Planes: Fire & Rescue Challenge

by FliteTest | August 18, 2014 | (51) Posted in Challenges

We were extremely inspired by Disney's new Planes movie which featured an all new cast of characters, along with a few returning favorites.

One of the best parts about the new film is that the planes all had a specific job to do. We though it would be cool to try and make functional foam versions of them.

Our good friend Dusty came back with a new pair of shoes! So we attached a pair of Hobby Zone Super Cub LP Floats to our old FT Duster!

One of the new faces came in the form of a C-119 Flying Boxcar named Cabbie! The hatch in the back needed to drop something so we gave him a little dozer buddy equipped with a parachute.

Last but not least, we have Dipper, a water bomber with our design loosely based off the Grumman Goose.

Inside Peter created a water bucket made from a red plastic cup fashioned to a servo.

The servo dumps the water out of a chute in the back. We did need something to test the water bomber on so we had to set something on fire...

...and Austin "volunteered".

After a few attempts we did eventually get close. This design fly very much like a cub. Coordinated turns will be your best friend.

The FT Flying Boxcar can best be described as a gentle giant. No bad tendencies and functions just like a trainer.

We hope this inspires you to try and make your own functional designs.

Also, if you haven't seen Planes: Fire & Rescue we recommend taking the whole family! It's a fantastic story with a great message to enlighten the kids and entertain the parents.

FREE PLANS

FT Flying Boxcar Plans

FT Goose Plans (These plans were not repeatable unfortunately, but keep your eyes open for a future FT Seaplane!)

What other movie inspired planes would you like to see? Chat it up in the forums!

COMMENTS

theteeheeguy123 on August 18, 2014

You guys should try landing a small plane in a scaled-up flying-boxcar in midair :D
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airborne1 on August 25, 2014

If not that, maybe revisit the Package Exchange Challenge. Figure out how to minimize the propwash turbulence. Twin boom with tall mounted nacelles outbound further from the booms. Boom design to block some propwash, or use EDFs for clean air in the center below? No doubts that it can be done, and that if we see it anywhere, we could see it here. :-)
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stephen on August 18, 2014

Thanks guys that was great. Funny how things happen, I've been looking at building a cargo plan and had been watching Peter's site tap and foam and his giant cargo maiden . Awesome, I downloaded a set of free plans and am going to start the build this week. I plan to use depron. I'll be downloading a set of your plans as well. Once again guys thanks for the great show. Just can't get enough of your great ideas. Keep the fun coming.
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Carmatious on August 18, 2014

Hi Peter!

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rcflyer729 on August 18, 2014

I need tiled plans please I really want to build the boxcar
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Andre Meyer on August 19, 2014

HI rcflyer729 open the plans in Adobe reader click on print then find the tab that says tile large pages in the print menu and select that. The default setting might be set to something like shrink to media or fit media. Change that to Tile large pages and make sure the box saying "Cut MARKS" is also tiked. And away you go tiled plans to cut and paste.

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saugat pokhrel on August 29, 2021

what is its full size
i mean if i want wing span of roughly 5 feet then how much i should scale it
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ghostbear83z on August 18, 2014

The C-119 Flying Boxcar needs a re-paint and Floats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GND73sy9zHo
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unleafthekraken on August 18, 2014

I so want to do this now, i loved that show when i was a kid. Gotta finish my half build spit but the tail spin boxcar is next for sure.
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hoppy81 on April 19, 2015

I loved Tailspin! I'd love to see that plane
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How about an article about Peter's VTOL cargo planes. Maybe VTOL version of the boxcar. That would be a great follow on from this cargo article. With plans of coarse.
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coffeebean56 on November 18, 2014

Seems like FOREVER since we met Peter. Been waiting since then for plans for the STOL that brought him to the attention of Flite Test. Any plans on doing this?
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rc flyer on August 18, 2014

This is awesome. Plans for the boxcar would be great, thanks for all the great work guys.
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LordVader on August 18, 2014

These are so cool. Warbirds are my favorite, next to them are big twin engine cargo planes. Would love to see a big C-130 Gunship build.

