go_hercules

I am building a Byron P-51. Unfortunately, I have never seen one of these planes fly. Before I fly this one, I would really like to see one in action. I am near Los Angeles. Does anyone out there fly one of these birds that I might be able to watch? Willing to travel a ways if necessary. I've seen videos online but it's not the same as seeing one in person. Thanks a lot.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

there is a difference between a direct drive and the 4 blade unit. What do you have?

go_hercules

Hey Ram-bro, I have the 4 blade reduction drive. Getting closer to flying it, but sure am nervous about it. That's why I would like to see one in person flying.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

I have one also, 3 piece wing. They fly closer to scale than most.....meaning cant over power them and you fly them like your sitting in the cockpit. Got pics of yours?

go_hercules

Mine is stripped down all the way to the fuse right now for painting. I had everything built, installed, and mounted beforehand. I will put some pictures up in a couple weeks when I get it painted. I have been practicing with my airbrush to do some panel lines and weathering. By the way, what battery are you using in the plane?

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

talk to Chad about rivets. You can find him on here. He will sell you a package of rivets and panels for your plane. I used the vinly rivets, chart tape and Rustoleum Aluminum paints. Came out pretty good. I used different shades of Model masters Aluminums to help with the simulated panels. Havent done much weathering yet. i a using the 2000ma packs from tower. 6 channel 9 servoes if I remember .

go_hercules

2000 ma, what type? Nicad, Nimh, or what? I am painting my plane with Duplicolor auto touch up lacquer in spray cans. After I weather it some, I am clear coating it with Top Flite Lustrekote spray can flat clear. It is gasoline resistant. I did some test panels and they look pretty good.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

we do think alike. It was a NIMH. I use the lustre coat over model masters exclusively. Wish I had pics on this computer for you. what scheme are you doing?

go_hercules

I'm doing the Glamorous Glennis III like Chuck Yeager's plane. Silver with invasion stripes, red and yellow checkerboard nose, and red and yellow spinner. I'm going to do the panel lines with a black Sharpie fine line marker, then shadow each line with the airbrush using Auto Air airbrush paint. The stars and bars insignias, the Glamorous Glennis logo, etc. I am painting on with had cut stencils. Like I mentioned, I practiced all this on some test panels and it looks real good so it ought to come out nice. Can't wait to put some pictures up.

chistech

I had one with the one piece wing, big slow servos for flaps, Quadra 40 and the reduction. When I got it from a friend it had flown well but he didn't know how to tune a two cycle gas engine. The prop was turning about 2550rpms. I am a two stroke guy from dirt bike racing with my son and got it up to it's max which was around 2810 if I remember. I could get more but the prop lost efficiency at anything greater. Flew much better but with that system they fly scale, which for most is slow. It flew like a trainer and came in nice and slow even without flaps. I couldn't believe how easy it flew but also how it seemed to be almost lumbering in the sky as it's speed is very scale. With flaps down you do have to keep the nose down as it slows way down. That is the most I can remember. I think mine weighed 27# or so. Does that sound right?

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

here is one pic. Included are the TFGS B model and a Byron T33 also. I havent weighed mine yet but the mid 25# range is about right

BJ64

How are you getting on with your Byron, go_h?

I might end up with one of these more or less by accident, so I'm keen to learn more...

BJ

go_hercules

Hi, still working on it. Got it painted, all the insignias and markings painted, etc. I still need to airbrush some weathering on it and that's about it. In anticipation of flying it I bought a new 2.4 radio since I am still flying my old FM radios. And I've been practicing a lot of wheel landings on my nitro planes since that's the best way to land the Byron they say. I always seem to get sidetracked on other projects but I am determined to finish it up within a couple months.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

I havent had a real good oportunity to even start mine yet.......sucks

foodstick

Go Hercules, I just wanted to add to be very careful when landing with the four blade setup. I have had a few friends with this and at a low rpm there is a point where those four blades are not pulling, they will act like a brake, or parachute. If you get to low on the throttle the plane will want to just stop, and drop.. So be careful.

go_hercules

Wow! Thanks foodstick, I haven't heard of that. I have heard to keep some power on until just about touchdown, but I figured that was just due to high wing loading, but it makes sense what you say about that big windmill out there. But I couldn't imagine not having that four blade out there, really makes the plane. Thanks for the tip.

BJ64

... which brings me to a question: what prop set-ups and motor combo's are people using in these things?

There seems to be a distinct choice between opting for the original reduction-drive set-up or direct drive.

And 2 or 4 blade configs.

I'd like to go 4-stroke just for the sound. Something like an multi-cylinder Kolm would be ideal, but a bit out of my price range atm.

And, of course, a 4-spoke prop would do the thing justice. I've only started reading about such rigs and I've come across 'Solo' props. Are they any good for the price? Or is there something a tad more affordable around regarding multi-blade propeller systems?

BJ

go_hercules

I have not flown mine yet, but I am running the Byron reduction drive and four blade prop. I replaced the original Quadra 35 with a Quadra 42. I know people say it's underpowered and a different motor and direct drive 2 blade prop is better and such, but without a 4 blade prop, why have a Mustang? I did try and keep mine as light as possible at every step, although I have talked to plenty of guys whose planes flew just fine even overweight with onboard starters, operational canopies, etc. I don't expect a speed demon, just an awesome sight and sound.

foodstick

Another thing I recall was the early prop blades were a little soft, so as the motor wound up some of the pitch would go away.. making the motor turn faster, but not really making much more propulsion. They do work despite the issues. But beware of the bite of slow rpms ! My friend that had one on a P47 said that if the motor died and it deadsticked it wasn't bad. Only when running to slow.

70 ragtop

My Feedback: (24)

Those blades have a LOT of flex. 4 blade set up will work fine 28ish lbs or less, and yes, they act like a big speed brake if you pull the throttle back. Don't forget to keep power on all the way down. Mine flew at 33# and was a dog. Started re-working the tail, and converting it to two bladejust never finished. Has a 4.2 in it now, plan to run 22x12, maybe a little more, should move right along

I've gone electric on pretty much everything now, and I was eyeing this prop as a future mod. Link might not work, so click on 32I, http://www.ramoser.de/home_e/variopr...rioprop_e.html

Have a pair of their props on a Yellow P-38 that I hope to finish up this winter. Anxious to see how they perform

Lets see some pictures!

flyingchef

My Feedback: (93)

Well, it does remind me of my Byron P51, it was the plug-in wing version. I lost it back in 04 after one of the plastic hinge, between the aileron and flap ,broke.
It was setup with a G62, flying at mile hi the four bladed prop system would not have been enough power. I think the plane weighted about 27lbs.
Good luck on your project, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

70 ragtop

My Feedback: (24)

Very Nice!
I like the finish, do you remember what paint you used?

BJ64

Pretty kewl stuff.

Is that 'Flite Metal' on there?

BJ

BJ64

Any 'Byron' action going on out there?

Lots to do on my inherited one yet.

Just fishing for ideas re suitable motor (with a great sound)... and that wonderful finish, which I suspect is flight-metal or something fiddlingly similar...

BJ

flyingchef

My Feedback: (93)

There is some aluminum tape similar to "Flite Metal" on the plane, such as flaps, but the plane fuselage is done with "Skinni Dip" a metal finishing made by IMP years ago. The wing was painted with automotive metal silver.
There many types of aluminum tape available now on the market, I used a 12" wide roll to cover the fuselage of this Top Flite Mustang last year.