Here are the plans and
article for Charles Parrott's semi-scale Curtiss P-40 Warhawk control line
stunt model as they appeared in a 1963 issue of American Modeler
magazine. It sports a 38" wingspan and is powered by an inverted-mounted Fox
.35 Stunt engine fed by a modified Veco 3.5 ounce fuel tank. There was an
effort in the era to have competition stunt models resemble real-life
airplanes, even though exaggeration of fuselage, wing, and tail surfaces
were required to facilitate stunting. As is evidenced by today's top control
line stunt models, the fad gave way to structures designed specifically for
accommodating the needs of flight. Even full-size aircraft design moves in
that direction over time, where traditional features and methods give way to
modern technology and materials. Compare the look of a production composite
frame general aviation airplane from
Diamond Aircraft or Cirrus
Aircraft to the traditional
Cessna Aircraft or
Piper Aircraft to see what I mean.
Parrott ("parr" as in Jack; "rot" as in nonsense) and his latest
beauty; he did Ryan S-T last July. Hobby Helpers has plans.
Bottom view of the P-40.
Scale-Like Stunter - P-40 Curtiss Warhawk
By Charles W. Parrott
Here is one of the most beautiful control line stunt job to come from group promoting
"semi-scale" aerobatic "competition. For additional details see Musciano's strictly-scale"
P-40 project in '63 A.M. Annual
Who needs an introduction to that famous warbird, the Curtiss P-40? Much has
been written about the almost legendary exploits of Chennault's Flying Tigers in
the China Skies. Here a handful of Americans, equipped with the "sub-standard and
obsolete" P-40's struck fear in the hearts of the Imperial Japanese Airforce. The
P-40 has won for itself a unique niche in aviation history, and while it was not
the best fighter in World War Two, it is among the better known ones.
A crisp, clean cockpit with good details will help you collect
appearance points.
Built-up components of the P-40.
The idea for a scale-like stunt model of this famous plane is not original -
and there are kits of it already available on the hobby dealer's shelves. But none
offered me what I wanted: a model that looked like a P-40 yet had the ability to
stand up to the best of modem-day U-control stunters. The result is this offering
which will bow to none in stunt performance, and has few equals for eye appeal.
Our first version, while an excellent stunter, lacked a few refinements so important
in major competition. A second was drawn up and underwent many changes on the drawing
board before the first piece of balsa was cut. But it was worth it. The model shown
here has doubled our expectations.
First entered in competition at the 1962 Florida State Championships, it won
top place in Open Class stunt by a margin of over 100 points. Later at Jacksonville,
Fla., it was first with over 600 points on its second official. At the Rebel Rally
in Florida the powerplant blew a head gasket on the first official flight, but it
still flew off with second place, a few points behind Dave Hemstrought's PT-19.
Our Curtiss-like entry again captured a trophy at the all Dixie Air Championships
in Spartenburg, S. C.
It may come as a surprise, but the P-40, primarily a competition stunt model,
entered control line scale at the Rebel Rally and placed fourth in that event. To
the best of my knowledge, this 4th was a "first" in stunt annals since it won a
trophy designated for scale jobs!
The P-40 qualified for the Charleston Semi-Scale Stunt Team by consistently flying
official patterns of 500 points or better. This team has, in all contests entered
to date, placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd - not having a fourth member.
Since basic construction will be familiar to most, we will not overly concern
ourselves here with standard structure. But a few words of caution generally. Do
not deviate from the plans insofar as configuration and airframe are concerned.
Scale markings are optional with the builder, but we suggest the cockpit details
be duplicated. This will win you many points. As this is a good sized model, much
care should be used in the selection of balsa. We use Sig wood and ours was a standard
order, not hand picked. The finished P-40 weighed in at 46 oz. ready to fly, less
fuel.
Begin wing construction first. Ribs W-4 are cut from 1/8" plywood and drilled
out for landing gear wire before installing in wing. Form landing gear wire from
1/8" wire before wing is started. Build wing over plan, taking care to remove any
warps as they develop. Do not omit spar splices at center of wing or tip braces.
Be certain bellcrank platform is adequately braced and leadouts positioned as shown.
Land-ing gear wire is installed with "J" bolts before wing is planked.
Additional construction details appear on Hobby Helpers' plans.
Curtiss P-40 C/L Stunter Plans
Notice:
The AMA Plans Service offers a
full-size version of many of the plans show here at a very reasonable cost. They
will scale the plans any size for you. It is always best to buy printed plans because
my scanner versions often have distortions that can cause parts to fit poorly. Purchasing
plans also help to support the operation of the
Academy of Model Aeronautics - the #1
advocate for model aviation throughout the world. If the AMA no longer has this
plan on file, I will be glad to send you my higher resolution version.
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Model Airplane Plans.
Posted July 31, 2021
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