Posts: 59
Joined: 12/11/2003 From: Stony Point, NY, Status: offline
Hi all! I recieved a 1/7 TF P 51 as a gift. As I am only starting out, and have limited experience with 1/2 A planes, I was obviously overwelmed! This is a very nice airplane, but I NEED alot more skills. About how long on a trainer would you need before going to this plane?
Congrats on the P-51 certainly a nice gift. If you feel you can build the Mustang go ahead and build it and during the building process of the 'warbird' I should think you will be advancing your flying skills and eventually have the skills required to fly it. So why not be building the Mustang and hopefully advance to the point where you can handle a low wing aerobatic plane with a symmetrical airfoil and which has "neutral stability." In any event I'll bet you will eventually gain the necessary flying skills necessary to get through those first flights on your new P-51 concentrate on landings which tend to be more of a challange than your typical sport aerobatic airplane since the wing loading of a war bird such as your new P-51 are typically much higher than sport/aerobatic planes. Also should you finish your Mustang BEFORE your flying skills are sufficent enlist the help of a seasoned flyer at your club to do the test flying and assist you with setting up your proud bird. (Just resist the urge to slip out to the field and try to go it alone with your fighter!!
Posts: 859
Joined: 3/30/2002 From: lexington,
OH, USA Status: offline
have you built many planes yet? this plane flies well but flies closer to scale than say the hangar 9mustang arf. this means you need to fly it more on the wing- not by the engine.
for most pilots i would recommend that you wait until your 4th plane to fly this one. do your trainer, and while flying the trainer build a low wing taildragger plane like the sig 4 star series. fly it when you are comfortable with the trainer. then get a plane like the world models or hangar 9 mustang. these are easy to fly sport type warbirds. start building the top flite when you have the hangar 9 flyable. when you are comfortable flying the hangar 9 you will be ready for the top flite. my top flite flies very well on the super tiger 90 i have in it.
That plane is SIMPLE to build and fly. I wouldn't worry about it. either that or trade it for a T.F. P-47 which is the easiest plane in the world to fly
Yes the Topflite P-47 is as "easy" to fly as a pattern type airplane goes but still requires a lot from the pilot especially on landings. I would say for the individual 'new' to warbirds that the Thunderbolt has the edge with regard to SLOW full flap landing approaches.
Back to the proud owner of the P-51 kit: I would still suggest you start building the Mustang now,as you can probably imagine the"Mustang" will take you some time to construct/ that being said work on it when not maintaining an air worthy advanced trainer such as the 'popular' Sig 4 Stars as you progress to flying aircraft with 'neutral stability' and higher wing loadings. Also super important is for you to get in the habit of using RUDDER through out all your flights,if you have not already done so.. I think all here at Warbirds.com will agree that using rudder is a must in the successful operation of War birds--( We are all behind you, so let us know how things are progressing and if you have a digital camera,why not document and post the build of your Mustang for us all to enjoy.
Happy New Year, Richard McFarland
< Message edited by ramcfarland -- 12/26/2003 7:42:09 PM >
Posts: 59
Joined: 12/11/2003 From: Stony Point, NY, Status: offline
Thanks for the replies! I think that I will start building it soon. And working on my skills on the trainer. I will keep everone posted on the progress of the aircraft
Posts: 71
Joined: 9/13/2003 From: Houston, TX, USA Status: offline
Good luck on the mustang build Greg. I am currently building the Top Flight 1/5 scaleP-51 and I am really enjoying it, as you should with yours. This hobby is all about challenges and expanding your own envelope. Macfarlands advice is sound and you will be ready for this plane before too long if you just break your learning curve down into steps and take them one at a time. Best thing about it is, its all fun! If you post your progress on a thread, you will have an unlimited amount of help available to help you through the confusing parts and the encouragement we all need from time-to- time to keep pressing on. Good luck!
