FT P-38 Lightning 1.1

[CrshNBrn]

Marge #4. I sold #3 to a fella from my club. Weird selling a homemade plane, but he really wanted one. I started cutting foam for this one a while back, but just got around to putting it all together. If you aren't familiar with the Richard "Dick" Bong story, you should check it out.

Hat tip to Matagami Designs for all of the 3D printed parts- they were a great way to learn how to operate my new Christmas present. Thank you for sharing. Other fun things to add as well from Thingiverse (pilot & 50 cal barrels). I'm looing forward to practicing my touch and goes with it!

 

[crossj_2002]

I'm so glad to have this plane built. Just finished the decals and verifying the CG. Hats off to Flite Test and John O for releasing this model. Maiden should be on Monday if weather cooperates.

 

[crossj_2002]

Well, maiden flight went off pretty well. It really did fly smoothly and just a touch of up trim needed. Went to do my second flight and had to abort the takeoff when I noticed the tail didn't look right. Both the plywood pieces snapped, resulting in no elevator control. Has anyone come up with a good solution to this? It seems putting that plywood horizontally out of the back of the booms gives very little strength in the up/down direction.

 

[CrshNBrn]

Well, maiden flight went off pretty well. It really did fly smoothly and just a touch of up trim needed. Went to do my second flight and had to abort the takeoff when I noticed the tail didn't look right. Both the plywood pieces snapped, resulting in no elevator control. Has anyone come up with a good solution to this? It seems putting that plywood horizontally out of the back of the booms gives very little strength in the up/down direction.

Congratulations on the maiden! As for the tail, yes, that is a weak spot. One hard landing it snaps. I've used gorilla glue in the past to reattach the plywood, then a ton of hot glue around the outside of the joint.

How about using a short piece of thin aluminum instead?

 

[crossj_2002]

I ended up getting 4 carbon fiber square rods 2mmx2mmx20mm and sticking on both sides of each vertical stabilizer and into the booms. I paid close attention to making sure the horizontal stabilizer stayed level to the wing incidence as I glued them in place. I got a second flight on it and it worked much better. 3rd flight, I had the right prop fly off on takeoff. This was my mistake, as I didn't use locktite on the collets. It did a cartwheel and smashed the nose up. I am getting a second kit to make up some new nose pieces. It will be my "parts" kit until I smash the frame beyond repair.

Anyone have luck with an alternate nose that's not quite as fragile?

 

[crossj_2002]

Video of said failed takeoff.

 

[CrshNBrn]

Video of said failed takeoff.

Great video- thanks for sharing. Too bad it ended in a your crash. What a great flying site though.

You can always build a spare nose or two from the free plans, but I'll bet you don't go through as many noses with a functioning horizontal stabilizer!

 

[Ranoutofaltitude]

Thanks so much @Splinter189 and @SP0NZ for this awesome design. View attachment 152346

Nice build! I am interested in building this, but I am not sure it fits in my vehicle. Has anyone successfully scaled this down slightly to about 1.1m? Also, anyone have plans for removable wings and landing gear?

 

[crossj_2002]

I have a Subaru Legacy and the FT P38 just barely fits into the trunk with the back seats down. I have seen a few other builds attempt removable wings, including the nnP38, but those attempts were not successful. There's something to be said about having the complete wing in one piece for strength and stability.

For landing gear, I used this video.