I have a .61 OS FX and the muffler that comes with it. Now I need to install it on a P-51D Mustang. I found that if I turn the engine at a certain position, then I could hide the muffler in cowl leaving only the small end tube out. The engine would be in a 30 degree up side down position. I'm a beginner and not so sure if this will be all right or not.

It should work fine. Get the tank as low as possible so the centerline will be within 3/8" above or below the spraybar.

Ah...if you're a beginner, what the heck are you doing with a P-51???

Dr.1

As Dr1Driver said, this isn't a beginner's airplane.

But to answer your question, there shouldn't be any problems with turning the engine. If you are going to enclose the engine in the cowl make sure that you have airflow through the cowl to cool the engine. If not, you'll wind up burning it up.

Ken

How would I have the air flow through the cowl?

How would I have the air flow through the cowl?

Cut an inlet and an exit. Exit needs to be larger than inlet.

Dr.1

Exactly. The air has to have a way to get into AND out of the cowl. You can have the openings in the front of the cowl, but if the air doesn't have a way to exit at the rear/bottom of the cowl then it's not going to a bit of good. The air will be trapped inside of the cowl and form a sort of "bubble" that keeps cool air from flowing over the engine.

Ken

Exposing the cylinder header should do it too, right?

It will if the cylinder head extends outside the cowl.

Ken

IS THIS YOUR FIRST PLANE?

yes, this is my first plane. I know it's not for training, but it's cool.
Do you guys know any good muffler for it, bisson pitts? I've heard some people complaining about its not producing enough pressure.

Ho hum... Here we go again.

John, I know that you're not going to want to hear this, but you're making a big mistake. A 60-size P-51 is NOT the way to learn - it is however, a great way to throw your money away.

I know it looks "Cool" now, but just think about how "Uncool" it's going to look when it's a pile of splinters in a trash bag.

Flying a model airplane is NOT like playing with a radio controlled car or other such toy. These are very fast, and very dangerous machines. You can not just go out and fly one - at least, not for more than about 10 seconds.

Find the club in your area and ask them to teach you how to fly. It's the only way that you will keep that "Cool" looking plane in one piece.

Not only that, but when you learn to fly on a trainer, you (should) also be learning about things like proper control linkage setup, proper radio care and feeding, proper engine setup, including things like cooling. The odds of you getting even an ARF P-51 set up right will go way up if you start with a trainer first. I've seen plenty of really botched up ARFs from guys who tried too much too fast.

There are guys who can't fly but turn out some amazing models from scratch or kits or whatever. Building is their thing, even if flying isn't. But I suspect that isn't the case here either.

In other words, it's quite possible to really mess up that Mustang before it ever leaves the ground. Not everyone will put it together wrong, but I've seen plenty of examples.

Well I basically agree with you guys' opionion, but I found this,

In Ken's post
Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 8-15-06)
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm

P-51 Mustang is listed as a beginner airplane!

I'm kind of being confused now.

HI John,

In that listing is the Hangar 9, PTS Trainer P-51. It is a trainer system that looks roughly like the mustang but behaves like a trainer. A trainer exhibits docile handling traits that make it easier to learn. A scale warbird really doesn't, they can be tricky beasts even for long time flyers!!

This is a copy of the wording on the Horizon hobby website explaining the PTS system:-

"PTS stands for Progressive Trainer System—groundbreak-ing new technology that allows pilots to progress from learning to fly to performing sport aerobatics without having to upgrade or buy a new airplane. Clear plastic NACA droops attach to the outer edges of the wing, providing beginners with extra stability during training and manipulating the stock airfoil to produce added lift. The fixed landing gear features a special speed brake system that keeps the flying speed down, making the Mustang easy to handle. 2-position flaps add drag, and can be later upgraded to functioning flaps by adding a servo.

Once the pilot has mastered the basics of RC flight, he can quickly and easily remove the droops and speed brakes, instantly transforming the ready-to-fly trainer into a smooth-flying sport plane able to fly a variety of aerobatics such as loops, spins and snap rolls".

The photos show the PTS mustang. The shot from above shows the clear NACA droops that clip on to make the wing more forgiving.

I think I would keep the mustang as something pretty to look at in your house, & put the radio gear into a trainer. After you can fly then move the gear into the P51.

Tony.

What Crasharama said it dead on good advice. Just because it says "P-51" doesn't mean that it's the same plane that you are trying to fly. That's kind of like saying a Ford Tauras is the same thing as a Ferrari because they are both a "car". The Hanger 9 P-51 PTS that is listed in my list has been designed to be easier to fly than any of the other "real" P-51 warbirds out there. Even though the PTS has been calmed down a bit, it's still not a trainer for everybody. It's more like an advanced trainer or even a second plane for some people that are learning to fly. But I can assure you that even using the P-51 PTS you still wouldn't be able to learn to fly by yourself.

Ken

Yeah, first, that PTS mustang isn't the same thing as your typical Mustang. If you put them side-by-side, you can see that the tail surfaces have been enlarged to make it more stable more trainer like. The landing gear is also way out of scale to help ground handling. And that's just some of the obvious changes.

And, even with all the changes they made to it, I'd say that the PTS P-51 Mustang is one of the worst primary trainers out there to learn on. For guys who learn quick and have a lot of natural ability, it's ok, but for most students, it's not a good choice, there are many other trainers that fly better and make learning easier. I've had several students with that plane, and in all but one case, the student was really helped when they got some stick time on someone else's trainer. For most guys, that PTS mustang would make a really nice second plane if you take the speed brakes off.

If you have the P-51 PTS, okay, if not, kiss it good bye