We're all about epic builds - anyone remember the Star Destroyer Flite Test episode? I personally am also rather a big fan of warbirds. It's no surprise, therefore, that I've been following this particular 1/4 scale P-40 Warhawk project from Wilmracer for quite a while now. For anyone unfamiliar with it, here's the story.
The Build
The project was started way back in 2014. This P-40 was actually a built with a kit by Parkflyer Plastics who create foam constructed models. It's all put together around a rig that lines up each former of the fuselage.
The spaces between were skinned, filled and sanded smooth. It's a pretty quick build technique for this 1/4 airplane.
Hatches were cut and details added before fiberglassing commenced. By the way, just so you're aware, you can read through the entire build thread over on the Flite Test Forums.
By Flite Fest 2015, the aircraft was pretty much done, even including a pilot figure!
Disaster
In 2016, the giant model was finally ready for its first flight. Taking it out to his local flying field, Wilmracer wheeled the P-40 into position and throttled up. Seconds to impact (pictured below), the large foam Warhawk speeds down the runway and begins to swerve.
Heartbreak for the team as the P-40 hits a ground station fence and breaks up.
It looks like it's game over.
Success at last
Fast forwarding to a few weeks ago in 2018, after a long rebuild, the P-40 was once again wheeled out onto a grass airstrip. I can't even imagine the nerves present at this moment! Here's the re-maiden.
For the first time in four years, the weight of the aircraft gradually decreases until, in a fleeting moment, the wheels lift and it's away! A fantastic achievement.
The 1/4 scale model has a great presence in the air, just like the real thing.
A heartstopping moment when the giant warbird stalled at low level narrowly missing bordering trees. Miraculously, it recovered and continued to fly!
My reaction:
To have gone from that unfortunate crash in 2016 all the way to this moment of touch down, it's something that deserves a great deal of respect.
What a brilliant achievement, one with much cause for celebration!
Here's an edit of the various flights at SEFF.
What a great project. Hats off to Wilmracer for sticking with it and bringing this bird back to life! Make sure you head on over to his YouTube channel for more awesome builds and projects just like the P-40. There's lots of great stuff there.
Article by James Whomsley
Editor of FliteTest.com
www.youtube.com/projectairaviation
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Thanks again!
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