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Welcome! For the
last few years, I've been designing my own plans to
build a scale B25 Mitchell
bomber. The design was completed using SolidWorks, a 3D
modeling program, and WinFoil. Construction
of the first prototype began on Sunday, March 6, 2005.
First flight took place on August 11, 2007.
Click on the links to the left to view the different
sections of the construction. As soon as the prototype
is completed, and corrections made to the design, plans
will be available for purchase. The completed plans will
be available on paper or on CD-ROM, .dwg format,
so you can send
them out for laser cutting.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to
contact me at
info@tomsplanes.com
Latest Site Update:
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July
9, 2008 |
After
breaking the nose wheel again, the decision was
made to rebuild the tail section, using lighter
materials. The original section was built
with "lots" of lite-ply. The new section
was built with balsa, basswood,
and 1/64" aircraft ply for sheeting. Also,
the rudder server was moved forward toward
center, where the elevator servo's are located.
The nose weight is now down to 1 lb ! If
you remember, the original flight
had a 2.5 lb nose weight ...
The rebuild and painting was completed the night
before the Sky Ranch Flyers 2008
remote-controlled Air Show in West Bend, WI.
Despite 18 mph winds, Tom took it to the sky for
it's "newest" maiden voyage. On the 8th
lap around the field, he noticed it handling
unusual, and brought it in for a perfect
landing, only to find the port elevator bolt had
come loose from the control horn.
Tom stated "it was Jesus that landed that plane,
not me!"
Click here for picture of Precious Patty's
flight at the Sky Ranch!
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June
19, 2008 |
Several test flights have been completed.
It was decided to remove
the TwinSync as it was causing issues. The
remaining test flights
went without incident. Take-offs were done
with half-flaps, as well as landings. The
plane is a fast flyer, and getting it to slow
down enough for a landing took several passes to
figure out a solution.
A MPI
deluxe onboard glow plug system was installed,
using the same battery setup, but wiring them in
parallel. Both batteries were needed
to provide juice to the engines for startup, and
then one was shut off before flight.
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May
12, 2008 |
A few
items to update:
1. Plans will be available soon -
hang tight. They will not be in color
as the printout/drawings were not as clear as I
would like them.
So, it's back to black and white.
2. The glow plug wiring was replaced with
20 gauge stranded wire
and the glow plug batteries were replaced with 5000ma
NiMH.
With good flying weather here in Wisconsin,
Precious Patty re-visited
the Sky Ranch Flyers field on Tuesday, May 6th
for engine testing, which was halted after just
a few minutes because of a fractured
engine mount! Repairs were made over the
weekend, and the bird
should return to the field tomorrow.
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"Precious Patty" lands at the Sky Ranch Flyers field
during their 2008 remote-controlled
Air Show. Despite 18 mph winds, and a port elevator
that disconnected during flight,
she landed perfectly! |
