TF P51D Right for me? (Full Version)

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zope_pope -> TF P51D Right for me? (4/8/2005 7:23:29 PM)

Hey Guys,
I am getting back into rc but it has been about a year. And to kick off my refound passion for the hobby (looked at pictures and missed the satisfaction obtained from flying a kit model for the first time) I think I will build the Top Flite P-51D Mustang 1/7 scale. This is my first war bird and am pretty sure i can handle it, but what are your opinions. Here is my airplane history. I started out on a Hobbico Super Star Select .40, then I went to the GP Ultimate Bipe .40. After I got comfy on that plane I decided to get a little bit bigger airplane so I went with the GP Extra 300S .60 size powered by a OS 1.20 Surpass III. After an unfortunate demise of this beautiful plane (due to a battery failure) I decided to try out the DP 1.20 Ultimate bipe, which has flown probably 8 times in a year because of an electrical glitch i cant seem to figure out. I am currently building a .40 size dazzler right now to build up confidence after my year break to get both bipes out. Also rebuilding my trainer after i flew in 25 mile an hour winds and taxiing back to the pits, the wind took it and rolled it a few times (I forgot to apply crosswind taxi techniques that i learned during my PPL). Anyways, I was just wondering what you guys and gals thought about this warbird being my first one given my experience. (I will be getting a lot of stick time in between now and the time this thing is done, I want to take probably 6 months atleast making this scale.) Thanks for your input.

Adam



Katchmarek -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/8/2005 7:50:33 PM)

Adam, For your first warbird, I would recommend a P-47. The TF P-47...but build the tail as light as you can. Then after you get the feel for this baby, you can start thinking about your next project...the TF Giant P-51! If after this, you still enjoy building and flying warbirds especially, you will have to get a Meister Scale P-47 http://www.meister-scale.com/index.html ...the sweetest flying big warbird you can imagine. I would also like to suggest that you consider building from plans rather than a kit at least once...yeh, I mean buy the wood and cut all your own parts. Ya have to do this at least one time in your modeling life. If you can do this the number of models that you can build is just quadrupled if not more. Also if you can, get the building and fiberglassing Techniques series of videos from Dave Platt...excellent stuff. If you follow Daves methods, you will buid much better airplanes. He has several series available covering just about everything you could want to know. www.daveplattmodels.com
His videos would even be very helpful to you now! Okay, maybe I'm getting ahead of things...but
Rob / Katchmarek



zope_pope -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/8/2005 11:32:10 PM)

Also, How accurate is the Real Flight G2 simulator at simulating the flight characteristics of this aircraft. I know it is the large one it is simulating, but how similar are these? Thanks.



a65l -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 12:15:42 AM)

G2's rendition of a large warbird, well, sucks. I'm sure the GP large P-51 is a sweet and gentle flier, but on RF it's like landing a trainer.

I'll second the P-47, but if you don't mind investing a bit more money and want something different consider the TF P-39. It's not a taildragger so in a way you're cheating, but it's every bit as nice to fly as the P-47, maybee even a bit more forgiving. Faster, too.

Andy



zope_pope -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 5:07:20 AM)

Is the P51 that much of a dog?? Will I be stupid to fly the P51 first? It is more of a looks thing then anything as I don't really care for the P47 or P39 (Please no flaming. :P) But I will do whats best and maybe build both a p47 and p51. I would rather crash the p47 than the p51 cause the p51 is my favorite plane. Anyways, thanks for the input guys, and more opinions would be appreciated.

Adam



MANFRED -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 3:13:15 PM)

It's not that much of a dog, just tricky to land. The P-47 will float in. Maybe think about getting one of the many ARF P-51s to train on while you build your "scale" masterpiece.



zope_pope -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 4:21:25 PM)

Thats a good idea, What ARF's would you recommend?



Shihtzutan -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 4:22:48 PM)

I think you choice isn't necessarily bad. I have a huge case of warbird fever and have handled this fine, but it's no trainer. I suggest you find yourself a warbird pilot and go up on the cord, get a feel for it. After it's trimmed, use the rest of your fuel to practice approaches and landings. Unfortunately your selection is one of the more difficult warbirds to land so an experienced warbird pilot would be a good insurance policy.



Shihtzutan -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 4:26:34 PM)

The ARF Mustangs are only fair at best and fly more like a sport plane. Most do not have flaps, but if you must I'd recommend the H9.



Richard L. -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 5:01:27 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: zope_pope

Is the P51 that much of a dog?? Will I be stupid to fly the P51 first?


Yes, the TF P-51 can be tricky to land. In my opinion, the TF P-47 and the TF P-40 are much easier to land. They nicely settle in with full flaps. I would practice on either the H9 Mustang or the WM .60 Mustang, which has flaps.



Shihtzutan -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 5:13:24 PM)

Except for the fact that WM is total crap!



Richard L. -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 5:50:33 PM)

It will do just fine for practicing purposes.



zope_pope -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/9/2005 8:08:51 PM)

Thanks for the input guys. I think I have decided to build both a P47 and P51. I will learn on the P47, and then tackle the p51. Will the P47 teach me enough about warbirds to tackle the P51?



Richard L. -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/10/2005 1:07:21 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: zope_pope

Will the P47 teach me enough about warbirds to tackle the P51?


Yes, definitely.



Fighterpilot -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/10/2005 3:15:22 AM)

The only difference between the P-47 and the P-51 in our model airplanes is usually just wing loading. The P-47 having the bigger wing. If you remember to keep up your airspeed and not try to land the airplane like a trainer or Extra 300, but land it on it's main gear and let it slow on roll out, you will be ok. The difference between flying a warbird and any other airplane is the speed that it takes to keep it airborne and responding to the controls. The warbird requires more airspeed and things will happen quicker. You will have a tendency to get behind the airplane because things can happen a lot faster with a fairly heavily wing loaded fighter. If you are a fairly good pilot and concentrate on your approach each and every time you set up to land, keeping up your airspeed, you will be able to fly a P-51.
I suggest a fairly steep approach, where you never stop seeing the top of the wings. As long as you can see the top of the wings, you will not stall. Carry enough speed to the threshhold and begin your flair at about 4 feet altitude. Raise the nose gently and let her settle to the runway as she bleeds off airspeed. Don't mess with the elevator unless you do so very gently for your final flair out, being very careful not to ballon the airplane.
Good luck.



weskel -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/10/2005 4:17:33 AM)

How do the Corsairs compare to the above mentioned planes, would it be a good first warbird?

Weskel



zope_pope -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/10/2005 5:12:38 AM)

Do you guys think loading up one of my current planes so that they are heavier and practicing with those could help? I also need to learn more finesse with my tail dragger landings as every once in a while I do get a rough one. Also will i have to worry much about the retracts after the mounts are beefed up, because landing a new way and landing with the more fragile retracts maybe somewhat tough. I mean my ego is saying you can do it, but my time and effort is saying, don't crash. :) Two warbirds on the work bench could make me a happy man for a few months though. Thanks for everything so far.



zope_pope -> RE: TF P51D Right for me? (4/11/2005 6:16:53 PM)

One quick question. How is the p40 for learning a warbird. I like the looks better than the p47. Thanks guys.



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