B24/PBY4-1 RC conversion project thread

[CoastalCommand]

Hi gang:

Im new here, and after an eye opening trip to my local hobby dealer, ive decided to tackle the awesone B24 as an electric RC conversion>Ill be posting progress threads as the project moves along, and any ideas or input is much appreciated

The thing that really pushed me into the possibility of doing this was the release of size 5 3 blade props (both right and left turners!) by windsor propeller company. Ive know of folks that have used the old cox 3 blade props, but those are getting damn hard to find, and I dont want to drop a ton of cash on ebay for them!

Some early parameters of the project are to make the conversion as much out-of the box as possible with no design or plan modifications> Its not designed as a flier, but that makes the challege.

Im leaning towards decorating it as an RAF Coastal command liberator (hence my nickname), or a US Coast Guard PB4y-1 (navy designation for the liberator. Did you know the CG flew a few of them in world war 2? Apparently there was a bombing squadron VPB6 (known as the White Cats) based out of Narsarssuak, Greenland that hunted for Nazi U Boats with the PBY4-1.
If I can find some color schematics for those planes, ill go that route.

The order for the plane was placed, im waiting for the big box from tower hobbies to come anytime shortly. Stay tuned.

Can you post photos to this site?[/img][/color][/color]

[CoastalCommand]

woops make that designation PB4Y-1

I get dyslexic whit those navy designators

[supercruiser]

Welcome aboard!
That B-24 sounds like a fun project. Glad you decided to make as few mods a possible. With airplanes, big and small, one mod has a cascading effect throughout.
You can post photos here but, I think the best place for photos would be www.virtualaerodrome.com and just use this place for discussion.

[CoastalCommand]

Thanks, super. Ill have to check out virtaulairodrome.

That said, my B24 arrived from Tower Hobbies the other day. Nothing is better than getting stuff in the mail. I think its a bit more fun than just buying from the local shop.

This kit is awesome. All the wood checked out great with little fuzz. No molding isues with the plastic parts either. Sometimes there can be issues there. I cant stop studying the plans! This airframe is nice and large for radio equipment, although im going to use the smallest size servos i can find. The only tricky part to construction may be making workable twin rudders (I plan on having airlerons work as well with wing mounted servos-most likely using one channel for two servos in conjuction with
another for the rudd.

Do you guys like to build kits with CA glues or resin types like tite-bond?

Anyway, im planning on taking alot of time to build-probaly throught he whole hockey season with late spring rollout. Now if I could just decide between an RAF version or US Navy[/color]

[Xanadu]

One kind of the smallest servos at Hitec HS55's, I use them on my foamies. You can buy an entire 3 channel micro set system for around $70. http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... =HIT148722
Includes transmittor, micro receiver, and 2 servos.

I have used all kinds of glue, and weather influences my choice for then.

CA's don't work well during the harsh winter months here in Canada if used in below 60* F and low humidity levels, so I use white glues such as Weldbond, etc, during those periods.
I like the Weldbond since its thick, does not drip/run like others, dries clear and sands well.

[Xanadu]

Twin rudders will not be that hard. You just run the pushrod to one, and connect the two rudders with a seperate rod between them. This way, they follow one another in movement.

[CoastalCommand]

Xan:

Thats interesting about CA glues and weather conditions. Especialy if you get those cold dry air domes up there near the 'peg, eh?

Im going to stear away from using a cross connecting rod for the rudders cause ive heard that can be affected by wind flow. Im going to try some sort of internal push-pull z bend of music wire inside the elevator route.

Started cutting metal as they say in the avaiation business, or in our case, its wood. Plenty of fuse formers to notch so that'll keep me busy for awhile.

Just a tip for others out there as well. If any of you have a half price books chain store in your area be sure to visit it. They just opened one near me and it has an awesome world war 2 section. Found some neat bomebr books with color schemes for B24s and other aircraft.

[CoastalCommand]

Oops, i forgot to add, Has anyone ever tried airbrushing Humbrol enamel paint overtop of doped tissue (using sig dopes)? Wonder if that will work and will the weight be low? [color=violet][/color]

[moostang51]

That's how I found the color scheme for my Lib. Picked up the Squadron Signal publication for the Lib. Besides the photos included, the reading was great. They refer to the PB4Y-1 also in a dedicated chapter. This was a great Guillows build by the way. Long time to construct. Hope to finish this weekend as halfway through prop installation. Pictures of the build are on virtualaerodrome.com.

[moostang51]

That's how I found the color scheme for my Lib. Picked up the Squadron Signal publication for the Lib. Besides the photos included, the reading was great. They refer to the PB4Y-1 also in a dedicated chapter. This was a great Guillows build by the way. Long time to construct. Hope to finish this weekend as halfway through prop installation. Pictures of the build are on virtualaerodrome.com.

[CoastalCommand]

That sounds awesome moose...im looking for that squadron signal book.
Are there other allied and us navy paint schemes in it?

Ive noticed on some other build threads that folks dont list at one time the type of power train components that they use on their projects;

Havent got it all together yet, and due to budegt, will have to acquire stuff in dribs abnd drabs, but im thinking right now of using:

4 speed 280 6 volt motors (not going to go with higher cost of brushles simply cause I dont know how its going to perform and dont want to put a hundred bucks into motors if it is poor result

probably 1 electonic speed control in 25-50 amp range, figure each motor may draw 8 amps.

4 three blade size 5 props by master airscrew. I understand the pusher props will be released down the road. will have outboard props as right turners, inboard props to be left. This will counter act any tourque issues.

all micro/pico sized servos-
2 servos in wing to have airleron control on 1 channel. I think I may use another y connector to have this linked with a rudddr servo in conjunction, all on one channel.
1 channel for esc
1 channel for elevator
then either retracts or working bomb bay doors to drop a bomb, or a steerable nosewheel.

some sort of nicad battery to power the darn thing. not sure what kind of lipo would work.

plenty of time to figure this out

[CoastalCommand]

Well, im about 2 weeks into the project (target finish time is next may)

got the fuse formers all cut out and notched. I mustve got a good kit, no real breakage issues notching the formers out. Got three glued to the keel sofar-im using resin glue and doing just 1 a day, so that should take about 2 weeks to finish. remember build straight fly straight.

[CoastalCommand]

Whew. Took about 2 weeks to mount first side formers to keel. Phtots over on virtual airdrome. Just did one per day! allowing the resin glue 24 hours to dry, sure are straight though.. Kind of a snails pace, but its not like there's decent flying wx available. had to close the hangar door the other day, it was snowing.

Stll waiting for graupner 280 motors to get back in stock.

[SteveM]

That's some careful building you're doing. It's going to be fun to watch and interesting to see the electric and RC conversion parts.

[moostang51]

Saw your picture on virtualaerodrome. Welcome aboard. The other sides matching former should be a snap since you took so much care in the initial set-up. I built this bird.... so don't worry about it lasting the winter. Actually the wood construction ended up being the fastest part. Shaping and painting
is what will take the most time and what makes the model. This looks like a great start.