Rudivdk

Great little build. At least you have your plan B ready

Thanks! Let's hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew... Creating the bodywork itself will not be that hard (hardly any angled pieces, pretty straight forward actually) but making it solid structurally and adding all functions will be a challenge. Although the plane is huge, I only have 3x 7wide fuselage parts to put all controls and functions in... Guess I will have to use the additional room of the center wing parts as well for that. At least I now have my size limits set, so I know what I have to work with

Today I was playing around in LDCad a bit to get a feel for size and shape, and I ended up with this. It's HUGE (101x77 studs), but I like it so much that I will continue on this shape, so I've changed my topic name to go with it as well.

Judging by all the responses, I will have to keep the tri-yoke . Guess I will have to find a way to make it more compact then. Thanx all for positive feedback!

Even by not taking the challenge of putting controls inside the cockpit this plane is large... Looking good though, seems you have your sizelimits layed out, that is a good driver for fitting everything in a defined space.

Thanks, I was pretty surprised to get it working so quickly, but I'm also quite happy with it. These parts are not the full 8mm unit width, so there is some room to move around. It is not a lot, but with some unequal linkages I can increase the amount of movement towards the actual control surface. Yep, maybe I have to let go of the Saab thing and go for a smaller type of plane. Still haven't decided if I want to go panel style or classic frame style. I'll finish the controls first and see where it gets me...

So here are some WIP pics of the build. Sofar I have created the 3-axis control stick with all linkages, and added some forward/reverse gearboxes with control rods on the sides of it. It will be a crowded cockpit... At the moment I feel that this whole setup is slightly to big, blowing the total plane to huge scale, so I might revert to a more compact 2-axis control stick and add foot pedals for the 3rd function. Pedals is of course closer to real plane controls after all... I will work on a concept for that tonight, see how small I can get that. From the top: Bottom: "Bare" structure:

I get your point, you're right. It is not my intention to reserve this (or any) idea, actually I would like to see other contestants building a similar concept to be able to compare and discuss on solutions for specific challenges. Guess I am just too exited about this contest and couldn't wait a few hours to get the pictures before I started my entry topic...

@Jurss Will be home from work in about 6hours from now, so WIP pictures will be taken and posted after that.

WHITE LIGHTNIN' Instructions on Rebrickable Lockheed Martin P-38 Lightning When the design started in 1937, the twin-boomed P-38 was to be the most innovative plane of its day. On its official introduction in 1940, it found itself amongst the best performing fighters in the world. Its versatility and ruggedness became legendary. Before the end of WW2, it had been nicknamed "fork-tailed devil" by the Germans and for good reason. It was arguably the best fighter plane in the WW2 skies, making short work of it's opponents: in the air, on the ground and in the waters. The Lightning’s legacy is unmatched, a total of more than 10,000 P-38s were manufactured. One specific example of this beautiful airplane was the 1944 manufactured P­38L­5LD (SN #44‑53254), known as White Lightnin', which was seen at many airshows in the period after WW II. This specific version is the inspiration for my TC15 contest Entry. (sources: lockheedmartin.com wikipedia.org p38assn.org) The build features: Characteristic twin-boom body Center nacelle with cockpit, holding a PF Lithium Battery White colorscheme with red details, mimicing real White Lightnin' PF powered twin propellers (counter rotating) Propeller blade pitch control Opening canopy giving access to the cockpit with: Tri-axis yoke controlling ailerons, elevator and twin rudders Up/down switch controlling PF powered flaps Up/down switch controlling PF powered landing gear Video: More pictures: Even more pics to be seen on my bricksafe page. ============================================ Original first post starts below here: See post below for WIP pics My entry for this contest will focus on realistic controls. I have started working on a control stick which has 3 axis movement (and got it working already), to control ailerons, elevator and rudder. Plan B would be paddle control for rudder. Furthermore I want to include a lever for flaps and a lever for landinggear all inside the cockpit (powered by PF). No HoG this time. Maybe I'll put in blade pitch as well, and/or folding wings. My design will be loosely inspired by Saab 21 pusher prop plane.

Looks good already. I think I get how you did the blade pitch, very neat and compact solution! Good luck!

Nice compact setup! Will keep an eye on this one. Good luck!

Nice idea with the colorcoding. Good start, best of luck!

Oh yes, this will be epic . Good luck!

All these grey area concepts and questions confuse me, I'll just build an airplane...

Not so much a bad argument, just different opinion. Let's hope 2h brings some more functional sets, then TLG has (again) pleased everybody with a complete and diverse line-up.

This looks like a real challenge. Concept seems sound enough, but I wonder if you can get everything formlocked and without slack to prevent misallignment. This will keep you busy allright

Well, with the turning radius of the average Technic model, you either have a BIG table or only very small sets. But I agree, there is more challenge and fun in putting a lot of functions in smaller scale

I don't think it can. Because the entire rear is at an angle it is connected to the chassis on only a few places, which might make it look like a hinge. But I bet the entire rear + doors is fixed at this angle and not openable. Haven't seen the rear of the hotrod, but I doubt the b model has more functions than a model

My guess on the yellow: probably a 2long beam used to create the incline on the rear bodywork. 2long beams are often seen in weird colors compared to a sets general color...

Was thinking the exact same things... I do not intend to make this into a wish topic (we already have that on the forum), but I'm looking forward to 2H already...

Probably just empty, to fit the stretcher

That's the part I meant actually, wasn't aware the part already existed in white. Guess I got carried away, didn't check beforehand... Edit: still pretty rare though, 3 sets so far, only 1 technic

And it looks like axle-hole with-1l-axle-connector in white on the landing gear

Dang, this thing is epic! The face reminds me of Robin, an annoying little robot from a Dutch tv-series for kids (it's called Bassie&Adriaan, if you're interested...).