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Classic Designs => Classic Planes => Topic started by: t michael jennings on October 02, 2012, 04:08:25 PM
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Gentlemen,
Could use some basic info.
1. Who has built a P-39 Airacobra designed by Walt Pyron?
2. I think it has a 51 inch wing span.
3. How does it fly?
4. Is it near scale or far off scale?
Tom Dixon list the Plans on his website.
Thanks for the info.
t michael jennings :-\
Knoxville, TN
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Gentlemen,
Could use some basic info.
1. Who has built a P-39 Airacobra designed by Walt Pyron?
2. I think it has a 51 inch wing span.
3. How does it fly?
4. Is it near scale or far off scale?
Tom Dixon list the Plans on his website.
Thanks for the info.
t michael jennings :-\
Knoxville, TN
I cant help you on the Pyron P-39 but several years ago I kitted the P-39 by Bill Simons, (similar model)
I have been told the Simons Airacobra flew very well
had a 56" span with around 600 sq.'s
1st pic is the original plan
2nd was my kit plan (fuse sht.)
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Micheal, you should contact P. Gittel and ask for Derrick's email address. Derrick built the Pyron design. I've seen it fly on two occasions and it flew very well. He painted it in a winter color scheme and it looked great. It looks more scale like than Simons' design.
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"PaPa" Dave Hemstraught had one several years ago. It flew very well and was very scale looking. Can't give any info since it has been a while.
BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM
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I got ahold of this Walt Pyron version thru a "Garage Find" a few years ago. By overall appearances it was likely built sometime in the early 70's so the silkspan and everything is pretty brittle. It also has solid leadouts that are good and draggy.
The plane had been set up for a Fox .35. After I patched a few holes and spotted in some paint here and there, I bolted one in and flew it about three flights just to say I did. It flew very well, especially considering the condition.
I'd love to build a nice new one someday...
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Hi Michael, I haven't built Walt's P-39 but I do know Walt and have no doubt that it will be a good flier. It is more scale like than Bill Simon's P-39 but still more stunt that scale. Just a suggestion: Bob Hunt and Walt wrote a construction article on this airplane that was published in Flying Models Magazine about 15 years ago. The plans were redrawn and some errors were corrected. I would recommend contacting FM for the plans and article. 8)
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Mr. Willey,
Thanks for the great photos of the P-39 Aircobra.
It does look worth building.
T Michael Jennings H^^
Knoxville, TN.
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No problem T Michael, please keep us posted if you decide to build one.
Did you make it to Reno this year?
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The Walt Pyron version was published in flying models as part of the classic series. I think Tom Dixon wrote the article and it is an excellent article . The Simons version was also published in FM.
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I built the Pyron P-39 in the late 70s. I thought it looked realistic - a good looking plane. Flew pretty well.
Tom Dixon had one at VSC 1 (?) that he really liked, but lost it in his house fire. I think there was another at VSC
in 1994. There wasn't a lot of room in the tank compartment - I think I used a Veco T-21D (3.5oz). Depending on your
engine, you might want to modify the second bulkhead to allow a bigger tank.
From July 1959 American Modeler. Hobby Helper's plan 759
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Gentlemen,
Could use some basic info.
......4. Is it near scale or far off scale?
Tom Dixon list the Plans on his website.
Thanks for the info......
t michael jennings :-\
Knoxville, TN
Unfortunately the P-39 is much like the ME 109. It is nearly impossible to build something that really looks like the original. Unlike Al Rabe's Mustangs and Bearcats. The wing is simply too small. When you scale the wing up to a useful size it is very hard to get the fuselage proportions right. The Mustang had a span of 37 ft. Scaled at 1.5 in/ft it gives a 528 sq.in. 56 in. span wing. The P-39 had a span of 34 ft and a wing area of 217 sq.ft. Using the same scale only gets about 480 squares and 51 in. span. Not nearly enough with the added weight of the nose gear. By comparison, the Grumman Hellcat had a massive 335 sq.ft wing and 42.625 ft. span. You could build it exact scale at 1.375 in/ft and get a wing area of 633 sq.in. and a 56 in. span, which aren't bad numbers. The only kicker would be building the fuselage light enough.
Walt Pyron did a good job on the P-39, getting a pretty good balance between the fuselage and a way oversize wing. You've gotta take the time to build the canopy into the fuselage like the full size on to do that.
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I also have the Walter Pyron version , but need a canopy, and have been unable to find one. So plane is on shelf waiting.
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I also have the Walter Pyron version , but need a canopy, and have been unable to find one. So plane is on shelf waiting.
John,
You can get one from Sig that will work great on it, and they're cheap. :)
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Dave Hemstrought had a Walt Pyron P39 at 1994 VSC, I believe os32 powered, he lost it to a line break a couple years later at tifton golden oldies championships
Picture below is at tifton georgia, mid 1990's , L to right Rear Curtis Comer / Skydancer, Waly Pyron /Still Stuka, John Simpson / Cavalier.. Front Tom Dixon / P 39 , Dave Hemstrought PT 19
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I seem to remember seeing a P39 in the magazines many many years ago that had a motor mounted mid-ship w/drive shaft to the prop. All I know is that I think I remember seeing it. Nick
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I seem to remember seeing a P39 in the magazines many many years ago that had a motor mounted mid-ship w/drive shaft to the prop. All I know is that I think I remember seeing it. Nick
There was a scale construction article by Jack Stolly of his P-39 in the May 82 issue of Model Aviation. It was recognized at the 81 Nats with the NASA Special Achievement Award. Engine was mounted essentially in the cockpit and was liquid cooled and had retracts. Quite an achievement.
Keith