Molt models parkflyer p-38 lighting Building Instructions

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Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Molt Models Background Design Philosophy

When I was first introduced to this hobby eighteen years ago I saw my first WWII warbird and I was hooked. Several years later when I began building radio controlled model airplanes on my own, I learned that along with the intriguing warbird looks came a plane that was usually difficult to fly. After a few disheartening attempts with some larger glow powered warbirds I thought about how great it would be if I could design a spirited yet forgiving warbird that could be flown in a space the size of a soccer field. At that time the level of technology was not advanced enough to make this a reality, but the developments in the last few years have made it possible and economical.

The Molt Models design philosophy is comprised of methods that enhance scale appearance and all around flight performance. The first thing you’ll notice about a Molt Models kit is that the majority of wood parts, illustrations and plans are CAD based. These items are derived from the same 3D modeling environment that the plane was designed in. My goal is to cut down on wordy instructions and use a more visual approach that will get you from kit to airborne in as little time as possible.

Molt Models Parkflyer P-38 Lightning

Thank you for purchasing the Molt Models Parkflyer P-38 Lightning. This kit represents a true first in parkflyer warbirds in that it possesses characteristics that make it both enjoyable to build and more importantly, fly. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your new Molt Models kit. Please visit us at www.moltmodels.com for updates and information on future kits.

Manual Revisions

Rev A - Figure 18 (wing tip measurement) 3-5/16” was 2-3/16” in “Wing Halves Joined” section

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Molt Models Parkflyer P-38 Lightning Specifications and Kit Requirements

The P-38 Lightning is a fully functional aileron, rudder, elevator, and throttle controlled aircraft (4 channel). You may build the P-38 Lightning to fly with aileron, elevator, and throttle only by gluing the rudders to the vertical stabilizers. If you decide to do this I would recommend that you leave the landing gear off as take off and landing on a hard surface will be difficult without a rudder. I also recommend leaving the landing gear off if you intend to fly on grass only. If you fly on a nice hard surface, the P-38 Lightning with all functions and landing gear is quite impressive. On the other hand I definitely do not recommend you attempt to fly the P-38 Lightning as a rudder, elevator, and throttle only model.

P-38 Lightning Specifications

Length: 26 in Wing Span: 38 in Wing Area: 216 in2 Flying Weight: 10.0 ~ 12.0 oz Wing Loading: 6.67 ~ 8.00 oz/ft2 Power System: GWS S1 IPS Functions: Aileron, Elevator, Rudder, & Throttle Battery Pack: 7.4V, 1200mAh or larger Lithium Polymer

Parts you will need to complete the P-38 Lightning kit:

• (2) GWS IPS (“S1” gearing) and manufacturer recommend propellers

• (1) 4 channel receiver

• (1) 10A Electronic Speed Control

• (3) Servos (Hitec HS-55 or GWS Pico/Naro)

(4 Channel)

• (2) 12” servo extensions

• (2) Female JST connectors

• (1) Male JST connector

• (1) Red wire, 20” long

• (1) Black wire, 20” long

• (1) Roll of Nelson Lite Film AKA Solite

covering

Supplies and tools you will need to complete the P-38 Lightning kit:

• Hobby knife and blades

• Stickpins

• Pliers

• 90-degree triangle

• Ruler

• Covering iron

• Fine tip ink pen

• Fine/medium sand paper

• 5-minute epoxy

• Thin CA glue and fine extension tip

• Wood glue

• Wax paper or plan protection plastic

• 3/4" trans p a rent tape

• Masking tape

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

General Model Building Tips and Orientation

First and foremost, this kit is NOT for the first time wood kit builder. Having said that, if you study the plans and instructions and get help from an experienced builder it’s quite possible to build a nice flying model from this kit. Lastly, keep in mind that this kit is a reasonably scale model of a real WWII airplane and consists of complex shapes. It WILL NOT build as easily as the typical box, slab sided laser cut kits that you may have built.

Please be sure to study the plan sheets and read through the following instructions before attempting to build your P-38 Lightning. Having a good idea of what to expect

as you progress will cut down on mistakes and allow you to better organize your project. Checkboxes have been provided in front of each step that allows you to easily keep track of your work.

Begin each building section by taping the corresponding plan sheet to your building surface; masking tape works great for this. Next cover the area of the plans you will be building over with plan protection plastic or wax paper. This will keep your plans from sticking to your model.

It is often necessary to pin parts of the model over the plan sheet as you progress through the build. In conjunction, it will be necessary to have a building surface/board that allow pins to stick into it with ease. I recommend using the smallest diameter “stick pins” you can find as larger diameter pins can split the wood. Appropriate sized pins are available in the craft and sewing section of most major discount stores.

