i have just ordered wm p51 46 are there any problems with this arf? is it put together well? got it off ebay for $142.00 is this a good price? does it fly well?

That "was" one of my favorites. I fly all sizes and used that sometimes as a warm up plane. About a year ago it went in due to radio failure. I had a ST G90in it with a 12/9 prop and it was a 100mph plane here at 5000ft. I would come in for a low pass at full speed 5 ft off the ground, let go of the sticks and that thing held like it was on rails.
Sohhhh, Santa brought me another one. Now I always over power my planes but i suggest a 61fx or similar size. I built the Candyman version for my buddy a few months ago. I put a 61fx in it and he loves it with a Pits style muffler underneath.
Now as far a assembly, its goes together really well. Here is what I do and i guess its up too you.

1. I always apply some fiberglass/epoxy to the firewall corners for added strength.

2. Don't forget their is right thrust already built into the firewall. You can see this by looking down on it from above.

3. There have been alot of people complaining as to how weak the landing gear struts are. Well its my opinion they do not know how to land very well. I flew mine for two years with no problems. Also slop some epoxy in and around the retract mounting blocks for added security. I feel this is a must. You'll have to take the retracts out but its a simple task.

4. Add a strip of fiberglass to the wing halves also but i only go up about 4 inches from where the wing bolts on. This way the air scoop hides it You'll see what I mean when you get it.

I also use Kavan wheels, they help the plane slide sideways without bad wheel hopping when the end of the runway comes up quick.

This time i have the Miss America version. I am stuffing a Saito 100 in this baby. I had to beef up the back end and run direct rods to each elevator. its going to be a mover.

I think you'll be very pleased with this.

Thanks for the good advice Cyclic i have read some very good things about this plane. i have an o s 46 and a magnum 65 with no home so now i guess it's time to choose

You got a good price. It flies well. It is a favorite of mine. I've been flying my current one for about three seasons.

I had an OS 46 fx on mine for a while. Then tried a Magnum 60 with a 12x8 prop. It flew OK with the OS, but the Magnum really improved the performance. Altitude here is 3500'. Here some things I did to mine:

1. Put a layer of thinned epoxy on the outside of the firewall for fuel proofing.
2. Put some epoxy on the internal firewall/fuselage joints.
3. Arrange the fuel tank so it can be removed easily. I have had two different WM tanks leak around the rubber stopper. The screw apparently vibrates loose and needs to be tightened. I think there is an RCU thread about this.
4. I joined the wing halves as per instructions. Did not glass the joint and haven't had a problem. (I don't fly 100 mph though).
5. I agree with Cyclic's comments about the gear. I fly off a heavy canvas strip (not grass or concrete). Just check the gear after each flight to be sure they will still pull up into the wheel well. If not a minor hand bending generally fixes it.
6. I didn't use the wheels that came with the model. I put some heavier balloon wheels (forgot the brand).
7. If you have a computer radio, try using a flaperon (airbrake) setup for landing. It helps a little bit.

Enjoy!!

They are built nice and fly Great.
I use a OS-.50sx with a pitts. and has alot of balls!
Keep it light.

I also had the miss america version. Unfortunately I lost it due to radio failure. It has an OS 46fx in it, it wasn't overly fast but still quite quick. They are a dream to fly, however the do land fast like most warbird airfarmes. I recomend mixing some flaperons in if you have a computer radio. It will do most aerobatics, but I loved doing FAST LOW BEAT UPS. Looks fantastic and sounds great. Look after it and enjoy flying it.

i have the rockwell international one , it's a blast to fly and seem's to be built well. sounds like you got a good deal if its nib, i paid 189.00 for mine

yea freefly, it's nib got it on ebay. i got the rockwell version too. thanks everybody for all the good advice, i can hardley wait to fly it. the weather here has been good i hope it holds out alittle longer so i can fly it soon!!!!!!!!!!

Well UPS came today 1/5/04 and brought my bird I was suprised at how well built it is. The covering is perfect ! I have spent all day epoxying parts. What a great kit so-far!!!!!

