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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/23/2003 9:46 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		Hey look at it this way. If you bought the kit instead of the ARF, you would be still building. I have two here and two more on the way. When was the last time you had four giant scale models ready to fly before spring? These planes are not going to win any competition at Toledo, but could win at the NATS in funscale. Now you will be judged by your flying ability. I sure hope they bring out the Corsair soon. The main problem with wrinkling is the moisture in the wood at the time of covering. As the plane dries the wrinkles form due to shrinkage, or gassing under the covering. I to have had some luck with the wet cloth applied right after shrinking the covering. Well good luck Splas on your maiden flight. Keep the dirty side down and may you have fair winds.

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/24/2003 3:10 AM   
splais


 

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Status: offline 		No to change the subject. But I disagree. I would love to see them come out with an ME109 or FW190 in the same scale so that you could fly the two of them together "dogfighting".

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/25/2003 3:20 AM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		That works for me, but TF doesn't make a giant German plane. They do make a P-47 and a Corsair.

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/26/2003 3:47 AM   
splais


 

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Status: offline 		Well today was suppose to be the big day. Never happened. We got her started up and running made a few taxi tests. But I was having trouble with the idle and keeping her running with the idle low enough so she didn't taxi on her own. This DA50 only has a few minutes of running time and is only turning about 6100rpm, but boy she is going to have plenty of power. Anyway about then the wind stated blowing about 30mph, so that was it for Saturday.

When I got her home two of the engine mount bolts were way loose and the air valve for the retracts was also loose. Both had been locktited well. This engine does have a lot of vibration at idle. Bird was easy to taxi and didn't seem to have any real bad tendencies, even at a high taxi speed with some crosswind.

Went out Sunday to try again. Well, long story short, when I tightened up the engine mounts, some how I pinched the throttle Nyrod so tight on the side with a washer that was hitting it that the throttle would not work. Buy the time we got it figured out, figured it was time to regroup and try another day. So first flight is still pending.

< Message edited by splais -- 10/27/2003 9:23:32 AM >

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/28/2003 3:37 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		Two new P-51 ARFs and engines showed up today. That big Fed-X truck backed up to the Garage door. Just about finished with number one. One down three to go.


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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/28/2003 3:47 PM   
splais


 

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Status: offline 		Gary, what are you doing about the tailwheel doors? I haven't been able to get them to work (close) My retractable tailwheel has pulled one side off. the other side seems to move just fine, but the angles are all wrong on the brackets and the supplied rubber bands will not close the door when the gear is up. Did you have this problem, and if so, what did you do about it.

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/29/2003 3:21 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		The only thing I did different, was to move the rubber band hooks farther apart. I have the one on the door nearer the bottom of the door and the one inside the fuse is about an inch from the opening. I then stretch that little rubber band for all its worth. This makes it really come closed. I don't know how it will act in the air yet due to waiting on engine to come in. Looks like another week or so for the DA50s. I have everything else done on the model except final install of the canopy and fuse decals.

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/29/2003 4:02 PM   
pettit



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Status: offline 		Hey Gary! My TF P-51 ARF is getting close also. You may want to put a small spring in series with each tail wheel steering wire to lessen the shock from the tail wheel to the servo. A 1" long spring will be fine. They're a bear to install but will save the servo.

Mine weighs 19 lbs dry, using a US41 (they sent it with the kit) My kit built TF P-51 weighed about 22 lbs with the US41 so this one may fly a little better. I had to add 4 oz of tail weight to balance, so the guys with the lighter engines will probably not have to add weight anywhere.

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/30/2003 3:01 AM   
Old Shep


 

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Status: offline 		Splais:
I've enjoyed reading this saga...your comments and effort have certainly provoked a great deal of interest and additional information. I thought I would mention that, for those who don't want to have a Big Beautiful Doll, there are several photos of other 78th Fighter Group Mustangs that would be easy to replicate...Go to www.littlefriends.co.uk and check out the gallery photos. "Big Dick" would be easy to do, as would "Lady Eve" and"Etta Jeanne II." I think some variety of TF ARF Mustangs would be a good deal.
For what its worth..
Old Shep

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/30/2003 3:20 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		Thanks Dick, I put springs on my TF Corsair tail wheel. I did that to insure that it goes up into the wheel well straight when the cables go limp.
Man there are going to be a lot of Mustangs flying around next summer! Fantastic.

< Message edited by gary9648 -- 10/30/2003 5:26:37 PM >

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/30/2003 5:56 PM   
pettit



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Status: offline 		Wadda ya mean "Next Summer"? Mine will be ready to go in a week.

It'll be "available" after that, if you know what I mean..

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 10/30/2003 11:49 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		I heard that!!! Me to. You have to understand Dick, its a little cooler up here. Flying in 30 degree weather is not my cup of tea. This week will probably be the last week of decent weather up here in the North. Only problem, the wind is blowing like crazy.
Hope that engine arrives tomorrow!

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 11/1/2003 12:54 AM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		ZDZ40 has arrived. This engine is both rear induction and rear exhaust. Have used their stand off mount, and have it installed on firewall. Alls left is mounting servos, gas tank and fuel lines. One days work tops, then off to the airstrip. Hope the weather hold for a couple more days.

