P-38 Lightning (oz9532)

About this Plan

P-38 Lightning. Profile scale aerobatic twin for control line. Twin PAW 1.49 diesel engines shown.

Scan from DBHL, cleanup by theshadow.

ref DBHL-6933.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 13/1/2023: Added article, thanks to JedBond.

Quote: "Lockheed Lightning. Build Ian Peacock's profile scale C/L craft for two 1.5cc motors.

MULTI-ENGINE subjects have always held a fascination for the majority of modellers and for many years, control-line was the only way to success that the average guy could follow. True, there were those experts who managed to successfully build and fly scale twins free flight and of course, the advent of more reliable R/C has meant that the fear of 'one engine out' performance, has all but been eliminated.

However, the majority of twin engine subjects still fall into the specialist category.

Over the years, I have never lost sight of the 'Profile Scale' type of model that seems to offer the Sunday flier so much. Ease and speed of building, scale like appearance, room to practice airbrushing, satisfactory aerobatic performance (I don't like just going round and round!) and, above all, the ability to take the rough and tumble of everyday use. Regular readers will know that I have 'adapted' other peoples ideas in this field for a number of years (not the least, those of HC Quek - whose models left an indelible mark on my early modelling career! I wonder what happened to him and where he is now?)

Early days: From a very early start, the scale multi-engined model fascinated me, but I was always put off by the apparent difficulties involved. This was really brought home to me during my early visits to the Nats. Quite often one would see the most magnificent models, bristling with superb detail, yet flying (if the owners ever got more than one motor to run at a time) like veritable pigs!

Probably the biggest problem besetting these magnificent models was that the builders were scale fanatics, whose total efforts and skills went into the production of their master pieces. In other words, they were not practising flyers and therefore did not have the regular weekend flying practise needed to be conversant with control-line flying per-se! Furthermore, this enthusiasm for 'the real thing', blinded them to the fundamental design requirements for successful flight (like getting the centre of gravity in the right place!).

Spurred on by the feeling of compromise, I built my first C/L twin. Using two Oliver Tigers, for guaranteed first-flick starting and basing the design philosophy on the well proven Quek models, my first twins proved able performers and removed all of the hassles.

The addiction to this type of model has never waned (despite the fact that I fly all other disciplines these days!) and every now and then the urge to produce a new design gets the upper hand. Consequently I would like to present the Lockheed Lightning, a profile scale model for two PAW 1.49s.

Full-size facts: The Lightning was an unusual plane for many reasons. It was, for instance, the only American aircraft in production with the outbreak of the US hostilities, to still be in production when the war ended. It was the first modern US fighter equipped with a trike undercart; the first to use the Allison engine (often the cause of many problems); the first equipped with turbo-superchargers; the first in the 'above 400 mph' class; the first successful twin-boom design; the first single-seat, twin-engine interceptor fighter; the first US aircraft to use butt jointed, flush rivetted external surfaces; the first modern fighter to mount its guns close together, ahead of the pilot, thus bringing the total fire power to bear on any target within range; the first to make wide spread use of stainless steel; the first to be delivered overseas under its own power; and the first to feature a bubble canopy from the start!

In fact there were so many 'firsts' that it would not have been surprising if the P-38 had been a disaster borne out of over-reaching itself. But this was not so. Despite continuing engine trouble (many a thankful pilot owed his life to the fact that the 'one engine out' performance of the Lightning was sufficient to get him home!) the P-38 was a good aeroplane. Its long range and heavy fire power enabled it to be the ultimate escort fighter of the conflict, and it enjoyed a formidable reputation amongst enemy pilots. The Germans dubbed it Der Gabetschwanz Tenfal - the 'forked-tailed devil', whilst the Japanese pictogram represented 'two planes - one pilot'.

In model form the requirement was for a compact airframe of about one metre span (about the same as the original Quek model) utilising two motors left over from previous projects. It had to be strikingly obvious in profile, colourful in standard markings and, given a slightly stretched wing, capable of the basic round manoeuvres. (Flaps might have made it capable of squares, but as it was to be offered as a simple plan, it was elected to leave them off). Standard 'off the shelf parts were to be used wherever possible on the grounds of speed and simplicity of construction.

Accordingly a handful of timber was acquired, two Veron stunt tanks and a large sheet of drawing paper and almost overnight the Profile Scale Lightning was born. Several minor areas during the construction were felt to be less than excellent so these design points have been changed on the plan (the eagle eyed amongst you will soon pick them out).

Structurally, the Lightning raises no questions and should be within the capabilities of anyone who has built even the simplest control-line trainer. It does help, however, if it is built in the right order, for assembly in the 'wrong' order can be troublesome, if not impossible!

The wing: This is built first, up to the point of covering and doping. Construction uses 1/4 x 1/8 in hard balsa top and bottom spars, 1/2 x 3/4 in medium soft balsa leading edge and 1 x 1/16 in trailing edges (top and bottom). Wing ribs are all from 3/32 quarter grain except for the tip rib (1/8 sheet) and the ribs where the booms and cockpit pod fit - these are 3/8 sheet. The wing is built in two halves and the lower centre section sheet added. Now cut away the ribs where the dihedral brace fits, butt joining the wings with the 1/8in ply brace in position. Add the upper centre section sheet and sand all over..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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