kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

I am interested in building one of these as my first scale project. I was just wondering how difficult they are to fly. I have several years experience flying 40 and 60 size planes as well as pattern flight, but i'm not sure if a 1/5 scale is too big or taking a too large of step. Thanks!

Kyle

Rutlec80

My Feedback: (7)

It is not a question so much of being hard to fly as it is of being different to fly. They have heavy wing loadings, 32-35 oz, and they have to be flown with power right down onto the runway. I fly in Denver and one of the problems we have here is the altitude, an US 41 is really not enough power. You do not want to be underpowered with a 1/5 warbird. The TF also seems to come out tail heavy, the next one I build, I am probably going to stretch the nose to eliminate having to add weight up front. The other problem that will drive one up the wall, is the fact that the TF 51 is on the high end weight wise for the retracts. If you bounce it hard, you will probably bend or rip out a gear or both. On the built up version, TF does not run the dihedral braces past the gear ribs. I managed to break a wing in two on a very hard landing. In the air, they fly great. Flaps have almost no effect on pitch. I would recommend getting help with the first flights.

Chet

kennethcolesiny

Chet is correct. I Just completed my first TF 1/5 scale P-51. Great to build. Easy to fly. Even easier than a trainer, but, landings are completely different. This ship must be landed like a full size plane, very gently. I also damaged landing gear. Make sure you get 1/4 scale help while flying this beautiful bird. I live in NYC and my Quadra 42 is OK for power, but it could use more. Please ask me any questions you want. While I'm not an expert, I do have 18 years flying under my belt. Good luck. Don't be afraid to try this great plane, just get plenty of help. This is a good thing.
Ken

kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks a lot guys! I'm very confident that I can fly one, it's just the landing that scares me. There are some very skilled pilots in my club that I can get help from. I can't wait to start building! Thanks!

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

ask a full sizr P51 driver about landing - this is one bird that you did not want to have to do a go around in

as for bouncing on landing the real one was a pig and did the same thing. Think of it as scale effects hehehe

kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

haha, that's a good way of thinking about it Peter. I'll just tell everyone that I bounced it on purpose as scale effects, lol.

ttmr

Just like tiping a WWI plane over on its nose!

pittsdriver

My Feedback: (7)

Peter the real Mustang is actually a real *****cat to land. Rock solid and you have to really blow it to get a bounce. It was a lot easier to land than my T-6. As for go around, when you have full right rudder in stop adding power and there are no problems. overall a great flying airplane and you gotta love the horsepower. Don

Rutlec80

My Feedback: (7)

As I continue to bend the gear on my "Lead Sled" TF-51 I bought already built, if you do build one of the TF kits, you might want to extend the diehedral braces braces past the gear ribs and also beef up the gear mount blocks. The weight will probably be on the high end of what the landing gear was designed for and has proven to be a problem with less then gracefull landings. Might also consider extending the nose an inch or so and going with a slight larger motor, as one normally has to add weight to the front end and it might has well be useful weight.

Well, at least I got in two flights with my 28 lb sled. Now if I can work out the incidence problem, maybe I will be able to land it without damaging anything. Sure flies great in the air!!

Chet

kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks for the tip, I will be sure to strengthen the gear mount blocks and extend the braces. I'm thinking of putting a Zenoah G-62 in it and hopefully that will give it enough power and balance the plane out alright. Thanks again for the help!

Kyle

Rutlec80

My Feedback: (7)

G62 should be plenty of power. If I get a chance to talk to the guy at the field, I will ask if he had to add any weight to the nose with the G62 in the TF51.

Chet

kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks! That would be very helpful.

Kyle

Rutlec80

My Feedback: (7)

There is another thread and the builder has a B version that he had to add 12 oz with a G62. My D, I had to add 15 oz with a ZDZ50, but I had an extra air tank for brakes under the retract tank behind the CG. Build the tail light and push everything you can foward. Good luck.

Chet

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

pittsdrive,
a mate of mine flew 51s in the RAAF and i'm only passing on what he has told me. According to him it was prone to bounce and if you fluffed your approach and had to do a go around you crossed yourself first!

cheers
Peter

kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks for the tip Chet. I'm going to put operational inner gear doors on mine and a few other modifications. Hopefully that extra weight in the front will help balance the plane out better.

Kyle

gunny11

My Feedback: (6)

I too will be building in operational inner gear doors.

Gunny

Countryboy

My Feedback: (25)

Kyle,

Be prepared for lot's of building!!! It is a fun project though.

parabellum

if you want more of a scale look, the most obvious problem with TF mustangs are the parallel side walls of fuselage.
if you modify the formers to make them taper a bit, they look much better.

problem is the canopy may not fit as well, if you do that.

kyle7987

My Feedback: (5)

has anyone tried using Aerotech's sliding canopy or any of their accessories. I like their gear doors but i'm not sure how well they would fit. Maybe their canopy would fit better than TF's if I modified the fuse too.

gary9648

My Feedback: (1)

There wheels are fantastic, use Sierra Gear for Mains, and if doing the kit use his tail gear also. Top notch quality. Look for them at Toledo.

gunny11

My Feedback: (6)

I whish if they covered in monokote they would use some balsarite or something. I Hate Wrinkly ARF's

BTW the gear and wheel looks awsome. I'm going to have to order a pair of wheels from them.

Thanks

Gunny

whs485

I built the T.F.GS P-51-D with the Moki 2.10 for power. Had to shim the Moki out 1/2" from the firewall, and zip-tie the reciever pack to the firewall/ 5 cell 6 volt 2,000 mah pack, and it balanced perfectly and has gobs of power.

prop wash

WHS,how much does your TF 51 gs weigh and how "much" power and fuel does your Moki 210 use per flight . How long for how many Ounces.I'm putting a TF gs 51 together and would really like more info on the Moki.Tom

prop wash

I bought the Arf 51 gs

MustangFan

Hello everyone:

I'm finishing my P-51 now.
Moki 2.10 and PICA muffler fit inside without cutting cowling.

I expect the MOKI to use 2 oz. per min. at full throttle.
The reviews say it puts out a max of 5 HP at 10,000 RPM, approx 4.5 HP at 8800 RPM ( max torque speed).

A couple of fellows have them at our club ... they recommended that I beef up the L/G area with carbon fiber or glass cloth and resin. ( I did).

They fly great, but the US 41 proved to be a bit weak ... the G-62 is great ... the Moki 2.10 should be fine.

The club has several great warbird pilots that I will count on to help me learn to land this thing. I've been practicing on RealFlight ... hope it helps me !

Luck to All !