Here is an info article you can used to get started into warbird racing
others may chime in on specifically what they have used as well.
Many are using custom built racers but this list is for the commercially available items to get started

Warbird Set Ups for Racing
This will be a general idea of what you may consider for racing a specific class in the Warbird Race to be held at the Nats 2016.
This is not an all inclusive list, but from my viewpoint of what will get you to where you need to be and be competitive. Remember you must keep your engine of choice to the max size allowed based on the square inches of the models wing. Please see the rules on this. Here is the Wing Chart restrictions to make it easier on you:
2 Stroke Maximum 4 Stroke Maximum Wing Area Minimum
Cubic Inches Cubic Inches Square Inches

0-.50 0-.89 400
.51-.60 .90-.99 440
.61-.70 1.00-1.09 480
.71-.80 1.10-1.19 515
.81-.95 1.20-1.29 550
.96-1.05 1.30-1.39 565
1.06-1.10 1.40-1.49 580
1.11-1.15 1.50-1.59 595
1.19-1.20 1.60-1.69 610
1.21-1.30 1.70-1.75 630
1.31-1.40 1.76-1.85 650




So let’s start with the Gold Class as it is perhaps the hardest to get right on based on Stock equipment alone:
The engine of choice is the YS115WS
Nitro is usually 45%-60% with 18-20% oil
Prop is APC 13.5x13.5 or a 14x14
I started with these items because from here you need to find a suitable airframe that will hold up to the stress this power set up will distribute.
Airborne models makes a Gold Class Ready Spitfire 40 http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...?ProductID=185
This plane is already beefed up to handle what we do. It has a larger wing are that falls in to the 550Sq In area so it can have up to a 1.29 four stroke or a .95 two stroke in it. Some guys are taking that ARF and adding their own mods to increase structural integrity even more, like glassing center section of wing. Adding 10-24 nylon wing bolt set up instead of the metal screws supplied in the kit, due to vibration, others add the Hyde soft mount and reinforce the engine firewall area, and some go as far as to tape or monkote the control surface gaps.
I have race the World Models 40 size Mustangs as well in the Gold Class. I used the same power set up as described above. I had to do more mods using these planes as they were never designed to be under the stress of this type of racing speeds. We usually sheet the Horizontal tail, increase firewall strength with glass and wood stock, Wick all control horn areas and recover there, glass center section of wing, add 16 oz fuel tank, close all hinge gaps with tape or covering.
You will want to keep your model to a 40 size in this class utilizing these power options. Some have tried 60 size models and they just cant get around the course as efficient, but can be used as you are also allowed a bigger engine set up.
There are some 2 strokes to consider as well, but remember to stay within the size limits according to the rules. A tuned pipe is a must if you go the 2 stroke route. You could also go down in wing size and run a smaller engine set up. There is a guy in California who kits a Tsunami in two sizes. The smaller one is a 400 sq inch wing set up to use the YS70, or up to 50 2 stroke with a pipe, while the bigger kit is designed around the YS115 and meets the Wing/ Eng size rules accordingly for that engine size in a four stroke or even a 80 size two stroke. The Email for these planes is: [email protected]

I suggest for the Gold Class you visit Airborne Models http://airborne-models.com/
or World Models http://www.theworldmodels.us/store/
and select one of their 40 size warbirds and equip them with the set ups stated above. All planes in the Gold class utilize retractable landing gear variations.


Now on to the Silver Class. I do not race this class but have seen enough of the racers and their set ups to efficiently describe what is needed for this class.

Most in this class are also using the World Models Planes, the Airborne Spitfire set up, or 40 size warbird planes from Tower Hobbies or Horizon Hobby, even some VQ models and other china nock off versions. The engine of choice in the Silver class is still the YS115WS, or even the older YS110 and YS91 versions. The nitro content for four strokes doesn’t haven’t to be as high in this class, most will run 30% Heli fuel or maybe a bit higher if their chosen airframe is too draggy.
The 2 strokes will work well in this class as well but will require a tuned pipe to pull the draggy airframes around. I have seen these engines used - Thunder Tiger 60, Evo 61, OS 75, even Saito and Magnum four strokes. Just make sure your engine falls within the limits based on your wings square inches. You will want to prop your plane for your engines spec suggestion. Almost all planes in this class also utilize retractable landing gear.

In the Bronze Class
This is perhaps the broadest of all classes as far as airframe, engine and prop choices go. Most of these planes do not utilize retracts and are fitted with fixed wired landing gear. A popular model often used is the T34 from Airborne Models.
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=46

In this class the smaller four strokes like the YS63 and YS70 are used. Two stroke engine choices are more popular in this class than any and range from .40-.95 sizes depending on your wing size. Most in this class do not use a tuned pipe. T34, 30-40 size warbirds, even 60 size warbirds are often used. Engines are YS, TT, OS, Magnum, Saito, Evo. Once again prop your engine to the manufacturers specifications.

As far as radio, receiver, servos and batteries, it will be required that all classes MUST use a 2.4 system Tx and Rx. Servos must have a minimum of 57 oz torque per control surface. Batteries should be a minimum of 700 MAH for mini servos and 1100 MAH for the standard size servos. I find on my set ups running mini High Torque servos I use around 80 MAH a flight.


Here is my personal commercially available set up and suggestion that I have used successfully and is proven and works very well for their classes:
Gold- Airborne Models Spitfire 40, YS115WS, 60% nitro, APC 13.5x13.5
TX is a JR XG14 on DMSS, servos are JR3421 on all controls, Rx is a JR RG712bx, and my Battery is a LIFE 6.6 V Zippy 700 MAH or a Hobbico Life 6.6 1100 MAH.

Silver- World Models Dago Red, YS115Ws, 30% -45% nitro, APC 13x13.5 prop, Same TX and Servo and Battery set up.

Bronze- Tower Hobbies Strega MK2 P51, http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEMWT&P=ML
YS70, APC 11x10, same Tx, servos and batteries as above. This ARF is very vulnerable to failure with anything more powerful than what I use, unless many mods are implemented to the Airframe.