Top-Flite P-47 ARF equipment selection - need help!
 

I have decided to get my first large Warbird and after some research it looks like the TF P-47 60 ARF is a good place to start. I had also considered the H9 P-47 60 ARF. This will also be my first fuel plane. To this point I have been flying electric PZ warbirds and the like. I am pretty comfortable with my flying skills and ready to move up. Im also pretty technical and can mod, build, fix etc... pretty well. Im trying to figure out everything I will need to get going. So far here is what I have picked out along with some questions:

Motor - DLE20cc -

From what I can tell I will need a separate Rx lipo pack to power the ignition. Will a Spektrum 4000mah lipo Rx pack be suitable?
Also I need some type of kill switch. I found this one recommended.
https://www.smart-fly.com/Products/I...n/ignition.htm
Am I correct in that I will need 1 channel on my Rx for ignition and 1 for remote kill? I see that a separate choke servo is optional which would require 1 more channel. Do I need this? In addition I need to locate a physical switch somewhere on the fuse for the kill switch as well? and maybe another switch for something else, not sure here.

Prop -APC 15.5x12 4 Blade

Servos

Futaba Digital S9155 x 8 (aileron x2, flap x2, elevator, rudder, throttle, choke)
TF recommends using Futaba Analog S9001. Are the S9155 overkill? I just don't want to drop out of the sky because I went cheap on the servos.

Receiver (I have a DX9 for the Tx)

Spektrum AR9000 (which I already have). Channels in no particular order would be:

throttle
choke
ailerons
elevator
rudder
flaps
gear
kill switch
ignition

The 9000 has 2 dedicated pwr in slots so I would use one of them for a Spektrum 4000mah lipo Rx pack. Will I need something else in line with it to power the 8 full size digital servos, gear, and ignition system? or will the Rx pack powering everything through the Rx alone be fine?

Retracts

It comes with the ability to do servo retracts. Not sure if these are any good. Also pneumatics are an option. It also looks like the Eflite electric ones used in the H9 P-47 might be an option. What is the most reliable choice here. or is there a better option? I will be using an ok grass field but not great. I would also like to add a retractable tail wheel at some point but not sure what all is involved there.

Pilot

Any recommendations for what would fit best, preferably with a body?

Other

I would also like to do a razorback conversion, but that will be for a later date.

Is there anything I am missing? The goal here is to have a good reliable flier and eventually to build a kit and do it perfectly scale. Sorry as I am a total noob at anything other than foam electrics. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

A DLE20cc would be a great choice but you won't likely be able to turn a 4 blade prop with it. I've seen that prop on a DLE30cc but you are just asking for issues like lack of RPM on the DLE20cc and the DLE30cc will lead to increased torque on take-off. Go with a nice 2-blade prop. Keep it simple on your first balsa warbird.

You can use e-Flite electric retracts which will likely save you some headaches. Unless you are an accomplished modeler, I'd forget about retractable tailwheel and razerback conversion for now. This winter, build the .60 sized P-47 kit and you can pimp it out and will learn a lot from it.

Good advice, thanks for the input. I can't wait to fly something other than foam!

Just my 2 cents

Kill switch
http://www.rcexl.com/news/Accessories/10.html

Servos
http://hitecrcd.com/products/servos/...-servo/product

Batteries (need two or three, one or two for receiver and one for ignition)
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...-nimh-JRPB5006

Gear
Eflite electric

Questions above, thanks!

Kill switch - isolation and they are only 15.00 bucks. (never had any problems).

Servos - never had any problems with the 645mg's - save your money, you don't need digital servos on that plane.

Batteries - stay 6.0v, easy to charge in the plane and no regulator.

I will go with the hitechs or S9001 they are about the same price. I thought 900.00 on servos did seem a bit much on this plane. How about Li-Fe packs at 6.6V?

Li-Fe or NiMH @ or around 2500 mah.

I am running this exact plane and engine combo...........check your RCGroups post for my reply.

Yeah I joined up here as it seemed more of a balsa crowd than RCG. Thanks to all for input so far.

Whatever you choose, consider this; light flies better. Always. Heavy warbirds, especially nose-heavy warbirds are no fun to fly. When the wing loading creeps up over 35, be careful. Don't forget to add in the weight of the fuel in your calculations. As a side note, I've been balancing my warbirds with a half tank of fuel, since I find I've been landing with that amount after 7-9 minutes. Just a thought. I realize that's contrary to normal procedure, but jeez, it works great and provides a good balance point. Balance with the wheels down, by the way.

I think modern electric retracts are the best (light, easy install, dependable), but any setup is OK if done correctly. I've had both the H9 and Top Flite P-47s, they both fly well. My H9 had an OS91 FX with a Pitts muffler and flew very well. Vertical was fantastic. I never use more than what the design calls for in the power department.

My P-47 is as follows:

DLE 20, 16x8 two blade prop, RCExel kill switch, 1450 LiFe battery, no choke servo-just a pull rod to operate

Futaba Rx, PowerHD 1501MG servos, two 1100 mah LiFe batteries, two switches

Hobby King Electric retracts

As long as you don't get the plane too heavy you will love the way it flys.

There is a forum dedicated to the P-47 on this site and plenty of posts that relate directly to the model your inquiring about.

every thing looks good BUT try a BEC from tech.aero designs you will like them

take a good long look at the H9 and a DLE 20 R R/L

Thanks to all for the great input. It is a bit of a learning curve from what I have been flying but I am excited to move up.

Hmm, lots of info here, and some differing opinions, so, heres mine, servos, i flew a P47 fom the old topflite redbox design with standard 148s for many many years, it also had an ancient OS70 four stroke up front, while not overpowered, it was enough, for yous, i would be using standads all though, but ball raced, aka, futaba 3001s, or the modern equivelarant, only on flaps, and rudder would i upgrade to something with more poke, my choice would be anything with high torque, and not metal gears, anywhere, they are just not needed, and are unneccasarybweight on a small plane, retracts, i would use simple electrics, for there lies the future for us, as for the balance, inverted, wheels up. ALWAYS, with a low winger, have fun

Update: I stumbled across this little beauty here on the marketplace and picked it up.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=981662

Cant wait to get my hands on it and ready up for the maiden.