled the wood really good after 3 to 4+ coats.It seems to be some sort of natural resin like shelac and it's compatible with most of paints. Then prime and later paint. Fiberglass would mostly be heavier and I don't like the mess of working with it, although I have done some work customizing my cowls.
The Robart615 issues I found are mostly related to bended arms when landing. There are many treads about it here in RCU.
Regarding the color scheme, is there any website where I can find then, with details?
Thanks for the incentive words on the construction quality. It keep us persuing the perfection
The Robart615 issues I found are mostly related to bended arms when landing. There are many treads about it here in RCU.
Regarding the color scheme, is there any website where I can find then, with details?
Thanks for the incentive words on the construction quality. It keep us persuing the perfection
#9

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Here's a good one http://www.p40warhawk.com/
Try this thread, I didn't read through all of it: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_22...tm.htm#2255739
Try this thread, I didn't read through all of it: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_22...tm.htm#2255739
#11
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From: redmond, WA
Here is some pics on the final product, completed few days ago.
Kit: TopFlite P40 warhawk gold edition 64" wingspan
Engine: OS91 4 stroke
Retracts: Century jet P40 retract
Final weight: 11 lb 4oz
Prop: Master Airscrew 14x7 3-Blade
Finish: monokote - Brazilian FAB - WWII scheme
Nilo
Kit: TopFlite P40 warhawk gold edition 64" wingspan
Engine: OS91 4 stroke
Retracts: Century jet P40 retract
Final weight: 11 lb 4oz
Prop: Master Airscrew 14x7 3-Blade
Finish: monokote - Brazilian FAB - WWII scheme
Nilo



