Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

I bought this at a show (UK) today and can find no information on it. Have not seen a UK seller either!

70.8" Winspan for 60 2 stroke or 91 four stroke.

It's modern ply construction and is strong and light. Everything looks straight. The finish is shiny, but not as toy-like as the piccy. Does anyone have one of these and any comments about it? The tail is very small, so I'm thinking the lighter the better. RCGF 15cc gasser sat waiting, but I think it may be a bit heavy for this one (a long nose).

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/290...c_airplane.jpg

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Piccys
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0085.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0086.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0087.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0088.jpg

And this is what's going in it!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0084.jpg

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

As far as I know there is a problem with retracts. The wing is not one piece and the aircraft is designed to have a single retract servo placed in the fuselage. So you have to mount and unmount the retract pushrods everytime you go to flying.
But this was aorund 2 years ago and Flight Model may have made some improvements in the design in the meantime.

Enjoy it! :)

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

That's the one - no improvements! ;) The retracts may be reasonably easy with snap on connectors (that retain a simple 90 degree bend).

What do you think about RCGF Gasser for power? 8400RPM on a 13*8 (not run in yet) is definitely enough power and with a Pitts muffler will go completely in the cowl. Just the weight.... I might have to move servos and stuff back. Will use a single Lipo and 2 regulators for power (ignition and receiver). Definitely don't want three heavy nimhs in this airframe.


Any experience with flaps? Needed, or better without the extra servo weight?

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Next question - I need 9 or 10 servos. No way is this airframe going to support that lot of weight!

Metal gear minis all around (apart from retracts) ???

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0091.jpg

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

I have a 71 inch span Ki-61 of my own design which flies like a dream at 9.5 pounds and would probably handle another couple of pounds with ease. Assuming your airplane is as light as advertised on the box (~7.75 pounds) I don't think you would have any issues hauling around 9 or 10 standard size servos if that is what you decided to use. However, there is no reason that high torque minis would not work as well.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../FRT-QTR_3.jpg

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

[8D]


Got any more pics?

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

This is all I have of the Tony right now. I did not take much in the way of construction photos for some reason. Other projects have prevented me from putting the finishing touches on the Tony but I plan to soon. I hope anyway! I need to put the wing fillets on it and then it will be ready for panel lines and rivets. Still need to make plugs to pull a clear canopy and the radiator as well. It is a really nice flying airplane and I look forward to getting it done.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Y/DSCN0261.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Y/DSCN0264.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Y/DSCN0274.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Y/DSCN0276.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Y/DSCN0278.jpg

Here it is on the day of the test flights. Seeing as how it was an "unknown quantity" I wanted to test fly before doing any finish work. As you can see I wasn't even willing to risk my $35 aluminum spinner! :) No worries though, if flies great and I put about 6 or 8 flights on it before I took it down for finishing.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Y/FTFDAY_1.jpg

This is how I plan to finish the airplane.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...hi_color_1.jpg

PS - With a little bit of "customising" I think your ARF could be a very nice scale model of the Tony. I really like the airfoiled tail feathers (Flat tailed warbirds are a pet peave of mine) and the fact that the manufacturer did not reduce the scale dihedral which is VERY prominant on the Ki-61. I'd probably do something to blend the cowl into the fuse a bit nicer and put a more scale radiator on it. Some wing fillets, exhaust stacks, and various other scale bumps and blisters and you would have a very nice sport-scale warbird.

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

I'll do my best, thank you [8D]

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

I have this one and can tell you that it can really lend itself to scaling out. Definitely needed some help on that radiator:eek:...was the first thing to hit the dust bin when I unpacked the box!:D

Hope to maiden it today.

Some more detail shots and an abreviated build follow along starts at post #22 here;

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_80..._1/key_/tm.htm

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Pm me if you're intrested in some of the bumps and blisters; especially the side scoop/intake and I can run a set for you. I didn't get an intake in my kit.

I have the intake, gun blisters, fuel sample ports(under wing root and fuselage between wings) and a misc vent(under fuse)

I can post/upload some 3-views for you as well if you'd like and you can save and print them for reference.

Cheers!

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Chad,

Is your scheme one of Kobayashi's mounts? Looks like the right number of kills and the same Sentai is why I ask. He had several paint schemes too. I chose his 'Leaf" scheme flown on the China front. Took a while to get the tail markings identified and translated so I could acurately reproduce it....Would hate to have painted something like "I need to pee" on there due to not forming the characters properly[X(]

Have you pulled a canopy for yours yet?

