P-47D Thunderbolt

P-47D Razorback - detail frontP-47D Razorback - detail back
After more than three flying seasons, this plane crashed at the beginning of 2020, due to elevator servo disfunction. Because there was a lot of wind and the crash occurred in a field about 150 m from the runway in an allowed flying area a fire destroyed it almost completely. Because this was one of my favorites I will probably configure a new one out of spare parts for season 2021.

The Republic P-47 ‘Razorback’ Thunderbolt was an out­standing fighter, both in the bomber ­ escort and ground-attack roles. It was the largest and heaviest single-engine fighter built during WW2. It was the last in a series of aircraft that began in 1936 with the Seversky P-35 and included the P-43 Lancer in 1940. Common to all these aircraft was their designer, Alexander Kartveli. In the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, he produced an aircraft that brought the formula to fruition and made up for less successful earlier attempts. A total of 15,634 Thunderbolts were built in several versions. The ‘Razorback', as the first models were called by pilots and ground personnel, was employed intensively by the USAAF and RAF.

This is a highly scaled, lightweight RC-controlled model from FMS. The P-47 Razorback 1500mm adds a slew of innovations to a proven platform. Based on the original 1400mm P-47, the 1500mm model features a 99% scaled control surface, landing gear cover, cockpit interiors, plastic cowling, gun turrets, retracted landing gear, and panel lines. The plane's original oil paint has been replaced by water-based paint. It's built with a lighter and larger EPO 52 foam, making the plane lighter, giving it impressive flight performance without weakening the airplane's strength. New CNC-processed shock-absorbed front landing gear with the latest 2016 FMS electric retract. A new KV650 motor with Predator 70A ESC. All servos are now metal gear digital servos.

Modifications

Used different types of weathering techniques to improve the look of this model. Oracover ironing film on top of the foam to change the look of this model. Added my own Decals inkjet printed on Testors White Decal Paper. Added Spektrum Airspeed, voltage, and Flight power telemetry. Put in Spektrum with AS3X technology 9 channel RX. Used a separate UBEC from Castle Creations and an Optipower Ultraguard battery with fail-safe switch PCB. Installed a sound module Aspire from MrRCsound with two Dayton Audio Exciters DAEX225CT-4 and the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp sound to maximize the allowable sound pressure to 84 dBA at 7m distance

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Scale: 1/7
Wing Span: 1.5 m
Length: 1.3 m
Flight Weight: 4.2 kg
Wing Aera: 38 dm2
Wing Loading: 110 gr/dm2
Wing Cube Loading: WCL 17.9
Power: 6S 5200 mAh
Motor: 1x 4258 KV650 Outrunner
Propeller: 1x 14x8 4-blade
Stall Speed: 44 km/u
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m

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B-17G Flying Fortress

B17-G Flying Fortress 1
B17G Flying Fortress 2

Second World War Bomber B-17G based on the silver version 2 from HobbyKing with a 1.85 m span. This plane is called “Little Ukkie” and is based on “Chuckie” and “The Short Arm” both planes witch flew In England 1944 with the 486th Bomb Group from the eight Air force, This aluminum colored plane with the Victory sign on the wings bombed strategic sites in Germany and in northern France before D-Day, and after 6 June 1944. The 486th Bomb Group is part of the 834th Bomb Squadron and lost no aircraft or personnel on its first 100 missions. Probably because the allies reached total air superiority over Europe middle of 1944.

Mods

Used different types of weathering techniques and used Oracover ironing film on top of the foam to change the look of this model. Added instrument photo and 2 pilots inside the cockpit and a Norden Bombsight and interior photo in the chin turret. Modified landing gear with other tires. A retractable rear landing gear. Added Spektrum airspeed, temperature ESCs, flight voltage, and power telemetry. Installed Spektrum 9 Ch with AS3X gyro technology RX. Used a separate UBEC from Castle Creations and an Optipower Ultraguard battery with fail-safe switch PCB. Installed a sound module Aspire from MrRCsound with two TT25 transducers and the B17 Multi-Engine Sound to maximize the allowable sound pressure to 84 dBA at 7m distance.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Scale: 1/17.3
Wing Span: 1.85 m
Length: 1.4 m
Flight Weight: 4,0 kg
Wing Aera: 47 dm2
Wing Loading: 85 gr/dm2
Wing Cube Loading: WCL 12.4
Power: 3S 4400 mAh
Motor: 4x  KV850 Outrunner
Propeller: 4x  10×7 3-blade counter-rotating
Stall Speed: 40 km/u
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m

Links

Spektrum – Meaningful Telemetry for Airplanes
B-17G – Aspire Sound Unit Test

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A-10 Warthog Thunderbolt II

A-10 Warthog - detail
A-10 Thunderbolt IIAfter three flying seasons, this plane was taken out of service. Due to the limited power of the two EDFs, the length of the longest runway of our field was sometimes not sufficient.

