ROCKY1405

My Feedback: (6)

When we are talking about all these beautiful painted model finishes, you have to realize that there are some of us who are very, very, very, allergic to ANY paint fumes at all, so we are stuck with having to use the plastic, iron-on finishes. My gripe about my P-51 ARF is that the covering it came with is clearly defective and in many places doesn't stick and it doesn't shrink either. Does anybody know if the manufacturer, - (Top Flite) - has ever admitted the covering on the ARF's or on at least some of the ARf's is bad and then offered to send replacement covering?

8178

My Feedback: (17)

That is really an amazing project. Could you please post some more pictures and tell us more about the project?

Speedy-Gonzales

My Feedback: (202)

That's a good one!!! If you called Top Flite they would definately have an answer for you but I'm sure they would not accept the responsibility or admit any fault. I'm sure the ARf's are built in an Asian country. I may be wrong. Does any of you guys actually know who builds the Top Flite ARF's? Since the flood of the "Asian Invasion" of the world ARF marketplace it would cost Top Flite and enormous amount of money to admit to anything. Your poor covering is due to "climate changes"! This is why the ARC version is more appealing to most modelers. I always consider that an ARF is just a good starting point. I have never purchased an ARF and flown it right out of the box. Not if I want it to last for any length of time. The biggest problem with most all ARF's covering is that they do not use a balsa "prep" before applying the covering, such as Balsarite. This simple step would greatly increase the quality of the covering. I do not know why it is overlooked by so many.

jbarnes

Those of you that have installed the Sierra retracts. Do I need the medium or large air tank? No specifications on the Sierra web page on the size of each nor in the instructions for the ARF. Appreciate any info you could give me on the Sierra retract installations. I've read the thread and will beef up the area per the great instructions provided by previous owners. Thanks, Jerry.

crashproof

I would just use the large you can't go wrong with that. Kevin.

Pilot P51

My Feedback: (6)

If you have the medium air tank it will work. They stop making that size tank so you have to use the bigger tank. Walt

The Swede

Yeah, it would be very interesting to see more of the turboprop version!! I would also like to see more of Chris' lovely looking bird. I'm going to use Flite metal on mine, but to break the trend of all American P51's I'm going to do mine in the livery of the Royal Swedish Air Force. RSwAF had 164 P 51's in service at the end of and after WW2...
Enclosing a picture of the machine I plan to do

Benny

The Swede

Hmm... was only expecting one picture but... the bird's looking good, so why not...
Benny

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Guys

I would use the large air tank. ALso thats the one that fits in the Mustang formers in the forward part of the fuse.

Chris

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Benny

Thanks for the compliment. I'll try and find a few more pictures. Your P-51 will look awesome also.

Chris

dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

I'm with you Benny 'The Swede', I wanted to be different, so I'm doing mine Post World War II Royal Canadian Air Force theme as pictured.

Doug.

mustangace1

Sweet!

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Beautiful P-51..............Great job !!!!!!!

Chris

The Swede

Well, Mustangace, Doug, Chris and all of you guys... Having seen all these pictures of different Mustangs only proves one thing: the P-51 looks fabulous whatever you do with it! Paint it black and it would still look awsome!!
Benny

Taildragger

My Feedback: (204)

Mustangace1, OK, you obviously modified the nose if this is a Top Flite Mustang. Did buy a commercial mod or do it yourself? By the way, Absolutely beautiful man, just beautiful!

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Benny
Heres a couple more of my P-51
Chris

mshick

Hey guys,
I'm buildingthe ARC version and have all parts glassed and the base sliver/weatherd look on. Now I need to decide on a few things if you could help me out? First what servos and wheels are you using. Second is anyone usin gthe new Area 51 engine for this plane. It's built just like the DA 50 and they have proven great at our club. I'm using one for this plane and was wondering what muffler I could use. If the DA Keleo works I may use that or I may use the Slimline wrap around. Any ideas??? I just don't wantt o cut the fb cowl very much. Thanks for the input I appreciate any help you can give me.

