Royal B17 build
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Royal B17 build
I just started my build of a Royal 78"ws B17. I got the plans off ebay, took them to staples and got a couple copies made and also had them save them on a thumb drive just in case I need them later on or if someone wants a set. I talked to Alex from a-mmodels and he laser cut the kit for me, price, turn around and all that was excellent. I already have 4 OS FS 30 4 strokes, Cowls, radio equip and the canopies are on their way. I haven't yet decided on retracts or not or flaps, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do the flaps if I can find a good thread on here to guide me lol. I've already started the fuselage and will be posting pics when I can so if anyone has any experience with this I'd love to hear from ya...
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RE: Royal B17 build
Here's a little motivation for you. This is actually a fiberglass copy of the Royal B-17, built with electric motors. Weighs 12lbs, and flys very light and easy on the sticks. No flaps, and has Spring Air retracts.
Heres the build thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1417449 and the vid of my maiden flight this weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQvTB...ature=youtu.be
Heres the build thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1417449 and the vid of my maiden flight this weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQvTB...ature=youtu.be
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RE: Royal B17 build
TLH101, where did you get that from, I take it, it was an ARF? I like it, you wouldn't happen to know where to get scale size pilots and stuff for it would you?
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RE: Royal B17 build
It was an old Mey Tech kit. Have not been able to find any info on the kit. It was a direct splash from a Royal/Marutaka B-17. It was not even almost an ARF. Took all my years if building exeperience, and over a year to complete.
The models are 16th scale, so scale pilots & crew will be hard to come by. If you don't want a lot of detail, small plastic "army men" would pass. 4 1/4" tall would be about right size.
The models are 16th scale, so scale pilots & crew will be hard to come by. If you don't want a lot of detail, small plastic "army men" would pass. 4 1/4" tall would be about right size.
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RE: Royal B17 build
Ah that figures, I've been having a time of it myself trying to find stuff on the Royal Plans. I've gotten the instructions but they are so dark from people making copies so I've been using the plans themselves mostly. I need to find some retracts if I'm going to use them, which retracts did you use if you don't mind me asking since these are almost the same.
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RE: Royal B17 build
I used a set of Spring Air retracts with 5/32 wire struts and Robart strut covers. I mounted the plates for the gear at the correct angle for the down location and then put in stops to have then retract to the correct position. Since air holds them up, they can be stopped anywhere. If you get new retracts, 70 degrees is about the correct angle for a B-17. I have a 120" Wescraft that I will be using 70 degree Spring Air 400 series retracts in.
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RE: Royal B17 build
Ok this retract stuff messes me up lol, which kind (not name brand or mechanical) but actual type would I use on this. I had a set in my P51 that went up sideways but these would go forward wouldn't they. I would have done them like I did the the P51 but they were listed as options and with this I just got the plans so I'm lost.
#9
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RE: Royal B17 build
The Spring Air retracts that retract side ways for 90 or 85 degrees can be used to retract forward for your use. Just rotate the wheel and strut 90 degrees. I've done it myself. You probably do not need the full 90 or 85 degree retract angle as one of the posters mentioned. Dan.
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RE: Royal B17 build
Quick update guys n gals, work, wife, kid, army and school have had me busy lately but I did get some done to the B17. Here are a couple pics of what I've gotten done so far, more to come soon. I got the fuselage almost done along with the wing, using water to bend the sheeting has worked out good so far and I haven't seen any warping yet. I'm still waiting for the cockpit kit and canopy set to get here, hopefully they will make it through customs sometime before I die but until then I start on hooking the linkages up for the servos and stuff. Quick question for you guys, should I go ahead and use the bellcranks or servos, I do plan on doing flaps on it. I'm mainly worried because so far all the micro servos I've looked at don't have the same power as the regular servos and that kind of scares me, I'd hate to build this then crash it because of that lol.
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RE: Royal B17 build
Hi!
Keep the weight down and you will have a nice flying four engined bomber.
I have scale props (Hamilton standard) 10x4,5) suitable for the OS FS .30. Props are made in carbon fiber and made for flying. Made those for my Marutaka DC-3.
Keep the weight down and you will have a nice flying four engined bomber.
I have scale props (Hamilton standard) 10x4,5) suitable for the OS FS .30. Props are made in carbon fiber and made for flying. Made those for my Marutaka DC-3.
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RE: Royal B17 build
I used HiTec HS-85s on each of the ailerons and and one each on the elevator halves. Being electric, I don't have have the vibration issues, so I don't know if they will work for you.
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RE: Royal B17 build
2xHS-85MG will have much more power than the single standard servo listed on the plans from 30 years ago running through bell cranks. Make two hatches under the wing with short straight linkages. I used these servos on my Royal B-25 for ailerons.
#17
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Interesting no posts in 4 years, did you ever get your B-17 flying? I have three Royals, one in the Box, one built, and one enlarged 150% and it is about 80% complete. my standard size built model needs to be fitted with retracts and flaps as the original Builder didn't do that.
I want to go with century jet retracts, bit after reading about how long people hsve waited i might just make my own! I am a machinist after all and have a background in computer aided design. Anyways my choice of motors are the OS 20 four stroke I have 4 that I bought on eBay and I have rebuild kits for each as well as a hobbico compression gauge.
I want to go with century jet retracts, bit after reading about how long people hsve waited i might just make my own! I am a machinist after all and have a background in computer aided design. Anyways my choice of motors are the OS 20 four stroke I have 4 that I bought on eBay and I have rebuild kits for each as well as a hobbico compression gauge.
Last edited by I-fly-any-and-all; 09-17-2016 at 11:00 PM.
#18
Progress on Royal B-17
I just now found this old post. How did I miss this one?
. It was at the same time as my Royal B-17 build.
. Mine is going to be back on the bench soon.
. It would nice to see this one resurrected as well.
. It was at the same time as my Royal B-17 build.
. Mine is going to be back on the bench soon.
. It would nice to see this one resurrected as well.
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chas80 (02-04-2021)
#22
Royal B-17
They usually trend around the $400 mark.
But honestly that is what they tend to sell for just about everywhere that I have seen them.
If you can pull your own Canopy's, you might consider buying a short kit from ebay.
those are selling for around $150.
Fiberglass specialties still sells the cowlings.
I recently bought a set from them.
The short kit comes with the plans and manual.
#24
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Do you mean the paper sheet with the instrument gauges? I can get you a digital scan of the image and share it for you to print.
also I run the royal group on Facebook give us a look
https://m.facebook.com/groups/170232...ibextid=CTbP7E
also I run the royal group on Facebook give us a look
https://m.facebook.com/groups/170232...ibextid=CTbP7E