Best flying Mustang kit in the 80- 90 inch wing ?
#1
Thread Starter
Best flying Mustang kit in the 80- 90 inch wing ?
I have a friend that is getting older.. and he just needs a more forgiving Mustang than the Topflite giant scale one. He seems to get along ok with his giant TF Corsair and P47... but the Mustang has been HARD on him, and he has been hard on it. is there an easier flying maybe less scale Mustang kit in that size out there? he sure has been taking it hard.. yet he hasn't gave up looking.
Any help appreciated.
Any help appreciated.
#3
The TF giant Mustang is easy to fly, actually it's easier to fly than the TF 65" WS Mustang. What problem(s) does your friend experience when he flys his TF giant P-51D Mustang?
My Mustang is very stable in flight even with this heavy load attached!!
My Mustang is very stable in flight even with this heavy load attached!!
Last edited by ForcesR; 08-21-2015 at 09:25 AM.
#4
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There is a no better choice than the Top Flite 84in ws P51.
Trimed correctly a little nose heavy, It takes off, flys and lands like a dream..
Remember, bigger flies better. The smaller the plane the more "squirrely" they are especially warbirds.
Trimed correctly a little nose heavy, It takes off, flys and lands like a dream..
Remember, bigger flies better. The smaller the plane the more "squirrely" they are especially warbirds.
#6
Thread Starter
For some reason he just couldn't make his Topflite kit land well he just kept breaking it up....He has other smaller planes that he can land fast and on the wheels but I am not sure what the gremlin is in his P51.
He does have a smaller Hangar 9 Mustang that he LOVES.. I have been telling him possibly the bigger Hangar 9 would be a wise choice. He likes to build so I don't think he was considering arfs.. but I am going to recommend it to him.
He does have a smaller Hangar 9 Mustang that he LOVES.. I have been telling him possibly the bigger Hangar 9 would be a wise choice. He likes to build so I don't think he was considering arfs.. but I am going to recommend it to him.
#7
Thread Starter
ForcesR, that is quite the payload ! hahaha
thanks for all the help, I have called him and passed on the hangar 9 reviews and he is considering it. The topflite he had kitbashed into a B model and I am not sure that he hadn't built something off a bit.. And I know he hated adding lead to it.. But I am pretty sure he was balanced ok.. I always tell him a bit nose heavy beats a bit tail heavy every time !
thanks for all the help, I have called him and passed on the hangar 9 reviews and he is considering it. The topflite he had kitbashed into a B model and I am not sure that he hadn't built something off a bit.. And I know he hated adding lead to it.. But I am pretty sure he was balanced ok.. I always tell him a bit nose heavy beats a bit tail heavy every time !
#8
Senior Member
My Feedback: (26)
Depth perception nothing more. Have him land in front of himself.
For some reason he just couldn't make his Topflite kit land well he just kept breaking it up....He has other smaller planes that he can land fast and on the wheels but I am not sure what the gremlin is in his P51.
He does have a smaller Hangar 9 Mustang that he LOVES.. I have been telling him possibly the bigger Hangar 9 would be a wise choice. He likes to build so I don't think he was considering arfs.. but I am going to recommend it to him.
He does have a smaller Hangar 9 Mustang that he LOVES.. I have been telling him possibly the bigger Hangar 9 would be a wise choice. He likes to build so I don't think he was considering arfs.. but I am going to recommend it to him.
#9
My Feedback: (54)
Several are still recommending the TF, even though you said he was having difficulties. Currently building a Ziroli P-51, and I have flown all of them from the TF KIT built, heavy as heck model, to the light and forgiving ARF's, including World Models, H9, and Aeroworks. The easiest by far is the Aeroworks. Looks good and truly flies like a trainer. The issue is if you buy it as an ARF that has the retracts and airlines installed. Everything leaks, and there is a forum on here about it, and had to be replaced. Cheap Chinese stuff. Put Sierra electric or air in it, and a DA50, DLE55 or good ole reliable Zenoah 62. Good Luck.
#11
My Feedback: (3)
Im flying the TF kit built to 25lbs and it lands very easy but with healthy respect to its character.
Two things to consider for this plane;
1) the landing gear rails must be strengthened
2) any working struts like Robostruts have to have dual rate, progressive or two springs. Yellow AC struts have two stage springs and the P-38 I fly doesnt bounce when you first touch down. When holding slight up elevator on final and the wheels first touch on hard springs the plane usually pops back up. Ive seen this and done this for years and have been modifying my gear ever since. On this TF kit Mustang Ive gone to the hardware store and bought short springs and spacers to tune them. The plane sits with the gear fully compressed so when it lands like full scale the gear helps settle the plane down.
