I got my Matt Chapman 580 cancelled, mainly because I don't feel like I am quite ready for that plane yet after watching a guy at our field fly it and opinions on this forum. I have dwindled my decision down to 2 planes and need some help to make up my mind. It is between the GP Extra 300S or the Top Flite Mustang P51-D 60. Your opinions please?

Guitarman ... its like choosing between a Strat or a Les Paul. Very different ... what do you want? The Extra is aerobatic, the Mustang is a scale warbird (of course she will bite you if you think she flies like a trainer). If you think you are not ready for the Matt Chapman then the Mustang should be ruled out ... what are you currently flying?

I am flying a GP Big Stick and a Cherokee. They are both 60 size. I also have a Yak with a 26cc gas on it that is not together yet. I hardly ever fly my trainer anymore. I can to loops, spins and fly inverted, things like that and feel pretty comfortable now.

If you`re looking at aerobatics and/or 3D, then the Extra would be a good choice. Not nearly as nasty as the Cap. As stated, scale/sport scale warbirds are a totally different flying style.

I second what TideFlyer says. I would add that while different the TF P-51-D .60 is not anymore difficult to fly, just different.

If you do a search (top right corner) on the GP Extra, you will find lots of happy pilots. Supposedly a very nice addition to the GP family of (heavy) planes.

If you want to put your effort into flying in a scale-like manner, i.e. "flying the wing" and paying attention to the lift generated on the wings when you fly, get the Mustang.

If you want to perform the aerobatics that only high-power, dedicated machines can perform ("flying the prop"), get the extra.

Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Both are outstanding but very different. I have both. Here is my take...

Mustang: Outstanding, scale looking airplane. It flys like a Mustang... relatively heavy wing loading, super stable, flys like it is on a rail, needs a little speed on landing. It can do basic aerobatics similar to a full scale mustang such as loops, point roles, inverted flight, stall turns, etc. I personally like doing high speed, low passes with it; warbirds just seem to be perfect for that. The biggest drawbacks to the airplane in my opinion would be poor ground handling compared to some other planes (typical of a warbird), needs speed on landing or it could tip stall (also typical of many warbirds, especially Mustangs), and problems with the landing gear (another common warbird issue). These negatives aren't really that bad though; they just come with scale airplanes of this type and they aren't that big a deal if you are ready for them. If you like warbirds and specifically P-51's this is an excellent airplane.

Extra: This is another great airplane. It is much friendlier than the Cap-580 in my opinion with a lot less tendency to tip stall at slower speeds. That doesn't mean that it won't but it is more difficult to do it. The plane is very stable, failry sedate on low rates and EXTREMELY maneuverable on high rates. It can do 3D stuff with enough power but won't be quite as good of a 3D machine as somethign like a lightweight profile. It flys fairly "neutral" with only some slight coupling issues when rudder is applied. Knife-edges, flat spins, point rolls, blenders, etc. are all easy and nice to look at. Landings are almost automatic with this airplane. Drawbacks? Can't really think of any. I'd like to have a slightly bigger one but then it wouldn't be a 40 size plane either.

I think it bascially comes down to two things: What kind of airplane do you want and where is your skill level? Both are outstanding.

ChuckW

Good post, lots of info.

Nice summary on the two planes by Chuck W. One thing though. While landings with an Extra or other models with fuselage mounted gear are indeed practically automatic, landings with warbirds, particularly those with wing mounted gear, are anything but. They will indeed teach you to land with the throttle and not the elevator. They take practice and can be frustrating, but the satisfaction you can derive from a smooth, scale landing is a nice part of this hobby (at least for me).

I appreciate Chuck's comparison between the Mustang and Extra. I have had some folks tell me that an Edge would be more forgiving than an Extra, but I also heard the opposite from the majority who have flown both planes. From my own observations, I have seen fewer flight problems with Extras and Edges than I have with warbirds, so the Great Planes Extra 300SP would probably be the best choice here. It is a very attractive plane, and the quality of the ARF is excellent from what I've seen so far.

NorfolkSouthern

Great info. Nice comparison ChuckW. I think I have decided on the Extra. I am going to get the 1.60 OS 2 stroke. From what I have read, it is a great engine. I know a guy who has that engine on his Ultimate Biplane, 65" wing, and it seems to have unlimited power.

OS 1.60? So you are getting the 27% Extra? I thought you were talking about the .40 size blue & yellow one. I just sold my 27% and it is a good plane as well. My avitar picture is my Extra in flight. My only complaint is the landing gear. They aren't in a scale location so they look wrong and I just don't think the forward mounted, swept back gear work all that well. They are also a little springy for my liking. Gear aside, it flys great though.

The 1.60 will definitely fly it well but you may consider going gas. You can get some low cost 50cc, high performance gassers now such as the Turnigy 50cc HP from Hobby City and they run very well. You'll get to use much less expensive fuel and have no slime to clean off the plane at the end of the day. The only down side to them is that they will weigh a little more than the glow 2-stroke once you factor in the ignition box, ignition battery, etc.

Yep. with a scale Mustang you either make a great landing or a bad one, not many that are in between. I've broken a few props, scratched some spinners and knocked out some gear. Once you figure it out though it is beautiful to watch.

OK gentlemen. I really appreciate your views and input. I want to throw one more plane in the mix that interests me. I really do like the 91 surpass engine, so what do you think about the Great Planes Super Skybolt Bipe ARF .60-.75,57" ? I think the 91 surpass would be a good match for that plane.

Another style completely. High drag at low power setting scrub off speed quicker than any of the others. The .91 is a great match. The plane is not difficult to fly and has no bad habits. Lands pretty slowly but slows down real quick so you need to carry some power to the threshold. Not really harder than any of the others to fly, again just different.

One of the guys at my field has a Super Skybolt. It's one of the most reliable planes I've seen in service, and it has no bad habits that I've seen. I will give a little waiver here: I have never seen him deadstick on that bipe, so I don't know how it would react in that situation. In the size you're specifying, there really aren't too many bad choices.

NorfolkSouthern

The Skybolt is a gorgeous, sweet flying airplane.

If you have a dead stick with the skybolt, or almost any Biplane you need only remember the plane has a lot of drag so you need to turn for the runway right away and keep the nose down to keep your speed up. It's not a problem but if your low things will happen pretty fast.

Here's mine with an O.S. 91 four stroke.

You guys are great ! Thanks for all of the info. Oldvet what size prop do you run and what servos are you using... that is a beautiful plane...

I am flying it with an APC 14X6 prop, the engine is an older 91 Surpass not the current Surpass II, and I used Futaba S3152 servos since it requires 54 oz-in servos for the control surfaces. I had them on hand and they are a really good fit with this plane.

Thanks to everyone... I have the Skybolt on order.

If your thinking about a plane with the OS 160, I'd go with this 30cc gas engine built in the USA. Price is about the same. But this is just my two cents.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8862472/tm.htm

Regards

You'll love it.

When you get it if you need anything explained PM me and I'll try to help. The instruction manual is pretty good and there is a review of the plane at; http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=750
that might also help you. The one in the picture is an ARF but I've flown them since way before the ARF. I prefer the ARF as it is much lighter. Although there was an alignment problem with the lower wing and fuselage on the one in the photo's.

It you can handle a Extra, then you can handle the 580. JMHO Scale is a little more hard to fly and not as fun for me. I have a Scale Hanger 9 Fokker, I've flown a semi- scale P-51, J-3 Cubs and none of them are as fun to fly. When I fly my Extra I can't stop from having a smile on my face. I have a ball!

I'll always fly scale... but when I want to tear up the sky and fly hard... I get my Extra 260.