RE: Spitfire Brotherhood (All Spitfires Welcome)
Andreas, I have the same plane and it is outfitted just as your is. All of my H9 warbirds still have the mechanical retracts and they seem to work well. One trick I learned on one of the RC forums is to fit the smallest id brass tubing over the weak pushrods and put some epoxy at both ends. Cut the brass tubing slightly shorter than the pushrod. This will eliminate all binding and any flexing with only a slight increase in weight. You have likely solved the problem with your E-Flite electrics which work great but this is another solution that is much cheaper. Very nice landing by the way.
Posted on: 5/15/2013 1:34 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512482

RE: P-40 Brotherhood (All P-40's Welcome)
Thank you Chad for the info. I don't know exactly what it going on with AerotechModels but their home page refers you to ScaleSpecialties@comcast.net for static props. Dave there is very responsive and I am ordering from him. Thanks again Chad.
Posted on: 9/11/2012 1:56 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11225346

RE: P-40 Brotherhood (All P-40's Welcome)
Any recommendations as to what companys sell scale, display only, propellers for 1/7 or 1.8 warbirds? thank you.
Posted on: 9/10/2012 10:35 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11223859

RE: P-40 Brotherhood (All P-40's Welcome)
Please add me to the group. I have a fairly large collection of 60 size warbirds, mostly Hanger 9 with Saito 100 engines. They all hang from my garage ceiling and give me great pleasure everytime I am in the garage. I wanted to add a P40 to the group and last summer made a super buy on a used Hanger 9 P40. It was in great shape, OS 91 with one of the real, functioning exhaust system. The only problems was the stock retracts were non-functional. I immediately bought a new set from Hanger 9 and eagerly went to the field for my first flight. I found the plane was a very good flyer but it wanted to nose-over on every take-off and every landing. On an RC forum on this particular plane, I found that Hanger 9 had put the CG to far forward in their instructions. I moved it 3/4" aft and bushed the mounting of the gear to tilt the struts and wheels farther forward. This made the plane much better but the gear only last for about 5 flights. I now need new gear again. The plane is a peach to fly with no bad habits(much like a trainer) but sure does like to nose-over. I am looking for a set of electric retracts that will drop in. Lados seem to be unavailable, Wingspans having birthing problems, E-Flight still be developed. I love the E-Flite retracts on my Top Flite P47 Razorback. I plan on putting them on my Hanger 9 Spitfire and P47. I love the plane, just need better retracts. Any ideas??
Posted on: 9/4/2012 1:57 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217342

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Ultimate 2 and Never, you guys did an unbelievable job on scaling out your planes. They are both fantastic. I hope to post pics of my plane soon, I am finishing up the drop tanks and rocket launchers.So far it has been converted to a Razorback, Saito 100 with Corsair Jock's totally hidden exhaust system, E-Flite retracts and best of all, as much of Ultimate2's scale work as I could do. Oh yea, I am mixing paint to paint the cowl to match the rest of the plane and am ordering WW11 style nose art for the cowl. It's been a very slow build because I have tried to raise the bar on my attention to detail and scale work. I can already see that I am going to be afraid to fly it. By the way, I am at 10lbs, 8 ozs. and need to add about 7 ozs. up front to balance the plane per the specs. I am changing the aluminum spinner to a painted brass one and hope that comes close to solving the balance issue. I have spent hours on this forum researching every aspect of the built. Maybe too anal but...........some are builders and some are flyers. I have had such a great time with this plane. Much, much thanks to all on this forum who have helped and inspired me.
Posted on: 8/30/2012 10:57 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11211661

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
The new ones are what they call "top mount" for the Top Flite planes using rotating main gear. I talked to Mike at Wingspan and these will not be made in the "bottom mount" configuration. He says that the old "bottom mounts" are much better than they were with much more powerful motors. They are just about the only electrics to go into a Hanger 9 P40. I guess I will give them a try and see how they work. The Hanger 9 stock mechanicals sure do not work well at all. Anybode else but the bottom mount rotators from Wingspan lately?
Posted on: 7/30/2012 3:05 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11174976

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Thank you both for your comments. I have so much right thrust built into the firewall, I had to look twice to verify what I was looking at. I am not sure what an Earnst plate is. I do not want to eliminate all of the offset, just make it less noticeable. Could I not add a couple of washers or spacers behind the right motor mount? Thanks again for your help.
Posted on: 7/25/2012 2:09 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11168987

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
I don't know how many people are watching this thread anymore but I would appreciate any comments on the following. I am build this plane as a Razorback and using the scale techniques of Ultimate2. So far I am really stoked with the results. Then I mounted the engine, a Saito100, mocked up the front end, and found the engine angle from the firewall to be excessively noticeable. It is angled considerably to the right, I assume to counteract engine thrust. On my Hanger9 warbirds it is there, but much less noticeable. I have been following ULtimate2's lead and trying to make this the most scale of all my warbirds and this is just too obvious. I am thinking about lessening it by putting some washers between the motor mount and the firewall on the right side which will lessen the angle but will probably move the motor shaft to the left of center in the cowling?? New problem. Maybe I can split the difference? Any thoughts or comments?
Posted on: 7/25/2012 8:39 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11168557

