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FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Old 07-21-2004, 10:10 AM
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schroedm
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Default FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi,

I'm desperately trying to find anyone who has bought one of these. I believe it was the FiberClassics Mustang prior to becoming the Comp-ARF kit??

I know there is a fair bit of work involved but, fundamentally, is it worth pursuing?? I simply don't have time to build from a kit/plans so this looks perfect for me.

All opinions welcomed!

Regards,
Mark
Old 07-21-2004, 12:36 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

It's funny you posted this, because I was about to ask the same thing. I am also looking at getting one of these Mustangs, and wanted to hear more about what people thought of the kit....Good?? bad?? otherwise?? etc
Old 07-21-2004, 01:14 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi

I had this model. It is a very immpressive all composite model, detailed panels and rivets through out from the tip of its epoxy glass cowl to the tip of its epoxy glass rudder. And wing tip to wing tip, the bench mark of molded in detail.

I didn't keep it because it would be too much money in one plane. I just could'nt do it. So I sold it..

The only thing I didn't like about it was the butt joints at the seams of the wings, and due to its laminated balsa glass construction, its wing dented easily.

In fact, I thought I would damage the spinner often,and wanted a static 4 blade look, so I molded it to make a composite replacement. Why?? I guess just because I could do it. I might have pic of it out of the box. I'll search my files.

Steve
Old 07-21-2004, 01:27 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi,
I think it's worth the price. I started building first week of januari 04 with 300 hours put into it.
Started up engine today worked great. Waiting for good wether this weekend for first flight.
Tobbe
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Old 07-21-2004, 01:36 PM
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schroedm
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Tobbe,

VERY nice!!! What did you cover it in?? Can you still see the panel lines and rivets etc through whatever it is?

Also, did you buy the Comp-ARF kit or an older FiberClassics kit?

Finally, which retracts did you use??

Thanks,
Mark
Old 07-21-2004, 02:01 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Thanks,
It's covered with Flair Aluclad and yes you can see everyting, rivets panellines. The great thing is that there are not a singel panel that's not dented just like the real thing. I bought the Composite-arf. I've got it to my frontdoor in a week. It's made for germanmade retracts but I rebuilt it for Robart 85 offset retracts.
Tobbe
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Old 07-21-2004, 02:43 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

It will take quite some time to complete one of these kits. It is alot of work setting things up, and the instructions are of little help. The big advantage is the molded in details and such, but that is the only time saver. The construction and set up takes just as long as standard kit. Also, you can't always trust what they say AND spars and internal structure may differ from wing panel to wing panel. The one that my dad had, had the spars in different locations. He worked pretty steady on it at night for about 9 months to get it done. The painting is certainly the quickest part due to little surface prep needed. But WHEW is everything else a nightmare. You would think that as big as it is, it would be easy to work on, but not so. He had to place things in difficult location due to balance concerns. But when it was all done, no lead was needed. His was just shy of 40 lbs RTF with SCALE billet aluminum exhaust, scale wheels, all doors, sliding canopy operable via transmitter, and had the heavy german retracts. Its a great looking plane when done, but i dont think it saves that much time in the end considering the re-engineering that has to be done.
Old 07-21-2004, 05:39 PM
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schroedm
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Tobbe,

Best of luck with the maiden flight! Let us know how it went.

Would you say that the kit was a nightmare to build or not too bad??

Rgds,
Mark
Old 07-21-2004, 07:55 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

I am just starting to build one also, and have already found out that the wing ribs are not in the same location from panel to panel. I'm installing Sierra retracts and wheels.
it is not a drop in fit either. You definiatly have to engineer a lot of things. I am installing a 3W 75cc engine in this one. It's a shame that such a nice set of molds would up in the hands of people who don't care enough to provide a good set of instructions and hardware to go along with it. Also they were supposed to come out with drop tanks, sliding canopy, cockpit kit etc. they now say it's not going to happen. You are on your own.
Maaybe they will read this thread and make the nessary changes to make this the world class kit .
Old 07-21-2004, 09:19 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Tobbee,
What are you doing?
Mounting the batteries inside the hottest(killer of all things electrical) part of the airplane?
Not to mention on the fire wall with out even so much as vibration insulation.

Another thing.. When you secure batteries? Secure the packs across the lengh of the pack, not width. You're placing Stress points on the battery conectors.

You've been warned.

-Mustang51
Old 07-22-2004, 04:28 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi Mark,

Take a look at these sites.

http://proscalemodels.com/Gallery/p51/
http://www.igmustang.ch/jgmustang/

Good luck
Tom
Old 07-22-2004, 11:23 AM
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Tobbe
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Thanks for the tip, the batteries do have vibrationmaterial behind them and they are not going to be in warm airflow. I will change the straps,
Thanks again
Tobbe
Old 07-23-2004, 04:20 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi guys...