Thin CA glue is suitable for almost a ll the build sections of this model. If another type of glue is necessary for a certain build section it will be recommended in that segment.

Standing behind the plane orients the left and right side of the model. The plans and building instructions refer to areas of the model in this manner.

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Build Section #1 – Boom Construction

The booms of the P-38 are constructed in two halves and then glued together to form a single boom. The boom building section of the plans refer to “Right Boom Components” and “Left Boom Components”. In add ition, both the Right and Left Boom Components consist of an “Outside Half” and an “Inside Half”. If you take care to build only one boom half from each of the four boom halves shown on the plan s you will not have to worry about building incorrect boom parts. To avoid making this mistake, mark off each boom half shown on the plans as “completed” when you finish them.

Outside Boom Half

 Pin boom keels K1, K4, and K6 over one of the outside boom halves shown on the plans and glue

adjacent edges.

 Glue the boom formers O1, O2, O4, O7, O8, O9, and O10 to K1, K4, and K6 making sure they are

perpendicular to the building surface. Be sure to orient each of the boom formers so that the notches that accept K8 are in a line as you site down the boom.

 Install, but DO NOT glue the boom formers O3, O5, and O6.

 Glue K8 into the notches of each of the boom formers O1, O2, O3, O4, O5, O6, and O7. Note that

K8 orients O3, O5, and O6 at proper angles that interface the wing. Finish by gluing O3, O5, and O6 to K1, K4, and K6.

Figure 1

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

 Glue B11 and B12 into the notches of K1, K6, and O10.  Glue pushrod exit P1 to B11 and O10.

Figure 2

 Glue 3/32” SQ. Balsa Stringers to the boom formers as shown in Figure 3 and the plans. Figure 3

illustrates important areas of the boom where stringers end.

 At this point the Outside Boom Half is complete and can be unpinned from the building board. Do

not be concerned if the boom half is a bit warped when it is removed from the building board, this will be corrected when the boom halves are glued together.

Figure 3

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Inside Boom Half

 Pin boom keels K2, K5, and K7 over one of the Inside Boom Halves shown on the plans and glue

adjacent edges.

 Glue the boom formers I1, I2, I4, I7, I8, I9, and I10 to K2, K5, and K7 making sure they are

perpendicular to the building surface. Be sure to orient each of the boom formers so that the notches that accept K9 are in a line as you site down the boom.

 Install, but DO NOT glue the boom formers I3, I5, and I6.

 Glue K9 into the notches of each of the boom formers I1, I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, and I7. Note that K9 orients

I3, I5, and I6 at proper angles that interface the wing. Finish by gluing I3, I5, and I6 to K2, K5, and K7.

Figure 4

 Glue B11 and B12 into the notches of K2, K7, and I10.

 Glue pushrod exit P2 to B11 and O10.  Glue K3 to K2, I4, and I5. K3 supports the landing gear.

Figure 5

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

 Glue 3/32” SQ. Balsa Stringers to the boom formers as shown in Figure 6 and the plans. Figure 6

illustrates important areas of the boom where stringers end.

 At this point the Inside Boom Half is complete and can be unpinned from the building board. Do

not be concerned if the boom half is a bit warped when it is removed from the building board, this will be corrected when the boom halves are glued together.

Figure 6

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Boom Halves Joined

 Glue the outside boom and inside boom halves together. Take care to insure the mating formers

I3/O3, I4/O4, I5/O5, I6/O6 are aligned and flush with each other. Be sure to glue each of the mating formers and keels. A longer, more precise tip on your CA glue bottle can help here.

Figure 7

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

 Find the 3/16” x 5/16” IPS mounting stick in the kit and cut it to the length shown in Figure 8.

 Using a pencil, place marks on the mounting stick as shown in Figure 8. Make sure the GW S IPS

gearbox will slide over the mounting stick as far as it will go before gluing it to the boom. The back of the gearbox should end up very close to the lin e d r awn at 15/16”.

 Remove the GWS IPS gearbox from the mounting stick and slide the mounting stick into the

rectangular holes in I2/O2 and I3/O3. The mounting stick should slide all the w ay in until the line drawn at 1-3/8” reaches the front of I2/O2. Glue the mounting stick to I2/O2 and I3/O3, be sure to flood the joints with thin CA to assure a good bond.

 Glue servo mount M1 to K8, K9, and I3/O3 as shown in Figure 8. Sand the boom to eliminate uneven

rough wood surfaces and excess dried glue. At this point the boom is complete.

Figure 8

At this point, one of the booms is complete. Build the other boom by starting at the beginning of the Boom Construction section of this manual. Note that this boom will be a mirror image of the previously constructed boom.

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Boom Covers

 Pin C8 and C9 over the “Left Boom Cover” shown on the plans. Make sure C8 and C9 are

perpendicular to the building surface.