Posts: 104
Joined: 5/2/2003 From: Florissant, MO, USA Status: offline
I'm in the final sanding phase of building my TF 1/7scale P-51. I've only been flying a high wing trainer for about a year now. I'm going with everyone else's advice and am also building a SIG 4 Star 60 to train on before I take the mustang out for a spin. The mustang is my first kit, and it wasn't that difficult of a build. There's alot of carving and sanding with this kit though. I really enjoyed the building experience and learned a ton of new things about this hobby.
If you have any questions while building this kit, I'd be happy to try to answer them.
Here's a picture of it:
< Message edited by Bill DCat -- 12/27/2003 2:58:19 AM >
Posts: 59
Joined: 12/11/2003 From: Stony Point, NY, Status: offline
Bill that plane looks good! I appreciate all the replies. I have built some guilllow stick and tissue models, and when I opened the mustang box I was plesantly suppried with the quality of the materials like the laser cut parts and detailed instruction manual. How much room do you need to work on a model this size? I live in an apartment , with limited space.
Posts: 38
Joined: 1/6/2004 From: stone mountain, GA, USA Status: offline
I'm in the same boat as you. I got the kit but lack the stick time. Also, I was wondering what advice anyone can give on scale retracts? I have looked at the Robart, Century Jet, Sierra etc. But don't have a clue on what exactly it is I need to get the look I want. You got any ideas? Are you going glass or monokote?
Posts: 1477
Joined: 11/24/2002 From: Olathe, KS, USA Status: offline
Guys, When it comes to flying Warbirds, espescially low wing tail draggers get your mind set as follows: (1) This is a brick with an engine on it. (2) It must fly fast to get in/stay in the air (3) Never stall this thing near the ground (4) I must mentally be two moves ahead of this airplane (5) I am always in command of this aircraft. (6) 100% of my attention is on flying this airplane. (7) Deadstick...Don't panic or over react. Nose down, land immediately. (8) Practice using flaps for the first time and new maneuvers at a high enough altitude to allow recovery if needed. I really recommend the Great Planes G2 Flight Simulator to start with before you ever fly your precious Warbird at the field. You will be amazed at how much this investment will help you. I'm not kidding! Good luck. "Keep 'Em Flying!" Flak
< Message edited by Flak -- 1/10/2004 4:13:57 PM >
My dad has been crashing planes a lot and I got him a G2 for his B-day and hasn't crashedd an airplane since (knock on wood). But requiers a ot of stick time.
Posts: 1477
Joined: 11/24/2002 From: Olathe, KS, USA Status: offline
The G2 really allows you to overcome your confidence problems and improves your ability to handle the sticks. Practice a victory roll with the P-51D until you get it right every time. Your victory roll at the field will look great and your confidence will also soar! "Keep 'Em Flying!" Flak
Posts: 710
Joined: 8/13/2003 From: ., SWEDEN Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: Flak
Guys, When it comes to flying Warbirds, espescially low wing tail draggers get your mind set as follows: (1) This is a brick with an engine on it. (2) It must fly fast to get in/stay in the air (3) Never stall this thing near the ground (4) I must mentally be two moves ahead of this airplane (5) I am always in command of this aircraft. (6) 100% of my attention is on flying this airplane. (7) Deadstick...Don't panic or over react. Nose down, land immediately. (8) Practice using flaps for the first time and new maneuvers at a high enough altitude to allow recovery if needed. I really recommend the Great Planes G2 Flight Simulator to start with before you ever fly your precious Warbird at the field. You will be amazed at how much this investment will help you. I'm not kidding! Good luck. "Keep 'Em Flying!" Flak
Damn! Is it REALLY this hard flying the TF 1/7 scale Mustang?!?
Im in the same situation as the author of this thread. Currently building a Top flight p51 1/7 and got some experience from my acrowot. (wich is a low vinged, tail dragger craft). Ive also flied a LOT of trainer.
The stuff said about flying a warbird makes me wanna crap in my pants. Can someone explain how it's REALLY is to fly this mustang? Please, i need advice !
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