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
I suspect most modelers prefer Ultracote over Monocote for the reasons you stated. It sure is easier to work with. In this case, we are stuck with Monocote if we want a good color match and don't want to recover the entire plane, I thought briefly about that. The problem on concave serfaces seems to be one of shrinking verses adhering or sticking to the serface. If you use a heat gun on a concave serface, you will likely shrink the covering and pull it from the balsa. I have learned a lot from this thread and Manuel (Ultimate2) makes the point earlier in the thread that he mostly does not use a heat gun when the covering is over solid balsa, but does everything with an iron. With a lot of heat, this both shrinks the covering tight and really adhears it to the balsa. He goes over the components of a new plane with an iron to stick the covering to the wood. I have very recently gone back to my Hanger 9 warbirds and found very tight covering, no wrinkles, but obviously the covering was pulled tight over the wood but NOT stuck to it. You learn something new every day. Thanks Manuel!
Posted on: 6/26/2012 8:45 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11132407

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
I believe mine ended up being covered with 3 pieces and it came out great. there was one large piece on either side, with an overlapping "cap" piece down the center of the spine. It was very tricky doing Monocote on a concave serface. The guy who covered mine made up a small, concave piece of balsa and practiced on it. He ended up using a trim iron he found that had curved edges so that it would not leave marks. It is very easy to leave marks in the soft balsa if you apply too much pressure with a small trim iron without curved edges. He made a sock for it and used high heat and low pressure. In most cases we use heat to shrink the covering. On a concave serface, you want to make the covering stick to the serface more than shrink or tighten up. If you try to shrink it when it is not stuck well to the balsa, it will naturally pull away. I know he discovered not to take a heat gun anywhere near the spine, just the covering iron. All the above from a guy "me" who is a poor coverer, but my friend is good with a lifetime of experience. Hope this helps as it is a bit tricky, but do-able.
Posted on: 6/25/2012 11:22 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11131271

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Thanks Fabio, I will "play" with the techniques over the week-end. So fay,I am very happy with the effect. My firsr pencil lines were traced with a "fine" tip sharpie. When I got done, it seemed like too much. I was able to clean the ink with acetone and redid my lines with a 'very fine" tip which I like much better. I think I will play with the pencil lead on top of the ink and look at that effect. Thanks for your help and suggestions Fabio.
Posted on: 6/22/2012 2:00 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11128028

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Manuel and Fabio. After a full evening of "panel linning", I have come to some conclusions. I made some mistakes but all were repairable. In the end, I came to these conclusings. First, you lay out the entire wing, lightly with pencil. After you are happy with the layout, you go back over everything with pencil, but with enought pressure to make your 3D effect. Lastly, you go over everything with a "very fine" sharpie to get your black and silver. Then the paint chips ect. Do I have that about correct? Thanks for your continued help. I really appreciate it. PS. TWN, your Razorback conversion is looking really great. I am so happy I did mine and know you will be too.
Posted on: 6/21/2012 11:08 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11126735

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Manuel and Fabio. Thank you both very much. You have inspired me so much I think I am going to take off work and go start my panel lines. I am building this plane as a Razorback and the very next step seems to be the panel lines and some light sanding/ scrubbing of the wings. Thanks again Tom
Posted on: 6/20/2012 1:34 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11125586

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Manuel, another question about your technique if you read this. Your panel lines look blackish on the wings except where they cross the USA insignia. There, they look white. Is this something you do or is it just the photographs? You can probably tell by my questions, this is where I presently am with my build. I am just getting ready to try panel lines and want to be sure of my techniques. Thank you again Tom
Posted on: 6/20/2012 11:36 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11125438

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Manuel, your airplane is outstanding and with your permission, I will borrow many of your ideas and techniques. I do need some clarification on one item I have not figured out. Most of your panels have rivets down one or two sides. On a real plane, on a four sided panel, wouldn't the rivets be on all four sides? I can only guess that maybe on an airplane this size, it would be very "busy" with all the rivets placed on each panel?? Again, your plane is really neat. I can only hope mine comes out half that good. Thanks for all your help on this forum. Tom
Posted on: 6/19/2012 12:40 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124083

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
Does E-Flite make 100 degree rotators? It sounds like they make a good product, I just don't know about the 100 degrees. Lados sound really good just rarely available. I talked to them and they said "maybe in a month".
Posted on: 6/13/2012 9:02 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11116807

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Sounds like I did. Thanks for that, I am off to order a set.
Posted on: 6/8/2012 2:07 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111565

