PKZ P47D "Thunderbolt"

[19000rpm]

After the "Rabbit" version I was interested to see how another version might work out.

I spec'd the Callie Graphics for Hobbyzone. These are the prototype graphics. The numbers came out too large so I trimmed them down in the wing area. The production graphics are slightly smaller to fit over the wing and the thunderbolts slightly larger.
secure.hobbyzone.com/search/RAZ003.html

This time I used a different power system:
Eflite Power 25 (1250kV)
Eflite Pro 60A ESC
APC 10x6x4 prop (grey) painted flat black with Insignia yellow tips
2200mAh 25C 3S Tenergy

I've benched it and it draws 45A with the APC prop at about 335 Watts. My plan is to up the pitch to 10 in both a 10" & 11" 4 blader. I expect they will draw 55+ A and produce 550 Watts or more. I think I'll also be trying a 4S as well.

The later model D's also had a fin on the vertical stab for additional yaw stability. The fin I used is a piece of creased file folder.







I have only Taxi tested it so far. I hope to maiden it this weekend.

[akent]

She's beautiful!

[19000rpm]

Thanks, Kent. Can't wait to get her in the air. Those low fly bys are going to be true eye candy.

[Gabe]

Whew! Good looking plane there. Amazing detail!

[19000rpm]

Thanks, Gabe.

I plan to push the "practical" speed envelope on this one. Something the stock airframe can handle. I heard about 100 mph is where it's at.

[Gabe]

Sweeeeeet!!! I can't wait for some videos!

[19000rpm]

I hope to get some video in the next few weeks.

[19000rpm]

It ws a perfect morning weather wise, something that hasn't happened on a Sat. very often this season, and the School Parking Lot where I fly many of my planes was near empty. Very good omens for a maiden.

When I taxi tested it the other day she was a bit on the noseover side even with full elevator and the CG is perfect, maybe even a little tail heavy. But I didn't shim the mounts. I ran out of time fixing the wife's Stampede Monster Truck.

The lot slants down from east to west and the wind, a light breeze, was blowing from the west so I figured there was a good chance I might get a noseover on taxi. I put the flaps to half and gunned the motor with the elevator all the way up. She almost tipped but gathered herself up and took to the air. Looked great.

I spent the next few minutes getting it trimmed out. A lot more trim than I expected, in particular, on the ailerons. Funny how everything can look perfect on the bench, but not so once in the air.

After she was flying straight I brought her around for some low fly by's and it sounded terrifc with the special sound you get with a 4 blade prop.

At the time I was ready to land the wind had dropped completely so I was able to do some approaches from the west, up hill, and gauge the effect of the flaps coming in for landing. After another go round I figured I'd need full flaps to set her down in the alloted distance.

The landing was smooth, but on the roll out I must have let up on the elevator some because she nosed over...Going UP HILL. Now, with a four blader that's not too bad because the prop keeps the chin off the Tarmac but the blades do take a bit of a hit though. I'll be putting those shims in before we fly again.

I thought the wife was taking flying pictures. I guess I was wrong.

[19000rpm]

I put some shims under the back mounting plates for the retracts raking them forward. No more nose overs.

The video is done!

Here's a link to Tim Tinkerman's channel on Youtube. He does a great job with the P-47 video.

www.youtube.com/user/TinkerManRC?ob=5#p/a/u/1/ve2th2E-g4s