Sig P-51B gas+build thread

Sig P-51B gas+build thread (Full Version)

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NoFlaps -> Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 12:22:07 AM)
Okay,The 1st few pics here are the same I had poted previously. Box, parts assortment. Well package, and some interesting historical info listed on both the side of the box and the instructions. Harware looks OK, everything arrived in goos shape.. Cowl looks great as does the spinner.[;)]

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 12:32:58 AM)
Here are some more pics of sme of the parts more closely... Plane looks to be well built of QUALITY grade balsa & ply. I sort-of wonder why they chose to go with a built up fuse instead of fiberglass (since it would be an ideal candidate), but SIG has always had an associate with me for providing quality wooden kits, so perhaps, it simply follows suit to their brand heritage. Seems to be fairly light weight, s it should make for a nice electric conversion. See: "Jmohn's" electric build thread for the conversion-(if that floats your boat) Instructions are very thourough, and everything looks great!

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 12:53:05 AM)
Okay, now, we can start... I've chosen to use a gasoline engine appx 20CC as that is most reasonably sized for this plane, but also because the I'm personally tired of getting nitro slime all over the thing and eventually breaking down the plane. Not to mention the long term cost savings using gasoline I'll miss the fumes and smell~ but cest la vie...I'll always keep one or two around anyway as bangers.[8D] FYI-i use aviation grade 100LL gasoline, which smells way better than car gas. I've used the Zenoah 20CC before and it's an excellent engine, but i'm going with the FPE1.3 (21CC) for this plane as I found it on RCU for a good price and it already has a (rear) pitts muffler on it. I'm hoping I won't have to butcher the cowl all of too much.

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:08:00 AM)
I started with the ailerons and flaps per the instructions...hinges were to be expected on the A, but the Flaps had nice point type hinges. I used STD servos for the flaps, high torq JR's for the ailerons(although probably not necessary) -used 12" extensions necessary and the flaps should used a reversing "Y" I love it when a company adds the string inside the wing to feed the wires through!..Thanks SIG~ Installed the Spar, then epoxied the wing halves together...piece o' cake![8D] I'm using air retracts "Spring Air" Brand as the fit teh best with the least amount of modification. I used a xacto & dremel to but what was necessary to make them fit. I epoxied a piece of hardwood at the wing sheeting to serve as a structural spanner fior the wing bulkhead i had to cut to fit the air cylinder. I added some paint to make the wheel wells look a bit more realistic ...add the wheel well inserts (temporarily)and...Viola! there you have it. [:D]

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:14:53 AM)
Next I added the air lines ( a far easier job than wrestling with servo rod bends on Mechanical type gear (BTW-the "EZ" brand mech retracts supplied with the kit were of very good quality-I'm just not using them).[;)] I then added the pushrods which were, for the most part, exactly the correct length, and the clevis was even pre-welded on one end, which was great. once that was completed...I decided to paint the wheel hubs to make them look better than just white plastic. I may end up changing the tires to a large/ more scale size, but the struts I had laying around fit those perfectly. here's some pics, but I won't do a final install until the plane's nearly completed.[8D]

mike early -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:16:03 AM)
Interesting engine choice....This plane might be my first fuel-burning plane. Glad to know there's another engine option available. The FPE 1.3 is heavier and not quite as powerful as say the Saito 100. No reason for concern?

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:31:21 AM)
This is where I deviate from the plans for sme persnal modifications...The cockpit.[8D] I'm using a 1/7th H9 rubbery guy, and some images i pulled off of the web. I considered using a top flite type cockpit kit or even simply making one from scratch, but I'm trying to keep her light given the added weight of the gas engine, and the seemingly scale-like airfoil, in order to keep the wingloading down. I went ahead and prepared my fuel tank for gasoline using all the swap outs req'd. I added the rudder/ tailwheel servo in the tray, then cut out the area for the partial cockpit. the bottom of the servo dictates how deep the cockpit will go.[;)] I used the same piece I cut out as the cockpit ploor, then add the real photos of a p-51's cockpit I found on the internet. There is a lil' overlap, but once the pilot is in, it looks pretty darn good, and I'm satisfied with the look. I created a segmented instrument cover and will probably make a gunsight later on.[8\|] the ARF came with a great faux instrument pannel, but mines' just a lik better, so I'll save that one for another model. It also came with the radio box which is situated behinf the pilot...this worked out great, so I constructed it and added some faux wiring and other bits for added effect. I also placed my on-board voltwatch back there and it adds to the semi-authenticty. Next I made an armor plated set backing from foam-core board and glued on the cut out of the seat that came with the ARF. I've then painted the pilot test fit him, and trimmed to fit. added the image of an instrument panel from the web and budda-bing~ I've gone ahead and put the canopy back on, but I plan to make a Malcom canopy for her in the near future. [:)] I've taken loads of pics of this along the way.

