Top Flite P-40 Warhawk

[Spin-up]

I was curious if anyone has came across a problem with the plans? I just started with building the Stab, and I'm no ready to cut out the top and bottom skins, the inst. says to refer the plans for the actual size and dimensions. Problem, I don't see the lay out for the skins on either plans.
Help anyone.
Thanks

[Kadet Senior]

I love the P-40 Warbird, and I want to put a converted weedwacker engine inside the cowling. Short of going to the Ziroli plans, I think the Top Flite is a great plane. How much room is inside the cowling?? What is the firewall to prop plate distance? Could you fit a 20-odd cc HomeLite, or a 31 cc Ryobi in it? I am pretty sure the 40-odd cc chainsaw engines are too big, I think...
Could you help ME on this one? Thanx. Michael.

[us185damiani]

I was curious if anyone has came across a problem with the plans? I just started with building the Stab, and I'm no ready to cut out the top and bottom skins, the inst. says to refer the plans for the actual size and dimensions. Problem, I don't see the lay out for the skins on either plans.
Help anyone.
Thanks

did you ever get your reply/ or figure it out?
Just use the size of the frame work as an outline to cut your sheeting.

[dharris998]

I just finished building a top-flite P-51D Mustang, and I noticed the same thing with my plans. But anyway, what you are supposed to do is make the sheeting to the same shape as the srea of the stab to be sheeted. It doesn't show you a direct template for this sheet, but that is what you are supposed to do.

[tailskid]

I just picked up a P-40 RED BOX Top Flight kit :) Ya gotta love club auctions...

[Bronco Buster]

Hey Spin-Up,

I suspect that by now you have finished your P-40. I built mine over a five year period and do not remember coming across anything in the instructions or on the plans which caused me to stumble too much. As for the horizontal stab, I just made the laminated sheeting as needed and glued them on, trimmed and sanded. No problem. The big job was faring the horizontal and vertical stab to the fuselage.

I put a new Saito 150 in the nose and have had no problem with the power, other then the engine still idles fast which makes for fast landings.

I am using Robart Air Retracts. I noticed during the construction that the retract mounts seemed weak, but figured Top Flite knew what they were doing when they designed the airplane. Much to my dismay, I am kicking myself for not going with my gut instinct, and reinforcing he gear bay when I had a chance. Have you, or anyone, had any problems with the lateral strength of the gear mounts?

I painted mine with a latex paint, which has been great. Used Roy Villencourt’s “Painting with Latex” article from Model Airplane New.