FT inspired P-38 Lightning

by FunFly808 | June 4, 2013 | (30) Posted in Projects

Scratch built using DT foam and parts from LazerToyz. The twin boom design of the P-38 made this build a little more difficult as compared to the other swappable style kits supplied by Flitetest. I choice not to build this aircraft as a swappable kit; however I used many of the same techniques in design and construction. This P-38 is running on two EMAX Power 28-22s and two 25amp ESCs. I fly is on a 2200 3s pack and get about 8 minutes of flight time. I chose to run this plane as a bank and yank (meaning no rudder control) and that seams to work great. As you can see in the video she tracks straight even in about a 15mph wind. I used the same type of under camber on the wing tips as used on the FT Spitfire. This means tip stalls are no longer a worry. The top speed is very respectable however, I used cut down 10x4.5 slow fly counter-rotating props left over from a past quad copter build. I would not recommend cutting down props but in this case it worked for me. Using 8x4 or 8x6 props instead would increase the speed and efficiency. 

 

 

COMMENTS

82ndRCFlyer on June 15, 2013
SAWEET!

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Flymann on June 12, 2013
Nice flight! Looks like lots of fun to fly.
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casehatter on June 14, 2013
Good Job very nice job and the cut down props gave it a sound of it's own. Now build it 3x bigger to carry FPV with landing gear boy that would be cool..!! Good build thanks for sharing..!!
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EndoftheRoadRC on June 21, 2013
Very freaking cool
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gr1999 on June 12, 2013
Plans please??

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Miracle Air on June 10, 2013
Oh yeah, that is entirely too cool. I must have it.
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Flitetestrocks on June 12, 2013
Very cool
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Okie on June 10, 2013
BEAUTIFUL!! just a wonderful build great job !
you wouldn't happen to have plans or a more detailed build description
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FunFly808 on June 10, 2013
Thanks very much, yes I am currently working on a full set of plans.
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Jaxx on June 15, 2013
Nice build! What software are you using to create the plans? Thanks
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Fly'n-V on June 10, 2013
Great Job and Beautiful flight!!! Keep up the good work!
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TheRedBaron on June 10, 2013
Definitely would love plans and build instructions
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Evo-x on July 9, 2013
awesome paint job,
great job
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hotwax on June 10, 2013
Keep going!!
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Psteph88 on June 11, 2013
That's awesome. This is one of my all time favorite real planes.
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crashhard on June 10, 2013
whats next corsair?
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Driveandairsmash on June 10, 2013
WOW!!! plz make a build video for this so i can make one!!! GREAT JOB!!
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Psteph88 on June 13, 2013
I second this request. Would be much appreciated.
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jrbemis on June 10, 2013
Awesome design and build!
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Hog chief on June 13, 2013
That is awesome it looks like it has the same flight characteristics of a real p38. I really would like to build one if you have plans or something that would be great!!!!!
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advation on June 10, 2013
Cool looking build! Seems to fly nice! Nice job!
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ProjectFlightDesign on June 10, 2013
That is great! Beautiful build and it looks like it flies great

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crashhard on June 10, 2013
nice shorts

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flitetest_mexico on June 10, 2013
very very very nice!!! congratulations!!!!! keep on those awesome designs!!!
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Gravitysucks on June 10, 2013
Sweeeeet !!
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sailorJohn on June 11, 2013
We need to find a method to build cool cowlings for square fuselages ,I'm not having great success vacuum forming
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FunFly808 on June 11, 2013
I have been experimenting with the green floral foam. Its easy to shape but very brittle. I get around its brittleness with a mixture of elmers glue and water. Paint on the mixture and let dry. It creates a hard coating which can be painted. That's been working so far.
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rchacker on June 14, 2013
Really nice, I bet it would make a great FPV platform.
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RoyBro on June 10, 2013
Very nice. I love the silhouette of the twin fuselage against the sky.
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sailorJohn on June 11, 2013
Fantastic build and the silhouette look of your video was awesome. Sadly every time I built their wing it's turned out poorly and a armin wing wouldn't look right
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FeWolf on September 13, 2013
I hope you do not mind, but I mod one for a pusher prop?!
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Wimp on April 1, 2014
Any progress on plans for this rather brilliant and beautiful design?

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horacio monterroso on October 24, 2014
awesome plane, great job, can be landing and take off with landing gear?
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John Frenzel on December 3, 2016
what scale are the plans you supplied I need to enlarge them ?
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barowc on January 5, 2017
Is it possible to send plans to barowc@gmail.com
I'd like to built one.
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John Frenzel on December 3, 2016
when will the build and plans be available?
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FT inspired P-38 Lightning