Ziroli P40 build

[frank fearn]

No intention of doing a step by step build but I will add significant points of the build and some of my methods... appreciate its an old airplane and probably been documented thousands of times.

Canopy aluminium "recycled" out of old strip lights..

[Dave Parry]

Hi Frank, absolutely brilliant, I wish you would consider doing some small articles for the LMA Journal on how you have done this and other things, or anyone else, come to that. Such fantastic skills our members have and yet so reluctant to show those skills off, so sad.

[frank fearn]

Thanks Dave.

A little more progress, port wing on its jigs to accommodate the extruding retract mounts and washout. Taken longer to sort the jig than to build the panel....

[frank fearn]

Steady progress on the P40. I prefer to sheet as much as possible on the washout jig before joining the panels together to ensure accuracy. Retract mounts in and modified slightly from the plan and i intend to alter the ailerons .

I am unsure if the real P40 had plated or covered ailerons, the documentation I have isnt that great and I cant find alot on the net, any pointers appreciated...

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=R7G ... on&f=false

Look through this, dealing with P40 construction, the ailerons, and the rest of the control surfaces are metal constructed, but fabric covered,

As with the spitfire, later models were ally covered, heres a cut and paste, available from the net,

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk variants ... The P-40 went through four significant transformations, the P-40N-40-CU with 1,360 hp and metal-covered ailerons.

[David Brown]

www.p40warhawk.com try this site.

[frank fearn]

Many thanks to you both, this is superb. Spent hours researching and not come across either one of those sites.

They have answered my question and many more, thank you.

[frank fearn]

Once the wheel wells are fitted the bottom may be sheeted, servo bays are in and wired. P38 Body Filler tins are spot on size for a 5.5" Dubro, leaving a little more than 1/4 inch clearance all around the perimeter of the wheel. Not overly keen on the method of retract mounts so additions have been made to the bearers and a "not on plan" 1/4sq spar added at the rear.

[david clarke]

Looking good Frank,stop adding bits on you know what happens,rate your going we will be testing this and the Dr1 together.

[frank fearn]

Cowl and engine alignment nearly completed. Formers cut to suit the internal shape and fiber-glassed in ready to accept m3 fasteners into the former on top of the engine mount, accessed through the air scoop. The rear is doweled into the hardwood seat so no external screws other than the scale positioning ones will be used.

Most of the fuse planking is done, fairings are tight but the end result is good, no filler so far...

I will be having a go at making a wraparound exhaust as the standard stuff won't fit, should be interesting.

[david clarke]

Looking good frank,can't wait to see the exhaust.........

[frank fearn]

Unable to leave the ailerons sheeted as per plans, so now modified to suit, sure they will be much nicer once soler-texed and taped.

[frank fearn]

Slow progress but plodding on. Flaps modified to incorporate internal linkages and something like a scale appearance. Ailerons are done with pleasing results, worth the extra work

[frank fearn]

Sheeting completed, just in need of a good sanding.

[frank fearn]

Just the fin to build and then she's ready to cover. Fuse has been sanding sealed in readiness for the cloth which will be doped on then glassed.

[frank fearn]

Many thanks Steve, would love to... I have pmd you

[frank fearn]

All glassed up and primed at last. Happy with the surface so onto the panel lining and then more primer....

[david clarke]

Looking good mate,what scheme are you painting it in?.

[frank fearn]

Not certain just yet but could well be something like this,

[frank fearn]

Now she's ready to panel line..id forgotten to add the wheel fairings