Warbird (Irak and Afghanistan) jet A-10 Warthog Thunderbird II from Freewing with 2×12 blades 64 mm EDF. This is a single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force (USAF). Commonly referred to by its nicknames Warthog or Hog.

Modifications

Made a separate central compartment with an access opening for the RX. Applied weathering and improved visibility with red and black wingtips. Put on a bigger landing gear to make this plane suitable for grass fields. Added Spektrum airspeed, temperature ESCs, flight voltage and power telemetry. Installed Spektrum 9 Ch with AS3X gyro technology RX. Modified the ESC bay for better cooling and installed a temperature sensor. Upgraded the 5 blades Freewing EDF units to 64mm 12 blades with outrunner 3300KV motors. Changed all connection screws with bolt and nut connections to easy and reliable dismount and mounting of the wings and the EDF turbines for easy maintenance and transport. Improved the fixation of the elevator pushrod tubes for accuracy and safety.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modification

This Aircraft is put out of service after many flying hours. It made room for the P-38 Lightning “Betty Boop” a two-engine plane also on this Website. The plane was a bit underpowered (only 2x EDF 64mm 12 blades KV3300) and could only take off on our 60m grass runway in ideal circumstances. After recuperation of spare parts, this plane was shredded.

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P-47D Thunderbolt

P-47D Thunderbolt - detail
P-47D ThunderboltAfter two flying seasons with a lot of flying hours, this plane was taken out of service to make room for the bigger 1500 mm Thunderbolt Razorback.

WW II Warbird Thunderbolt P-47D from Eflite with a bubble canopy, olive green with D-day stripes on the bottom. A fighter aircraft produced by the United States between 1941–1945. Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack role, it could carry five-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 pounds.

Modifications

Bigger wheels and modify landing gear inclination to make it plane suitable for grass fields. Added Spektrum Airspeed, voltage, and Flight power telemetry. Put in Spektrum with AS3X technology 9 channel RX. Added some extra carbon rods in the fuselage and wings after a small crash (wingtip stall). Used different types of weathering techniques to improve the look of this model.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modification

This Aircraft made room for the bigger P-47D Razorback “Flying Floris” also on this Website. After the recuperation of spare parts, the foam was shredded.

Links

P-47D – Weathering to Get a Better Look
P-47D – Modify the Landing Gear for Grass Fields

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MPX Fun Cub

Fun Cub front - detail
Fun Cub back - detail

Started flying again with RC planes (after some 20 years) with the Multiplex Fun Cub. One of the first great things about this plane is it’s 55 inch size (1.4m). The wings come off and on in about 2 or 3 minutes.  Simply plug in your servo leads, and screw in the two nylon screws and you’re ready to go.  The plane is very versatile and perfect for just about any field. It takes off in a few feet. Landings are easy with or without using the flaps.

Mods

Changed the look of this plane with Oracover ironing film on top of the foam. Cut more than a hundred separate squares of Oracover film. Add extra suspension on the Landing gear. Relocated a Flap Servo to save an RC channel. Lights to fly in the evenings or with some fog. Installed Spektrum airspeed, voltage, and flight power telemetry. Installed Spektrum 9ch with AS3X technology RX.

Test aircraft

This aircraft is in service since 2016 and flew the most flying hours of all my airplanes. I use this plane now to test new setups, flying modes, and electronics. In 2020 I have tested the new spectrum receiver AR6610T together with the HobbyEagle A3 Pro and the A3super 3, and specific flying-modes to takeoff, cruise, and landing.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Wing Span: 1.4 m
Length: 1.1 m
Flight Weight: 1.3 kg
Wing Aera: 30 dm2
Wing Loading: 43 gr/dm2
Wing Cube Loading: WCL 6,0
Power: 3S 2200 mAh
Motor: 3516 KV840 Outrunner
Propeller: 1x 13×4 2-blade
Stall Speed: 27 km/u
Sound Pressure: <50 dB(A)/7m

Links

Fun Cub – A good Center of Gravity
Fun Cub – Improve the In Air Visibility
Fun Cub – Ironing Film for a Better Look
Fun Cub – Reinforce the Landing Gear

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Lama SA 315B

SA-315B Lama - detail

Converted an Align Trex 550L Dominator in an Aérospatiale Lama SA 315B using Hirobo parts. The original Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama is a French single-engined helicopter developed to meet hot and high operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. The Lama possesses exceptional high altitude performance. On 21 June 1972, the type established a helicopter absolute altitude record of 12,442 m (40,814 ft), a record that remained unbroken as of January 2017.

