The stab halves are plug-in with a single carbon fiber rod for a spar (above left). The plastic square off the elevator plugs into the other elevator half. Both
mm or 2.35 inches. Since flaps were added it was a good idea to make sure they extended symmetrically. If not, there would be real trim problems when deployed. Thankfully they worked just right. Oh yeah. All the flight controls were checked to make sure they went the way they should.
All the preliminaries, including a range check with the Spektrum DX18 transmitter and a check of battery capacity, were con- cluded and the P-47 was placed on the field. With its 2-inch wheels I figured takeoff wouldn’t be a problem, but it turned out that the grass at the club field was a little too long and the ground a little lumpy from the previous day’s rain. No matter how much power was applied, with or without full up elevator, the Thunderbolt would nose over. A closely cut grass field is needed for suc- cessful takeoffs.
The local town park infield was the site of the second flight. The packed dirt proved good enough for the takeoff, and this was done without any flaps. There is plenty of power in the motor/prop/battery combina- tion for a quick liftoff, even though the mod- el was a little heavier with the extra gear— flaps and retracts.
It was windy, though not terribly so, and the temps were just in the low 70s, a gor- geous day. First order of business was trim and there was a decent amount of up trim required even though the plane balanced at
stabs nest in a fuselage pocket and are retained by tape. For a sport scale model the P-47 has some nice detail like the radial engine (above right).
the suggested c.g. When the retracts tucked up the plane trimmed out nice and level, more so probably due to the absence of the extra drag of the struts and the gear doors. No aileron or rudder trim was needed, and with elevator trimmed most of the first flight was used to feel out the control re- sponse and give the photographer some pho- to passes. The timer was set to a 5-minute flight, and when it sounded off the gear was dropped and the plane came for a landing on the grass outfield.
One thing very evident is that this plane likes to fly at half throttle or above. That big bowl of a nose, and perhaps the prop as well, can slow the plane down very noticeably be- low half throttle, especially in the windy conditions at the field. Above half throttle the P-47 was far more responsive and han- dled the wind with ease. As it comes out of the box the setup gave plenty of control for the model.
Next flight became a test for the flaps. There are two positions: takeoff (half flap) and landing (full flap). This flight happened on a paved runway. Flaps were set to half to see how that affected the length of takeoff. While it didn’t exactly leap off the ground, it very noticeably shortened the takeoff.
It
also showed that the P-47 had a tendency to track to the right. That was fixed with an adjustment to the tail wheel pushrod hooked to the rudder.
Just to be conservative, the timer for both flights was set at five minutes, especially be- cause of the extra draw from the electric re- tracts and the flaps. The battery that fits most nicely in the P-47 is the ParkZone 2200 mAh. A larger battery would fit but the ex- tra weight might make the plane a little more nose heavy.
After the first flight at just about five min- utes, the remaining capacity was checked and showed about 53%. The second flight went just about six minutes and when the capacity was checked it showed about 46% left. That means a 6.5-minute flight will leave a healthy overhead for any missed ap- proaches or other problems.
Flaps didn’t cause very noticeable pitch- ups and at full flap the plane adopted a very nice level attitude on approach. A little pow- er was needed in this “dirty” configuration. Even with the wind the landing was almost a greaser.
Subsequent flights have proven that when the plane scoots, it’s a breeze to do loops, rolls, and other aerobatics. Never even set up any dual rates or expo because the plane flew great just as is.
If you’re a fan of the “Jug”, ParkZone’s rendition of the P-47 offers a real quality model that gives the option of simple or ex- tras. It is easy to get it in the air quickly and so far has proven itself a very good and en- joyable flyer.
PHOTO: CHRIS D’AMATO
The options put a lot of wires (above left) in the radio compartment. The 2200 mAh Li-Po slides into a pocket at the front of the compartment and is secured
FLYING MODELS
with hook and loop fastener. Gear tucked and flaps up the Jug makes a camera pass (above right). Flies best at half throttle or above.
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