Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
11-10-2018, 04:45 PM
#3602
Oh the original builder had covered it in silkspan and polyacrylic and then added panel lines with pin striping and paint . I have added some details such as tail numbers , counter balances and hatch covers but now I want to get the engine and flight gear in her . She has the bell crank set up for aileron's that I have thought about using a high torque metal gear servo for and keeping . Has anyone else done this ?
11-10-2018, 04:54 PM
#3603
One more thing ; this plane has never been flown , never had servos or an engine in her , but she was a labor of love for somebody and I wish I knew who . I do not have plans for her so I do need the cg for her . Every time I look at this plane I feel so lucky to have her , it is awesome !
11-10-2018, 05:08 PM
#3605
This is what I am after , from my understanding the last surviving p-51 d of the 352th division . Mine has an eagle and invasion stripes which I shall keep in homage to the original builder . Btw I want to tell all you fellows thanks for sharing your experiences , knowledge and builds on this thread . Thank you very much !
11-10-2018, 05:48 PM
#3606
Home made half cowling TF p51 .60
What I did to make the cowling is first I carved a foam plug and fit it to the nose for final shaping and sanding . I used a white foam that is very dense but sands and holds details well . I then skim coated it with 5 min drywall set mud from home Depot ,( less than $10 for a 25lb bag , works great) sanded it and then painted it with poly acrylic floor finish . Next I used dollar tree foam and made a small box to go around the plug and using the 5 minute set mud I mixed very thin I poured it into the mold after I had coated the plug in vasoline . ( Use this sparingly and thin it with heat ) this helps it release from the mold . After I got the plug loose I then laid in my fiberglass . All materials only cost me $25 and now I have the mold if I need another one !
12-17-2018, 03:01 PM
#3607
Join Date: Jan 2015
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I picked up the kit last year and started the build this past summer. This will be my first kit bash and this thread has been invaluable for me and given the kits are no longer available, there may not be too many of us left building it. I'm trying really hard to hide all control linkages. I've taken care of the ailerons by using RDS. The flaps is where I'm currently stuck at because I read on another thread that it's not recommended to use RDS for flaps because of the stress on the servos (I still debate that claim). Has anybody hidden their flap linkages with the use of two flap servos which or without RDS? From the pictures in this thread, most builders use the stock setup and one builder hid the linkage, but was using a single servo. Any ideas are welcome.
Thanks.
Thanks.
04-25-2019, 06:01 AM
#3612
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Czech Republic
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Actually I found that rebuilding the gear assembly is much easier in CAD than trial/error as before. I redesigned it to be almost indestructible 
I did not crash it, that stupid servo shot it down.
I made wing in that fashion, that it fits the original fuse so if somebody will crash I could supply the Kit ... I am thinking on modeling the rest of fuse to be a complete kit again, as Top Flite doesn't do that anymore ...
I did not crash it, that stupid servo shot it down.
I made wing in that fashion, that it fits the original fuse so if somebody will crash I could supply the Kit ... I am thinking on modeling the rest of fuse to be a complete kit again, as Top Flite doesn't do that anymore ...
04-25-2019, 06:03 AM
#3613
My Feedback: (47)
Hi, since i crashed my captured P-51 show earlier, I made some effort to resurrect it. This is how it looks for now.
Attachment 2264073
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Attachment 2264073
Attachment 2264074Attachment 2264075Attachment 2264076Attachment 2264077Attachment 2264078
Thank you
Johnny Walker
04-25-2019, 07:17 AM
#3615
Actually I found that rebuilding the gear assembly is much easier in CAD than trial/error as before. I redesigned it to be almost indestructible
I did not crash it, that stupid servo shot it down.
I made wing in that fashion, that it fits the original fuse so if somebody will crash I could supply the Kit ... I am thinking on modeling the rest of fuse to be a complete kit again, as Top Flite doesn't do that anymore ...
I did not crash it, that stupid servo shot it down.
I made wing in that fashion, that it fits the original fuse so if somebody will crash I could supply the Kit ... I am thinking on modeling the rest of fuse to be a complete kit again, as Top Flite doesn't do that anymore ...
05-06-2019, 09:37 AM
#3616
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Has anybody had issues with the ABS chin cowl and scoop cracking or breaking (without a wreck of course)? I've heard they may break easily which is why some people replace them with fiberglass variants.
05-06-2019, 09:42 AM
#3618
IT's heavy thick plastic, and if you don't inset the mounts, or adjust for it, then it sticks out like a sore thumb. Fiberglass is thinner and lighter so easier to blend in, and is mostly the reason to not use the included cowl. I made a mold off mine and cast my own cowls from Fiberglass. That plastic one was just too bulky for my tastes.
05-12-2019, 01:28 PM
#3619
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Thanks for the feedback folks. I've decided to go with the fiberglass cowl and scoop.
Next question - how are all of you finding the thrust line to measure your wing incidence from to ensure you achieve the 1/2 degree the plans call for? I do not see it on the plans nor the book. I haven't build the top of the fuselage yet so when I use the top crutch as my datum, I'm getting +1 degree incidence and I'm not entirely sure that's an accurate line to measure from.
Next question - how are all of you finding the thrust line to measure your wing incidence from to ensure you achieve the 1/2 degree the plans call for? I do not see it on the plans nor the book. I haven't build the top of the fuselage yet so when I use the top crutch as my datum, I'm getting +1 degree incidence and I'm not entirely sure that's an accurate line to measure from.
06-09-2019, 12:04 PM
#3623
Baffles around the head and a 3 times larger outlet than inlet. This causes a vacuum to help pull more air through at a higher velocity. If you don't allow for it, the engine will overheat.
09-24-2019, 09:53 PM
#3624
She is almost ready for a maiden , getting both excited and a bit nervous as she is closing in on 12lbs . I am an experienced pilot but I HAD hoped it would be lighter .
Ah well , I am looking forward to giving it hell !