 Glue C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 to C8 and C9 as illustrated in Figure 9.

 Glue the to p 3/32” SQ. Balsa Stringer, C6 and C7 to C1 through C5. Be sure to dry fit C6 and C7

before you begin gluing by pinning them to C1 through C5, starting at C5 and working your way forward. When you are satisfied with the fit of C6 and C7 glue them to C1 throug h C5. There will be some excess C6 and C7 material that protrudes out from C1, trim this off flush with C1 when the glue is dry.

 Glue the remaining 3/32” SQ. Balsa Stringers to C1 through C5, C6 and C7. The stringer that

interfaces with C7 will have to be cut at an angle to have a good fit.

 Unpin the boom cover and finish cutting the small sections of balsa that retain the airfoil shaped

bottom of C8 and C9.

 Build the “Right Boom Cover” shown on the plans in the same manner used to construct the “Left

Boom Cover”. Sand the boom covers to eliminate uneven rough wood surfaces and excess dried

glue. At this point the boom covers a re complete.

Figure 9

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Boom Cowlings

 Glue L1, L2, L3, and L4 together as shown in Figure 10 with wood glue.

 Sand the lamination of L1, L2, L3, and L4 to the final shape shown in Figure 10. The engraved dashed

line on L4 is a guide to aid in the sanding process.

 Build an identical boom cowling from the additional set of L1, L2, L3, and L4 formers. At this point the

boom cowlings are complete.

Figure 10

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

Build Section #2 – Fuselage Construction

The fuselage of the P-38 is constructed in two halves and then glued together to form the complete fuselage. The fuselage building section of the plans refer to “Right Fuselage Half” and “Left Fuselage

Half”.

Fuselage Halves

 Pin fuselage keels F11, F12, and nose gear former G1 over the “Left Fuselage Half” (“Right Fuselage

Half” when working through this section for the second time) shown on the plans and glue adjacent

edges.

 Glue fuselage formers F1, F2, F3, F4, F6, F7, F8, F9, and F10 to F11, F12, and G1 making sure they are

perpendicular to the building surface. Be sure to orient each of the fuselage formers so that the notches that accept F13 are in a line as you site down the fuselage.

 Install, but DO NOT glue the fuse former F5.

 Glue F13 into the notches of each of the fuselage formers F1 through F10. Note that F13 orients F5 at

the proper angle to interface the wing. Finish by gluing F5 to F11, F12, and F13.

 Glue servo mount M2 to F6, and F7 as shown in Figure 11. Note M2 is NOT installed in the “Right

Fuselage Half”.

 Install the rudder and steering servo wi th the mounting screws included with the servo. Note the

orientation shown in Figure 11. The servo arm should be trimmed/modified to an “L” shape; this matches the arm shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A

 Glue G2 and G3 to G1, F3, F4, and F11. When G2 and G3 are installed there should be a 1/16” gap

between them, which receives the nose gear assembly. Be sure to fit the 1/16” nose gear wire into the gap so it that rotates without excessive friction.

 Glue N1, N2, N3, and N4 to F1 and each other with wood glue.

 Construct the nose gear as shown in “Nose Gear Bending Template and Assembly” section of the

plans. Insert the nose gear assembly i nto the 1/16” gap between G2 and G3. The plastic 1/8" O.D. plastic tubing sections will ride on the top and bottom of G1, G2, and G3.

 Glue G4 to G2, G3, F3, and F4 to encapsulate the nose gear assembly. Be careful not to get glue on

any part of the nose gear assembly. The nose gear is now a permanent part of the left fuselage half and should rotate freely. Note the nose gear assembly will be tilted at an angle while it is pinned to the building surface.

 Drill a 1/16” DIA. hole through the ce nter of the 3/16” SQ. X 1/4" LG. Hardwood block and glue the

plywood nose gear arm to it as shown in Figure 12.

 Construct the Nose Gear Actuation Link that co n n e cts the nose g e a r as sembly to th e r u d der and

steering servo as shown in “Nose Gear Actuation Link” section of the plans.

 Insert the Nose Gear Actuation Link into the hole and slot of fuselage formers F3 and F4.

 Slide the Hardwood block/plywood nose gear Arm assembly onto the “Z” B end of the Nose Gear

Actuation Link as shown in Figure 12. Next, slide the Hardwood block/plywood Nose Gear Arm assembly onto the nose gear assembly so that it lines up flush with the end of the 1/16” wire. This is illustrated in Figure 12 and should be glued with 5-minute epoxy to ensure a strong bond. Once the stringers are installed it will be difficult to gain access to this area of the fuselage again.

Figure 12

Molt models parkflyer p-38 lighting Building Instructions

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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