replica P-40N

Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:16 pm

Years ago I remember reading a Kitplanes writeup on a replica P-40N built from Jurca plans. If I remember correct, the owners name was Russ Monaugh (sp?) and the aircraft was based at Chino. Anyone here know if this aircraft was or is flying and have pictures of it?

Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:09 am

Russ Moynagh flew the aircraft once and basically made an emergency landing due to overheating. He later sold the plane and it caught fire shortly thereafter during a ground run at Chino and burned up. As far as I know it only made that one short flight.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=43AA

Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:17 pm

interesting, do you know if there were there other aircraft issues beside the overheating that kept him from flying it again?

Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:56 pm

I believe that Russ had some health problems.

Sure was a nice looking plane. One of the reasons it took him so long to get to even the first flight was because of engine problems. He said the engine core he bought had been misrepresented.

I also recall some issues with the landing gear actuators not having sufficient capacity. He had to put in larger actuators.

I don't think that there was any problem with the way the airplane handled or flew. He said that he had flown in Frank Tallman's dual control P-40 and that it flew quite similarly to that.

These are all memories from around 1992, so things are a bit fuzzy!

Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:58 pm

interesting, thank you for the information! I can believe it was a nice looking aircraft, I was very impressed by the magazine pictures. One reason for my curiosity is I'd like to start a long term project with my boys and this replica has always been in the back of my mind. However other than this one I know of no other P-40 built from Jurca plans that is flying (and not even this one i guess). It would be nice to talk with someone who has built / flown one of these so maybe there is another out there somewhere?

Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:18 pm

I don't think there is any problem with the basic airframe. There are lots of Jurca aircraft flying and he did a lot of stress analysis work to show the designs good to the French authorities.

The big downside to all of these replicas is the reliability of the auto based engine conversions and the reduction drives.

You might consider the supercharged Walter Minor (Avia M337 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avia_M_337- up to 252 HP) or the Ranger which are both inverted aircooled sixes intended for aircraft.

Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:48 pm

It's not really a replica, but I've always thought the Prowler Jaguar would be a cool aircraft to build. They are becoming more active again and there are a few flying and a few more in the works.

Check out their website: http://www.prowleraviation.com/index.html

Fri May 01, 2009 12:41 am

Could you get the Falconer V12 in a Jurca P-40? Is it stressed for that much HP?

Thu May 07, 2009 10:55 pm

acropilot wrote:It's not really a replica, but I've always thought the Prowler Jaguar would be a cool aircraft to build. They are becoming more active again and there are a few flying and a few more in the works.

Check out their website: http://www.prowleraviation.com/index.html

Oh, man, I've wondered for years what happened to the Prowler. That was one cool aircraft! Thanks for posting the info!

Sat May 09, 2009 10:33 am

We have a prowler here at Paine field. It is awesome! IIRC it has a super charged LS-1 Corvette motor. It has a very distinct wicked sound. The sheet metal work is perfect.

Sun May 10, 2009 1:39 am

262crew wrote:We have a prowler here at Paine field. It is awesome! IIRC it has a super charged LS-1 Corvette motor. It has a very distinct wicked sound. The sheet metal work is perfect.

Any photos?

Mon May 11, 2009 9:20 pm

AviaS199 wrote:
262crew wrote:We have a prowler here at Paine field. It is awesome! IIRC it has a super charged LS-1 Corvette motor. It has a very distinct wicked sound. The sheet metal work is perfect.

Any photos?

I wish I had pictures! Perhaps it will be flying more this summer?!?

Wed May 20, 2009 6:40 pm

Legendsofaces.com should have the P-40 plans available again soon. Much badgering by myself and others has finally gotten the Jurca 1:1 scale warbirds plans back into circulation (OK so I just waved money at them until they got with it....

)

Wed May 20, 2009 10:25 pm

will the plans be reprints of the originals or are they improved in certain areas? for example i've heard the landing gear design (jurca's) of the P-40 is somewhat hard to follow.

Thu May 21, 2009 5:20 am

What I got for the FW 190 looks like the originals. It all looks hard to follow! These plans are pre-computer hand drawn stuff. Be warned, these are not "model kit " instructions, I'm guessing it is going to take a fair amount of interpretation and head scratching to make things work. Looking at the build pics of Andrew Keenan's spit on the legends website has been extremely informative, all the Jurca planes follow the tube fuselage/wood wing formula.
If you do buy the plans let me know, I am thinking of getting a Jurca builders group together to share info, tips, parts sources etc. etc.
As for the gear I would look into reverse engineering P40 gear when it got to that point. the way the gear comes back and pivots, why reinvent the wheel?(pardon the pun)!