Modifications

Changed the Align DFC rotor head with a 3 blade HPS3 for SAB 570. Shortened the Align main shaft to fit the SAB HPS3 rotor head. Modified the Align 550Lframe and tail to fit the Hirobo scale parts. Changed the location of the tail rotor servo inside the frame to fit the Lama fuselage. Added a separate battery for lighting. Used the Align tailpiece and torque tube bearing and mounted them on the open tail elements from Hirobo.  Added a sound module with Velleman electronic components.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Scale: 1/8.5
Rotor diameter: 1,2 m
Length: 1,2 m
Flight Weight: 4,9 kg
Power: 6S 5000 mAh
Motor: 1x 1410 KV850 Outrunner
3-blades Carbon 550 mm
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m Videos

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Hughes 500MD

Hughes 500MD - detail

Converted an Align Trex 450 Plus to a scale Hughes 500 MD. The successful Hughes 500/MD 500 series began life in response to a U.S. Army requirement for a light observation helicopter. The improved Hughes 500D became the primary model in 1976, with a more powerful engine and a T-tail. McDonnell Douglas acquired Hughes Helicopters in January 1984.

Modifications

Converted the Align plus to 6S. Changed the motor and the ESC. Changed to 4 blades rotor head with four-blade rotor head from Xcopter and 325 mm blades from Heliartist with an Align Gpro controller. Castle Creations Edge 50A, 1800 KV motor with battery packs 6S 1400 mAh. Modified the frame easily removable for maintenance purposes. Installed a Lighting system with a separate battery (2S).

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Scale: 1/10
Rotor diameter: 0,7 m
Length: 0,7 m
Flight Weight: 1,6 kg
Power: 6S 1400 mAh
Motor: 1x   460MX KV1800 Outrunner
4-blades Carbon 320 mm
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m Videos

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Hughes 300C Schweizer

Hughes 300C - detail

Concept

Modified an old Eolo Spirit M8 to a Hughes 300 Schweizer. The original Sikorsky S-300 (formerly Hughes 300 and Schweizer 300) family of light utility helicopters was originally produced by Hughes Helicopters. Later manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft, the basic design has been in production for almost 50 years. The single main rotor and piston-powered S-300 is mostly used as a cost-effective platform for training and agriculture.

Modifications

Modified main shaft with a flybarless Align DFC head, Align 3200KV motor, 325mm Eflite carbon blades Align Gpro, Castle Creations 50A Edge on 3S 2200 mAh battery packs.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Scale: 1/11
Rotor diameter: 0,6 m
Length: 0,6 m
Flight Weight: 1,6 kg
Power: 3S 2200 mAh
Motor: 1x   450MX KV3400 Outrunner
2-blades Carbon 320 mm
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m Videos

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SAB Goblin 570

SAB Goblin 570 - detail

A SAB Heli Division Goblin 570 Red Carbon edition. The Goblin 570 is a high-performance radio-controlled helicopter. The design is original, moving away from traditional schemes, searching rationality for simplicity. The goal of the SAB Heli Division company was to create a simple, high-performance 3D helicopter, with a minimum of mechanical components. Rotor diameter 1278mm. Weight 2400g (excluding batteries).

Modifications

Used Align Gpro controller, Zeal Blades, and Castle Creations Edge 100A ESC. Added Optipower Ultraguard battery with fail-safe switch PCB.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Rotor diameter: 1,2 m
Length: 0,7 m
Flight Weight: 3,2 kg
Power: 6S 5000 mAh
Motor: 1x   4025 KV1120 Outrunner
2-blades Carbon 570 mm
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m Videos

Media

SAB Goblin 570 - detail

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Small 3D helicopters

3D helis - detail

Started flying 3D with Blade Nano, Blade MCPX bl, and Trex 150. Stepped up to Align Trex 450 plus DFC, an Align Trex 450 Dominator, and an Align Trex 550L Dominator.

Learning to fly

I have followed the method described on the Helifreak Forum by Archmachau:

From tail-in to all 8s and funnels in 6 months

Modifications

Modified Trex150 and MCPX bl with longer tails, other canopies, better landing gears, other blades. Modified Trex 450 and 550 with Align speed canopies, Align Gpro controllers, and Castle Creations Edge ESC with data logging. To find the small helicopters during practice in long grass I added a small homemade timer PCB (6 grams)  with a buzzer. This lost and find aid gives an alarm 6 minutes after powering the helicopter.

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