Mike

show871

I have this plane about RTF and had a few questions I really could not find after 20 pages of reading!

1-Will I need an elevator mix on full flaps? Is the manuals flap throws the best?

2-Is there any was to "quick fix" the gear mounts? I am going to get another wing and do it right, but i was wondering what I could do to quickly improve the wing I have so I can maiden it!

3-Where can I get a fiberglass, or plastic spinner? I would like to paint one........or if they come pre painted that would be sweet!

4-is the manuals throws and cg a good start?

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

871

Pilot P51

My Feedback: (6)

All the questions you have are in this 3 hour thread. Start reading around page 40.

I will answer a few.
1. Some planes require mix with the flaps and some do not. It depends on how you balance the plane. I did not have to add any mix when appling flaps, but I did add 5% down on full. This made it easy on landings.
2. Their is no quik fix to the Wing problem and gear mounts. You have to go back to page 50 or 51 and strengthen the webbing. T/F has refused to address thre problem with this wing. This is why I am selling my plane after 4 years, I had a very bad landing and damaged the wing again after I had repaired it last year but thats another story.
3. Most all the guys are using the F/T spinner which comes with the plane or TruTurn. You can paint it yourself with auto paint.
4. Yes use what the manual states.

Walt

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Mike

I can't comment on the engine you may use. I have a DA-50 with the Keleo muffler. I had some problems with the muffler ,but Kelvin at Keleo(owner) is commited to make them work. He was awesome to work with and I think my new muffler will work. Aerotech makes great scale wheels and so does Sierra. Glennis are a little spendy but also very nice. I have used Hitec servos on mine ,mainly digitals on the ailerons and elevator. Good luck.
Chris

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Show871

I agree with Walt on his elevator settings, manualand balance setting also. I also have made a mod for mine with pics on page 70. They are similiar to those on page 50, but I also beef-up the ribs. I have some drawings with templates that I'm willing to share. If you want I will mail you those drawings. You should be ok until you get a new wing to modify. Mine lasted 8 flights with no bad landings. My ribs were only glued to the skin, not either spar and poorly to the leading edge. The shear web was bad also.
You can use Zinc chromate primer to paint your spinner or epoxy primer, such as Klass Kote. Both work well.
Good Luck
Chris

oconcj

My Feedback: (1)

Show 871
Sorry my pics are on page 69 for the wing mod.

show871

Oh thanks!...just got a foot of snow so I think I will just open her up this weekend!!!! If I need the templates I will hollar @ ya. I will let you know how it goes!

Thanks 871

dasintex

My Feedback: (10)

Hey Guys;

I am currently building the RTC Version and had originally planned on MonoKote for covering, however, I have changed my plans and will be glassing and painting; I have for sale, brand new, never been opened or used: 1 Large 25 Foot Roll of Aluminum MonoKote and 1 Small 6 Foot Roll of Flat Black MonoKote; the perfect amount for this plane; the Flat Black was going to be on the top part of the cowl leading to the canopy; if your interested send me a 'PM'; I'd like to offer them to someone building this plane before I list them on the Marketplace or Ebay.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHW24&P=SM
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHV72&P=SM

Doug.

jbarnes

Hey 871, just down the road from you and I see you're putting this same bird together. I've got mine on the bench looking at the engine selection. I've got a DL50 and a G62 sitting on my bench trying to decide which one to use at our altitude. If you look at all the numbers on the motors the DL50 pulls the same prop as the G62 at the same rpm and has 1/2 hp more per their documentation. The DL50 will of course fit in the cowl better but I'm still leaning towards the G62. I've lightened the G62 to be electronic and can put the batteries in the tail for CG issues but it would still be 1.5 lbs heavier with the G62.

Does anyone have any thoughts regarding the use of the G62 versus the DL/DA50 on this bird. There is one post in this thread indicating that the G62 provided more power/speed than the DA.

Thanks, Jerry.