LargeScale88

Hello,

I have finally made up my mind on my winter project, after months of thinking, researching, and going through numbers, I have decided to go with Don Smiths P-51.


Should I do a build thread? Would it be worth it?

Thanks

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

every thread has been worth its weight in Gold....at lest for me.I learn something and so does the builder. Also haven't seen many Don Smith builds

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

You can't go wrong with a P-51. I'll be watching. Dan.

LargeScale88

Thanks for the replies. I have decided to do a build thread.

So I got the plans just to review.

Heres my plan:
Laser Lizard Short kit
Quadra 100 gas engine
Sierra Giant Scale Retracts (I'm going to experiment making my own tailgear)
Sliding Canopy
Custom Welded Exhaust
Dynamic Balsa Cockpit Kit

Here are a few pictures of the plans

LargeScale88

More

LargeScale88

So today, I went to the LHS, and bought some sheets of balsa to cut my crutch. I started by making the piece around the radiator. I just placed a piece of wax paper over the area, and traced the shape onto the wax paper, make a form, and cut my piece.

LargeScale88

Pictures

LargeScale88

I received my Kit from Laser Lizard, and starting the build. Here are the first few pics. I spent some time dry fitting the pieces, had to change a few things, so here it is from the start:

Got some formers down on the crutch now.

LargeScale88

More pics:

LargeScale88

Got the Wing base all lined up, started gluing stuff in today.

LargeScale88

Heres the fuselage up to now:

LargeScale88

I added small balsa blocks for more support. Not sure if they'll do much, but I wanted to do it anyway.

LargeScale88

Balsa pieces:

LargeScale88

I spent about 2 hours making sure that I had the wing base lined up perfectly, and that the formers lined up perfectly also. Thats a critical piece for wing incidence.


Feel free to ask questions and make comments!!!

More to come!!

Jason

IFLYRC-RCU

My Feedback: (28)

Watching . . .

Mustang Joe

Ive had these plans in my shop for 10 years!! This is one BIG bird. I will be watching for sure. There is a short video clip of this plane in warbirds over the Rockies. I think it was 2 years ago?? He has a quaddra 100 as well best of luck Jason !!!

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Subscribed. I'll be interested in seeing what you decide on for power and what the all up weight ends up being. I have been working on a set of 1/4 scale Mustang plans for a customer in Italy for about a year now and I am very close to finished. We will be using the Smith canopy and the Sierra retracts. Have you done any research on a spinner and wheels per chance? The main wheels are 7 inches in diameter! I'd really like to build one for myself but I'm afraid the powerplant and retracts are beyond my budget for the time being. Keep on truckin' Jason and best of luck with your 'stang.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

Chad, do you ever take a break?

LargeScale88

Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching the build!!

Chad, thats a nice P-51 you got there. Looks like it will turn out to be a wonderful P-51.

Today I got much more progress on. After some quiet thinking, about $40.00 in materials, and some sketching out, I got the fin pretty close to sheeting. I was first confused on how Don Smith had it done on the plans, but after reading over and over, I realized its the same as my DS B-17 was. I have to block all the ribs up 1/8" off the building board because the the crutch is 1/4", so 1/8" would put the fin in the center. (see pics). I got all fuse formers glued down, and got my 1/4 stringer put in also.

On his plan, he mentioned that the fin is offset 1 degree to the left. I was thinking he was gonna offset the fin instead of the engine?? Anyone have an idea?

Here are some pics.

LargeScale88

Here are some pics of the fin. Noticed the small balsa pieces (1/8") under the fin ribs. I will glue the other half fin ribs just as I do the formers when I put it on the jig.

Pic

LargeScale88

More

LargeScale88

Total time spent on project: 12 hours

Chad, Don Smith calls for 6-1/2" scale wheels, 7" spinner, and I will be using a quadra 100 engine. I've seen 1 smith P-51 at 50 pounds with a Q100, and it flew great.

Thanks everyone for tuning in. I will try and get down the shop everyday and update! So far, I think this is the easy stuff. The fun/hard stuff comes in with the finishing. I'm going all out with this bird.

Last pic

LargeScale88

Ok, I have another question.

What control surfaces on the P-51D are cloth covered? I'm getting ready to build the rudder, and still can't figure it out.

I always thought it was just the elevator and rudder with cloth, just like all airplanes made back then.

Thanks

Jason

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Jason, I never offset anything and for one good reason. If it’s wrong, you are stuck with it! I don’t know if anyone watching this has any experience with this Smith design including Don Smith to discuss incidences. Did he build and fly all his planes? Any of them? Who knows. I set up my models at 0-0. No incidence or offsets any where. If I need something I use the trim button. Keep up the great build. I really enjoy watching it. Dan.

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Jason,

How did the Q-100 fit in the Mustang you saw? Anything sticking out anywhere?

The rudder was fabric covered on all Mustangs but only the very earliest of D models had fabric on the elevators. Even many of the early D's which were built with fabric elevators had them replaced with metal ones while in service.