PKZ P-47D Build

[19000rpm]

I picked up a PKZ P47 airframe the other day. This plane has a lot of potential. It's set up fo retracts and flaps and ripe for motor and prop upgrades and custom markings.

IMO, this is the best park sized (non micro) WWII Warbird to come from PKZ in terms of design and engineering.
1) The wing is a work of art with all the molding needed for retracts, with plastic gear mounts for either the fixed or retract setup and flaps so a minimum of work is required.
3) There are 3 screws to hold the wing on laid out in a triangular arrangement for a solid wing fuse marriage.
4) The horizontal stab comes with CF tubing.



Here's da' plan.

1) Eflite 10-15 Retracts.
2) Flaps.
3) eRC 25 Motor although I'll also consider some others.
4) Hobby Lobby 4 blade prop for the scale look and others for performance.
5) Dubro 2 1/2" diamond light wheels.
6) Italian theater markings from Callie Graphics.
7) LED machine gun lights.
8) Parkplastics bombs and fuel tank.
9) AR600
10) Recommended PKZ servos and running gear.
11) CustomRC CNC motor mount.

Not too sure on the ESC and battery yet. I'm going to start with a Eflite Pro Lite 40A and a 3S 2200 pack and do some tests.

The first steps are to prep the fuse for painting and apply the graphics. More on that in the next post.

[akent]

Very nice, 19k!!

From what I have read and seen of the box, I really think this is how all of these planes need to be built!
You can leave off the gear and hand toss it, or if you have a runway, install the retracts! I LOVE the fact that these are setup for flaps and retracts!

One of these is definitely on the list as soon as the list gets smaller!
Please keep us posted as you build and fly this!
Kent

[19000rpm]

I think you're right about the future of a lot of the PKZ planes kent. Most, if not all, will come with gear and retract options.

I wonder what took Horizon so long to learn that the more options a pilot has with setting up the plane; the more of those planes they'd sell and the more servos and retracts they'd sell also. Better late than never, as they say.

[19000rpm]

I've selected 2 different motors. An ERC 25 and an Eflite Power 15. I'm going to use the HL 11x10x4 prop for scale type flying. If you order this prop make sure you get their prop adapter also.

I'm probably going to need to upgrade from a 40A ESC to a 50 or 60 running the big HL 4 blader.

[akent]

That's awesome looking, 19k!

One thing I found on my Eflite ESC's is that I won't ever fly one again unless I'm drawing 1/2 or less of it's rating. These things shut down if they get warm. I mean completely. Motor, BEC, everything. These have caused two crashes. When they cool down, they start working again.
I have given all of my Eflite ESC's away and no more problems.

Anyway, that has been my experience.

Now, the Eflite motors are excellent. They are very durable and can handle a lot of abuse.

Man that 4 bladed prop sure looks awesome! It will be interesting to hear how much power it takes to swing that!
Good stuff!
Kent

[19000rpm]

Thanks, Kent. I think this is going to be a very special plane when it's done. I plan on using the Parkplastics bomb kit on magnets so I can take them off when when I'm flying off of rough grass.

I've had spotty results with the Eflite 30A & 40A Pro lite series ESC's. The good news is that they have been replaced at no cost by Horizon. The the larger, heat sink equipped, 40A Pro has been flawless.

I'll be running a seperate 3A BEC on all 6 & 7 Channel setups anyway.

I haven't decided where to set the pitch on the 4 blader yet. I think I'll see what the amp draw is on 10 pitch and if it's too high I'll back it off.

[19000rpm]

OK, here she is in basic trim. I'm going to add some weathering and smoke. Not too much just a bit for a more realistic look. I Will add the mast and radio antenna and pitot tube. Bombs will go on later







.

Right now she has the Eflite Power 15 and 40A ESC so the 4 Blader on just for looks.

[Solitaire]

Great looking setup, 19k, and I especially like the 4-blader with the chrome joints. Very scale look to that.

[19000rpm]

Thanks Sol. I really like the looks of the 3 and 4 bade props on the warbirds. It's a Hobby-Lobby prop and adapter. The pitch is adjustable which makes it very nice for setting it up with different power systems. The only issue with the prop, that I'm aware of, is that it breaks very easily. I guess that means nose overs are going to be a no no. I hope to start tests this weekend.

[19000rpm]

The final step in finishing it was to do a little weathering, oil and smoke. I tried not to get carried away. ;D

[Solitaire]

Nice touch with the smoke/oil trails. And the radio antenna. Damm, it's too sharp to fly, now.

[19000rpm]

LOL, that's what everybody that's seen it has said. You can bet I'll be veerrrrrrrrrrrry careful with it when I do fly it.

[19000rpm]

I finally got a chance to maiden it and then a few days later someone shot a video of it and the shot below is a screen grab from the video. I'll have a video and review in the not too distant future.

We had some ferocious winds and gusts. The Jug took it like a champ. This flight was with the 10.5x9 two blader. I haven't built the big motor version yet for the 4 blader.

[19000rpm]

Here's the link to the video we did on the P47D with mods. This was a lot of fun.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg-xylizmC8&list=PLD0DC3BFD1D978159&feature=player_embedded

[akent]

Great plane and video!

Is that you in the video?
Kent