famousdave
Posts: 2263
Joined: 9/16/2003 From: Bradenton , FL, USA Status: offline
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Splais, Nice job on the commentary. I wish more people took the time to do this (including me), but time has a way of getting out from us. Your analysis and tips are very good. You defnitely went the high end on the construction, nice job. I would be interested in what your final weight is, my guess it is pretty high and that might explain some of the troubles during landings. I have built two TF Kits and I just finished setting up the ARF version for a friend. My first 'stang I used a Moki 2.10 in, and it flew like a dream. The second I used a ZDZ 40, it was overpowered and over complex, but still flew OK. Landings on the ZDZ plane were not nearly as nice as when I had the moki power. On the ARF, my friend and I considered the DA (best engine there is as far as I am concerned, but really only good for 3D or IMAC). I am not criticizing your build at all, that is not my intent. I have noticed however that the build strength of this ARF is nowhere near what the build strength was of my full builds. The firewall was not pinned, not fiberglass, etc.. in other words it was built like a scale flyer and not a 3D or IMAC plane. That said, we concluded the DA 50 or any other massive power gas engine will eventually rip this airframe apart. We really wanted gas on this plane, but the ZDZ and DA had too much power and it made the cowl cutting excessive. We went with a MOKI 2.10 That engine is a perfect match and it fits in the cowl. Very realistic, and scale performance. We went with Robart Mechanical Retracts, Hitec 625MG servos on all surfaces(digitals are overkill on this warbird) , JR low profile retract servos on the gear, hitec micro servos on throttle and choke and a new JR 7-Ch PCM receiver. We used a Bolly 3-blade prop. We built it as light as possible and our weight was just below the low end of the weight range spec. Total cost = just over $1300 less transmitter. This plane looks and flies fantastic, it is very economical (uses FAI fuel), and is very scale. While it may not be fanatical scale, all that other stuff like air retracts, aluminum wheels, struts, tailwheel and ignition batteries just open the door to one more potential to failure and it all ADDS WEIGHT. I had over 250 flights on my full build P-51. I recovered it and sold it. It is still flying 3 years later. I built and sold another and it is still flying with its original owner. The ARF, well in 1 month we have put 20+ flights on it and it still looks like new. It screams at full throttle and lands like a trainer. Anyone who is thinking about this plane- if you are going to err - err on the lighter side! A heavy plane with a lot of power will not be fun to land. Air retracts are nice, but man what a costly option. I have had 4 airplanes with Robart mechanicals, not one single problem over the years. Of course, I do some routine maintenance and replace noise servos regularly, but if they are rigged right they will work forever. This MOKI powered ARF is one of the nimblest, fun to fly warbirds I have ever put together. I don't fly glow at all any more, but I am considering doing a custom TF P-51 build. I am telling you I might go back to a Moki if I decide to build it, that is how much I think that engine is right for this model. A 19# bird with a Moki 2.10 will fly much better than a 25# bird with a DA 50 even though the DA has a better power to weight ratio. DP
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