Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
#1851
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Thanks for the pics. Ive got a similar steering rig for my tailwheel, but needed some help deciding which direction to go with the retraction. I am using a hitec 225 mounted ahead of the wheel in the radiator duct with kevlar cable creating a pull pull for steering. I think i'll go with a air cylinder for the retract though. Thanks all. I am on a four day trip, but hopefully my parts I ordered will be in when I return. Then I can post some pictures.
#1852
RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Yes, Zope, go with the recommendations on air for the TW and I use the kevlar material for steering pull-pull also. I think we all got it right the same way. No worries.
#1853
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Hi all.. long time no post on this thread...
The kit is coming along well.
Recent work includes -
o 121 tail wheel and Robart 1" pneumatic to drive it. 2-56 pull-pull system for steering.
o Acquired the 531 85 degree retracts and 662 struts (not yet installed) - I built up the wing and will now be opening it up for the retracts.
o Installed rails for both the flaps and ailerons (I re-read the bell crank woes a dozen times here)
o Acquired a Saito fa91s 4-stroke. (broke it in over the weekend)
o Been working on the elevator and all of the shaping there to blend it into the fuse
One minor issue I have so far… A slight twist in the fuse. I haven’t applied the top decking so I am still working it out slowly (wet, twist, dry etc..) the tips of the elevator are about 1/8†off when aligned with the wing (which is aligned well – 90 to the stab and right on for the wing saddle)
Zope – I’ll post some photo’s of the tail wheel and related gadgetry this eve (as well as the other updates above) to possibly foster some ideas…
The kit is coming along well.
Recent work includes -
o 121 tail wheel and Robart 1" pneumatic to drive it. 2-56 pull-pull system for steering.
o Acquired the 531 85 degree retracts and 662 struts (not yet installed) - I built up the wing and will now be opening it up for the retracts.
o Installed rails for both the flaps and ailerons (I re-read the bell crank woes a dozen times here)
o Acquired a Saito fa91s 4-stroke. (broke it in over the weekend)
o Been working on the elevator and all of the shaping there to blend it into the fuse
One minor issue I have so far… A slight twist in the fuse. I haven’t applied the top decking so I am still working it out slowly (wet, twist, dry etc..) the tips of the elevator are about 1/8†off when aligned with the wing (which is aligned well – 90 to the stab and right on for the wing saddle)
Zope – I’ll post some photo’s of the tail wheel and related gadgetry this eve (as well as the other updates above) to possibly foster some ideas…
#1857
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Photo's of the latest...
I was able to get the last of any measurable twist out of the fuse today, so that will move into decking the top area and then moving forward on the firewall etc.
As you see the wings are already buttoned up, so they'll be getting the can opener treatment for the retracts. I'll get the wing tips and ailerons wrapped up first, then move into the rails and retracts.
The little door for the air will also have the RX power switch, looking to mount it with magnets once I get to that point.
The tail wheel works well, although I still need to join the rudder pushrod to the bell crank (I may have to swap the clevis' to the inboard holes too to allow for enough rudder travel and accurate tail wheel steering... later...)
Brief cameo of the engine on the test stand as well. I forgot I also picked up a 4" Dave Brown spinner... looks really awesome, but have to shim the engine shaft to mount it properly on the Saito .91.
Enjoy
I was able to get the last of any measurable twist out of the fuse today, so that will move into decking the top area and then moving forward on the firewall etc.
As you see the wings are already buttoned up, so they'll be getting the can opener treatment for the retracts. I'll get the wing tips and ailerons wrapped up first, then move into the rails and retracts.
The little door for the air will also have the RX power switch, looking to mount it with magnets once I get to that point.
The tail wheel works well, although I still need to join the rudder pushrod to the bell crank (I may have to swap the clevis' to the inboard holes too to allow for enough rudder travel and accurate tail wheel steering... later...)
Brief cameo of the engine on the test stand as well. I forgot I also picked up a 4" Dave Brown spinner... looks really awesome, but have to shim the engine shaft to mount it properly on the Saito .91.