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Hunter9921 on August 18, 2014

A gunship with working mini airsoft guns on it. Like the airsoft Kraken video in a way but with a c-130 :) That would be quite sweet!
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chlguy on August 26, 2014

It would be really cool to have a C-130 where only 2 props were actually powered, the other two could simply windmill in the airstream. Save 2 motors and ESCs.

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cj_ace5 on November 8, 2014

That sounds soooo cool
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Codzilla on August 18, 2014

The best episode in a while. You seem to be getting back a bit of what the show lost when David left . Really happy to see some funny challenges and a bit of silly flying.
The 'let's flys' just haven't been up to the standard we're used to from Flight Test.
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Planiac01 on August 18, 2014

It would be great if you could make a swappable c-119
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tramsgar on August 18, 2014

Thanks, guys, enjoyed that. Suggestion: when you do custom builds with funny stuff in them, spend a little time in the shop too, show a bit from constructing, testing et c like you often used to (turkey, brick, edf jet, rocket plane and many more). Makes it more of a story, feels more complete.
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Krivak957 on August 18, 2014

Great job! Very glad to see some new designs. I understand the reason you can't make SB kits right now. However, can you provide recommended motors/props for the Boxcar and Goose? That would be a big help.
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CJGFX on August 18, 2014

I second that. Just a simple spec sheet would be great and save a lot of time and possible costs buying the wrong motors etc.
Cheers
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Ron B on August 18, 2014

very nice change of pace looks like both planes can take a hit and keep on going.
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KGFlierAIA on August 18, 2014

Hi, Guys,

Great video. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I think the water bomber might be a Canadair CL 415. I hope this is okay with the moderator, because there's a great video of some of them in Spain here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w6N3LQ5uR8.

Thanks, Guys, and fly safely!
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btallis on August 18, 2014

I found the hidden Easter egg! I don't want to give it away, but it has to do with "sunglasses" on one of the planes.
Awesome video, guys!
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jerimiah85 on August 18, 2014

Why no tiled plans? anyone know how to convert them?
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Usa17794 on August 19, 2014

Save the PDF then take it into an adobe program and select print. In the print screen there should a drop bar with options like scale to page. Select tile all pages, tile size 100% and print. Hope this helps and good luck
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Should be about 100ish pages
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Lurch2210 on August 23, 2019

Hello, I have tired it on two different printers with two different computer still can not get it to work. What Adobe program are you using to print it? C-119 is a favorite of mine from both Flight of the Phoenix. Really want to build three of them. One as Cabbie one as the Phoenix and one as an AC-119 from Vietnam. So any help on getting it printed would be great.
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kleon on August 18, 2014

you will make laser cut kit?
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danger41263 on August 18, 2014

put up the good work ..love what you do ...started flying when a watched you videos 9 months ago
both a few kits..
scratch build some .
.those last 2 or great very nice look
wating for your next fly fest date so i can take thhe same days on vacacitiion to go
i am from Gatineau quebec in canada
thanks for your video nice and funny
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Splatwillicrash on August 18, 2014

Looking forward to a build video and tiled plans, or at least a breakout on each 20x30 sheet, Also if your planning doing a speed build kit let us know, it would save me bribing my buddy to convert the files for the Laser cutter at my local Hacker labs, and hours of trial and error and wasted foam...
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Kammo on August 18, 2014

Would LOVE to build the box car but have no idea on the sizes for the pieces.. Little help flitetest?
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Yogenh on August 18, 2014

I love it. It takes 125 pages to print it out. I just can't wait for the other one and how to make it ready for water. Thanks a lot and keep them coming
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Oh would like to know what is used for power on the Box car?? Would like to have the power that it needs
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Bong on August 18, 2014

You guys are fun to watch. You never fail to put a smile on my 6 yr old kid's face. Mabuhay! (from the Philippines)

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amtpdb1 on August 18, 2014

What motors and props were used on the boxcar in the video?
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SamuraiClam on August 19, 2014

Dipper is definitely a Canadair CL-415 (Bombardier 415) Super Scooper.
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GrizzlyWhale on August 19, 2014

Great video guys! Some tiled plans would be nice. It takes the guess work out
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sailorJohn on August 19, 2014

