Paul Johnson 4

Put a picture of the part up so I can see which item you are referring to please..

Yes

Jonathan, You can easily extend your flight time out to 6.5 minutes I usually have around 45% to 50% left on the battery, running your battery lower will shorten its life quicker. You also want some reserves for the unexpected. The best resource for cad help is youtube.com, but it is a steep learning curve but worth it.

Jonathan The zip tie mod was designed for the standard 540KV motor. You shouldn't need it for the 580kv preditor motor. I get a 6.5min flight times with a 4AHR battery. If you have a watt meter see what amps you are pulling stationary. The Preditor has a max of 56A but you certainly don't want to be pulling that for more than a couple of seconds. Look into this before trying to mod it. I have the zip tie mod on my fms p51 540kv and my flight times have dropped from 9 mins to 5.5 mins. If you want to look into part design you need a good source of accurate drawings which you need to scale to the size of your model.

The bearings have arrived the wheels will be going onto Richards Website in about a week.. These are going to Richard for someone who has the Hurricane kit. These have a 5mm axle.

Oh and as I spent 7 years in Aus as a kid it give me a little artistic license 🙃

Ron, the picture you posted is interesting as it's an early 5 spoke wheel with a later ribbed tread. The best bit I found when trying to find out what pattern was used with what hub it turned out there were quite a few Spitfires with odd tyres fitted. Depending on what was available at the time of replacement.

There's a reason for that..... how many times when trying to read pressures etc on your car tyres have you had to swivel your head 180° to read it?

Just waiting for the oilite bearings to turn up.

Although this is the tyre for the Hurricane I've nailed the way to get tread patterns, I've used a block pattern this time. This has been printing for 6hrs and is at 50%

Just a quick update on the wheels, specifically the Mustang, one step back.... Birds nest soup anyone? (I wouldn't it's a bit rubbery) The print had come off the bed so it did it's own thing! I was trying a print to get a diamond pattern for the tyre but even on the piece that had printed wasn't very good. So... back to the CAD and after a lot of thought and re-design tried again. Now THAT'S looking better. Also solved the print release issue as well so now it stays put. The finished print and fit on the hubs. Also managed to find out how to add the text to the surface. These wheels are going on my P51 and decided to use up the last of the bearings as my wire legs are definitely 4mm exact. All the future wheels will have Oilite bearings in. As My model is the Berlin Express I just had to paint the white walls and red hubs. Fitted to my Mustang. I am currently working on the Hurricane wheels and Tyres will keep you informed, if your interested of course?

Morning All, As some of you are aware (Spitfire Thread) I have been working on 3D printed wheels and tyres. No doubt as most of you have found what is available commercially is always a make do and mend or 'Meehh that's close enough'. With all the effort I put into making my models look as good as I can, I have always not been happy with the wheels. The Spitfire wheels have turned out well, anyway I think they're good, so... After some discussion with Richard we are looking to try a range of wheels/tyres specifically for his models and will be available from his website. These will be made to order once all the designs are complete, Please be aware that 3D printing, especially the tyres, is a long process due to the printing requirements of the material used. To give you an idea a set of hubs 5 hrs, but a 2.75" tyre takes 9 1/2 hrs and a 3" tyre 12 1/2 hrs.... each! And that is if there is no print problems. I will try my best to get the design as close to the real item but will have to allow for the strength and integrity of the printed hub and wheel. The hubs will have oil-lite bearing inserts. To start with we discussed a set for the following of his kits, Spitfire 2.75" (complete), Mustang 2.75" and Hurricane 3" Once all is ready I'll let you know when it's on his website. An example of why I started this. I have a VQ models Hellcat 61" Which I like but wheels... see for yourself. Original supplied tyre and wheel. Not happy with them so tried the Hobby*ing 3" 'scale' wheels. Better but still Meehhh. So Roll out (excuse the pun) my design taken from drawings of the Hellcat.

I hope we haven't started a rubber fetish....

Yup

I tried neoprene and found it too soft. The original issue was with my Hellcat (8lbs) which has twistnturn retracts fitted and has damaged countless die-cast trunnions until I used the 6mm silicone sheet. I have since used it on all my models, obviously it won't help a 90° landing approach 😉

link

I'll have you know its 6'4" old chap.... every inch counts 😜 I use 6mm silicone rubber sheet cut into two strips with clearance holes for the screws. Just nip the screws till they just start to compress the silicone.... works a treat.

I can do if people are Interested.

As Richard has mentioned I have been tinkering with other 'bits' other than the scale wheels. Richard some time ago mentioned that a company used to produce wrap around plastic legs for their models. So I suggested that we could try the idea. Well it expanded some what, and these are the result of that chat. Fishtail exhausts, fuel filler cap (saves on pens being cut up 😉) wheel caps for the original light foam wheels supplied in the kit, trim covers for the rudder and elevator, wrap around legs, U/C doors and cockpit panel. The holes in the door is for cable ties which I originally used for my model with oleos, you can glue the doors directly onto the legs should you choose. All printed from PET-G so being in the sun is no issue and can be easily super glued together. The doors would need to be lengthened to go over the coil if using the piano wire legs. 'Triggers Broom' was used as a demo platform to give you the idea. If you want to know more about 'Triggers Broom' It's an old model of Richards which only Richard knows the count of how many wings and fuselages it's had!! Also there was no room in the boot when he moved.... As currently fitted to mine for the new wheel trials..

Come on Richard, be honest, none of us ever grow up 😜

Gordon he might just have a spare Spitfire kit...

Well done Gordon I bet your grin was ear to ear

Can I ask those interested in a set PM me I know Eric wants one and leccyflyer as it's a low count so far £15 + £3 p&p might cover materials.

Checked out the bushes Ron and price wise about the same as ball bearings but still the same problem of size I could get a 4.1mm reamer to open them up. At least that's a possibility.