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:33:19 AM)
Mike, I'm not concerned about the power...I did a P-36 with a g20 in it, and she had plenty of umph~ and I like loads of that...So it's well within the range of having ample "emergency" power. I'll let ya' know though. [;)]

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:35:45 AM)
Note: the screws used on the instrument cover will come off later...they're holding the bits down for now. Here are more images of the cockpit/ pilot. [8D]

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:41:14 AM)
Next step was fitting the wing, adding the oil cooler scoop, belly gusset and wing fairings. I've always disliked doing this part of planes weather it's on a kit or ARF. The fairings in particular were a pain and I ended up cutting off the covering in the wring spot on the rt fairing, but it wasn'y too bad. Used waxpaper on the wing...it'll save you a mess worth of clean up. The images show all the parts going on wnd how verything fits. the other part that was tedious was the fiberglass tubes that had to be cut that serve as a guide for the wing bolts. They are a quality element and should be added as they'll also strengthen the pan.

mike early -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 1:46:17 AM)
It looking damned good.

Jimmy Bananas -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 10:00:06 AM)
No Flaps: Just ordered mine yesterday..have a set of old Rhom-Airs retracts, I'll put in it...probably a Mag 120 4-stroke that is well broken in, for power..hope to get it by the end of the week or first part of next week....Keep up the good work and will follow your tread...We're having a good ole fashion Iowa winter this year,so will have plenty of time to build any planes I want too.....Good luck with your P-51 B

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 3:06:49 PM)
Many thanks guys...I'll keep you informed of the progress...I won't be able to do much more until the weekend. Here's a pic showing a possible choice for a more scale-like tailwheel, the tailwheel location is good, but the stock wire, just isn't doing anything for me...[8D] What your seeing in the photo is a DuBro scale tailwheel for 40-60 size planes with the mounting arm installed backwards, and a spacer added to get the correct height...I'll need to modify it further to make it work. although it's not really scale, it looks better than the wire-see image and the other retract is too big.[8\|]

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 3:13:47 PM)
These next images are just for LDM... [;)] The plane doesn't have counterbalances on either the vertical stab/ Rudder of the elevators, so here's the rudder. I'm not sure if i'm doing the elevator just yet....These pics show how it was done, the finished picsof this will come later.[:D] It is a beautiful thing that the entire tail is made of sheeted, flying (meaning airfoil shaped) surfaces.

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 3:18:00 PM)
This will probably be my last post untuil the weekend olls around... I've decided not to do this bird in the factory "Sangri Li" scheme, so I've started a bit of the paint change... More pics to follow later, but i've started the taping process.

MikeL@Sig -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 3:48:17 PM)
NoFlaps, Wow looking good. I like your cockpit mods. Keep up the great work. Happy Landings Mike

warks62 -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 3:49:03 PM)
No flaps, can you give me a measurement from fire wall to spinner I am thinking of a RCS 140 rear carb and rear exhaust motor for it. There would be no cuts except for the spark plug I am hoping, let me know please thanks. Also is the wing fully sheeted? I would like to glass I think. Randy

Evil_Merlin -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 4:17:05 PM)
Noflaps, so how do you rate the plane currently?