Ive been flying mostly 60 size P-51's for many years and they dont compare to the bigger versions. The bigger P-51's will be more stable generally but Ive seen the TF Mustang high speed stall too. So set up and flying style will dictate success or failure.
Two things to consider for this plane;
1) the landing gear rails must be strengthened
2) any working struts like Robostruts have to have dual rate, progressive or two springs. Yellow AC struts have two stage springs and the P-38 I fly doesnt bounce when you first touch down. When holding slight up elevator on final and the wheels first touch on hard springs the plane usually pops back up. Ive seen this and done this for years and have been modifying my gear ever since. On this TF kit Mustang Ive gone to the hardware store and bought short springs and spacers to tune them. The plane sits with the gear fully compressed so when it lands like full scale the gear helps settle the plane down.
Ive been flying mostly 60 size P-51's for many years and they dont compare to the bigger versions. The bigger P-51's will be more stable generally but Ive seen the TF Mustang high speed stall too. So set up and flying style will dictate success or failure.
#12
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HOW ABOUT THE forgotten WORLD MODELS P-51.... I hear they fly well..... and price is very reasonable....
They are available in many color schemes :::
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=21
Just food for thought.....
They are available in many color schemes :::
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=21
Just food for thought.....
#13
Poor guy, I feel for him. If we all live long enough we are bound to suffer from slower reaction times making our once best flying planes a challenge. TF Mustang seems to be one of the best out there.
He may benefit from some sort of flight stabilization system to calm things down.
Mike
He may benefit from some sort of flight stabilization system to calm things down.
Mike
#14
Thread Starter
I do think turning 72 was a year that took some of his endurance away.. but he seems to still fly many of his planes well. But he has a strong urge to be able to have a bigger Mustang that he can take home in one piece everyday. I still think there was some error built into this last kit ...he really changed a lot when he built it.
#16
My Feedback: (34)
Foodsticks, Most mustangs have a tendency to tip stall on landing if too slow on approach. Solution is more washout in the wing tips. Take both ailerons and add 2 turns out on the Clevis to make each aileron slightly higher. This adds washout to an already built wing. Expect to re trim for straight and level flight as it will want to climb slightly.
If you want to mix your radio and you have aileron servos on two channels ( ch1, ch6) you could also do that.
this is how my right side slider bar is set up. Neutral position is neutral. For landings I slide it up on downwind leg, and this adds up to both ailerons thus creating more washout on the wing tips.
If you want to mix your radio and you have aileron servos on two channels ( ch1, ch6) you could also do that.
this is how my right side slider bar is set up. Neutral position is neutral. For landings I slide it up on downwind leg, and this adds up to both ailerons thus creating more washout on the wing tips.
#17
My Feedback: (48)
Take a look at JB-Hobbies P51. It is a large very good looking ARF with a 96" ws. Just made maiden flight on mine a couple of weeks ago. Very light for its size and flys great. Assembles quick with very little extra work. Cost more with retracts than TF but bigger and better. Manual sucks but a very good ARF
It is a fiberglass fuselage with builtup wings and removable stabs.
It is a fiberglass fuselage with builtup wings and removable stabs.
Last edited by dmyers0403; 08-22-2015 at 01:34 PM.
#19
My Feedback: (4)
Im flying the TF kit built to 25lbs and it lands very easy but with healthy respect to its character.
Two things to consider for this plane;
1) the landing gear rails must be strengthened
2) any working struts like Robostruts have to have dual rate, progressive or two springs. Yellow AC struts have two stage springs and the P-38 I fly doesnt bounce when you first touch down. When holding slight up elevator on final and the wheels first touch on hard springs the plane usually pops back up. Ive seen this and done this for years and have been modifying my gear ever since. On this TF kit Mustang Ive gone to the hardware store and bought short springs and spacers to tune them. The plane sits with the gear fully compressed so when it lands like full scale the gear helps settle the plane down.
Ive been flying mostly 60 size P-51's for many years and they dont compare to the bigger versions. The bigger P-51's will be more stable generally but Ive seen the TF Mustang high speed stall too. So set up and flying style will dictate success or failure.
