stevegauth30

Nice job danpos. It's always nice to get a maiden done and over with. Now it's time to get to know your new plane and get comfortable with it so you can really have some fun with it. Congrats.

danpos

I was very nervous not on account of flying skill, but because anything can go wrong. And with the amount of time it takes to build this kit!
Well worth it in my opinion. I really enjoyed building this kit and I'm planning my next build for the winter already.
I am thinking about the TopFlite Spitfire 60 size with a Saito FA100 in it. But I need to read through the threads first to see if that engine is a good choice or not first?

I do wish TopFlite had more choices of kits. I would really prefer a nice Hawker Hurricane, BF109, Japanese zero, or FW190 over the Spitfire.
But of the Spitfire flys as nice as this P-51B Gold Edition Kit I'll be happy.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

The closest I have seen of late for Top Flite was the Sea Fury and I was able to snap one up before they discontinued it. I have it and the interior kit in my kit stash!

acdii

I have one in my P-51 ARF, just fired it up last night, and as long as the weight is the same between the ARF and the Spitfire, I dont see why it wouldn't work. From my WOT run up and it nearly pulling out of my hand it has gobs of power, and that was before I tuned the high speed side.

danpos

Last flight I messed up!
I took off down the runway from the gate instead of from the end of the runway. I thought I would have built up enough speed from there. I found out otherwise. I ran it full throttle right to the end of the runway before pulling up. I was so close to flying ok when it dropped a wing and rolled over. I managed to get it flying straight again for a few moments then after attempting to turn it away from the woods I dropped the opposite wing and it rolled over again. I struggled with it. Dropping one wing then the other. It would just NOT fly level long enough to gain any speed! I was getting too close to my car by this point and decided to just cut the throttle and let it drop, then attempt to level it out and belly land.
That didn't happen. I was over the woods, Crashing into the trees I crushed one side of the wing. But the rest of the plane is perfectly ok. The pine tree I put it in broke the fall enough that I ordered new wing parts and will be rebuilding it as soon as they arrive.

Thinking about what happened I made a few errors resulting in the crash.
1- I reprogrammed my remote before this flight and I had the elevator set to climb a little bit instead of level.
2- Not enough ground speed for an 11 lb plane.
3- Once I noticed that my ground speed wasn't high enough I should have cut the throttle while on the ground and just let it go into the long grass. I was so close though!

I ordered the parts from Hobbico today and was told the order would be processed today! Great service!
Another noteable thing is that the fact you can buy any part from the kit at a very good price is great!
I will be building more TopFlite kits soon.

raptureboy

"3- Once I noticed that my ground speed wasn't high enough I should have cut the throttle while on the ground and just let it go into the long grass. I was so close though!" There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are never any old and bold pilots. Sorry for your trouble and hope you get her repaired soon. Warbirds are unforgiving when it comes time to get off the ground and there is not enough airspeed, we've all been there.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Hindsight is always 20/20 but it's never that clear when you are in the heat of the moment!

danpos

I'll repair the Mustang and get it back in the air. Once it's airborne it's a real pleasure to fly.
Next flight I will use the entire runway. I was so close...

Warbirds are my favorite planes to fly. I don't know why sport planes don't do it for me? I like my Carl Goldburg Super Chipmunk ok, but it's far from my favorite.
Next to the TopFlite Mustang my favorite is the Hangar 9 P40B that I have a Saito FA-72 in it. It's flys so straight and true. Even in the wind it's great.
My Hangar 9 Corsair 50 with the Saito 100 is fun too. You can do giant loops with that one
But the look and size of the Top Flite Mustang kit I built has them all beat. The Top Flite Spitfire is next. Unless Top Flite releases a new kit? But I don't see that happening any time soon. Kits are not very good sellers I presume.

If I didn't already have two other Corsairs I would build the TopFlite Corsair kit. Same as the P-47. I already have one. It's the FMS foam 1400mm version.
But I don't have a Spitfire or Hawker Hurricane. So the Top Flite Spitfire looks like this winters build.