Best episode in a while. Peter is a fantastic builder and I look forward to learning his methods. You could have made 3 shows out of this one! A good teaser for future episodes,
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P.S. winter is fast approaching so small indoor planes should be on the back of your minds. I have always enjoyed the rc Fatties on a Taiwan site ey0927399 and on rc groups.
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Gravitysucks on August 19, 2014

Awsome planes and fantastic photo.
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drogers27 on August 19, 2014

Love the episode. Would like to see some along the way scenes of how the planes were constructed as well. Please a speed build of the C-119 and I agree with several others, we need a C-130!
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ringo42 on August 19, 2014

I turned the big PDF into a bunch of 20X30 ones. It takes 13 pages to do it.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5wpgscrpfi130eo/AADOL-9Al0qt2-6mlESCxfgTa
First time I've shared a dropbox folder. let me know if it works
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jerimiah85 on August 19, 2014

13 pages? That seems Very small, when i print set the file to print its over 100 pages long.
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Drezed on August 20, 2014

I think he means 13, 20X30 sheets(same size as DollarTree foam sheets). My guess is you will still have to tile each 20X30 sheet for standard paper size.

Jeff
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bmsweb on August 19, 2014

Fantastic Episode Guys!
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PropSpinner on August 19, 2014

Loved this episode!
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Michael9865 on August 20, 2014

Awesome episode and thank you for giving the plans away for free. Keep up the awesome job you do to expand the hobby.
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joneill4 on August 20, 2014

Has anyone figured the number of foam boards yet?
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DVIRGIN24S on August 20, 2014

Great episode guys. Can you guys try building ISHANI from planes movie. that would be a great build.
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RCFaab on August 21, 2014

yeah, that would be really nice, i've been trying to build a bloodhawk fron the game Crimson skies, a similar plane. haven't got much luck with it so far dough :/

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lpmadewell on August 21, 2014

How many sheets of foam do i need for the boxcar?
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Maingear on August 22, 2014

Thanks FT!

Plans printed in 36" ($12) and 24" ($7) sheets roughly 14' long! I had them print a 180 flip to do the other side. Top row prints fine on 24", bottom on 36". Dont need a 48" printer.

Now to find the time to cut... Time for my 11 y/o son to learn how to cut DTF!
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Bucket183 on August 22, 2014

Has anyone got this to A4 or A3 tiled plans?? All the ones I have seen (including the FT forum) once printed the scale is not correct and once I correct using scaling it goes off page A3
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jimmy_fly on August 23, 2014

hey, urry up to put the goose plans to download please, the plane are absolutly beautifull !! ;)
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PropSpinner on August 24, 2014

Thanks for having Peter on the show.
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airborne1 on August 26, 2014

The C119 flies*big*, ideal for a camera, for smooth video. Nice! :-) Downloaded the PDF. :-) Yes, do add specs please, recommended motor/prop, servo size, etc. Great job on all three!
How long until David mounts some pyrotechnics in the nose?
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Looks like one of my next foamy builds is going to be a C-123. :-)
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Digital Wolf on August 29, 2014

Hey guys awesome planes! Peter you did a awesome job on the painting! Can you guys add the setups you used on these planes (motor, prop, servo's and battery's) and are there build video's comming up?
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The Dodger on August 29, 2014

Please post the Goose plans. I'm really looking forward to flying that plane! Maybe Peter should do the build video with his waterproofing techniques.
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Photon Phil on August 29, 2014

I can't wait to build these! The water drop looks like great fun.
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Yogenh on August 29, 2014

Dose any one know what motors this would need??????? Really love to know

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sftrooper69 on August 29, 2014

Great plane, I'd like some info on sizes and electronics, I built the foam cargo plane the was on the RG Group web, never flew it. Point of interest, I made many jumps from the C-119 in the late 50's and early 60's as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. The plane handled 40 paratroopers.
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winginit55 on September 1, 2014

Any chance yhe boxcar will be a speedbuild kit in the near future?
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seansgrandad on September 1, 2014

Also looking forward to the Goose plans!! :)

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Digital Wolf on September 3, 2014

