Curtiss P-40B/C Warhawk 800mm

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter, and ground-attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational service. The Warhawk was used by most Allied powers during World War II and remained in frontline service until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter of World War.

This 800mm wingspan rendition is aimed at the BR2208/A2208 with 1400Kv or 1800Kv and designed to be printed in PLA/PLA+/PETG for key, like the motor mount, spinner, exhaust stacks, propeller hub/spinner. and LW-PLA for the rest aiming for a light overall airframe. The design has carefully planned internal structures for LW-PLA slicing resulting in clean parts with minimal oozing. The Factory files provided for Simplify3D allow you to quickly print clean parts.

The prototype is being assembled and waiting for the harsh Canadian winter to gently go away. Price is reduced to allow eager builders to benefit from the building season to get a head start here.

Included with this file:

·        Factory files for Simplify3D
·        Valid STL files for all components
·        Assembly manual and user guide
·        Sample markings

UPDATES:
2022-08-15: Corrected PLA factory file and new tighter spinner.

INSTRUCTIONS

FLIGHT VIDEO:
1st flight: https://youtu.be/BQBP9E2YYsI
Better footage later that same day: https://youtu.be/ZRqkSXhPv-E

Print time: 85hrs
Print weight: 330g
RTF AUW: 560g with 4x9g servos, 2208 1400Kv, 3S 1000mAh.

REQUIRED COMPONENTS:
X1 BR2208/A2208 1400/1800Kv Motor (or similar)
X1 30AMP ESC
X1 1000-1300MAH 3S LIPO
X3 9G Micro Servo (X4 if installing working rudder)
X1 4ch+ Micro Receiver (5ch+ if installing working rudder)
X1 3mm carbon rod (2x 250mm wing joiners)
X1 2mm carbon rod/round toothpicks (2x125mm stab joiners)
X5 1.5mm carbon rod (5x500mm as fuselage stiffeners)
X1 1mm Music Wire (all pushrods and elevator torque rods)
X4 6x2mm Magnets (cylinder shape)
X4 M3x10mm screws and nuts (fix the motor mount to firewall)
CA Hinge Sheet
Velcro (sticky back, to retain the flight battery)
Some extra 1.75mm PLA filament (locating pins)

OPTIONS

-       Parts are provided to install a functional rudder

PRINT VOLUME:
200x200x210
Best to print 1 part at a time, especially for LW-PLA for optimum print quality and no oozing.

Provided Factory files are tuned for Direct Drive Cartesian printers with geared extruders and auto-leveling. Bowden equipped printers have typically more lag due to the added friction inside the Bowden tube, and you need to reduce retraction with LW-PLA to minimize oozing and clogging at the nozzle. It is expected that the builder will adjust the parameters to fit his/her printer.

For any questions and assistance please use the RC-Group thread:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4036507-Curtiss-P-40-Warhawk-600-800mm-LW-PLA-%28L3D%29

PARTS LINKS

X1 A2208 1400KV Brushless Out-Runner Motor (or suitable replacement)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003054979466.html

X1 30AMP ESC
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32837096944.html

X1 1300MAH 3S LIPO
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001094910291.html

X3/4 9G Micro Servo
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000903734519.html

X1 Micro Receiver
Low cost 6ch DSM2 compatible receiver:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000117739388.html

X2 3mm carbon rod (wing spars)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000600108806.html

X1 2mm carbon rod (preferred, stab half joiners)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000600108806.html

X5 1.5mm carbon rod (preferred, stab half joiners)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000600108806.html

X4 6x2mm Magnets (cylinder shape)
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005002408460344.html

CA Hinge Sheet
https://www.banggood.com/RJXHOBBY-CA-Hinge-Sheet-180mmx140mmx0_3mm-Maintenance-Board-Repairing-Tool-p-1239531.html

VELCRO – (local hardware store)
Velcro strip with adhesive back to secure the flight battery

M3 x10mm screws
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32886362293.html

3D PRINTING

LW-PLA parts

·        print head = 250 deg c
·        print bed = 60 deg c

My designs are always evolving - seeking better techniques, flight testing and listening to feedback from builders. This design leverages a very light fuselage concept using 5 lengths of 1.5mm carbon rods (or even 1.75mm PLA filaments for a light and low cost solution) to reunite the fuselage sections together.

With the carefully design inner structures, there is no need to activate the Vase Mode in Simplify3D; the design along with judicious positioning and slicer settings will give you clean parts with minimal oozing – as long as you print 1 part at a time.