Are the TopFlite ARF's as rugged as the kits? Or are they built to be as light as they can be?

raptureboy

I have both the P-40 and the P-51 arfs and they have both taken some pretty hard landings and come out without any real damage. I even cartwheeled the P-40 to the point I broke off the wing bolts and I just patched up the dings and was back flying again the next day. I have the P-47 kit I'm building now and it also is a great flyer. With the DLE 20 in both the Mustang and P-40 they really scream across the field and climb straight up.

danpos

How would you describe the differences in handling between the P40 and P51?
I have read several times that the P40 is very difficult to fly compared to other Warbirds.
The only P40 I have flown is the Hangar 9 50 size. I have a Saito FA-72 in it and I really like how it flys compared to my Hangar 9 Corsairs and other planes. I must have well over 100 flights on it by now
But the Hangar 9 P40 at 8lbs 5 oz with a 5" wingspan is light compared to the Top Flite P40.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I have heard from several people the Top Flite P-40 is suppose to be a good flying bird. I have it on my list to pick up at some point probably after I build what I have and first get the Stinson kit. I have the 1/7th P-51D kit, Sea Fury, and a partially completed .61 to .90 size Corsair kit I got in a trade. At some point I want to finish the Corsair I just need to decide on an engine. It came with 4 Futaba 3004s in the wing and a set of Robart retracts and struts. The previous owner made some bone head decisions in my view but I can correct them. He went with the large size air tank so that is a plus.

stevegauth30

Mike, tell me you don't have the 615's in that corsair. Unless you fly from pavement and grease every landing, they'll be bent in one day. Terrible retracts in my opinion. I ended up flying mine with fixed gear they were so bad.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I will have to check but they probably are.

acdii

I have CJ's in mine, they seem pretty robust, but landings will tell. I bought some Wingspan retracts for my P-51, and have the offset Robarts struts, haven't installed them yet, the Robarts are still in it. Once I finish the Cub and Corsair I will get back to my Mustang.

raptureboy

I can only speak to the ARF version of the P-40 and it has no bad habits. I have heard from others that the kit version in prone to tip stalling if you don't watch out. I had the 615's in my P-40 and after several collapses and damage to the plane I purchased a pair of the sierra gear and there is no comparison. They are so much stronger and well made and they have the proper 100deg forward rake.

stevegauth30

Sierra makes 100 degree rotating retracts for the 60 size? I trashed my 615's just taxiing around my yard.

raptureboy

Yes, it takes a little modification to fit but not much http://www.sierragiant.com/prod30.html

stevegauth30

Sweet. They weren't available when I built mine

davevh

Never mind

danpos

Now that I have my Mustang back in the air and flying great! I need to replace the cheap Hobbyking retracts I have been using.
The plastic base cracked and finally broke today. So I need to replace the retracts before I can fly it again.

I went through 3/4 gallon of fuel today flying the Mustang. What a great flying plane! The Saito 120S is a great match for this airframe.
It sounds great and is fast. I have a nice big runway, so I usually take off and land without using flaps.

I'm looking at the eflite retracts.
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...ickAccessories
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...ProdID=EFLG510
I wonder which would be better?
Or can anyone suggest something a littler cheaper that would work well?

stevegauth30

I use the eflites in a different plane and love them. Always worked great, and strong too.

SIX GUNS

Danpos who's p51 kit or plan are those they look great

Jim

danpos

The larger one is the Top Flite Gold Edition kit. And the other is the Eflite P51B ARF. It was meant to be only electric. I converted it to nitro. It has a Satio FA-56 in it.

SIX GUNS

Was the top flight an arf ?? If you are looking for a good set of retracts look at
spring air and use 7/16 struts


jim

stevegauth30

I'd also agree with the spring airs. My TFGE 60 has them with no issues. The ONLY thing I don't like about them is once you unplug the wing they stay down. Not the easiest for transporting with the gear down. But very strong and dependable.