P38 1/4 scale
 

Hi, everybody.

I am starting to build a 1/4scale P38. I Hope you will like it.
I took a Ziroli plan that Scaled up to the good size, with some modifications that you will find later on.

Here is the first image.
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/481/img04221.th.jpg

The piece is made of 5/16 inches plywood.
The crutches are made of 2 5/16 inches square spurce glued together

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Thats going to be one BIIIIIGGGGG plane.

Looking forward to watching the build.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

That center wing spar.. make sure it is strong.. my buddies first Z P 38 broke after 3 years.. next one was upgraded- no problems years later.

He flies it hard though, with G 62s... it is a very fast plane. First one is on the Propwash video of the IMAA Rally 2000.

Will be watching this large build.

good luck !

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Thanx guys,

I will take your advice for the center part.

The engines should be two 140cc but I have to learn it on a mono-engine plane first which is on the way.
I will let you know how the things goes. But don't be too impatient, first I have to finish the other plane, and when I have time I am working on the P38. Every pieces of it are allready designed on the computer and I cut numerically each piece when I need them.
Some pieces are too long for my numeric table so I will cut them with the old good method...manually...
<br type="_moz" />

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Well if your really gonna do it right, you better think about building two of these engines for it. these would make it the cooooolest p-38 out there.[sm=biggrin.gif] [sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=biggrin.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=bananahead.gif]sorry have to find the pics. would'nt two of these sound awsome.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

That doesn't look like an Allison to me. Rather, it looks more like a Rolls-Royce Merlin. Here's an Allison V-1710.

Now, having said that, I have always wondered how a pair of Merlins would have transformed the Lightning had those engines been installed in the P-38. Sure, the Allison had a lot of power but it suffered at altitude with turbo superchargers that were not matched correctly to the engines often leading to engine failure. At lower altitudes, like the war in the Pacific tended to be, the Lightning performed fabulously. Imagine a P-38 equiped with Merlins..............boggles the mind! And to add to that, a Merlin-powered P-39 Airacobra could have changed that much-maligned fighter into a war winner. But, we'll never know, will we? [:o]

Al

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Two Allisons, could be soo cool, but I don't think anybody tried to build 2 of them at the 1/4th scale.

BTW, the construction continue slowly but surely.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/5863/img0452i.th.jpg<br type="_moz" />

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Other photos that I find cool.My daughter and son playing with foam former cut for some size tests.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5341/img0442tft.th.jpghttp://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8008/img0445c.th.jpg

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Two more pieces done. The wing keys.<div><div>http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1158/img04711.jpg</div><div>This week will probably speed up a bit I am outside the house traveling for the all week and will bring with me wood, plans and a set of tools. Will see what happend.

The clothespin gives you the size this is the max height of the wing.</div></div>

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Hello, the week was productive.<div>Some formers have been cut.</div><div>http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5366/img3727q.jpg</div><div>Some adjustments have to be done to make the formers in their definitive place and shape.</div>

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

F3 and F5 have been cut by the machine.<div>http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9789/img3797m.jpg
</div>

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Hi BigP38Lightning.
the F1 is not correct! If the templates are not precise as the original structure you have successive problems. how happened to me ...
so if you have a brazing machine I strongly recommend using it. because you will be 'very useful for the next step.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

You are absolutelly right, it is not yet finished, I have to make it (and the others that I made manually) more precise in their shapes.
If I find them to bad after thatI will make them by the machine.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

ok[sm=thumbs_up.gif] if you want an help not hesitate at call me ok?....
good continuation ;)

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Some other formers cut.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Booms formers cut
<br type="_moz" />

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Hi BigP38Lightning. you're going well! ... but you have to much work! ... but don't forgot to surprise! ok?..
if you want something If you need help with something like drawing pictures, I ask as well! ok? i can give you lot!;)

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Hello,</p>

That is very kind of you, as you noticed I am working on different projects which make me go slowly.
For now, I do not need help but in more or less time it could be very usefull. Thank you again for that.
I still have in mind some crutial questions like what kind of engine I should use or, what kind of retract and wheels I will use, but it is to early to think about it.
I do not have enough information about firstly the final weight she will have, that will give me information on the power needed.
For the retract, I think I will draw them and give it to a builder I know which make them very well. (see my construction of PC9 1/3 with two other friends of mine http://picasaweb.google.com/HarnischStephane/PC9)
For the flaps I think I will make them like G-Pete did on his beautyfull P38.</p>

My next step actually, is the wing keys with some modifications because I want the gondola to be removable. I have a friend (one of the two above) that have industrial wood machine that I will use to cut them very straight in good quality aviation plywood.
I of course will post some photos when done.</p>

One day, who knows we will probably meet, Florence is not so far away from me than Texas is. ;-)</p>

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Let me know if you need the original drawings - I can sent then to you in .dwg .dfx .eps. .pdf .jpg ..... what ever you like, then you can scale them up for your need.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

yes I'm be join if can come in Florence!. but is very far way distance to Mulhouse,FRANCE
to TEXAS...HA HA HA HA HA!..... JOKE!.
but i return Serious
for the first question you can use two type to engines
for fist an gasoline engines (DA 50-*85)or some more(DL 50)
for second engine you can use an electric engine motor-Haker-A60 to two battery to 3 cell this is very power full and can you use which an normal three blade.

for the second question
i haves the Robart set gears (nose gears,booms gear)you can find in http://www.ziroliplans.com/zirolipla..._frameset.html but if like i can take you the my set gears...
Sierra otherwise it very good but are expensive!
wheels can be found through the site Ziroli. which are always sierra.
these too if you want I can give them to you. for other technical questions try asking to G-Pete I'm sure you will be able to respond very useful.
CIAO end soon!;)





*
the DA-50 is already a powerful engine and 85 is even more 'powerful but allows you to use the three-bladed propellers

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Very cool, so if you don't mind, .dwg of .dfx will be great.

Thanx.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

RCU PM's do not support these files - you need to PM me your e-mail address.;)

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

...you got mail

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Pete you haves an response about your thread!.

RE: P38 1/4 scale
 

Here is the work of the day : cutting formers

These are boom formers, and also stabilizator profile. You can notice also 2 pieces on the up left corner that will help me to unmount the gondola.<br type="_moz" />