P-40 400 series

[squirlye]

I decided to go ahead and build my P-40 instead of my Dr-I I will try to keep up with as many pictures as I can. It will be rubber powered, I kind of like how Mitch builds the Kits to fly right out of the box. So I will try and do the same thing. I got this kit from e-bay with a bunch of other kits. So this is one of the old "die crunch" kits. The wood is absolutely horrible. So I am going to have to take a dremel to this thing to make it light. Or maybe make so of my own parts. This build is going to take awhile, as I don't have a lot of time right now. So wish me luck

[squirlye]

[limey]

Looking forward to this build am about to begin same build after an absence of many years

[squirlye]

I think I finally figured it out

[atesus]

Have fun with it! I'll watch with interest. When I built my 400 series P-40 I sanded the sheets down to lighten them by about 30%, skipped some of the ribs, scalloped the keel and the TE, kept the landing gear retracted. Probably the biggest weight savings came from replacing the stripwood with lighter wood. My AUW was 111g including 4x18" loops of 1/8 rubber and it flew OK (25-30 second flights).

[squirlye]

Here is some progress on my P-40. I took my dremel to the back half of the fusalage. I also drilled out the ribs on the wing. Hopefully I can finish the wing tomorrow.

[Mitch]

Looks like you are off to a very good start... Thanks for the compliment in your second sentence. Just for your info... Half of the 400 series I built this year were Die-Cut... the P-40 amoung them! As I recall I had it out on the field for balancing and that is when my Zero went KAMAKAZI on me!

If there is anything I can help you with just ask... Mine as you remember is covered with colored paper... The cowling was painted to match...

When you finish we can compare weights and I can fly mine again in the Spring... M



PS: I photo copied the Chinese Star... Still needs those Tigers with wings on the fuselage... Top scoop painted red to show off scoop like a Hot Rod

PPS: My rear peg is far back... just in front of the the tail...15-1/2 inches from B1. The small dark spot you see is a patch in the skin (Bullet hole) The peg is 2 inches behind that... This was when I thought LONGER was better... NOW I move the peg forward... Still experimenting... Still having FUN M

PPPS: Half of that Tiger Shark mouth has chipped off and peeled off... It has been touched up with Acrlic paint!!! M

[squirlye]

The wing is almost done. All I have to do is shape the leading edge. Maybe this weekend I can start on the the Tail feathers.

[Mitch]

VERY NICE! Did you weight the ribs before and after the lightening holes? Looks like alot of effort... Just wondering how much weight savings.

Found this on the net yesterday... flipped it with paintbrush... so I will have my little tigers on my plane for next Spring! Mitch

[Charles_c]

I have one of these in my stash. Like you, I bought a package deal on eBay. Four Guillow's models (P-40, Hellcat, Skyraider & a Birdog) Also got a Comet Model Airplane Co. P-38 with a 34 inch wingspan. FWIW, Comet went out of business about 1987. Paid $47.00 (plus $8.00 shipping) for the lot.

Charles

[squirlye]

So here is what I got done since my last post. I said it was going to take a while. I did get a little side tracked with a 900 series Typhoon.

[squirlye]

Here's where I am at with the P- 40 right now. As I said before this is going to take awhile to build. I used the silk span that came with the kit. Then I airbrused some acrylic paint thinned 50%.I made 2 different canopies. One out of foam and the other out of some scrap plastic. not sure which one I will go with.