dmyers0403

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Started assemby of the 96" P51 ARF. Finding this to be a very well made ARF with decent outlines but not for the scale purist. Will get you in the air in a reasonable amount of time with a very good looking WW2 bird. Attached a few pics from webb site: jbhobbies.com

dmyers0403

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Assembled stabs-elevators. Like the scale like recessed hinges. Nice notches in elevator for pin (Robart) type hinges and the carbon fiber tubes to extend hinges from stab. Covering was very good. Better quality construction than my previous ARFs.
Note: These stabs are designed as removable with a tube spar and securing tabs, but can be fixed in place if one chooses.

chris923

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subscribed!

dmyers0403

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Installed stab-elevator servos and linkage using all stock hardware which I thought was pretty good. The control horn embeds into stab and I need to trim the excess off top and round edges as it just does not look good and could get hit easier. Also had to trim base of horn to allow fit into slot. You will need to cut covering over slot. Just fill for it as it is easy to find. Just dont get elevators reversed. Used Hitec 645 MG which fit slot in hatch perfect.
The allen bolt for linkage had to be filed just under head as it would not slide into brass swivel base. Not hard to do, threaded part slid thru no problem, it was just the shoulder under head..

dmyers0403

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Installing a ZDZ-80RV with jmb pitts type muffle with can brace welded on by mfg.
Using jig as showm as it makes install easier for me. Just priliminary work before I go back to wings. Looks like edge angle blocks in firewall will interfer but will show pics of fix. A 6 inch diam. Spinner is required and I will use a 4 blade 24/10 prop. Same engine was on the Zero by Troybuilt which looks same as Zero by JB Hobbies. Ran a 3 blade 26/10 and it was a beast!! Changed to EME70 twin with starter and love it. A better match up, so this thumper goes on stang.
This stang is detailed and constructed so much better than the zero. The Zero is a great flyer and looks sharp but was not as well engineered as this one.

dmyers0403

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The "Best Pilot" for the Top Flite P51 fits this one good. Had to cut his feet-boots off to clear dash as it is not open under dash.

chris923

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I have one suggestion, I would run a screw thru each block holding the servo to he hatch cover. They have been known to break loose from the hatch.

dmyers0403

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Good point, will do. Thanks
Note: I have considered modifing to servo brackets installed to rib structure with the existing used as covers only with brackets removed. That would be later during winter.

dmyers0403

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Wings are much like the stabs in hinging. I had used another brand of servos which required the carbon fiber horns to be installed under s small round servo to fit in slot. Changing back to Hitech as they fit.

dmyers0403

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Note: the DLE-85 is a perfect fit. The 7-7/8" length of engine is exactly what is needed for the plane from firewall to front of cowl ring. The ZDZ 80 is going to require a lot of cutting and reinforcement with spacers but is doable Since I have it.

dmyers0403

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Most ARFs come with small cheap wheels. Pretty impressed with these 5.5 inch wheels, especially the aluminum inner hub with heavy nylon insert. Much better wheel than most I buy.

dmyers0403

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Quick update: Mounting DLE85 as it fits very well without cuting down firewall. I did have to mill off right firewall flange to allow offset to center spinner etc. Will need reinforce joint as the flange provided structural strength to firewall.

dmyers0403

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Redid motor mount as I needed about 1 degree taken out of firewall angle to match cowl. I felt like the factory right thrust may have been excessive so reducing it some was acceptable.

old p47

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Nice mounting work. Does that mount have vibration rubber builtin? Does that come with the DLE 85? Can you get different paint scheme with this kit?

dmyers0403

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The DLE-85 does come with the vibration rubber mount. I ordered mine from Troy Built as it included battery. ignition kill and free shipping for best price I could find.
I have read several good reports and only one negative. The DLE85 is a very good fit. I had planned on the ZDZ 80RV which is a great engine but I did not like the pounding it gave to my big Zero.
I was able to use two small C-Clamps to secure engine to firewall and still slide cowl in place to adjusting position of engine with the 6" spinner plate centered on cowl ring face.
I used a 1/8 AC Ply fit to full face of firewall, and tapered to zero at other end as shown. Will seal and paint this plate.

JB-Hobbies does offer the "MisBehavin" scheme @ https://www.jb-hobbies.com/presta/wa...sbehavin-.html

Did not mention earlier but "Wing Pylons" are included.

old p47

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have you got anymore completed. can you show some close ups of the main doors and tail wheel retracts.