Enjoy
#1859
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
ORIGINAL: Mustang Fever
Maybe we shouldn't- maybe a "southern" location central to everyone???
Maybe we shouldn't- maybe a "southern" location central to everyone???
Until we get to that point, I have plenty of sanding and carving to do anyway!
Bob - agreed on the air tank... WHY would they have put it there...? I was looking for places that made it able to more or less stay in place during normal setup/teardown. We'll see how it goes there.
#1860
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Still waiting for the RDS parts to arrive, I started on the fuselage, and I'm at the tail wheel section using the robarts 121. I also had some time to work on the retracts, those robart 4" wheels just wont seat completely in the well, the width is about 1 1/8". The 4" dubro had the same results, so I decided to shave off the width on the dubros a bit. I managed to remove the foam wheel from the hub. The hub is made up of two similar halves supported by 4 metal threaded studs. How did they get the threaded studs sandwiched by the two hub halved is a wonder to me. Anyways once I got them seperated with a hacksaw I grinded down the inner halves, sanded down the wheel sides, and glued everything back together. I also had to reduce the height of the rails to seat the retracts in below the bottom sheeting.
#1861
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Here are pictures of my Robart 121 tail install, pull-pull servo install, and robart air cylinder install controlling the retracting of the tail wheel.
#1864
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Thanks Guys, My idea is to use the rudder output to run both the Rudder and the Tail wheel, and also control the amount of throws to each servo individually. I know that Futaba makes a unit to control 4 servos, but I thought that I saw one for two outputs last time I went to my hobby store. I believe it was made by MPI. I'll have to do a search and see what I come up with.
#1865
RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Remember "Hokums razor"..i.e. the simplest solution is the best! Nice work on all this day's input from everyone! Please check into our thread "1/6th scale Corsair", also, to see a next design to loose sleep over..ha ha!
edit for simple spelling error only.
edit for simple spelling error only.
#1866
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Still waiting for the RDS parts to show up, been looking every day for some sort of package to arrive in the mail, but nothing does. Hopefully it will arrive soon. I really want to use RDS in this bird, but if they dont show up eventually I will have to resort to the common pushrod installation. Other than glassing the horizontal, and vertical stabs, i'm stuck.
#1867
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Just wanted to give an update on my progress. I did recieved the RDS parts, and I just started on one of the ailerons. The servo that I'm using are Hitec 225's. I plan to access the servo's through a hatch.
#1869
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Thanks, Here is some pictures showing the installation of the assembled pocket which is glued into the aileron. You first need to cut or dremel out the aileron area in which the pocket will reside in. I then had to cut about 1/4" from the end of the shaft to get the aileron to fit to the wings TE. I test fitted everything, and included pictures of both the top and bottom view. No aileron hinges yet, I'll leave that for last.
#1870
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
With that aileron setup up I was curious to see what the maximum deflection throws that I would get, so I got a quick rx and battery to the servo and I measured 1 1/8" throw both ways. More than plenty.
#1871
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Really nice setup Corsair 29. I'm may have to borrow this system for my ailerons. I'm building my second TF Mustang now. So far, only the stab is done...fin is under way. I remember the bottom of my original wing had lots of hatches: a pair for the flaps and a pair for the working bomb drops/drop tanks. I used the bell cranks on the original. This one will have separate aileron servos.
#1874
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
Well I'm no expert myself, in fact this is my first attempt at this, and it seems to be working out great so far. I heard of people using them before, so I had to try it. Anyways here is the link where I got them:
[link=http://www.irfmachineworks.com/rds/]http://www.irfmachineworks.com/rds/[/link]
[link=http://www.irfmachineworks.com/rds/]http://www.irfmachineworks.com/rds/[/link]
#1875
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
I was able to start on the flap RDS, but since there wasn't much support for the assembled pocket. I had to make a housing for it which is glued to the flap LE, and the flap ribs.