7aso

My Feedback: (27)

If you were in the hobby around the early 2000's then you'd probably remember the market flooded with cheap Chinese knock off ARF's like Elite Models and Aeromax predominantly sold on Ebay. I was always a fan of these because they were not only cheap, but fun to fly too.

I purchased a fuselage and tail set from Valuehobby as well as some other spare parts from their 60 size P-51 'Marie' about 2 years ago and have been slowly accumulating parts to complete it. The wings are from an old Hangar 9, and similar P-51, in the same ws and the cowl is from Hangar 9's newest P-51 ARF. The wings did not come with flaps so I added them. I scratch built the top hatch to the best of my own measurements.

I'm not planning on making it scale by any means, but I would like it to match the actual 'Marie' paint scheme (which did not have invasion stripes), as well as a custom cockpit kit.

My progress so far:

rgburrill

Remember when everyone talked about the cheap Japanese stuff? But they continued to buy OS and Saito engines. And Futaba and Sanwa (Airtronics) radios. It's easier to blame and tax imports than blame greedy labor unions and the politicians supported by them.

To get around the horrendous shipping charges to the US, buy from the US warehouses of the Chinese shops. It's not the "shipping" that costs so much it's the total cost of the port of entry, and that is much higher on a single piece than a large lot of the same thing. Asian shippers are desperately trying to find cheaper ports of entry and get out of Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors. But San Francisco, Portland and Seattle aren't a lot better.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Cockpit kit arrived today. Its for an FMS P-51 so I will have to do some hacking to make it fit. I'm not going for scale here. It will be neat and simple.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

My Value Hobby parts came in and I finished the cockpit interior. Not the best, but it will do. Again, not going for scale here. Also, I added
drop tanks I had laying around for fun. Flaps mounted as well.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Just a small update,

G60 installed as well as mounting the cowl

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Epoxied elevator and stab the other day and got around to joining the elevator and rudder along with the tailwheel. I'm using a H9 cowl & spinner which I painted the nose red to match the correct paint scheme. I still need to attach the exhaust stacks.

I'm waiting on my silver monokote to come in so I can finish the hatch and flaps as well as my Callie Graphics.

7aso

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My Callie graphics came in and I was able to cover the hatch with monokote.

7aso

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Almost ready for balancing, just need to add a few more details

7aso

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Balanced and ready for maiden. I didn't even had to add any weight to the nose or tail.

Oldsalt1

Hope to see some pictures of maiden flight and maybe even a video too. Thanks for sharing your rebuild. Good luck.

scottrc

Fun way to enjoy the hobby by building a FrankinArf. Looks like it will be a fun plane to fly. I need to look into and FMS cockpit, they detailed yet in-expensive.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately we have what we call here "Fools Spring". It's either too cold or rainy to fly.

The Mustang is all done. I'm just waiting to maiden it. Keep everyone posted when that time comes.

Oldsalt1

Awesome Job, can't wait to see the vids of your maiden flight.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Not much of a maiden today, but she does fly. Managed to get her off the ground then the battery died.

Turned out the 6s had dead cells. It's a 2 year old battery.

For using third party parts and some fabrication, as well as an estimated COG, it flies well.





Will try it again when the new batteries arrive.