Santa brought me this plane and it is a dream to make. I am putting an Irvine .46 MkII in it and eventually (if its still in 1 piece) upgrade the engine after I have got use to its caracteristics.
As an aftyer thought, I have cut the cowl to accept the Irvine set in an upright configuration, can new cowls be sourced from WM??

You can buy cowls, wings, etc from AirborneModels. They have on-line shopping.

http://www.airborne-models.com/

Thanks for the link a_ghost.

I love my yellow Rockwell. I have a Saito 72. flys great.

If you guys don't know, the yellow Rockwell P-51 WM plane is from the full scale P-51 yellow Mustang that Robert A. "BOB" Hoover flew when he was a factory demo and test pilot. He was the race safety pilot also flying that plane over the Reno racers too during a race to guide pilots when they got into trouble. Thats why the registration sticker is 51RH for Robert Hoover. He is one of the most talented airshow and test pilots to ever live. He is a living legend in the full scale aviation world. I was lucky enough to see him a few times fly the twin commander with the airshow routine when he shuts down one then both engines and does 16 point rolls gliding, then follows with the classic one wheel landing. He's got gifted hands for sure.

His book, "Forever Flying" is a great read.

http://www.icasfoundation.org/hall_f.../hf_hoover.htm

Just an update on my build so far.... I have scrapped the idea of the Irvine .46 and stuck an ASP .61 4stroke in it (sounds beautiful, came in the first post today ), I had to buy a new cowl as I had already cut it for the Irvine. I have taken the advice about extra epoxy in the mentioned areas and my next step is to glass the wing joint. This is my 3rd ARF and I am taking my time with the build, mainly cos we fly off a grass strip ATM and it is V bumpy and pitted, our club is moving to a new field (end of Feb ish) and the grass strip has been prepared with the gratest of care (thanks go to the owner for all his hard work ). So until we move I have no inclination to fly it just yet, although I really want to NOW!! I have also bought an ali spinner as this really sets off the good looks of this plane. I have installed a remote glow and a hobbico remote fueler. Just need to install the radio gear and check the CG...........

I have now installed all the radio gear, run the engine in (ASP .61 4stroke) and done a ground check of all the control serfaces and throws. This ship is now ready to fly

More mods added!! I found that the ASP did not like to idle at anything under 3200rpm Inverted, it ran at 2100rpm upright for the break in. So I have added an onboard glow system. I searched the forum to see what ppl thought of them, and which one to get, turns out they are too expensive and too heavy. I ended up making my own for the princely sum of £4.10. I just used a 'master arm switch' a micro switch and a battery from a glow starter, a bit of wireing and some heatshrink and fuel hose on the throttle arm to activate the micro switch and bingo it works from idle to 1/4 throttle. I have left the remote glow (wired into the same circuit) as a 'boost' if I need it for starting and as a charge socket for the onboard battery.

Thinking about getting another Rockwell but this time using a Satio 100. Anyone used this engine ? My first had the old Satio .80. Wish I never had sold it.

Ask, and you shall receive. Saito 100 running a 12/12 apc. I reinforced the firewall inside and out. Also removed the retracts and slopped epoxy in and around the mounting rail area. When I balance it, I installed the weight inside the rear section of the air scoop.

I also modified the control rod to the elevator basically splitting the wire to each elevator and used 4-40 rod. Its pretty solid plane and flys very well once it gets trimmed out.

By the way, don't get this Miss America color Scheme, Its a pain to keep up with

Thanks ! I am getting another Rockwell.

ahhh, I love my H9 MA (except the retracts)

On my first Rockwell which was about seven years ago the gear was very weak. Has this been improved or do I need to look for after market gear ?

The WM P-51 46 I got a couple of years ago had heavier gear wire than the earlier models. Still mechanical retracts, but they work OK for me. We have a smooth runway which helps.

Brian

i dont own one but iv heard that is a great flyer, iv seen one fly and it looked great also, it was only powered by a 46fx.

I really enjoy mine! Irvine .53 mounted sideways w/ APC 11x7 prop. Only ways 5lb 3oz, and goes like crazy!! BTW - the gear is now made from bigger wire. Holds up fine on our irt strip out here in the desert.

Excellent ! I should be a bullet with a Satio 100.