I have my eye on the World Models P51D Mustang (not the GS) and would like your input on an engine choice. The LHS has a OS .61fx and a .46fx in stock, and the price is right for both. Will the HP of the .61 make up for the size and weight difference over the .46? Or what is your choice for this plane?

Thanks,
Mike

I'd go with the .61. If I remember correctly, the WM Mustang comes out tail heavy.

I ran an OS 46sf in mine and it seemed the perfect combination. It was not blinding fast, but was still pretty quick, and the lite weight made it handle real well. Landings were a breeze, and this was one of the originals w/ soft wire in the gear. Still have the motor( too low pass), & maybe someday I'll get another W/M Mustang to put it in.
BTW, balance was dead on without any added weight.

Go with the .61, I put an OS .91 FX in my WM Dago Red. It would jump off the ground after about 5 feet of ground roll. Battery pack on the bottom of the fuselage, covered up with the scoop, no extra ballast. Went to a 3 bladed prop for ground clearance. Slowed down to a crawl on landing. Only headache is pulling off the head to remove the cowl.

I run a ST G90 in my little .40 size WM P51 with a Pitts underneath. Now, I run it sideways. When you look at this you will come with the fact you cannot get the cowl over the engine??? I remove the head on mine to get the cowl on or off. No real problem. I get a respectable 100mph out of mine here at 5000ft. A guy here runs a 61fx in his Dago Red and he is right on my butt.

Thanks for the info. Does the cowl have to be removed to tune the engine? If so, the head has to be pulled each time? 100mph+!!!! WOW!!! I am at about the same alt. as you, 5400ft.

Mike

http://www.ghiapilot.20m.com

Not at all You should be able to carve the cowl to make everything accesible. I am going to try and find an old shot from last summer here before I recovered

The guy with the 61fx runs an 11/8 apc
I run my G90 with a 12/10 or 12/9 apc-I get around 10300rpm

Again, Thank you for the info!! I have read on other posts that the landing gear that comes with this kit is not to good, but thought I saw someplace that they upgraded it on the new kits? Do you use the stock gear, or what have you changed it too? So at 100mph..... how deep of hole do I have to dig to get it out of the earth??

Mike

http://www.ghiapilot.20m.com

flew the 2 I used to have with Thunder Tiger .46's, and they flew great, didnt even have to add anything to c.g. em.

I have the Wm Miss America 40 size and absolutely love it. I installed at Saito .72 four stroke and have found the combination to be perfect for scale like sound and fly-bys. A guy at my field flies a dago red with a .91 and its speed is missile like. Definitely not or the intermediate flyer. I feel that the .72 Saito is perfect for having enough power to go vertical while still maintaining a reasonable flying speed. I have the rates set up so it rolls lightening fast. It still lands like a trainer.

LANDING GEAR- I have flown this regularly since last May. I probably have around 50 flights on it and have only straigtend out the gear a couple times. They gear is not going to bend any worse or better than any other plane whose pilot can't land! If you bounce on down the runway, it is going to bend .
*One other point here is that us local yokels "bullet proof" the mounting blocks. I don't remember if the gear is pre installed or not but remove it completely and glass and epoxy the snot out of the blocks the gear mounts on to.
* I had a bad day once and landed in the weeds with the gear down. The engine farted on takeoff and it was too late to do anything. Bent the gear but have yet to make any repairs on the mounting blocks. Any normal gear set would have ripped right out of their plane.
Curious-What State you yield from?

I guess I should introduce myself. My Name is Mike Buffaloe, and am from S.E. Idaho. I have been into RC for many years, and run the local Off Road track here in town. http://www.dmraceway.20m.com (shameless plug). Last winter when the track was covered in snow, I got into park flyers starting with the Tiger Moth, and moved up to the HL Champion, and now fly the Mountain Models Switchback 3D. A few months ago the owner of the LHS asked if I would buddy cord him his Nitro trainer .... never flying Nitro... I backed down, but after telling me "It's not your plane NO BIG DEAL if we crash it", I knew I had nothing to loose! That afternoon I was converted to the 'Slimier' Air craft, and took home my own trainer from his shop. (Sig Kadet + radio and a Super Tiger ringed .40 with a LOUD blow through power pipe for $60!) After countless hours with it, I soon found out that I have pushed it as far as it can go... hence this is why I am asking about the WM P51D. I have lurked in this forum for sometime and have found a lot of well seasoned pilots with a lot of valued input about this plane, over the other possible choices I had in mind.

Ok... enough brown nosing! Hope that I can share some of my knowledge as I gain a little!

Later,
Mike

If you dont have a lot of experience, you will be better off w/ a .46 , due to the weight savings, (wing loading ) and you won't be ready for the high speed yet. You can always upgrade to a larger motor in the future, when your sticks are ready to "haul ass"