Author Topic: Electric B-17 in Silver (Read 3493 times)

Pat Johnston · « **on:** April 24, 2018, 05:55:05 PM »

I've been keeping my head down for the last three months building the electric B-17. It is now in the silver. So far the final weight is looking like it will be around 45 ounces or under. For the spec review, it has 595 squares, no flaps, is a profile and has my "+P" airfoil. The TVC is in the .520 range so the tail should be authoritative. The plan is to get this one ready for the NW Regionals in Roseburg.
The fillets are next, some touch-up for the silver and trim. The base color will be silver so as not to become invisible against trees in the background. I'm excited about this one as a fun plane to fly and distinctly off the beaten path.
Also, I will be moving in the next month so operations on the laser will be non existent until things get settled out. Please be patient.
Pat Johnston
Too Involved Design Studio
Skunk Works

George Grossardt · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2018, 06:34:16 PM »

Where is the “like” button?

Nice work Pat.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2018, 08:55:15 PM »

WOW! Looks great Pat! What's the wingspan again? Can we get a few more oics?

Pat Johnston · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2018, 05:42:48 AM »

Forgot to say the wingspan is 64". That is about the max for my truck bed width without getting it sideways.
Pat

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2018, 01:27:52 PM »

WAAAAAAY cool!

Allan Perret · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2018, 05:35:05 PM »

Liking this a lot..

wwwarbird · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2018, 06:54:16 PM »

Quote from: Pat Johnston on April 25, 2018, 05:42:48 AM

Forgot to say the wingspan is 64".
Pat

Exactly the same as my PBY, you've built yourself a monster.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2018, 08:40:41 PM »

Why a profile?

Gary Dowler · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2018, 09:13:01 PM »

Looks great Pat! I will be in Roseburg, looking forward to trying to see it in flight and perhaps putting a face to one of the screen names on here.

Gary

Pat Johnston · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2018, 06:47:19 PM »

PJ,
The reason for a profile is two fold. The first is to test out the design in a relatively simple way. I do have a full bodied version on the design board. The second reason is to be able to fly it in the Profile event. If it is capable of a great pattern, Then I can fly it in expert PA just for fun. Double duty!
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2018, 11:15:17 PM »

I cant wait to see a full sized version.
Ive been very tempted to do a new lancaster and use electric with retracts.. but that requires motivation I dont have.

Looks good thus far

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2018, 09:03:22 AM »

Quote from: Pat Johnston on April 26, 2018, 06:47:19 PM

PJ,
The reason for a profile is two fold. The first is to test out the design in a relatively simple way. I do have a full bodied version on the design board. The second reason is to be able to fly it in the Profile event. If it is capable of a great pattern, Then I can fly it in expert PA just for fun. Double duty!
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works
[/quote

Hi Pat,
That’s pretty darn COOL! I love the looks and I’m sure it will fly great. The nice thing about a profile is, “You don’t feel bad when you hack into it to make changes”.

Later,
Mikey

Pat Johnston · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2018, 10:40:20 AM »

Here is the latest shot with a little red and blue. Starting to shape up. My buddy, Mike is working on cutting insignia masks. The de-icing boots will go on today. Then the anti-glare Olive Drab on the inside of the nacelles. Coming along.
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works

wwwarbird · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2018, 10:06:25 PM »

Looks really great Pat! Nice job on the "glass" too. (don't forget the waist gun openings) Any nose art or mission markings planned?

Pat Johnston · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2018, 08:14:06 PM »

Finally progress for the actual flying setup. Soldering all the connections is multiplied by 4. Oi Ve!!! Running the 16 gauge double spliced wires was the toughest part. Anyway, it is all together and the motors are all sync'ed up at 14,000 RPM.
Now the best part. It's all up RTF weight is 43 ounces. That even includes 3 ounces of lead bird shot and epoxy in the nose. This beat my proposed flying weight of 50 ounces by 7 ounces. Serious bragging rights for a 595 inch plane. Annette was there to help light up all four motors at once. She was impressed. Gotta admit that I was, too. It sounds really wicked. Not all that quiet with all four motors howling away. Sounds really cool.
Now for a twin???
Pat Johnston
Mad Design Studio
Skunk Works
P.S. Will be signing for a new house tomorrow and moving to follow. Probably will not have the laser running for a bit of time. Anyone wanting a B-17 kit can get in the "Q", but no promises on the delivery time.

Allan Perret · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2018, 05:15:03 AM »

Quote from: Pat Johnston on May 09, 2018, 08:14:06 PM

Anyone wanting a B-17 kit can get in the "Q", but no promises on the delivery time.

For sure, put me in the "Q". Got a price yet?

Pat Johnston · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12, 2018, 03:09:52 PM »

Allan,
You are the first one in the Q. Don't know about the cost, yet. It will depend on how much is included. Using only 5-6# wood is crucial for making one this light. It is a light weight design for it's size, but the long tail demands very light wood throughout. I can provide that for the builder.
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works

wwwarbird · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2018, 09:19:13 PM »

Pat,

Have you added any more details to the finish scheme yet? Really digging this model but I'd have to do it IC.

Pat Johnston · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2018, 07:03:44 AM »

WW,
No more details. The movers are coming here today to move the big stuff to the new house. The Regionals are a week and a half away, so it will be a mad dash to get in test flights and all that stuff. Nice timing!
Pat

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2018, 09:16:13 PM »

Quote from: Pat Johnston on May 15, 2018, 07:03:44 AM

WW,
No more details. The movers are coming here today to move the big stuff to the new house. The Regionals are a week and a half away, so it will be a mad dash to get in test flights and all that stuff. Nice timing!
Pat

10-4, staying tuned.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2018, 08:53:33 PM »

It's been quite a while here, what's the latest?

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #21 on:** September 15, 2018, 03:25:01 PM »

No news is good news? Let's hope so!

Steve