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FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/1/2003 1:03 AM   
splais


 

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Status: offline 		Well here is what you have all been waiting to hear.

Conditions: Late afternoon, heavy overcast and grey skies from San Diego Fire smoke, wind 8-10 mph quartering to 90 degrees off the nose.

Two flights, The first landing was in the dirt on the side of the runway. Hey, I was just glad to get her on the ground in one piece. Second landing was a dead stick!

So here are the dirty details. After two weeks of stuff happening and lousy weather I decided we were flying today no matter what. We basically had an 8-10mph crosswind. In a nut shell it had no effect on the plane at all. The engine was brand new. Has been run about 15 minutes on the ground before this first flight.

Take off and flying. The P-51 taxis slowly, very well, with no problems at all. On take-off there is a transition area just before the rudder becomes flyable that is a little tricky and takes a lot of rudder to keep her going straight. However, once the airflow is hitting the rudder she is a dream. The P-51 is beautiful in flight. The DA50 is going to be a great engine. She took off with very little roll. The “Doll” took no aileron or rudder trim at all for balanced flight after takeoff. I did need to put in about 4-5 clicks of down elevator. That was it. She is naturally very fast and smooth. I had zero trim changes at both half and full flaps. That was great, but still trying to figure that one out. The retractable main and tail wheel worked perfectly. I am going to have to put the other tailwheel door back on. The one side I had closed easily. I think because of the wind of flying. I noticed no noticeable trim change when the gear came down. These two flights had nothing more than fly around on the new engine and a few barrel rolls after low passes. With the recommended maximum aileron throws the roll rate was conservative. All I can really say is that she flies beautifully. I can hardly wait until the engine and myself are “broke in”.

Landing. The “Doll” has a very nice sink rate. I did not notice anything that seemed bad in the way she came down. Just reduce power and she settles right down. She actually will float a little if you let her and the elevator was responsive at slow speed with the engine off. It was getting late, low visibily and scared to death. I missed my lineup on the first landing and actually landed on the side of runway in the dirt. No problem, landed fine and taxied back up on the runway. On my second landing I was coming in to low and almost hit the fence at the end of the runway. When I pulled up and punched it, I killed the engine about 20 feet off the ground and nose high. I just pushed the nose over and flared just before she hit. No problem at all. She never stalled and the nose came up fine, she just set right down on the runway. She is a lot like my DP Ultimate. A dream to land. Not a floater, and not a sinker. Just right.

The Engine. The DA50 is going to be a great engine. She has huge power right now, fresh out of the box. I am having some normal tuning problems due to not being broken in and a really rich mixture. But I can tell already I am going to love this engine. I am having some vibration problems that are causing the engine mounts to loosen up. But I think that will be resolved after things get a little more broken in and tightened up.

A final comment or two. The aircraft speed does not seem to affect either the landing gear or flap operation or aircraft trim to any great extent. The only other comment is that under the right conditions this plane is VERY HARD to see. With the gear up, she is grey all over. The “Doll” is fast and it’s easy for her to get a long way a way before you realize it. I had to watch her like a hawk because it was hard to tell orientation against the grey sky. This bird would be great with Invasion stripes. I’m already thinking about renaming her and putting the stripes on. We’ll have to see about that one.

Two flights, one dead stick - nothing broke, nothing came off, life is good.

< Message edited by splais -- 11/1/2003 4:01:14 AM >

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/1/2003 1:39 AM   
kram51



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Status: offline 		Congrats!!! nuthin' like bringin' em home in just the same number of pieces they left in!! I would imagine you're still grinnin'!

Mark

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/1/2003 1:56 AM   
taildraggerdave


 

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Status: offline 		I second that!!!!!! What a great feeling. I have the same problem with grey planes and grey skies. Invasion stripes would be a good idea.
Try the yellow shaded shooting glasses. They really help me. It makes everything really bright.

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/1/2003 3:07 AM   
BobH


 

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Status: offline 		Hey Steve. Congrats man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... And heck.. put the Invasion strips on your plane if you wanna. who cares.... its your baby!!!!! BobH.

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/1/2003 3:17 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		Congrats from me also Splas. Let us know of your flights as they go . Thanks again for this thread

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/2/2003 4:57 AM   
JoeEagle



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Status: offline 		Dude,

what to go!! you will love that DA 50R. i have 2, one in my DP 330L Extra and one as a development engine for my reduction drive with scale prop!!

hey,

someone back on the 1st page of this thread asked how about the size of the cowl? could you post the length of the cowl, the width of it at the firewall and at the nose, and height at the firewall and nose?


could you tell me if a 26" prop would fit and give you enough ground clearance??

also, and this is just a suggestion, but you might want to consider using a ball link with a 2-56 or 4-40 screw on that thottle arm. you're right, the gassers have more vibration than the glow motors, and i'd be concerned that the quick link on the throttle arm might fail after a relatively short while.

and i also had the locknut on my retract valve back off on one of my warbirds, and it resulted in a gear up landing.

oh well.

any more pics of the inner gear doors(i forgot, did you put them in??)

here are some pics of the reduction drive and scale prop.

