P-38L Lightning

P-38L Lightning front - detailP-38L Lightning back - detail

The legendary P-38 “Lightning” revolutionized aviation history in World War II. Designed by a skilled team of engineers led by Clarence Johnson and Hal Hibbard, the P-38 was the only American fighter that was continually produced from before Pearl Harbor in 1941 to after the Japanese surrender in 1945. Over 9,900 P-38s were built, 3,810 of which were the superior P-38L variant. Revered by its foes as the “fork-tailed devil”, the P-38 excelled as a fighter, interceptor, reconnaissance platform, long-range escort, and as a ground attack aircraft. The aircraft also famously shot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s aircraft during “Operation Vengeance” on April 18, 1943.
The Flightline RC P-38L wingspan 1600mm is equipped with two 3748 brushless outrunner motors and two 12x7 3-blade counter-rotating propellers for the perfect scale appearance. With the recommended 4S 14.8v 5000mAh (one battery per side or a single battery with your series adapter), the P-38 boasts sufficient power for large consecutive loops and a level top speed of 125 km/u. A durable electronic retractable landing gear, five sequenced servo-driven landing gear doors, day-bright LEDs, machine gun details, plastic nose cone and cowls, four flaps, accurate canopy, and nacelle shape, and many other scale details. Each rudder is directly controlled by its own servo. The cockpit layout accommodates a wide range of 4S 14.8v Li-Po batteries with ample space for electronics. To ensure a high degree of structural rigidity, the entire model was designed around a special framework of carbon rods and reinforcement points. This framework strengthens the aircraft during high-speed maneuvers, while still providing a gentle and forgiving flying behavior.

Modifications

Used different types of weathering techniques to improve the look of this model. The first time that I used airbrush techniques. Oracover ironing film on top of the foam to change the look of this model and added D-day stripes. Added my own Decals ink-jet 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. Recently added a MrRCSound Aspire 4.1 Sound Module with Exciters in the two Motor Compartments.

Aircraft Characteristics after Modifications

Scale: 1/10
Wing Span: 1.6 m
Length: 1.2 m
Flight Weight: 3.5 kg
Wing Aera: 27 dm2
Wing Loading: 130 gr/dm2
Wing Cube Loading: WCL 24.8
Power: 4S 5000 mAh
Motor: 2x 3748 KV650 Outrunner
Propeller: 2x 12x7 3-blade counter-rotating
Stall Speed: 50 km/u
Sound Pressure: < 85 dB(A)/7m

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