I have been planning (in my head) a big Mustang for a loooooooooooong time, and will be into it next year.

The ProScale page above has accounted for many long nights dreaming about how to do stuff...

I would love to see that project finish... anyone know the guys building it?

Q: Is the Mustang on the IGMustang page above a FibreClassics?

I am still deep in researching which Mustang to build, there as so many to choose from, kits, plans
ARF's etc...

Cheers
Old 07-23-2004, 04:28 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

v6goose,

Tell me about it!!! I've been drooling over proscalemodels' website for ages and finally I think this'll be my project for the Autumn....oh and the winter....erm....and the spring!!!

I have mailed ProScaleModels today to ask whether it got finished and if so if they could post an update on the website or at least to me. If I hear anything I'll post it here for you guys.

As for the IGMustang page - several are FiberClassics kits - I have just received a mail from Beat (the site owner) who has offered to send me several construction pictures to help me out. When I get them I'll let you know.

You know you want one

Rgds,
Mark
Old 07-23-2004, 04:36 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Ha!

Mines a looong term project that still has some major obsticles to overcome BEFORE i can
start, but theres nothing like lots of planning...

Excellent! I would love to see how PSM's bird finished up...

Aha! Excellent again! Nothing helps more than pix of someone elses construction...

You know damn right i want one!!!
They are gorgeous!

Cheers!
Old 07-26-2004, 05:52 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi Tobbe,

Did you get the maiden flight in???

Also, did you take any pictures of the work required to refit the Robart 85 retracts in place of the German made retracts??

Thanks,
Mark
Old 07-26-2004, 10:42 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi Mark,
I have had some hours extra to get the ultraprecision system to work. I'm atually travel north up to a former
RSwA field for first flight tomorrow tuesday, then I'm to join a meeting for the coming weekend. So I will take alot of pics then. Here is some pics of the rebuild+ the nice tailwheel.
Best regards Tobbe
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Old 07-26-2004, 10:49 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

WOW, where is that tailwheel from????

Was it that hard to modify the wing for the Robart retracts or quite easy??

Thanks again,
Mark
Old 07-26-2004, 11:07 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi,
It's made of Paul Haller switzerland, he sells it thru [link]http://www.igmustang.ch[/link]. I payd about
130 Euro delivered(good price). The only obstacle with the Robartretracts is that I learned that they are a bit of sloppy when they put in the formers at the factory, so they are not put in at equal distance. I discovered that after doing one half. It's not a big problem. I saw that you asked about reductiondrives. If you go to[link]http://www.igwarbird-germany.de[/link] and search the gallerys you gonna find alot of pics for Ralf Borcher
drives he also makes the fourblade prop. I haven't been in any contact with this guy because of my very bad german. He's got a mail but not a site. I think that the fourbladeprop shown on warbirdpropdrive actually is a Borcherprop.
Thanks Tobbe
Old 07-28-2004, 04:19 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Tobbe,

Thanks for the information however I think I may be going a bit blind (or stupid!) as I can't find anything on the reduction drives or Ralf Borcher on the website. Any chance of posting a link to the page I should be looking for????

Did you test fly her yesterday?? If so, how did she go??!?!

Rgds,
Mark
Old 08-01-2004, 02:15 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi Mark,
Sorry for late respons I'm being at the meeting all week. Had all sort of minor problems then big problems with wether. 90 degree wind 8-10 meter per second, so there where no flight with my Mustang. However my good friend Idar from Norway did flights with his C-arf mustang. Same weight( 16,5 kg) as mine but with 3w75 singlespark and german Haboretracts. Flys as on rails, first landing without flaps rather slowly but no tendencies to stall. About the reductiondrive, I have only seen pictures of it on these sites. I don't think he has a site. I'll put in some pics later this evening.
Regards Tobbe
Old 08-01-2004, 02:58 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi Mark,
Here is some pics
Regards Tobbe
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Old 08-01-2004, 08:58 PM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Tobbe, great looking Mustang. How about some up close pictures of how you built your sliding canopy, outside and inside if not to much trouble. Is yours air powered?
Thanks,
gary.
We had a Swedish exchange student here with us a few years ago and he was a really neat young man. He is now enrolled in one of your finest engineering schools studing computer web design. At the age of seventeen, he had already started his own web page design business and had some very impressive clientel.
Gary
Old 08-02-2004, 05:40 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

How about some up close pictures of how you built your sliding canopy, outside and inside if not to much trouble. Is yours air powered?
I second that

I've heard guys say they are using Habo retracts and Walbo retracts in this P-51 but I can't find any information on them. Are these the right manufacturers? Any web links?

Rgds,
Mark
Old 08-02-2004, 09:31 AM
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Default RE: FiberClassics P-51 now Comp-ARF P-51

Hi Mark,

Here you go, it is WABO instead of Walbo.
http://www.wabofahrwerke.de/

Cheers
Tom

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