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
It looks like the actual mechanism that goes between the two wood mounting blocks on the plane, are almost twice as wide on the E-Flite's. I think the E-Flites say something like 1.7" wide and the stock unit is less than an inch. Am I looking at something wrong here" Did your E-Flites go in easily and , are you happy with them? Thanks Bruce, appreciate your help.
Posted on: 6/8/2012 1:18 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111512

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
It looks like the E-Flite 60/120 electric retracts will not fit in this plane without major cutting of the plane. They are much larger than the stock mechanicals. I guess I am now waiting for Lados.
Posted on: 6/8/2012 11:49 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111429

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
I have been progressing fairly slowly on my TF P47 as I have made the previously discussed conversion to a Razorback. It's gone slowly but it is awsome, well worth the additional effort!! Now I need to make a decision on retracts. While I really like the Century Jet retracts on my B25, I believe electrics have got to be the retract of the future because of the ease of installation and no leaks. They seem to be in their infancy because they all seem to have their problems. I am now focused on the E-Flite electrics and wondered if anyone has any "Current" experience with them before I buy them. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Posted on: 6/6/2012 10:00 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11108766

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Thanks Spitty. I just printed the four panel line drawings off the Taylormadedecals web-site. Very helpful drawings. ThANKS. I had been searching for something like that. Are the panel lines and rivets both done with a sharp pencil, pushing very hard to indent the balsa? I have the Topflight template for both the rivets as well as panel lines. Again, thanks, your plane is awsome.
Posted on: 5/25/2012 2:35 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11094643

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Spitty, what a beautiful plane you built. I love the detail you added. I have been looking for some kind of plans that show the correct panel lines for the P47. What did you use? I suppose I could just make some lines that look real but I would like them to be accurate. Briefly, how did you make your panel lines and rivets? What tools and procedures? I am hoping this will be my best plane yet. I made the modifications to make a Razorback out of it and it is really cool. Now if I can get panel lines, rivets, and airbrushing done correctly, it will be really neat. I sure do like the P47!!!
Posted on: 5/25/2012 11:53 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11094474

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
But still, I don't understand your answer. If you talking about a P40, I am by the way, with 100* retracts, are you saying the 100* kicks the tire more forward that say 90*................or are you saying 100* kicks the tires further out towards the wingtips. Regardless of the plane in can only refer to degrees forward and backward OR degrees from side to side. I can't believe it refers to the turning of the strut on a P40.
Posted on: 5/21/2012 12:52 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11089117

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
If anybody is still reading this, I am very confused. Just reading thid forum, I do not know if a 100 degree retract refers to the angle of the strut to the wing( side to side) as in....An 85 degree retract would compensate for dihedral and make the strut perpendicular to the ground...or....(fore and aft as in.. a 100 degree strut would cock the wheels farther forward and reduce nosing into the ground on take-offs and landings. I think about two thirds of people on the RC forums use the terms to describe side-to-side angles and the remaining one-third use the degrees to describe fore-an-aft angles. Does anybody know which is proper??
Posted on: 5/21/2012 11:26 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11089007

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
I too converted mine to a razorback and struggled with the same issue. You can find the directions online for the kit razorback and it's got a small coment about making two pieces out of scrap balsa. They would be several inches long , maybe 3/8" wide, straight on the longitudinal that is against the canopy, and curved to shape where it glues against the razorback. I would think you would glue them on after you have covered the razorback.
Posted on: 5/14/2012 2:11 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11080590

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Where do I go for good, clear drawings of the panel lines on a P47, specifically a Razorback. I am going to try to bring mine to a little higher level than my past warbirds. Thanks for and suggestions. Tom
Posted on: 4/18/2012 9:31 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11047200

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
Let us know how they work. I will be eager to hear.
Posted on: 2/13/2012 1:29 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10957267

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
I too do not want to change the direction of this thread but I must comment on LDM's post #198. I believe what you are missing is that imported products from China are manufactured to different specifications. I believe Hi-tec or Futaba has a different (higher) specification for their servo's than a no-name servo even though both are made in China. China can manufacture to any specification that the importer wants, better will just cost more. The notion that they are all the same and that the big names simply charge more for the same product just is not true. In our club (130+ members), the no-name ESC's and servos have a terrible reputation and I don't believe anybody is using them anymore. Too many wrecked planes. But, at the end of the day, to each his own.
Posted on: 2/13/2012 8:59 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10956915

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
Thank you Richard, I will try and contact him this afternoon. appreciate your help.
Posted on: 2/12/2012 10:29 AM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10955506

RE: WingSpan Retracts into a Hangar 9 P-40
Hey Richard, I would be interested in talking to your friend with the Razorback for sale. I would appreciate it if you could give me his name and no. or have him call me. I am fearful of shipping costs but would like to talk to him. Thanks Tom 360-521-0426
Posted on: 2/11/2012 5:43 PM by Author "Ford34tom" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10954751