P51 - Top Flight Giant Big Beautiful Doll needs wing
#1

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I have this plane from Top Flight -
1/5 Giant P-51D Mustang GP ARF 2.1-2.8, 84.5" (TOPA0700)
The Fuselage is in perfect condition but the wing was badly built at the manufacturer and keeps coming apart on landings.
I keep fixing it and it lasts a few flights then starts cracking in the middle of the right wing. For some strange reason the left side is still perfect.
Is there any options to building a new wing with available Plans .
Is the Wing the same from a Gold Edition Kit - I heard the kit plane is different from the ARF version.
Will they ever sell the replacement win again.
1/5 Giant P-51D Mustang GP ARF 2.1-2.8, 84.5" (TOPA0700)
The Fuselage is in perfect condition but the wing was badly built at the manufacturer and keeps coming apart on landings.
I keep fixing it and it lasts a few flights then starts cracking in the middle of the right wing. For some strange reason the left side is still perfect.
Is there any options to building a new wing with available Plans .
Is the Wing the same from a Gold Edition Kit - I heard the kit plane is different from the ARF version.
Will they ever sell the replacement win again.
#2

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Location: Bennington,
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how are your building skills? At the end of the season, you can strip it down and rebuild or buy a wing kit thru tower hobbies I believe
#3

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I don't see why it's not fixable,, Pictures of the problem area are needed to give solid advise,
#4

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Hope they get a replacement wing set in that's my only hope.
#5

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#6

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I can fix it but if I could build one from scratch It wouldn't fail like this wing.
#7

Join Date: Jan 2003
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Basil, that doesn't sound right.Does it break in the same place?? Are you using epoxy??
#8

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Basil, I have a brand new set of the TF GS ARF wings with the joiner and the servo cover plates that I can sell you. Horizon Hobby offers them for $279.99 plus shipping but they are back ordered which we know they may or may not become available again. So I will offer these to you at $275 plus you pay shipping from WI to CA. Send me a PM and let me know.
The wing for the kit built versus the ARF are significantly different. I have both and they are not comparable at all. I think you would have significant trouble trying to retrofit a kit wing to the ARF fuse. Leo
The wing for the kit built versus the ARF are significantly different. I have both and they are not comparable at all. I think you would have significant trouble trying to retrofit a kit wing to the ARF fuse. Leo

#9

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Posts: 779

This may be important info to whom ever wants to try and install a TF P-51 kit wing on a TF P-51 ARF Mustang or vice versa. It's from an 2004 post, quote " TF Giant P-51 ARF wing on Kit Fuselage can be done" unquote.
This is the link to the thread on how to do it. T.F. Giant P-51 ARF wing on Kit Fues...CAN BE DONE!
Roger
This is the link to the thread on how to do it. T.F. Giant P-51 ARF wing on Kit Fues...CAN BE DONE!
Roger
#10

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Basil, I have a brand new set of the TF GS ARF wings with the joiner and the servo cover plates that I can sell you. Horizon Hobby offers them for $279.99 plus shipping but they are back ordered which we know they may or may not become available again. So I will offer these to you at $275 plus you pay shipping from WI to CA. Send me a PM and let me know.
The wing for the kit built versus the ARF are significantly different. I have both and they are not comparable at all. I think you would have significant trouble trying to retrofit a kit wing to the ARF fuse. Leo

The wing for the kit built versus the ARF are significantly different. I have both and they are not comparable at all. I think you would have significant trouble trying to retrofit a kit wing to the ARF fuse. Leo

Last edited by Basil Yousif; 11-26-2019 at 04:35 PM. Reason: E-mail basil.yousif@sbcglobal.net
#11

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Here's some Pictures of the last landing breakage. Maybee the Sierra retracts are too rigid or heavy. Maybe switching to a 4" Dubro Blow up tire will give me more spongy landings. The Fuselage is in perfect condition after all this.
#12

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
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The damage is a clear indication that the "shear webs" were installed incorrectly during wing assembly at the factory. The shear webs were installed with the grain running horizonal with the wing spar instead of vertical. Your damaged wing is fixable and is fairly easy to do, it just takes a bit of patience and time. If you purchase a new wing set, the new wing set may have the shear webs installed incorrectly too. You will be able to confirm if the shear webs are installed correctly in the new wing set by inspecting the shear webs that are visible in the land gear mounting area.
See attached link for the kit build wing manual, page 15, step 15, on shear webs installation.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/93...page=15#manual
See attached link for the kit build wing manual, page 15, step 15, on shear webs installation.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/93...page=15#manual
#13

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Thanks you really know your building. I think the new wing should be good these were a bad run that probably are all destroyed by now. I'll fix it and get this extra one as a extra.
Is the Sheer web the Balsa Sheeting Covering the Ribs of the Wing. If so how would they bend it at a curve around the rib if the grain ran front to back.
May bee that's why one guy said he Fiberglass's the wing and doesn't have any problems.
Is the Sheer web the Balsa Sheeting Covering the Ribs of the Wing. If so how would they bend it at a curve around the rib if the grain ran front to back.
May bee that's why one guy said he Fiberglass's the wing and doesn't have any problems.
Last edited by Basil Yousif; 11-27-2019 at 11:09 PM.
#14

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Last edited by scale only 4 me; 11-28-2019 at 05:21 AM.
#15

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
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Double post deleted.
Last edited by ForcesR; 11-28-2019 at 01:03 PM.
#16

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Posts: 779

Basil, shear webs are attached to the upper & lower spars between each rib, not directly to the ribs. When shear webs fail due to being installed with the grain running horizontal with the upper and lower spars, the upper & lower spars will flex enough in flight and during landing that the upper and lower wing sheeting will split. The spars will flex to a point where they will pop out of their slots in the ribs, even though they are glued to the ribs as can be seen in your photos of the damage to the wing.

#17

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Yep you r right I looked in the wing and there grain is running horizontally. Ok this is great info i'll rebuild the wing and install thin plywood Shear webs where I can.
#19

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I love to use the Marine Grade Epoxy and Fiberglass mesh to reinforce the retract area. But can't compensate for incorrectly built wing.