j301

My Feedback: (12)

what do you have in it now?

brockettman

j301,

She's in the re-building and modification phase... So no power plant right now. I put a JBA 15cc gasser in it and had some "difficulties" thus the re-construction. I can't decide which engine to put in next most likely the DLE20, possibly a Saito 115.

j301

My Feedback: (12)

That a good looking rebuild, I don't know why but I've been liking the A's and B's look more and more, and have always thought the P47 looked better as a razorback. As far as motor choice, have you looked into the Valley View 20? I got one for mine, though I haven't started the build yet. It's a nice little unit and weighs less then the DLE, its why I went with it, that and it cost a little less. Cant lose with any of those choices though.

brockettman

j301,

Thanks! I love the looks of the P51B. I bashed the fuse with the Top Flite P51B model conversion kit and it turned out real good. Yes, I have considered the Valley View 20cc looks like a nice little engine and I hear the customer support is great. Will you be using the stock muffler or going with a wrap around pitts style?

j301

My Feedback: (12)

I got a JTec pitts from tower, did the old wait for all the coupons to accumulate thing so it wasn't too terrible. (one for that and a DLE 30 at the same time, always thought spending 50% of the engine cost on a muffler was too painful!) My only concern is the cooling, I am going to try the ducting RBean posted earlier. Living in the Phoenix area though, the heat issues, well, "itsa whole nutha lebel" as it were...

flycatch

My Feedback: (26)

For those using Robart strut and wheel assemblies I highly recommend installing Robart foam inserts. Without the inserts installed there is very little absorbing the energy on impact of landing. This airframe is not a floater once it exceeds 10lbs and you most carry additional airspeed to compensate for the high wing loading. I not implying that this modification will eliminate the possibility of gear mounting structural failure but why take a chance these inserts are a cheap investment.

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

I'm liking that rebuild!

raptureboy

HIGHLEY RECOMMEND REUILDING THE GEAR MOUNTS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO You already know how I know that cut out the cheap wood they used for the mounts and replace with maple. The DLE or VW 20 is an awesome power plant for this bird. Flaps help alot with landiing but you still need to come in under power just like the real deal, and the inserts help also with keeping the tires from rolling under on landing. With my biritday right around the corner I may have to get a spare and a conversion kit.

j301

My Feedback: (12)

Well happy birthday then! Its always nice to treat yourself on a special occasion with some RC stuff, that's why my calendar highlights include arbor day, boxing day, groundhog day, Columbus day....
Thanks for the info, its all helpful, and what conversion kit are you talking about?

acdii

Dont forget Mothers day too!

raptureboy

Top Flite makes a conversion kit for their kit built mustang. It contain the new canopy and the parts needed to convert the D to an B/C available from Tower. It's what brokettman used.

I_Fly

Mine has a Satio 115 and it flies great. I know some might like more top end than the 4 cycles provide but it moves along nicely with a 14x10 prop. The sound is nice, not a screamer but a nice exhaust note when flying past. I picked the 115 because it fits into the space of a 90 (does not stick out) and has most of the power of the 120 (almost an inch taller). Balance was easy with battery and radio gear in the stock locations.

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Rapture!! That was a good recommendation on the tire inserts. I ordered them with the tires. It's a heavy plane (for the tires it uses). My engine sticks out a little but I dont mind. It's just the black valve cover.

I am having a problem with the spinner working it's way over onto the prop. Really annoying.

It's nice to see this thread still alive... this is one of my favorite planes. Definitely the Coolest!!

j301

My Feedback: (12)

Pardon my cranial-gaseous-release, but I'm fallowing several builds right now, what was the issue with the tires again? Stock ones too small/wimpy/look bad? Robart 3.25 or 3.5 the fix?

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

Robart makes a foam liner that goes in the wheel/tire assembly. I went with 3.25" tires from the recommendations earlier in the thread.

j301

My Feedback: (12)

I see, I went to home depot and got a roll of that stuff for some 4" robarts on a F4u. Same stuff, but instead of $4 for 2', it was like $4 for 25'. Ill be ordering some of those wheels, they look much better.

ThunderBoat42

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah .>> I ordered with the rest of stuff from Robart... I was like Really? LOL
I dissembled and Chromed the gear .. bored I guess... think it looks cool through. About the pull the engine and at some Jtec snuff vibe mount isolators. Pulled the tank and adding a 4 oz larger tank.. The YS sucks fuel and has a ceramic clunk that makes about 2 to 3 oz unusable> may have to go to the Bladder lined bubbless tank... but we'll see.

brockettman

I'm with raptureboy on the reinforcing of the landing gear mounts. I think we both learned the hard way. Do it when you are assembling your bird, you won't be sorry.

Here's a link to the conversion kit I used to change the "D" to a "B" http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHV03

Love the sound of the four stroke in the warbird... Might have to go with the Saito 115, I have one in my P-47.

j301

My Feedback: (12)

How was that to do? A lot of recovering? Did you post any pics earlier?

brockettman

j301,

Converting the ARF wasn't bad, just broke out the razor saw and made room for the new formers and cockpit. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the process I stripped the Monokote and was going to glass the fuse, but I tried a liquid sheeting material instead. Then a little primer and paint. I've been working on this one on and off for a couple of years. The fuse was a new part when I started the conversion, and the wing has been rebuilt except for the wheel wells as I'm still trying to decide what landing gear to put in it and how I want it to look.

j301

My Feedback: (12)

Wow you went to town! Do you think its possible to add the turtle deck without stripping the entire fuse? I was thinking if I could just get a roll of the o.d. green and replace the top? If not, I think this is a bit more work then I would have time, patients, or skill to do. Im not great with the monocote! (though I can do it, just not my favorite thing to do)

brockettman

j301,

With a little care, I think that the fuse could be cut and the conversion could be done without getting into the lower color of monokote. I stripped this one down because I wanted to change the entire color scheme.

j301

My Feedback: (12)

Thanks for the info. I found a B scheme from the 336th fighter squadron that pretty much matches the stock D's scheme so I might give it a go. Would have to give Calligraphics a call too.

raptureboy

BIG PLUS 1 on Callie Graphics she is great to deal with and will make up any scheme you want.

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I'm looking for any information I can find on the P-51 "Little Indian". If anyone has any pictures or can point me in the right direction. I can't find much of anything, just one picture. I once had a 1/72 scale model of the Little Indian. I'm wanting to strip the covering on mine and re-cover as the Little Indian.