Molt models parkflyer p-38 lighting Instruction Manual

P
Pa ar rk kf fl ly ye er r
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P- -3 38 8 L Li ig gh ht tn ni in ng g

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A
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Molt Models Background Design Philosophy
When I was first introduced to this hobby eighteen years ago I saw my first WWII
warbird and I was hooked. Several years later when I began building radio controlled
model airplanes on my own, I learned that along with the intriguing warbird looks
came a plane that was usually difficult to fly. After a few disheartening attempts with
some larger glow powered warbirds I thought about how great it would be if I could
design a spirited yet forgiving warbird that could be flown in a space the size of a
soccer field. At that time the level of technology was not advanced enough to make
this a reality, but the developments in the last few years have made it possible and
economical.
The Molt Models design philosophy is comprised of methods that enhance scale
appearance and all around flight performance. The first thing you’ll notice about a
Molt Models kit is that the majority of wood parts, illustrations and plans are CAD
based. These items are derived from the same 3D modeling environment that the
plane was designed in. My goal is to cut down on wordy instructions and use a more
visual approach that will get you from kit to airborne in as little time as possible.
Molt Models Parkflyer P-38 Lightning
Thank you for purchasing the Molt Models Parkflyer P-38 Lightning. This kit represents a
true first in parkflyer warbirds in that it possesses characteristics that make it both
enjoyable to build and more importantly, fly. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your new
Molt Models kit. Please visit us at www.moltmodels.com for updates and information
on future kits.
Manual Revisions
Rev A - Figure 18 (wing tip measurement) 3-5/16” was 2-3/16” in “Wing Halves Joined” section

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A
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Molt Models Parkflyer P-38 Lightning Specifications and Kit Requirements
The P-38 Lightning is a fully functional aileron, rudder, elevator, and throttle controlled
aircraft (4 channel). You may build the P-38 Lightning to fly with aileron, elevator, and
throttle only by gluing the rudders to the vertical stabilizers. If you decide to do this I
would recommend that you leave the landing gear off as take off and landing on a
hard surface will be difficult without a rudder. I also recommend leaving the landing
gear off if you intend to fly on grass only. If you fly on a nice hard surface, the P-38
Lightning with all functions and landing gear is quite impressive. On the other hand I
definitely do not recommend you attempt to fly the P-38 Lightning as a rudder,
elevator, and throttle only model.
P-38 Lightning Specifications
Length: 26 in
Wing Span: 38 in
Wing Area: 216 in2
Flying Weight: 10.0 ~ 12.0 oz
Wing Loading: 6.67 ~ 8.00 oz/ft2
Power System: GWS S1 IPS
Functions: Aileron, Elevator, Rudder, & Throttle
Battery Pack: 7.4V, 1200mAh or larger Lithium Polymer
Parts you will need to complete the P-38
Lightning kit:
• (2) GWS IPS (“S1” gearing) and
manufacturer recommend propellers
• (1) 4 channel receiver
• (1) 10A Electronic Speed Control
• (3) Servos (Hitec HS-55 or GWS Pico/Naro)
(4 Channel)
• (2) 12” servo extensions
• (2) Female JST connectors
• (1) Male JST connector
• (1) Red wire, 20” long
• (1) Black wire, 20” long
• (1) Roll of Nelson Lite Film AKA Solite
covering
Supplies and tools you will need to complete
the P-38 Lightning kit:
• Hobby knife and blades
• Stickpins
• Pliers
• 90-degree triangle
• Ruler
• Covering iron
• Fine tip ink pen
• Fine/medium sand paper
• 5-minute epoxy
• Thin CA glue and fine extension tip
• Wood glue
• Wax paper or plan protection plastic
• 3/4" transparent tape
• Masking tape

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A
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General Model Building Tips and Orientation
First and foremost, this kit is NOT for the first time wood kit builder. Having said that, if
you study the plans and instructions and get help from an experienced builder it’s
quite possible to build a nice flying model from this kit. Lastly, keep in mind that this kit
is a reasonably scale model of a real WWII airplane and consists of complex shapes. It
WILL NOT build as easily as the typical box, slab sided laser cut kits that you may have
built.
Please be sure to study the plan sheets and read through the following instructions
before attempting to build your P-38 Lightning. Having a good idea of what to expect
as you progress will cut down on mistakes and allow you to better organize your
project. Checkboxes have been provided in front of each step that allows you to
easily keep track of your work.
Begin each building section by taping the corresponding plan sheet to your building
surface; masking tape works great for this. Next cover the area of the plans you will be
building over with plan protection plastic or wax paper. This will keep your plans from
sticking to your model.
It is often necessary to pin parts of the model over the plan sheet as you progress
through the build. In conjunction, it will be necessary to have a building
surface/board that allow pins to stick into it with ease. I recommend using the smallest
diameter “stick pins” you can find as larger diameter pins can split the wood.
Appropriate sized pins are available in the craft and sewing section of most major
discount stores.
Thin CA glue is suitable for almost all the build sections of this model. If another type of
glue is necessary for a certain build section it will be recommended in that segment.
Standing behind the plane orients the left and right side of the model. The plans and
building instructions refer to areas of the model in this manner.

