Ok for all you experienced RC people out there. I have a guilles p-51 kit I am puting together right now. I am using it as practice for when I build my first real kit. I have been flying my trainer and now I want something better.I plan on getting the top flight p-47d gold edition kit next. Well any way this guilles kit is only a 27" wing span. I am planning on putting a .15 or a .25 size engine in there. Do you think this is to much and am I wasting my time and money with this one. I have already built the fuse and wings. I sheeted the wings and glassed them. Like I said this plane is basicaly for practice but if I could get it in the air I would be real happy.

for control line it would be fine. but do you want to make it an rc plane?

You should probably go with the 4* 60 since it is big like the P-47. The P-51 may be ok if it was bigger. Us on rcu that have never seen you fly cant really tell if you skills are advanced enough to flu it. The 15 may be ok, but it sounds kinda big for a 27" plane. It should probably be a .09 or some electric motor.
-Trent

Well like I said this is just practice. I have friends who can help me build my p-47 when I have questions but I definately want to try and my the small mustang an rc plane. If it crashes oh well then I will just use the gear in some other plane.

Word of caution on the Guillows kits. The wood is not that strong for RC. By the time you beef it up and if you don't, a .25 engine will tear it apart for RC. Maybe look at electric for now. Small planes fly alot different than the larger scales.

Also, unless you have war bird experience flying, especially the Gold series which are fantastic planes, they require some some advanced skills for flying.

Don't rush your hrs in the air, gain experience and enjoy the plane.
I dont want to sound negative, just want to help with some good advice.


Rob

If I put an electric motor in there do you think that it will have enough power to keep the plane flying? I did glass the wings so it is a little heavy.

I hate to discourage you, but the Guillows kits are pretty heavy for their wingspans as it is, and adding fiberglass to the wing will make it fly like a rock.

Many people have tried to convert them to RC, a very few have succeded. Usually by replacing much of the heavy wood, then buying the very lightest recievers and servos available (we're talking grams of weight, not ounces), and powering them with small electric motors and LiPoly battery packs.

You really wouldn't want the ready to fly weight to exceed about 10 to 12 ounces. [X(]
Dennis-

yeah i don't think you'll get it converted to rc. to much hassle

I am building a TF Spit. To prepare, I started with a Tower .40 trainer and have progressed on to a 4 star .40.

I chose the 4 star 40 kit for three reasons.

First, I have read a lot of positive comments on it being a good 2nd plane that is a low wing tail dragger, but still has good low speed handling.

Second, it will allow me to recycle my OS .46 that I put in my trainer. I have heard a lot of good comments on the flight characteristics of the TF P-47. It sounds like a good choice as a first warbird.

Third it allowed me to do more building before proceeding with the TF kit.

Scott.

Hi! my story with a p51 is as follows. First learned on a hobbico trainer 60 handled very good, then stepped into low wing with a bad advice on a tiger 60 with the same magnum 60. not enough power for that plane(its tail heavy) then beefed up to a magnum 108 (another bad advice). the in a raffle got ap51 world model..
build it myself and try to fly. the darn thing is so good in the air but real fast to land. I am using it to practice repairs and some flying( more repairs than flying).
war planes are more exicting

War Birds takes a special talent to fly so be ware. They fly in a world of their own!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the advise. I guess I will just use it to practice building and fiberglassing. I know I shouldn't get a war bird for my second plane but I just love the look of the war birds. I bought a small Texan that my friend is going to teach me to fly. I still plan on buying the TF p-47 just not flying it for some time. I don't want to destroy something I plan on spending a long time to build. It has to be perfect for me.

If you're dead set on a warbird, might I sugest you try one of the .40 sized ones out there? World models Mustang, or one of the Koyosho .40 sized warbirds? Most of them are much lighter and less expensive! than 60 sized warbirds, they're less intimidating and you will have much less blood, sweat and tears invested in them. Oh and did I mention they're cheaper? A good way to learn a taildragger and get a look at warbird flying characteristics.

Andy

Ok I just ordered a texan from tower hobbies. It was cheap. I got the house of balsa 44" wing span. I will use my friends buddy box so I don't wreck it. I am just hooked in this hobby. I landed my trainer for the first time this weekend 3 times. I just can't wait to go back to the field. I don't get discouraged easily so even if i crash the texan I will just get another. I am hell bent on learning to fly the war birds.

Just set the control throws low on that Texan. It's a small plane and they tend to be "twitchy". ie, slight input on the sticks can result in some dramatic responses from the plane.
Dennis-

I don't know that exact plane, but Texans in general are not the best first warbird, because the gear is very narrow track. Not a problem once off the ground, but can be a bit much, especially if it's your first taildragger.


Andy