ForcesR

There was also a 3 bladed P-51F Mustang.

tahustvedt

The F had a lot of other differences as well, not just a three bladed prop. Most notably a different wing shape.

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

Okay, so here is the deal. Mine arrived today and I must say this is one nice plane! Mine had a little damage to the front canopy frame but easily repaired. This is an amazing deal!

So far the only negatives I see is the nose-art sucks big time..it looks like a bad blowup of a smaller picture but since I am changing it its no biggie. My seat fell off and the cockpit was loose but these too are no big deals...a little glue will fix.
Also, for some reason I thought it came with a spinner but after going back and reading description I see where I misread so..I must get a spinner.

Does anyone know if anyone sells a 4" 4blade spinner with cutouts?

Another thing worth noting is how light this plane feels. It does not feel thin, it feels pretty solid but light.

I am very impressed with this plane thus far and it is worth every penny.

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

Good info...

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

Just picked one of these up from Tower Hobbies with a new DLE 55 rear exhaust, $150 off my order was nice.

I think I can add a few things that others may like that I don't see in this or other threads. Also a big plus, they fixed the nose art with this new batch at Tower:



Also, surprised no one else thought of it, but the flaps are hinged low enough to allow completely internal push-rod set ups. That is what I will be doing.

I will be selling the electric retract units (never used) and going with an all air set up. I will be using the stock struts with robart 635 mains and tail wheel unit converted to air. For the gear doors I'll be using air rams and for the valve and sequencer I'm using the UP2 valve. I will show how to get the geometry right to keep your doors shut tight, see lots of hanging doors around, another reason air is better though.

The Gunfighter scheme is in the next container, I have mine reserved already!

Luke

TimD.

My Feedback: (207)

Cool, Two more to get feedback on. Look forward to seeing them finished.

Diony, looks like yours has some nomenclature on it already.

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

Hey Luke,

Very interesting, mine arrived today from Tower and if this is the new and improved noseart the one before but have been horrible because this is bad. Could the difference be that much in less than a week? Or did you just get lucky? Mine shipped Monday and also has the nomenclature. I agree there are many more positives about a lot of things regarding this ARF.

BTW, I am interested in your retracts so if you want to PM me. I never liked air. Interested in how you plan on doing the doors.

What you got planed for power?..oops..nvrmind

I might throw my torqpro 70 in mine.

Also need to get with Chad V for some rivets and callie graphics sells a nomenclature set. Like TimD said, this is a good platform for a scale project.

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

I might have just got lucky on the nose art, I'm very happy, look at the picture! Could be two batches at Tower, just the luck of the forklift driver. The potential this plane has is really something, it's not a total scale bird but it's one heck of a weekend flyer for sure.

I have always used air on my retracts, properly set up they hold air forever. I have lots of experience now after doing 2 F-18's with about 10 air cylinders per jet! This P-51 is a piece of cake!

I'm not going to do a whole lot to this one as far as detailing, I am going to redo the cockpit, not happy with that.

I'll post pictures of my gear as I get it installed.

tahustvedt

If it's not too much to ask, I wold love a straight side on photo from a distance, zoomed in, to reduce wide angle distortion.

johng650

I'll have to check mine and see what the decal looks like. I bought mine off Mike at Toledo and it's under the work bench until the winter......

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

I will not get to mine for a few months since I have two projects in front of it but as a habit I always open and inspect packages to check for damage especially when they use UPS as the shipper. I wish Tower would switch to FedEx. Unless you already inspected the package I would still open it to make sure all is good from the shipper. You would be surprised how many packages get damaged just crossing the ocean in a container.

Like I said my from frame had two cracks but at least I know it did not happen from me.

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

I stored mine away already but even if it were out I have no idea what your photogrophy terms mean, hell I cant even spell the word..I use a cell phone for pictures.

If I get time this weekend I will more than happy to take a picture of what mine looks like but I think your wanting to see the "newer noseart" version??

tahustvedt

Here's an explanaition with pictures: http://www.photomatters.org/lens-angle

I just want to have a look at the outline and thrust line on this Mustang, because I'm a geek. Standing close and taking a picture will distort the shape.

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

good stuff....explains a lot I though you were referring to the noseart.

johng650

Good point AC2,
i did inspect it about 30 sec after I brought into my basement, all good......
the packaging is top notch compared top flite. I have the top flite giant Zero, my local hobby store had to re order the fuse 3 times until I got one that wasn't damaged.
John

johng650

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

Yes, they did a great job packing. It feels like a cardboard crate. and I like the way the lid can be removed.

Topflite packaging is in a whole different league. Amazing how I did not receive any damage on my two previous P-47 ARF's

johng650

I have to share with you guys about the design that was the turning point for me. It's how the Center section of the wing is part of the fuselage. The second is the fibreglass walls, it's like cardboard construction, light and strong.
For me, hands down, makes my top flite Zero and P47 look like ****......

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

I took 2 pictures, now I see what you mean, one close up and one with zoom. I like the profile of this plane, very nice.

Picture close without zoom:


And now far away with zoom:

tahustvedt

Thanks a lot. Perfect! It looks really good. Earlier in the thread the thrust line looks like it was pointing down a lot, but here it's obvious that it looks just right.

johng650

AC2,

i was reading your post above and you plan changing the nose art. I was just looking at my cowl and it's a decal. Let me know how you make out removing it, any tips etc.
i plan on changing mine......

thanks
john

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

I'll show my air conversion as it may interest some, first up is the tail wheel. A standard 3/8" Robart cylinder works perfect.

AC2

My Feedback: (34)

Copy that.

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

Just tried to install the tail wheel and noticed that the former it mounts to is VERY crooked, off by almost 1/2"! The only former in the fuselage that they need to get right and it's wrong, this is going to be a lot of extra work to do it right. I'm going to bed now, but I will think about fixes. May have to cut the lower part of the former out and redo it, will have to think about it.

TimD.

My Feedback: (207)

This is what I meant by it seems every plane is a little different. Not sure why? Maybe they are improving the line as they go. Either way they are far superior to TopFlite or Hanger9 stuff.

Please do add the air conversion to the thread as it will only help others interested with the plane.