Two things to consider for this plane;
1) the landing gear rails must be strengthened
2) any working struts like Robostruts have to have dual rate, progressive or two springs. Yellow AC struts have two stage springs and the P-38 I fly doesnt bounce when you first touch down. When holding slight up elevator on final and the wheels first touch on hard springs the plane usually pops back up. Ive seen this and done this for years and have been modifying my gear ever since. On this TF kit Mustang Ive gone to the hardware store and bought short springs and spacers to tune them. The plane sits with the gear fully compressed so when it lands like full scale the gear helps settle the plane down.
Ive been flying mostly 60 size P-51's for many years and they dont compare to the bigger versions. The bigger P-51's will be more stable generally but Ive seen the TF Mustang high speed stall too. So set up and flying style will dictate success or failure.
Ed
#20
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Foodsticks, Most mustangs have a tendency to tip stall on landing if too slow on approach. Solution is more washout in the wing tips. Take both ailerons and add 2 turns out on the Clevis to make each aileron slightly higher. This adds washout to an already built wing. Expect to re trim for straight and level flight as it will want to climb slightly.
If you want to mix your radio and you have aileron servos on two channels ( ch1, ch6) you could also do that.
this is how my right side slider bar is set up. Neutral position is neutral. For landings I slide it up on downwind leg, and this adds up to both ailerons thus creating more washout on the wing tips.
If you want to mix your radio and you have aileron servos on two channels ( ch1, ch6) you could also do that.
this is how my right side slider bar is set up. Neutral position is neutral. For landings I slide it up on downwind leg, and this adds up to both ailerons thus creating more washout on the wing tips.
#22
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hi all,
I think the secret was early in this post, MAKE IT NOSE HEAVY, a 1/2 inch in front of the book balance point, it will still fly like a pattern model, the other thing to do is increase the low idle, these things will bounce if you come in too slow, increase the low idle so it is almost still flying, heaps of flap will help to stop a wing tip stall.
just my 2 cents worth, it works for me.
Oldtimer
I think the secret was early in this post, MAKE IT NOSE HEAVY, a 1/2 inch in front of the book balance point, it will still fly like a pattern model, the other thing to do is increase the low idle, these things will bounce if you come in too slow, increase the low idle so it is almost still flying, heaps of flap will help to stop a wing tip stall.
just my 2 cents worth, it works for me.
Oldtimer
#23
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hi all,
I think the secret was early in this post, MAKE IT NOSE HEAVY, a 1/2 inch in front of the book balance point, it will still fly like a pattern model, the other thing to do is increase the low idle, these things will bounce if you come in too slow, increase the low idle so it is almost still flying, heaps of flap will help to stop a wing tip stall.
just my 2 cents worth, it works for me.
Oldtimer
I think the secret was early in this post, MAKE IT NOSE HEAVY, a 1/2 inch in front of the book balance point, it will still fly like a pattern model, the other thing to do is increase the low idle, these things will bounce if you come in too slow, increase the low idle so it is almost still flying, heaps of flap will help to stop a wing tip stall.
just my 2 cents worth, it works for me.
Oldtimer
+1
#24
My Feedback: (11)
hi all,
I think the secret was early in this post, MAKE IT NOSE HEAVY, a 1/2 inch in front of the book balance point, it will still fly like a pattern model, the other thing to do is increase the low idle, these things will bounce if you come in too slow, increase the low idle so it is almost still flying, heaps of flap will help to stop a wing tip stall.
just my 2 cents worth, it works for me.
Oldtimer
I think the secret was early in this post, MAKE IT NOSE HEAVY, a 1/2 inch in front of the book balance point, it will still fly like a pattern model, the other thing to do is increase the low idle, these things will bounce if you come in too slow, increase the low idle so it is almost still flying, heaps of flap will help to stop a wing tip stall.
just my 2 cents worth, it works for me.
Oldtimer
I wouldn't go any further back than recommended but I certainly wouldn't go that far forward.
Just my 2 cents (which given the current state of the stock market might be worth even less tomorrow!)
#25
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With all due respect, most manufacturers are already conservative to the nose heavy side and moving it even further forward results in a home sick lawn dart or lead sled that often can't produce enough elevator to flare properly especially on low rate.
I wouldn't go any further back than recommended but I certainly wouldn't go that far forward.
Just my 2 cents (which given the current state of the stock market might be worth even less tomorrow!)
I wouldn't go any further back than recommended but I certainly wouldn't go that far forward.
Just my 2 cents (which given the current state of the stock market might be worth even less tomorrow!)