Due to its steady winds, strong lift, and generous grass landing areas, we see some impressive slope gliders on the the slopes over Wilson Lake in Lucas, Kansas. Phil flew his Neptune a couple days before the 19th annual Midwest Slope Challenge in May 2012. Phil saw the prototype airplane in action near his home in Boulder, Colorado and so he decided to build a “slurry bomber” as a tribute to those who fought the Four Mile Canyon Fire in 2010.
I had a chance to Chat with Phil about his Neptune and here’s the story. (photo and text by David Garwood)
What led you to select the “Tanker 48” finishing scheme?
I liked the color scheme of the #48 and when I searched for photos of the plane, I found some showing the original long Neptune tail. The long tail was modified to a shorter version later. The long tail and the big vertical stabilizer are pretty unique features, not to mention the cockpit area of the fuselage. The online pictures of it doing a slurry drop sealed the deal, that was the plane to build.”
What problems in design and building did you face and how did you overcome them? Making two engine nacelles from foam the same size and shape. Removable wings and tail surfaces for travel. Removable bomb bay module with dual bays for two slurry drops.
Are you pleased with the flight performance of the Neptune? Would you change anything? The plane flew well in both light and heavy wind. The plane really scoots in big wind. If I changed anything, I would use a thicker airfoil to slow the plane down to a more scale flight speed.
What slope soaring design projects might be in your future?
I start planning more than a year in advance for the Southern California PSS Festival. I have the preliminary plans drawn up for two (secret) scratch build PSS planes. One will be a 1/6-scale Military PSS and a 1/6-scale Civilian PSS. To my knowledge neither of these planes have ever been built as a slope glider. I’m building these for the 2013 Southern California PSS Festival. You will have to attend the PSS Festival to see what these planes are.
Text & Photos by David Garwood–November 2012 Electric Flight
SPECIFICATIONS
Wing Span: 78 in.
Airfoil: SD 6060
Fuselage length: 57.5 in.
Total weight: 70 oz. (without slurry)
Construction materials: EPP 1.9 on fuselage and wings, Dow blue foam for engine nacelles – thinly glassed
Spar system design: the 2 piece wing has wood spars and ½” carbon fiber joiner rod
Radio used: Multiplex EVO 12 Transmitter, Hitec 23972 Supreme IIS 8 Channel FM Receiver 72MHz
Number of servos installed: 6 servos. (1)Elevator HS-85mg (1) Rudder HS-425 (2) Ailerons HS-85mg (2) Bombay Doors HS-85mg.
Here is Phil Herrington’s original design Lockheed P-2V Neptune slope soaring sailplane, finished in “Tanker 48” firefighter scheme. Photographed over Wilson Lake, Kansas at Midwest Slope Challenge 2012
Phil in the cockpit of Tanker 48
Very Nice I want one now.
I flew the P2V-7 for the navy as an f/e and even tho I crashed in one I will always remember all the good times I and my crew had , the good & the not so good. How can i get in touch with Phil Harrington ? I would love to build this aircraft an put elect motors in it. Great looking P2V-7
Congrats. Awsome Job and a beautifully finished aircraft.
I hope a manufacturer take this on as a kit.
Regards
Lee
i think Phil is sitting in a P-3 cockpit not a P-2. I have spent hundreds of hours in both.
Awesome plane. Gotta get back down to Wilson some time soon.
An absolutely awesome model, Glider and Soaring enthusiasts are often even more creative than the motorized RC plane crowd that can’t seem to fly anything unless it’s a Foam or Balsa ARF from China. Unfortunately, Glider and Soaring enthusiasts get little coverage in the RC media, ESPECIALLY this magazine!
Whenever I see the work of a modeler creating something special, it makes me very thankful for them, as they truly are creating something special for all of us to enjoy and marbel at. Having built models for 70 years and realizing I don’t have such talents, just to meet people like Phil is always a joy and a pleasure. I sincerely hope we have the pleasure of seeing his new creations and I wish him the very best!
IT SURE LOOKS LIKE FOUR THROTTLE CONTROLS IN THE COCKPIT WITH PHIL, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A FOUR ENGINE PLANE LIKE A P-3, NOT A TWIN LIKE THE P-2. HARVEY MAY BE RIGHT…..