ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Yea, something isn't it. I didn't get out at all this week end again. It looks like it may get nice here starting about Thursday, with sun and 65 to 72 Friday and Saturday. I'm shooting for at least engine and taxi trials Saturday at the field, with some engine time before then. We'll see. I'm working on the radio setup today. I have relocated the throttle servos and got them working, ran all the extensions for everything else and have it all working. Just need to hook up the surfaces and adjust everybody. I also have the hatch covers secured, and about 30% of the cockpit done. The battery compartment in the nose is ready, and the fill valves for the engines are going in (using the location on the nocells where the reflective panel was for the pilot to check the nose gear....figured this to be a good place for fuel dots). I have a little break from work and may get her pretty ready except for the cockpit. A lot to do at home and my daughters wedding coming up in two weeks. []

mpope1

Looking good, I have been watching your thread. You really have done a hell of a job with this plane. Still flying mine electric, gonna give it a break over the summer, just to hot in Phoenix!

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Getting closer. Installed the carbon fiber locating pins in the wings, with aluminum sleeves as receivers for them, and the wing servos. Just need control horns and torque rods and the wings are totally done. All servos are in now including the relocated throttle servos (now on top under the wing hatches, a direct shot to the carburetor, and very easy to access) , the air line is run, along with all extensions. The control panel for the on-board glow is just under the leading edge of the inboard port wing. In the center pod will be: on board glow, air control and supply, receiver, receiver battery, glow battery (behind the removable nose cone), and possibly a gyro. I am leaving the pod removable from the center wing section for ease of access and maintenance of these components. I am also done for now with all the exterior detailing. May pick this up again in the future. The cockpit is about 30% done.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Easiest gear door openers ever. It came to me in my sleep. A piece of music wire, cut off servo arms and a fixed gear strap, and about 10 minutes. They are totally reliable. Pictures to follow.

TeamMuir1

My Feedback: (-1)

AWSOME JOB ......
I cant wait to get started on my P-38... you have inspired me..... BIG TIME.
I have been working on my other war birds gearing up for our ANNUAL warbird flyin..
LOOKING GREAT keep the pics comming. Ron

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Easy, reliable, inexpensive gear door openers. A cable will close them.

mannthewind

Hey what happened to this thread very entertaining and instructive

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Sorry guys. Been very busy with family (wedding, and injured son) and other needs. I have also had a couple other plane maintenance issues to deal with, as the flying summer has gotten under way. Now, I'm running out of time for the local War Bird fly-ins. I'll have to get this plane ready to fly in less than two weeks now. I don't want to do a maiden at a meet. I'm going to give it a shot. I'll have to get those engines running this week. Now I have a guy who says hes got to have her. One of a kind and all. I don't know. I really want to show it around awhile. Most guys in my local clubs know of it but have not seen it yet.

mannthewind

Dont sell it wheres the romance. Ive been following this thread to long dont let her go till ya fly her and let us all know how it turns out. Besides i look forward to seeing the progress. Guess i need a hobby LOL

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

After all this, she will be completed, and flown. We'll see what happens after that.

In the beginning, I wanted to show how a modestly priced ARF with good track record, could be modified into something much nicer looking, and still retain good flying characteristics. Guess I haven't proved the later till she flys.

I'll have more time to work on her now that I lost two of my front line planes today to (1) radio fail safe lock up for some reason (2.4 is looking better all the time), and (2) an untimely flame out in an inverted spin that resulted in an off runway landing.

Glacier Girl

My Feedback: (4)

Gary, nice to hear you're getting back to the 38, and really sorry to hear about the two losses.

dom62232

so I've just receive my P-38 , and I was looking for some idea , when I read what you've done.
I'm very impressed.
I think I try to do what you've done.
Can you give me some more information for all of this

can you tell me what are the retract gear ?

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

I will post a list of materials and parts for the gear. I have patterns for just about everything. In order to use scale size tires, the booms must be made round on the bottom, or they will not retract all the way. Retracts have been added without the belly mod, but not with the large tires. I'll try and post this this evening yet.

mistermnkim

My Feedback: (153)

hi gary this is mark, cant seem to get you by email? please pm me as soon as you get this. hope everything is ok? thanks....

dom62232

so I begin to buy retracts
I see you have used for main gear the Robart 630 + 1/2 strut
for the nose , you use the 747 RS 105° but I don't find on the Robart web site the strut for the retract, can you give me the reference you use for?
thanks
Dominique

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Sorry, I got side tracked. You can order the struts with the retracts, as a package, from their web site. I'll let you know how long to cut the struts down to. I got mine via the LHS and saved a few bucks.

dom62232

Thank you
I'Ll try to buy there but L live in France and I don't know if they ship to France

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

My guess would be they do. If not, let me know. I will.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Would inches be OK, or do I need to make the conversion?

dom62232

I can do the conversion, I ask them by mail if I can order 2x 630 and 1X737RS with struts ( 1/2) for nose retract
And after I can begin to work
your P38 have flown ?

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

The mains are 1/2" and the nose strut is 7/16". Here are the numbers for a very realistic stance, based on these tire sizes..

Nose
- Strut.....7 9/16" from the steering arm to the center of the axle
- Tire....3 1/2"

Mains
- struts.....6 1/4 to center of axle
- tires.......4 1/2"

Still not maided yet but close.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

One correction. I was going to use a Robart model 747 nose gear (air up-spring down) but opted for the more conventional 640 nose gear (air both ways). It works fine.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Check post # 106. It has a template for top wing hatch cover frames you will want to make. Very easy and useful.

Glacier Girl

My Feedback: (4)

Gary, if you come up with the templates/list for conversion let me know. I've had it with my VQ version, I'm buying another Nitroplanes version.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Sorry to here about your frustration. Glad I went this way.

I've made templates for most everything along the way. I need someone to download the ones in post #106 and see if they will work without distortion. Still not sure, and need the feedback. If they do work, then It will be easy to post almost everything for everyone by just scanning them with a benchmark dimension on them for sizing with different printers, and uploading to this thread.

Hope your making good progress on recovery. Maybe you can try it. I am happy to make what I have available.

I still intend to make conversion kits available with all the parts already cut out, for a reasonable charge. but just haven't had the time to this point.