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A
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Build Section #1 – Boom Construction
The booms of the P-38 are constructed in two halves and then glued together to form a single boom.
The boom building section of the plans refer to “Right Boom Components” and “Left Boom
Components”. In addition, both the Right and Left Boom Components consist of an “Outside Half” and
an “Inside Half”. If you take care to build only one boom half from each of the four boom halves shown
on the plans you will not have to worry about building incorrect boom parts. To avoid making this
mistake, mark off each boom half shown on the plans as “completed” when you finish them.
Outside Boom Half
 Pin boom keels K1, K4, and K6 over one of the outside boom halves shown on the plans and glue
adjacent edges.
 Glue the boom formers O1, O2, O4, O7, O8, O9, and O10 to K1, K4, and K6 making sure they are
perpendicular to the building surface. Be sure to orient each of the boom formers so that the
notches that accept K8 are in a line as you site down the boom.
 Install, but DO NOT glue the boom formers O3, O5, and O6.
 Glue K8 into the notches of each of the boom formers O1, O2, O3, O4, O5, O6, and O7. Note that
K8 orients O3, O5, and O6 at proper angles that interface the wing. Finish by gluing O3, O5, and O6
to K1,K4, and K6.
Figure 1

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 Glue B11 and B12 into the notches of K1, K6, and O10.
 Glue pushrod exit P1 to B11 and O10.
Figure 2
 Glue 3/32” SQ. Balsa Stringers to the boom formers as shown in Figure 3 and the plans. Figure 3
illustrates important areas of the boom where stringers end.
 At this point the Outside Boom Half is complete and can be unpinned from the building board. Do
not be concerned if the boom half is a bit warped when it is removed from the building board, this
will be corrected when the boom halves are glued together.
Figure 3

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Inside Boom Half
 Pin boom keels K2, K5, and K7 over one of the Inside Boom Halves shown on the plans and glue
adjacent edges.
 Glue the boom formers I1, I2, I4, I7, I8, I9, and I10 to K2, K5, and K7 making sure they are
perpendicular to the building surface. Be sure to orient each of the boom formers so that the
notches that accept K9 are in a line as you site down the boom.
 Install, but DO NOT glue the boom formers I3, I5, and I6.
 Glue K9 into the notches of each of the boom formers I1, I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, and I7. Note that K9 orients
I3, I5, and I6 at proper angles that interface the wing. Finish by gluing I3, I5, and I6 to K2, K5, and K7.
Figure 4
 Glue B11 and B12 into the notches of K2, K7, and I10.
 Glue pushrod exit P2 to B11 and O10.
 Glue K3 to K2, I4, and I5. K3 supports the landing gear.
Figure 5

Molt Models P-38 Building Instructions Rev A
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 Glue 3/32” SQ. Balsa Stringers to the boom formers as shown in Figure 6 and the plans. Figure 6
illustrates important areas of the boom where stringers end.
 At this point the Inside Boom Half is complete and can be unpinned from the building board. Do
not be concerned if the boom half is a bit warped when it is removed from the building board, this
will be corrected when the boom halves are glued together.
Figure 6

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Boom Halves Joined
 Glue the outside boom and inside boom halves together. Take care to insure the mating formers
I3/O3, I4/O4, I5/O5, I6/O6 are aligned and flush with each other. Be sure to glue each of the
mating formers and keels. A longer, more precise tip on your CA glue bottle can help here.
Figure 7

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 Find the 3/16” x 5/16” IPS mounting stick in the kit and cut it to the length shown in Figure 8.
 Using a pencil, place marks on the mounting stick as shown in Figure 8. Make sure the GWS IPS
gearbox will slide over the mounting stick as far as it will go before gluing it to the boom. The back
of the gearbox should end up very close to the line drawn at 15/16”.
 Remove the GWS IPS gearbox from the mounting stick and slide the mounting stick into the
rectangular holes in I2/O2 and I3/O3. The mounting stick should slide all the way in until the line
drawn at 1-3/8” reaches the front of I2/O2. Glue the mounting stick to I2/O2 and I3/O3, be sure to
flood the joints with thin CA to assure a good bond.
 Glue servo mount M1 to K8, K9, and I3/O3 as shown in Figure 8. Sand the boom to eliminate uneven
rough wood surfaces and excess dried glue. At this point the boom is complete.
Figure 8
At this point, one of the booms is complete. Build the other boom by starting at the
beginning of the Boom Construction section of this manual. Note that this boom will
be a mirror image of the previously constructed boom.