By the way, Your vacu-forming tutorials and posts were directly responsible in adding that ability to my modeling skill-set. Thank you. The vacu-formers have become one of my favorite toys/tools to mess about with:)

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Thanks for the link - yours looks better than mine! (my first scale plane). I have the 1/72 Hasegawa kit for reference, but not done much in the way of detailing yet.


What did you do with the retracts? The angles seem a bit wrong and the central retract servo (with plug-in wings) is causing me a minor headache [:@] Any more retract piccies appreciated!

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

You nailed it frets, Kobayashi's mount from mid/late 1945 from what I have read. I like the green "splotches" over natural metal but something about this one just jumped out at me and it will be easier to reproduce to boot! I have not pulled a canopy for my airplane yet and it still sits in exactly the same condition as the first picture above. My canopy plug still needs quite a bit of work to get a good clear part. I pulled the white styrene one in the pics just as a "quick and dirty" for the test flights. It is just taped in place as you probably can tell. I really want to get back to work on it but I keep taking on other projects! Shame, because the Tony is so close and I could be out flying it! :( Too bad your not closer to AZ, I'd give it to you to finish!

PS - I am very glad that the vacuum forming tutorial was of some use to you. Just as with you, vacuum forming is one of those things that I very much enjoy and is one of my favorite tools as well. I've been doing it now for 10+ years and I still look forward to each new project and I never fail to learn something new every time. It is easily the most bang for the buck of any tool that a scale modeler could add to their "tool box" in my opinion.

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

I mounted a heavy duty servo on it's side in each wing. I may pull the whole setup out and replace it with a pair of Robarts that I have in the stockpile and retrofit the Robarts to electric.

As far as detailing, you'd be surprised how much just adding panel lines with a fine point indelible ink marker can wake up the appearance of an otherwise bland airplane. Relatively quick, easy and by far the most bang for a Quid you can get!

Don't actually have a lot of the retract instalation...here's what I have though. The gear are from RcSkylite and the collars are cut out of 7mm aluminium flat stock using a dremel and hand files them drilled and tapped.

http://www.rcskylite.com/products/60...F-Bearcat.html

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Thank you [8D]

I'll pull the Hitec retract servo from the fuz, buy another one and fit them in the wings.

Had visions of pushrods sticking out of fuz or wings and looking a mess. Plus spearage damage of other planes in the car ;) Hanger-rash I can cope with, hanger-wounding isn't an option :D

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

If I had it to do over again, I probably would have cut a panel/access into the wing outboard of the retract and mounted the servo there. I also forgot to post the e-tract link.

http://www.wingspanretracts.com/Actuators

http://www.wingspanretracts.com/Std_Retracts

PS; YT International in the UK carries this plane. I wish we still had someone on this side of the pond that stocked it[&o]

http://www.ytinternational.co.uk/ki61/ki_61.htm

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

I wish I could swing moving closer to AZ as well...Went to NMMI in Roswell, NM(1981-83) and then UNM, Albuquerque(83-85). Spent a good bit of time at Luke and Davis-Monthan AFB's too.....Loved the southwest...people, weather, terrain.

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

If you spent time at Luke then you are probably familair with Litchfield Park which is where I'm located. If the last time you were here was in the '80s then you probably would not recognize the place anymore. Luke is practically in the middle of town now!

Sorry to hijack your thread dogshome! [:-]

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

No problemo, I usually hijak others anyhow! [&:]

Pilot (I'm only playing at this - first scale plane) and I bought him pre-painted ;)

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0115.jpg


Engine.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...e/IMAG0096.jpg

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Looks like it's coming along nicely there!

That's the same pilot figure I tried to order from a shop in Australia from e-bay....tried but they don't ship to the USA. I'll keep looking.

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

Wow! And I thought Charlotte had changed and grown. Luke AFB used to be a bit of a trek from town.

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

They are £12.00 delivered. I can get one and ship it to you at cost if you are really desperate!

[link=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RC-plane-Pilot-WW2-1-7-1-8-Japanese-Petes-Pilots-/250860507736?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&ha sh=item3a68739258]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RC-plane-Pilot-WW2-1-7-1-8-Japanese-Petes-Pilots-/250860507736?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&ha sh=item3a68739258[/link]

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

thanks for the offer and the link.

Pete's only has the 1/7 and I really need the 1/6. I may just make a face mold of my Japanese pilot from the Zero and go from there on my own.
The folks in Australia answered my email and were kind enough to offer to sell and ship me one for the low, low price of $36.00 USD(@24.00GBP)...I understand profit and all but, really.....

(the 1/6 figure is 14.00 USD shipped...locally in Australia)

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
 

dogshome,

Have you flown this one yet? Flight report or other updates on the build?