KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I use a Venom 6v. I've never ran out of power so I don't know how many cycles it gives.
Venom NiMH 5-Cell 6.0V 3000mAh Large Scale Rx Universal | TowerHobbies.com

acdii

Not 100% sure but I do believe they are the 85* ones, and I use a 2100 mah LiFe to power the plane which has plenty of juice to drive the radio and the gear. Since I haven't flown more than 2 times at any one day, I don't know the flight time for the retracts.

drube

I was thinking of using a 4.8v 2000 mah Nimh. Should be good enough for 2 or 3 flights. Can't wait to get this plane in the air.

acdii

Double check the retracts, they may not work well with low voltage, you would be better off with a 6.0 2000 mah pack, provided your servos can handle 6 volts.

drube

Ok thanks, I'll check to make sure.

drube

Oh, I was thinking I had to use a separate batt for the retracts. I'll definitely use a 6v 2000 mah batt for the servos. If I can use only 1 batt for servos and retracts that would save me some weight.

acdii

Thats what I did, but I don't fly as long as others do, so depends on how many flights you are looking to do.

flyrcjets

My Feedback: (30)

umm I fly with a 2100 Life for the RX, gear and get 5 /6 flights with efite retracts, no problem for years and hundreds of flights.

drube

Just looking to get 3 flights at about 8 min each.

I_Fly

I regularly fly mine 3-4 flights of about 10 min each and have done 5 flights in a day. Mine has standard servos (Futaba 3003), Hobby King retracts (large if my memory is correct) and a 4.8 volt 2000 mAh NiMH battery. No problem, my battery typcially has well over %50 left when I charge. Occasionally I cycle the batteries and then recharge. This too shows that I have plenty of capacity left.

drube

5 flights in a day would be great!! Those of you who are using a dle 20, where are you placing your batts? (Servo and ignition) I'm looking to mount my ignition on the firewall somewhere.

Bob Paris

My Feedback: (13)

Hay Drube,
I use a NoBs 3000 mha. nickel battery on my T.F. P-51. Go to post 3203 in this thread to see that is placed on top of the wing, just forward of the trailing edge of the wing. With a DLE 20RA...it was the best place for my balance point of 5-3/8", I use electric retracts (Lado's) and all HD 1501 BBMG servo's. I needed weight aft to balance the model so I went with a larger battery to do the honors. It worked out great.

P.S. I would up load pictures, but don't have a clue now how to do this on RCU.

Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

drube

Thanks Bob, those pics are great!! I like how you have your tank mounted. I didn't see the aft mounted batt though. I'll figure that part out when I balance.
Thanks again (:

raptureboy

I put my battery in the fuselage just behind the trailing edge. When that was not enough I mixed some lead shot with epoxy resin and poured it into the area under the tail wheel access hatch. I also mounted my fuel tank on a platform over the CG.

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

I am using the 2100 LiFe on the flight pack, 4.8v NiMh on the Robart electric gear To keep isolated. The 4.8 is yielding a scale speed on the gear.

drube

Thunderboat, Thanks for the vid. What engine are you running?

Bob Paris

My Feedback: (13)

Aloha Gentlemen....
Its been a while since anyone posted here...so I wanted to let you guys in on my next project.

I have been given a seven year old T.F. P-51D. It is well war wary and has had three engines installed....from a O.S. .60, to DLE 20cc gas engine. Never crashed....been flown a lot....and I will be rebuilding the model into a "B." I have the conversion kit...and a rebuilt set of "Lado" retracts. I had the set in this airframe rebuilt and they just came back from France. All I can say is that I love these retracts and the service from Lado is the best.

I did this once before....turned a P-51D to a "B" years ago. That model lasted for six years until I managed to run into one of our wind sock polls at full speed. Not much left...but I used the T.F. conversion kit...and it was an easy conversion. Like my last one...this one will have a Robart retractable tail wheel installed. I never had a one problem with my Robert gear, and it was servo operated.

I have a new cowl...and will be disassembling the model, by removing canopy...and from the instrument panel down to the main middle longitudinal support...you cut aft. Easy....simple and then all you do is install the tail wheel assembly first and working well....for once you cover up the turtle neck...there is not clear access to the tail wheel assembly. I do have the stab to try to remove....but I may just leave it in and remove the control surfaces.

It will be recovered in 332 Squadron colors...like all my P-51's. Red Tails...

A DLE 20 cc RA for power, Airtronics Rx and HD1501 BBMG servo's. This set up in my "D" model....and the rear exhaust 20cc gas engines seem to do the trick and most reliable. Side exhaust engines have issues...but not the rear exhaust engines. I've flown mine for over a year...and not one dead stick.

Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

raptureboy

Hey Bob, I have one that I damaged the same way, hitting a pole and I destroyed the wing and damaged the nose but I have a new wing and I plan on stripping her and glassing after the repairs so I wold love to see you post your conversion.

aghost

My Feedback: (13)

Took my TF P-51D out for its maiden flight yesterday with 10 -15 mph winds down the runway. Went well. No video.

It is pretty much stock, OS 91FX for power with a pair of washers on the firewall for added downthrust, 10.75 lbs, CG at 5 3/8" with the RX battery ( LiFe 2300 mah) and 2 oz of lead in the tail area. Installed a Sullivan Onboard ignitor (LiFe 1100 mah) for the inverted engine. Full flaps are 1 5/8" rather than the 1 1/4" design.

On take-off, the plane came off the ground before I expected. Headed left, but had enough power/speed to level the wings and get headed back on course. In spite of the added engine downthrust, the plane was still wanted to climb. Took quite a bit of down trim. Aileron trims were OK. The OS 91 is a good power match (unless you want Reno racer speed). Did a couple of minutes flying with no surprises. Still up high I slowed the plane, lowered the gear, then the flaps. Plane handled well. Came down, set up for a landing, and came in nicely.

I found the exhaust tailpiece had rotated so no more flying until I get that fixed. Everything else was in good shape.

Nice flying plane!

Brian

acdii

I found the TF Arf to be very tail sensitive and fly at low elevator rates or it snaps over with too much elevator. At low rates it handles very well. Only use high rate for ground handling now, and flip to low as soon as the wheels are off the ground. Trims are close to neutral on mine.

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

Pittscrazy

Funny , I have the red box p-51 b . It was built beautifully but never finished , as in no servos or retracts ! It is done in paint .

Pittscrazy

This is my new toy !
$50 at RC swap meet , no bottom cowling , no rudder and no belly scoop . But it has robart retracts and they still work ! She is glassed and painted and yes , she is top flite kit . She was built but no gear ever installed ! So far I have made a plug for a fiberglass cowling , and scratch built her a new rudder . I have a ys 140 limited I want to install as I think she is going to need the nose weight and I need the power ! Lol . I do need to find an air tank and new lines for the retracts and a 3 7/8" spinner for her . Excited to be able to get her airborne !

acdii

I thought the spinner was larger than that. Now I have to go look at the ones I got out of curiosity. I went to TH and got the ARF spinners for mine, if they still have them, they are a perfect fit.

Pittscrazy

Getting closer !