intimidator_md

I changed motor combos and went with Turnigy c3530 - 1100kv instead along with RCS 30A ESC. GWS 9x7x3 and dubro 3" spinner. On 11.1v 15c LiPo full throttle I pulled 175 watts @ 17 amps, 1/2 throttle was 130 watts @ 12.5 amps. Seems to be more than enough power to launch this bird. Now I just gotta finish some small assembly and weigh it up and hope I make it within some decent weight parameters.

MIG17

I attempted to fly mine last summer, result was a nasty crash that broke the fuse in two. Post crash analysis and video told me that my thrust line was way off. I rebuilt the plane, with some right and down thrust, then winter set in.

I flew it yesterday, and with 2 clicks of right aileron trim, she flew on rails!

It flies wonderfully, the problem that I was having yesterday was launching the dam thing. The first flight, I underhanded it, about 3/4 throttle, it pitched up, headed for the dirt, and I was able to level it out, (in the weeds), and flew it.

Second flight, (attempt), trying to avoid the problems of the first launch, I overhanded the throw, same result, except I hit the dirt this time, and snapped off the rudder. Little 5 minute epoxy later, I was back in business.

Underhanded the 3d flight, and a little better this time, climbed out a little shaky, but once it got some air under the wings, it performed flawlessly.

Fourth attempt was an underhand toss, which resulted in the nose hitting the dirt, and tearing the nose and tail off the thing. All done for today.

Its almost back together this morning, so does anyone have any words of wisdom about how to toss this thing? I've had 2 Eflite P-47's, and they really didnt have any nasty tendacies on take off.

I don't know what the exact motor rating is, except that it is in the 480 brushless range. 2200 battery, and its balanced right on the money

It is a hot rod, and it flies GREAT, I'm just getting tired of fixing it.


Steve

Lieutenant Loughead

I launch mine with an overhanded throw. I point it into the wind and chunk it pretty hard -- mine is fiberglassed and weighs more than the normal GWS P-40... :o

That being said -- what size prop are you using? What Kv is your motor? It sounds like your P-40 is built for speed and has no thrust to speak of -- which will make it very difficult to launch...

MIG17

The motor is a chinese generic brushless, bl 2814/8, and when I looked it up it says the KV rating is 1000. I'm running a 2200 lipo that has worked well for 480 size motors.

I believe I was running a 10-7 prop, (I don't know, because it was sheared off at the spinner, it might have been a 10-6

After I long winded my question, I did think about the prop size, so higher thrust, bigger pitch?

Thanks LT

Steve

Lieutenant Loughead

Hmmm -- actually, the KV of the motor and that size (10 inch) propeller sounds about right. I'll have to think about that some more...

intimidator_md

All finished and ready to maiden

MIG17

I found the problem with my hand launching issues, my sub trim on the radio was set in the negatives, put it +100 and it flew right out of my hand. Still wanted to torque roll, but I managed to keep it straight, couple of clicks of down elevator, flew straight as an arrow.

Steve

Lieutenant Loughead

Awesome! Congratulations!

MIG17

Now that I think some of the kinks are out of this pain in the a$$, time to repaint

I glued in a chunk of foam in the cowl and coated the inside w/5 minute. Might last more than a couple of flights now



Steve

TM4197

Steve....

Dont paint that bad girl!! She looks battle worn Paint the cowling, rough it up and fly on. Damn thing looks like the real deal.

Lieutenant Loughead

Looks awesome. Mine looked the same way (clear cowl) just a few months ago! :o

MIG17

And a few hours later-



"Jigsaw 7, bogie's 6 o'clock!"


Still have to decal the port side and paint the bottom

Steve

TM4197

LOOKS GREAT!! LOVE the DUKE!!

Lieutenant Loughead

It really does look good. Where'd you get the extra shark's mouth decals? I had to order some additional ones directly from GWS, and have some extras in stock at www.KarglUSA.com if anyone needs any.

MIG17

Thanks TM4197, LT. I painted the first set of teeth, so I still had the Flying Tigers style on the decal sheet. One thing that I couldn't live with is that the eye that's in the kit, so I painted the more correct eyeball

Its going to rain here all day, so I'll probably be done with her tonight

Steve

icarus46

Nice job! They are tricky to launch by yourself.

MIG17

Friend of mine bought a Go Pro Hero so of course we mounted it on the P-40. Flew like a DOG. So, we put 4 more video flights on it and I tore the nose off, (again) on the last flight.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6HtfBbeqUg[/media]

My cowling however, is still intact. I'll post some pictures later on the ultimate cowling fix for this airplane.

Steve

MIG17

Another one from today- I lose battery at 5:50, LUCKILY, I had altitude and kind of knew what was going on. Hard landing did manage to rip the nose off. I'm done putting the Go Pro on this airplane

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pavLs1Xsevw[/media]

Steve

Lieutenant Loughead

Yeah, I've got a GoPro HD, and I wouldn't put it on my P-40!!!

I've got three airplanes that can lift my GoPro: Slow Stick, EPP FPV, and a custom-built aircraft I like to call "VIP Heavy".

Fly Time

Hey that's pretty cool that you got such a nice camera on that plane! That was full throttle the whole way, yeah? If you listen to the sound, the battery definately starts to fade at about 5:30.