DA 50R,. 26x24 4 blade Scale Hamilton-Standard prop with cuffs, spinning at 4200 RPM.

cheers, and nice job!!

joe

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/2/2003 8:26 AM   
P-51B



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Status: offline 		Joe Eagle,

Nice setup! Are you doing your own machining, and how is the prop constructed?

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/2/2003 10:52 PM   
JoeEagle



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Status: offline 		machining done by a guy on the west coast.

prop is CF hollow with a machined insert to capture the blades in the hub. hub is ground adjustable for pitch.

hopefully, we'll have the whole shooting match avaiable sometime early next year.


cheers

joe

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 11/2/2003 10:58 PM   
rongreg13



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Status: offline 		Flew mine for the first time today as well. It was a little windy with a direct cross wind, but the plane handled it well. Mine has the Robart retracts and a Fox 2.4 swinging an APC 20x8 prop at 7900 static. The plane weighs in at 22 lbs RTF. On takeoff, the plane kept veering WAY to the left even with full rudder deflection and decent speed--more so than any other Mustang I've flown (I've had both Byron and TF 1/5 kit Mustangs previously). Anyways, I tried a few time and finally it got enough rudder authority to track straight and took off. The plane flew great--no different than any other big Mustang. The Fox 2.4 pulls it strong at 1/2-3/4 throttle and has plenty of power for BIG round loops. The roll rate was great, but I had a little extra throw dialed in. The gear worked flawlessly (I haven't had any of the problems folks have been reporting with the stock tail door setup). And now to the interesting part. On my first approach, I decided to do a touch and go off the grass. The approach was slow, stable, and predictable. On touchdown in the grass, both of my main gear doors immediately flew off. I added power and went around for a full stop landing. On the second approach, I again decided to use the grass due mainly to the extreme left pulling characteristics of the plane (didn't want to veer into the crowd). On touch down, the plane rolled about 6 feet and then the left wheel went flying off ahead of the plane as the left gear leg stuck into the damp grass. The gear caught and stopped the plane immediately and managed to tear the retract mounts out of the left wing. When I looked at the tire, it had a flat spot on it. Apparently, during my takeoff rolls, the lock nut on the axle unlocked from the strut and tightened against the wheel instead (despite using locktite and a heavy arm on the old wrench during assembly). This is why the plane kept veering left during the takeoff runs (should have gotten a clue and brought the plane in for an inspection when I realized it was acting odd!) Anyways, once the plane got moving on takeoff, it looks like the wheel began spinning again while locked to the axle and the axle began to unscrew itself from the strut. On landing it came out all the way and separated, causing the strut to dig in and bring everything to an abrupt halt. Luckily, the damage is repairable and once I repair the wing, I only need to modifly my method of attaching the axles and wheels. I am also going to strap the gear door mounting blocks to the struts so there is more than just epoxy holding them on. Just thought I'd share my experience with everybody.

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< Message edited by rongreg13 -- 11/2/2003 10:59:18 PM >

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RE: TF 1/5 Scale P-51 ARF Assembly Thread - 11/2/2003 11:11 PM   
JoeEagle



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Status: offline 		rongreg.

would you have the time to do the following ( i think i asked someone else here so i hope im not being pushy or redundant).

i have the TF kit, and would love to use this cowl on it instead of all that carving.

can you measure

cowl dimentions-width and height at cowl/firewall, middle of cowl and at the nose of the cowl. length of cowl.

distance from center of spinner to the ground (im going to use that scale prop you see in the previous post.


thanks and cheers

joe

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/3/2003 12:23 AM   
P-51B



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quote:

ORIGINAL: JoeEagle

machining done by a guy on the west coast.

prop is CF hollow with a machined insert to capture the blades in the hub. hub is ground adjustable for pitch.

hopefully, we'll have the whole shooting match avaiable sometime early next year.


cheers

joe


Sounds great, I'll have to keep my eyes open for it.

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RE: FIRST FLIGHTS!!! - 11/3/2003 2:16 AM   
splais


 

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Status: offline 		Joe, I'll try to get my cowl off tomarrow and post if someone doesn't beat me to it.

Ron, Steve here. Sorry to hear about your problems. I think this plane may have a hex on it. After my first two flights documented above; I went out to fly Saturday. We could not get the new DA50 to idle. It kept dying on the end of the runway before takeoff. After 4 or 5 tries decided it was best to call it a day. Today, Sunday, the wind blew 30mph all day and in the wrong direction. So waiting continues. Maybe This thur as I am off.

My P-51 pulls to the left pretty bad also just before the tail lifts. I attribute this to the extreme nose high angle the P-51 has with the tail down. I also think that the wheel angles are critical; i.e., to much or to little toe-in. In my two flights I found that the quicker you can get the tail up and have her flying on the rudder the better. As I have not yet had a normal runway landing can't tell about rollout yet. I've had one landing in the dirt and one deadstick on the pavement. My Sierra gear is holding up just fine so far.

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