D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I removed the linkage and am using pull pull cable through the hole I drilled in the frame of the TW retract. still have some work to do hopefully have it working by the week end so I can balance and test fly.

Ralph White

D-wibur, I used the same idea for closing the tail wheel doors as you show in your post. You just don't have the angles of the connecting rod and the attachment points correct. I'll try to post a picture of my set up tomorrow. Mine worked perfect. It looks hard to do but is actually very easy and once you have it set up you do not have to mess with it anymore.
Ralph White

Lerch32

Look forward to seeing your pics!

Ralph White

Here's a picture of the linkage I set up on the Robart retractable P51 tailwheel. The 1st video is when I was testing the locations of the link mounts. Just used a piece of plastic for the test. The 2nd video is the completed install. I made the linkage mounts out of small pieces of plastic sheet. I super glued them in place on the doors and the tailwheel metal piece. The super glue worked great because it was easy to locate the plastic mounts and if I needed to adjust them, they would pop off easily to re-locate them.

I'm not the one that designed this set-up. I found the set-up in the thread "TF 1/5 scale P-51 arf assembly (1st-mishap)". I'll look up the post so I can give credit to the fellow who posted the setup. It is a lot easier to make than it looks. You could use wood blocks instead of the plastic mounts I used.
Ralph White

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SPFLpHW2yxE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jlNdX2kW8kI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

AZThud

Thanks Ralph this will be very helpful.

Cheers

NiknJen

...test

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

Hello Ralf
That is cool for showing how it works. I will have to hijack your idea. Thanks much

Ralph White

Your welcome AZThud and D-wilbur. Note that the anchor on the retract struct is forward of the anchors on the doors. That causes the doors not to close at first when the wheel struct starts retracting. At least that's what I think happens.
Ralph

Lerch32

Good stuff! Thanks!

sjhanc

My Feedback: (3)

rampage-1, There go your containers with the new P-51s.

SWORDSN

My Feedback: (13)

Party pooper!

garrettkub

has anyone tried using a DLA64i2 will it fit ? going to order the gunfighter and putting everything I need to order together thank you

TimD.

My Feedback: (207)

That may be a great engine choice.I am interested to hear as well. My concern would be the carbs sticking out of the cowl. I am considering changing my DLE85 to the Roto 85 inline.

garrettkub

there are a few videos on youtube with a esm yak with one and its really impressive sound and power just hoping someone may have one and tryed it and would know if it fit without problems it was designed with the p-51 spitfire in mind The DLA64 i2 inline gas engine from DLA is especially developped for scale models which need an inline gas engine like the Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, Typhoon, ME 109, FW 190, P-39, P-40 Warhawk, Hawker Hurricane, JU-87 Stuka etc.

lazy eight

My Feedback: (389)

I got mine today from Tower. I ordered the Gun Fighter P-51. My windshield was cracked in three places and the windshield frame was busted in four pieces. The vertical fin was split open along the leading edge seam and the side skins cracked. other than the shipping damage caused by there lack of proper packaging its a sweet airplane. Now I got to send it back and wait for the next shipment that's on back order.

garrettkub

sorry to hear that I got the gunfighter from tower yesterday it is fine not a scratch I didn't get a manual or the tube for the throttle but don't know if I was supposed to yeah tower got them Friday and sold out Tuesday think they still have the crow

Sonny.C

My Feedback: (23)

Hi Garrettkub,

I ordered my Blondie version from Gator RC and had shipping damage as well. I thought it was going to be a minor thing getting replacement parts, but not.
I hope you have better luck than I as far as receiving a canopy frame and glass replacement. It's going on three months for me waiting on parts to finish the plane. Finally had to email Top Model Technology Sales, who in turn emailed Mike Mueller and supposedly I now have a canopy frame and rear glass on the way.

BTW, the Ziroli mustang canopy will not fit properly on to the Top RC Models mustang. I tried out of desperation, but no joy.

Good Luck!

Sonny

frisconick

Hi guys,

Sorry to hear about all the damage in shipping. I've always had good luck with Tower. I'm trying to decide if one of these is my next project or the CompARF P-51. I know the CARF will be more work (and more expensive), but wanted to reach out to those of you who have actually put their hands on the Top RC plane. Comments??
Thanks,
Nick

N99JH

My Feedback: (66)

Nick
I got my kit from Tower yesterday and have not had a chance to fully unpack and check every component for possible damage, I intend to do this tonight. Just opened the box and took a quick look - I was very impressed.
The answer to your question is not a simple one though. Obviously, if you consider the TOP RC against CARF, money is not a major factor. What I would consider is the difference in size and what that means. The CARF is 1/4.3 scale with approx. 100" wingspan which means much larger size, larger engine, more weight, and, transportation (do you have a trailer? If not - do you want to spend another $2,000-$4,000 on a trailer?).
I am a P-51 fanatic but there is a limit to what I consider acceptable to spend on essentially a toy. Financially speaking I can afford the CARF but those other consideration tipped the balance in favor of the TOP RC P-51. With the TOP RC you get a very impressive "Bang for the Buck" and your ready to fly cost would probably be somewhere between $2500-$3000. The CARF will be at least double that.
TOP RC has definitely raised the bar in terms of quality relative to what's out there short of CARF, but, all things considered - this is not comparing apples to apples when the complete picture is taken into account.
Just my 2C.
Joshua

garrettkub

I was verry inpressed with the packaging the inside box was the first time I ever received anything in a box that heavy duty there was not a scratch on it everything was secured in place and bubble wrapped. the plane imho is beautiful and I have 17 planes so I have gotten a few. I would be interested in hearing what engine most are ordering I have not ordered one yet but most likely will go with the EME 60

frisconick

Thanks for the feedback. I just talked to Mike at Caiman. They are out of the Gunfighter, but expect another shipment around the 20th of Feb. Maybe I can resist the temptation for a CompARF!!
Thanks,
Nick

N99JH

My Feedback: (66)

Well, I got my "Gunfighter" from Tower last night but it was too late to fully inspect the content. Today I had a chance to do that and to my delight everything looks fine and the windshield is intact, in one piece
While inspecting the tail I found that the seam line from the front base of the fin to about the top was not glued. Same experience as SWK550 found. This is obviously a manufacturing defect, and, I will address it with Hysol 9462, looks like it will be an easy fix.
Overall, the packaging was very, very professional, and the quality is definitely from good. I am very pleased.

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

mine was split also. I hope gator and tower are paying attention.

TimD.

My Feedback: (207)

That sucks. I hoed it would fit

lazy eight

My Feedback: (389)

I called Tower and they sent me a shipping label to send it back and they will send a new one in Feb. I'm bummed I want to start building. They wouldn't send me just parts to fix it. The tail, I can fix easy but the windshield frame is toast so it would need a new top hatch. The upper tray that holds the parts in the box was pushed down on the windshield that's what broke it. The packaging needs a little more foam to protect it better. I'm going with DA85 in mine when I get the replacement. This one looks like it was dropped off the back of a truck or shipping doc. The planes and all the contents where paused to one end against the vertical fin. The box on the outside looked fine. I hate UPS they have smashed many planes of mine over the years. Fed-ex I have never had an issue. All and all its looks like its a well made plane. She will be heading back to Tower on Monday