From time to time, members post pics of various things they've worked on, so this is my entry. I've been building this P-38 Lightning since early May, and this weekend it takes it's maiden flight.



I've spent far too much time and money on this stupid thing, so to be perfectly honest I'm petrified about getting it in the air, but it was built to fly and I can't stand fully functional "display models". So, on Monday, I'll either be extremely relieved or pissed off beyond words.
Just some quick into for anyone interested: it's hand built from heavily modified plans, using balsa, light plywood and vacuformed styrene parts I made myself. The whole plane is sheeted with balsa and covered in fiberglass. It's electric and features retractable landing gear. The wingspan is 49.75" and it's flying weight is a little hefty at 61 oz. I'm estimating flight times of around 10 minutes with speeds of around 75 MPH. And yes... it has a pilot:



It's not completely finished, but I don't want to add all the details until I've flown it and made sure it doesn't need any major modifications. When it's done (assuming it survives it's maiden flight) it will feature all the decals and nose art of a real P-38 called "California Cutie"

So, wish me luck and feel free to abuse me for wasting my time and money on such a childish, pointless hobby!

Wow. That looks really awesome and like a lot of work!

Best of luck to you on its first flight!!

Cool. Post a pic when it's got the decals and nose art on.
Good luck on Monday mate.

looks great!!! send pics man, good luck!

What anfa said, 100%!

Great work - hope it flies as well as it looks.

I know I'm new around here but I can certainly appreciate the work you put into your plane. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for fair weather for you on Monday.

If it works, can you put a machine gun on it? And like strafe a neighbor's house? And video it?

Very cool Is this the first one you've built? I hope you have great weather on Monday. Good luck on your first flight, I bet you won't have any problems

Olive - No, I've built and flown a few other planes. This is my 42" P-51 Mustang:



The P-38 is the first I've built completely from plans, so it's taken a lot longer than usual. Also, because it's a twin engine, it was a bit more complicated.

Good Luck Ed...For your sake, Im really hoping it flies, and lands. We both know Nancers will be on you like flies on stink if it crashes...with her constant kackling and pictures of plane parts..

Let us know how it goes...

Very cool!! Break a leg!!

"feel free to abuse me for wasting my time and money on such a childish, pointless hobby!" You moron! You twat! You ignoramous nincompoop! Ok got that out of the way... Actually, I think it looks great, I love model and flyable planes, and this is one of my favorite aircraft in the world. Good luck,andplease do get it on video, I always love watching these things crash and burn, er, I mean, fly like it was a bird!

Gosh, I sure hope nothing happens to that plane before Monday!

You are such a GEEK!

Crash and burn, baybee...crash and burn....

Make sure that lil' guy inside wears a better helmet, lest he end up like you after your tricycle accident....

Seriously....GLUCK! May it fly successfully 3 times before crashing!

Gee, Nanc... thanks.

Seriously, I don't know which is worse: my stupid hobby or the foofy pink bow on your spiffy moderator tag.

BTW - I'll be flying it on Saturday or Sunday, weather permitting. I'll report back on Monday.