P40- SHE'S AWOL!!! Now Showing X-52.5 aka Plan B

[Big Ape]

This bike will be my tribute to a WWII fighter plane that was as American as apple pie!! Especially after some crazy nose art that the Flying Tigers added to their planes!

These pictures are my inspiration for this build. So, there will be no flashy chrome, just some od green paint although I may do a white or creme belly similar to the lower picture.

 

[Big Ape]

Now for the aka part of my title, I will be building this bike from a curved seat tube Elgin girl's frame.

I got this girl off of ebay real cheap! My plan is to cut and flip the upper tube, then add a top tube above it, so that I will have an area to build a tank panel. Here is a glimpse of my fine drawing skills showing my vision for this build.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Cool plan! The drawing looks good!

Luke.

 

[Duchess]

Who doesn't love the iconic AVG P-40s?

 

[Bike Bum]

Sweet! I'll be watching this one.

 

[kingfish254]

I've been ready for this warbird to get off the ground.
Can't wait to see your work on this baby.

 

[raggedjim]

Another great starting point. Should be an interesting build-off.

Good luck! Rg

 

[Fv2]

Drawing looks good.

 

[blwnmny]

You know I'll be watching Ted! Looking forward to this one.

 

[Big Ape]

Here are some of the parts that I will be adding to the front end.

Didn't need anything too fancy for a stem since it will be painted anyway. I will extend the reach on the bars and build a crossbar very similar to my Zenith bike, then I have a sight mount planned off of the crossbar. The truss rods should add to the look of the fork, I'm going leaf spring for this bike.

I located a 60's cosmic flyer frame that will donate it's top bar.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Great frame choice!

 

[OddJob]

Cool! I like the Tiger plane plans. I'm doing a WWII tribute bike called 'Faded Glory' in the BUILDS forum concurrently with RRB BO-11.
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/faded-glory-tribute-build.98158/

 

[Big Ape]

Cool! I like the Tiger plane plans. I'm doing a WWII tribute bike called 'Faded Glory' in the BUILDS forum concurrently with RRB BO-11.
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/faded-glory-tribute-build.98158/

Thanks buddy, I like your build also! My Zenith capt. america build is a nod to our military too. My dad is an Army Veteran.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Did I hear leaf spring?

Luke.

 

[G-Matt]

Look like a fun & creative build [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Big Ape]

Did I hear leaf spring?

Luke.

Yeah, I haven't done one yet.....and I think it suits this build!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Yeah, I haven't done one yet.....and I think it suits this build!

Looking forward to seeing it!

Luke.

 

[Big Ape]

Well, I removed the top bar from the boy's frame and the top bar from this frame then took them to work for some heating and bending yesterday. I did plug where I flipped the girl's top bar when I got home today and started welding everything together!! I am fairly happy with the result although I had intended the tank panel area would be a little bigger. Girl's bike no more...........

I went ahead and threw the fork and truss rods on to get an idea of my progress.

I'm liking this so I added the stem and bars, the bars are getting some modifications but this still helps get a visual of where we are headed.....

 

[Fv2]

Looks pretty good.

 

[Scribble]

nice, I love the p40 such a nice looking aircraft. can't wait to see more.