Ziroli P38 Lightning

[stewart clifford]

I picked this part built project up a couple of years ago and have done very little to it yet, that's about to change and shortly I will be starting on it again. So far I don't think I've had any encouraging comments about the P38 but I've just got to do it.
I was fortunate that the model had only been framed up and the wings had been left without the top sheeting, which has allowed me to begin to strengthen those famous dodgy booms. It had been registered by the previous owner as it will probably be over 20kg.

It will be finished to represent a P38J from the 55th Fighter Group based local to me at Nuthampstead. Russell Abbey 55th memorial group has supplied me with some of the photo's of the fullsize. It will be based on "Texas Ranger IV" the final P38 flown by Jack Jenkins before he was shot down and captured.

Other than a bit of work to the booms I've also removed the gun cover from the nose, I say removed but I more or less had to destroy it as it had been glued onto the rest of the pod.

[chris willis]

You should be called the Fighter collection, instead of Fighter Boy

[Mike Booth]

Thats amazing Stu, its like a one man Duxford at 1/5 and 1/4 scale.

[Mike Booth]

Its also good to see, that apart from the 'Legends Fighter Group', there is someone in our ranks that is not only younger, but is an authority on the 8th Airforce and warbirds in general.

[Steve Rickett 2333]

Hi Stewart,

Glad to see another P-38 on the go. You seem to know about the booms 'issue,' here is how I tackled the problem. Instead of trying the beef up the structure I though the best way was get rid of the major cause of the weakness....ie the huge cut out for the wing mounting. Looking at yours, it isn't too late to do some mods on it! My wing tubes go into the central fuselage by about 3 rib bays, and I also added a 1/2" ali tube to the rear as well.

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There are 4 M4 bolts holding the booms into place. The first two are accessed from the outer wing panel rib...the second two are access through some angled ali guide tubes...maybe the photos will explain it better!

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The next photo is quite good at showing were I put my elevator and rudder servos!

142 P-38 [320x200].jpg (20.51 KiB) Viewed 16622 times

Lastly...I would add a bit more strength to the tailplane (don't ask how I know!!) With those booms flexing in flight in blustery weather it can put a huge strain on the tailplane mounting points.

134 Locheed P-38 [320x200].jpg (23.38 KiB) Viewed 16622 times

Cheers

Steve

[stewart clifford]

Hi Steve, I'm assuming the outer wing panels are pretty much as per the plan, just modified for the extra tube. Can you still get to the retracts and fuel tanks easily? It probably wouldn't be too much trouble to change it to the same as your's and it would get rid of the wing fixing points which I'm not too keen on.

Stewart

[Steve Rickett 2333]

Yes, the outer panels are just as the plan...with the extra tube.

Retracts...if you notice on the plan it calls for you to bolt the unit in from the top! Relying on just the bolt heads. I moved my undercarriage plate so I could bolt the retracts in from the bottom (through the undercarriage doors) no problem with space!

The fuel tank is accessed as per the plan....using a 'false firewall'. That system works very well...the Lasers use a lot of fuel compared to a petrol and I managed to increase the size of the tank (can't remember what size now...but much bigger than shown on the plan) It still fits in, with ease, through the front.

Both of mine weighed in at around 39-41 lbs..so you are better getting it registered, just in case.

Oh, I also needed to use two lipos as Rx battery packs to try and get the CG BACK! It is still a little far forward but there is no trouble with elevator response and the stall is surprsingly gentle for a 75oz/sq ft wing loading!

Cheers

Steve

[stewart clifford]

Hi Steve,

I've heard you may swap your Laser engines for Z38's, do you think these will have more power?

[Steve Rickett 2333]

I admit I may have thought about it, but I have decided against it!

The only reasons were the costs of Glow fuel and the need to lug a heavy flight box (with 24v starter, glow driver etc) back and forth along a flightline to get the Lasers going. The 38's certainly wouldn't be more power than the Lasers, but would still be ample. I am not in the UK for the next few years, so the P-38 isn't going to get a lot of flying, maybe just during my visits back in the summer. I don't want to spend the time swapping the engines over, and I think I would miss the sound of the two 360's running together!

[stewart clifford]

Heres one of the supercharger cooling hoods I've just made.

[stewart clifford]

I would like the Robart retracts for this model, has anyone got a set for sale please?

Stewart

[stewart clifford]

Starboard boom and gear

[stewart clifford]

Hi Steve

Did you re-inforce the main spar through the cockpit? I seem to remember you telling me that some of these models have folded up in the middle of the cockpit.

[stewart clifford]

With this season over, P38's back on the bench. Just finishing the sheeting an boom fixings on the centre section. The gun cover has been primed an is now ready for detailing. One boom is glassed an the other is half sheeted now, nose gear also fitted.
What engines are people using in these?

[Steve Rickett 2333]

Hi Stewart,

Yes, I made the full depth spar in one piece (as opposed to two halves joined in the middle!) and then laminated it with 1/4 ply out to about 2 rib bays. I also added a further 1/8" ply (one rib bay) spar to the other side of the spar to create a box.

Z38's would have enough power, but maybe two 45's would give you some extra 'go'! The only issue with this is that P-38's can easily end up nose heavy and so you might want to consider lighter engines (DA50's or similar.) The Laser 360's in mine were very light, (something like 1/2lb on each engine against a Z38) and I still needed to fit Lipo's on the radio system to save weight in the nose.

Any new photos?

[stewart clifford]

The gun cover has been primed and is now ready for detail. Nose gear has been fitted too.

[chris willis]

Like the workshop Fighter Boy, give us a penguin

[stewart clifford]

Tailplane starting to come together, there will be two servo's going in here to drive the elevators. I'll also be making the fixing points stronger as I'm told they break easily, looking at it you can see why.