MD

dmyers0403

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Will get the wings out and take pic of main retracks but here is shot of tail gear unit.

old p47

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hows the work going waiting to see more

dmyers0403

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Going slow do to recent marriage and moving into new house. No shop yet, but have a temp work bench. Did go out and mount cowl using JMB Pitts styl muffler. Really had to cut cowl up, not very pleased with result. Probally would use a vert muffler with exhaust tubes straight down so side of cowl would not get cut out so much. Probally should have used a rear exhaust 55 which would fly fine, but I wanted more power and larger prop as this is a 96" bird.Oh well it is sport scale, gee wheeez.
Pics show rough cut, have final trim to finish. Made a bit over cut on end.

PS: Appreciate your interest oldp47, as there seems not to be any on this ARF.

old p47

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looks like if you did a header pipe off the exhaust port to a can behind the head you could avoid cutting the cowl. More work but it would result in a clean cowl. Do they have spare cowls in stock yet?
go to the bottom of the page on this link to find the header flang the rest you have to weld up
http://zimmermannschalldaempfer.de/e...8-muffler.html

dmyers0403

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Slow build but had a chance to work on it last night. Had a urge to rush it to try and have plane ready in 3 weeks for a fly-in trip. Did not think it would require so much cut out, but too late once I started so just kept cutting.
Will study a header build and redo cowl next year. Emailed JB Hobbies and James is checking on availability of another cowl. Will advise.
Could have rotated motor and modified exhaust outlet, but again my urge got the better of me and I was rushed it.

dmyers0403

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Did maiden flight earlier this week when we arrived for the Fon Du Lac Warbirds event. Spent Tuesday finalizing and getting ready for first flight. Did not install gear doors but will do so later. She did not require any wieght to balance. We liked the cg where she balanced. She is very light for size and flew extremly well. 1 click left aileron and a few down clicks elevator. The DLE85 had power to spare on a 26/10 Xoar 2-blade prop. Will change to 4 blade to adsorb some of the power and have a nice look. Take off was rather easy and she lifted very quickly due to light wieght, landings were with full flaps with no pitch change. she goes where you point it. Good quality plane and looks good but is not a scale outline type contender. Retracts are very strong and performes excellant.
Required 11 channels for setup. Could do 10 with out using a ignition kill switch.
Very pleased with ARF. Biggest miss is lack of good manual and gear door out line. Manual is for a older version and does not apply to this one.
Hid my switches in belly scoop

w6df

Thanks dmyers for all the build info. I just got Lady B from James (JB Hobbies) and will start the build in a few days. I also got the ZDZ 90 cc and Pitts muffler set up coming from Joe at ZDZ USA. I have asked Bin at Flight Model for better assembly plans, but I am not holding by breath. How did you mount the mini servo on the tail wheel?

Thanks

Jim

dmyers0403

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The individual assemblies are bagged and labeled which helps a lot during kit build. There is a bag marked for tail wheel. This bag has two solid aluminum tubes that fit between the tail wheel frames. These are drilled and tapped for servo screws also provided. These are for single tab mini servos. Mine was a Hitech mini and I will get servo number for you. They also provided all the linkage and swivels. There is also a spring with long strait ends. This is for the tail wheel gear door. The spring ends fasten to doors by screws and the spring is under tail wheel. Spring draws doors shut when retracted. Has held up very well so far.
I have not mounted gear covers but the inside gear doors are also setup for same mini servos for operation.
Considering setback with a prop extension if needed for clearance but may not be needed with ZDZ. I am replacing my DLE85 with an older ZDZ80 as it is slimmer at fins and exhaust port area which provides more exhaust clearance.

dmyers0403

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One note on main gear. You will see two set screws tapped to secure main strut leg to trunion block on each unit, but only one set screw provided. I added a allen head bolt of same thread size to outside pre-tapped location. This provided better strength than set crew. Since it was to the outside it did not cause interference with strut when retracted.

CG is at 8" to 8 1/4" now, may change some next season. She is a floater with flaps so not really needed most of the time. This is a clone off the Ziroli P51 so his specs work well with this plane. In fact his cowl fit my plane perfect, even matched the panel lines if I ever want to use his full top hood portion of cowl.

I made my own tail wheel mounting blocks for more strength. Test Tail wheel mounting block for wheel clearance when doors are shut, since no dimensions are provided.