Rip n Bank -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 4:36:17 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NoFlaps Many thanks guys...I'll keep you informed of the progress...I won't be able to do much more until the weekend. Here's a pic showing a possible choice for a more scale-like tailwheel, the tailwheel location is good, but the stock wire, just isn't doing anything for me...[8D] What your seeing in the photo is a DuBro scale tailwheel for 40-60 size planes with the mounting arm installed backwards, and a spacer added to get the correct height...I'll need to modify it further to make it work. although it's not really scale, it looks better than the wire-see image and the other retract is too big.[8\|] Hey NoFlaps, Thanks for the on-going updates! Looking at your tail wheel replacement picture: even if it fit, I think you'd find the small Robart steerable tailwheel (lower right in your pic) doesn't work effectively on a P-51. The retraction range for the mechanism isn't enough to pull the wheel completely into a fuselage that slopes up towards the rear. Tilting the bottom of the retract's vertical frame member rearward to increase the upward retraction of the wheel correspondingly decreases the wheel's downward deployment below the fuselage, and the tip of the rudder will then drag (assuming a scale tail wheel location). Grrrrrrr. I still ended up using this tail wheel (see pic), since it's steerable and looks cool anyway, and just locked it permanently in a "down" position on my H9 60 'Stang... Bo

Evil_Merlin -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 5:23:09 PM)
Oh you are doing Lil' Kitten? Nice scheme!

jmohn -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 5:39:24 PM)
There is a lot of room under the cowl. You have about 2-3 inches of fore - aft movement on the cowl. The problem with going too big on the engine may be getting the CG right without adding weight to the tail. I had to move EVERYTHING as far back as possible to get the CG right. I didn't think I would be able to get it dialed in, but with some last minute changes it worked our great. Usually with my electric planes (P40, Zero, Hellcat, ect.) I have to get all the weight up front, but not this one. Very nice kit all the servo trays and mounts are ready to go. The wires are also already cut and bent to the right size too. Can't wait to fly it! Jeff

Kmot -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 5:40:26 PM)
Your detailing inside the wheel wells, and the cockpit are outstanding! [sm=thumbup.gif]

jmohn -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 5:49:43 PM)
NoFlaps, Let me know how your balancing works out? I had to move everything aft to get mine dialed in. Looks good! I have to work on the details now [:D]

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/22/2008 6:00:21 PM)
It's gonna be lil' kitten, Passion Wagon or Rubber Check [;)]...I prefer the partial (bottom side) invasion stripes on lil' kitten though~

NoFlaps -> RE: Sig P-51B gas+build thread (1/23/2008 4:00:42 PM)
And here's the finished cowl/ Spinner. [8D] Hey guys, for those who have asked about sizes for the RCS engine etc....I'll answer that towards the end of the week, when I get a chance to get back to the plane. Regarding the rating of this plane: First of all, I want to make it clear that this write up is my honest opinion, and is not meant to be anything but that. Also, I'd like to ask not that we RCU members do not alllow this thread to become a "bash" session. Overall, I'd put this plane on-par with a Hangar 9 .60 size ARF. Although the instructions are better, and there are a few extra niceties on the SIG including historical notes, pre drilled cowl holes, flying tail surfaces, proper tailwheel placement, point hinges, flaps, templates for cowl cut-outs, not to mention that this is one of the only companies out there to have the cahonies to release a "B" model instead of a "D". But on the other hand, I think SIG could have had a few things done a little better- such as have fully sheeted wings, and have the fairings built into the fuse (loads of ARF's out there have super high quality fairings, and it doesn't seem to have affected the price (See the BHM P-36 fairings..it's a .60 size plane for $135.00...I've had guys ask me if that plane was made of fiberglass since the fuse looked soo good)...Point being is that it's a high quality ARF, that I would say it would be better if the builder had some experience under their belt to achieve a nice finish.[;)] My only real complaint is that the plane has a glossy finish. I'm inclined to believe that the high gloss olive green plastic parts (wing & tail fairing as well as cowl) are in part, the reason that SIG chose to cover the plane in a glass covering instead of drab. I''ll finish the plane in flat spray, so it doesn't really matter, but maybe if SIG released the plane in silver, it would alleviate that complaint from us RC'ers. But all in all, it's a very nice airplane, and I hope that the price will go down to compete more with the TF ARF. I will save my final judgement until after she flies.[:D]

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