P-39 Airacobra
Paul's new construction project is a P-39 Airacobra.
Currently, he is working on the canopy.
October 22, 2011
"I spent most of today figuring out the linkage for the secondary landing gear doors on my P-39. The doors are spring loaded to the open position and will be closed when the main gear moves a bell crank as it retracts. The hinges I used leave quite a gap. Anybody know of a flexible material I could use to cover the gap? I made a mock up so I could work out the linkage. Tomorrow it's the main doors."
November 14, 2011
"Here is another installment on the Airacobra. I got the motor mount built and the cowling mounted. I'm starting to run out of big things to do. Soon as I get my canopy mounted it will be time to paint. Chris Strausbourg completed my jacket, so you can see which color scheme I went with. I've received the vinyl markings from Norman Berger; this is going to be a nice airplane"
November 30, 2011
"I got the landing gear installed and finally figured out the sequencing valve. The biggest problem I have now is the main gear secondary gear doors close about 25 seconds after the gear in in the well. I can't seem to reduce that time. The nose gear doors are mechanical and closed by the gear. Next is to remove everything, paint the interior parts and install & align the the mains. Once everything is in its final position I can build and install the gear doors."
January 16, 2012
"Well I'm back on the P-39 again. I finally got the wing installed. This plane is huge. Next I'll cycle the gear and finish the control installation then get started on the canopy frame and canopy."
"Well the gear worked as planed. The flaps not so much. I seem to have one bad servo; easy fix. I'm still surprised at the size of this thing"