Hey guys i want to build the boxcar what is the setup that you guys used? (Motor, esc, props, battery) and where is the CG of this plane?
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danger41263 on September 3, 2014

hi
like what you do
its greath
when do you expect to take out the FT Goose Plans
will they come in kits to buy??
thanks have a very nice day

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Flying Fox on September 4, 2014

NICE WORK Keep up the good job.
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alexanderisawesome on September 11, 2014

are the plans full
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L_Cooke on September 12, 2014

Could you guys maybe send me some pictures of the Dipper Water bomber, its a shame you couldn't post any plans. I really like the model and would like to build one. From Side view and top view photos i should be able to make some plans.

.... and if it works out i'll write a nice article and share the plans :)
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Moozoh73 on September 21, 2014

Hey guys love your show !!! I just printed out your plans for the flying box car and cut out all the foam but having trouble on what to do with some of the parts.
Please help and keep up the great work !!!!!
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gailenjensen on September 24, 2014

It shouldn't be to hard to take Peter's plans for the twins from his rcgroup thread, foam and tape. I adapted his plan to the flitetest style of folds and added swappable pods to an Armin wing. It looks very close to the Goose.
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maue on September 25, 2014

I like the presence these have in the air. There should be plans for both planes in the free plans sec. So now that there is water and foam board together. Are we going to see a sea plain challenge?
If so. One rule off the top of my head. No floats... Unless there on the wing tips. I wanna see some belly landers like in expendables.
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Haydenmoore on October 22, 2014

You guys really need to make the c-119. It would be awesome
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Yogenh on November 2, 2014

I want the goose!!! I think that is a great one so please do it!!!!
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Please make plans for the goose or something similar
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gw1346636 on November 19, 2014

很好，感觉图纸并不完善，我正在尝试制作，C-119的电机是什么型号的呢？
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Flying_Dementia on December 4, 2014

The power system is an Emax motor

Emax-GT2820-06-Outrunner-Brushless-Motor-D-710.htm
40A controllers
3S 6000mah pack.
Durafly® ™ P-51 1100mm Propellers

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zzw772003 on January 21, 2015

C-119 drawings in which to have? Who gives a, my mailbox zzw772003@qq.com
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tuck on February 2, 2015

No Dipper ... Plans yet??
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eternalfire1244 on December 9, 2015

I was actually wondering about that. Pretty simple design to replicate at least.
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This is wonderful.. Thanks guys. Do put the Dipper plans
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tuck on February 3, 2015

Can you post a video how boxcar was build?
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meljr on February 27, 2015

I would like planes four the box car please. Meljr
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robmop on March 26, 2015

Would be amazing if you could do the build on Cabbie please guys
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trevjames on March 30, 2015

Along with everyone else on this thread, I'd love to see plans for the box car plane.
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Slingshot on May 20, 2015

Awesome work FT, gonna have to dip my toes into scratchbuilding. My 6yo is autistic and absolutely loves Cars and Planes - he'll get a kick out of this! :) (and so will dad ;))
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tuck on July 26, 2015

MMmm still no dipper plans or cabbie build video??
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davereap on August 6, 2015

the boxcar is a superb flier.... and with a few minor shape changes it will make in to a nice P38 lightning...... there's another on the build list....
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tuck on August 13, 2015

I agree. I am waiting on a cabbie build video.
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Maikara on September 10, 2015

I heard Josh say 'Peter is really good at rattle can painting'. Any chance we can get a show on that? I would love to see a review/build show on spray methods. Definitely lots of articles out there on it, I like your vids so... ;)
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CrashChez on November 26, 2015

Please, a build video for the C-119 Boxcar?
PLEASE?
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Pelicanglider on February 4, 2016

Used to fly a Grumman Widgeon with my dad in the '60s. Would love to see plans for Dipper! Peter has to look spot on!
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FlatspinRC on October 15, 2016

Question are Cabbie's motors the same as the ones in the F pack? They look the same
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bschatz on February 20, 2021

My grandson and I want to build a C-119. We have downloaded the plans and would like to know what is the wingspan for the one in this challenge? Thanks for your time.
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