RE: P-51 ARF Challenges
Well, here we are almost a year since my last post on this subject.
The AK P-51 Marie hasn't been a fun project. Mostly overcoming all the trials and tribulations I've already outlined. However, a buddy has needled and prodded me to complete and actually attempt to fly the plane so to keep him happy, (and off my butt, lol) I managed to get the airframe flight-ready( I hope).
Ever have a project that you, "piddle" with? Well, this was mine. I've changed so many aspects of the original airframe, (which admittedly, flies quite well as -is), I'm not sure what to expect. To be quite honest, I never thought to fly the thing, mainly just keep her as a bench queen to fill in between, "real efforts".
Anyway, I'm done. I stripped the wing filets off because I couldn't get the shape and finish I wanted so the fuselage has a lot of rippling where the fiberglass took wood along when removed. There are so many dents and dings from moving it from one end of my shop to the other over the past 2 years that she looks "war-weary" without ever seeing a drop of fuel, LOL.
I fully expect to bring it home in a bag. I'll be breaking in the new SK80 this morning but no flying until our club president is on hand to assist. he's remodeling a bedroom this weekend so I'll be messing around getting the engine settled in.
here's ehat she looks like, completed:
Have a great day!
PM