Hi guys, I`m fairly new here. I used to fly a trainer plane about 5 years or so back, and I was getting pretty good at it, or so I figuered.I could do some basic arobatics like tail slides, rolls and hammer heads with it. I thought I was ready for the next level, then circumstances made me give it up till now! I`ll be picking up a new Hangar 9 p-51 pts on friday and can hardly wait!! I`ve done a bunch of reading up on it and I figure I should be able to fly it. Recently I bought a Blade CX2 heli, and while fun, the charging of the batts gets a little old, great to fly inside the house, but not so great outside. I thought maybe some day I`d like to get a bigger chopper in nitro, but they are a bit out of my budget. So here I am back to flying a plane and a war bird at that!! I`m pretty excited to say the least!![8D]

There has been a lot of discussion here on RCU regarding the Hanger 9 PTS system. Some say that it's not that great a trainer, and once the 'stuff' is removed it is not that great of an aerobatic aircraft.

If you want to go into aerobatics, I would suggest a low-wing trainer type aircraft, something that is for the beginner to intermediate flyer. Suggestions: Goldberg Tiger 60, Sig Four Star 40 or 60 (I would prefer the 60 for the visibility of the larger size aircraft), the Goldberg Protege (although a high-wing aircraft, it is not a beginners level plane, but more of an intermediate level with a bolt on high-wing setup with a small amount of dyhedral) or similar type of aircraft, there are quite a few around.

The all-in-one aircraft are not that great at everything, nor that great at any one thing. From what I have read here, the PTS is not well powered, and has some other issues that make it not that great a trainer, nor a second aircraft.

Do a search here on RCU and read up on some of the postings about this aircraft. Some are positive, but there seem to be more mediocre comments than good ones.

CGr.

I taught 3 people to fly on the PTS P-51 this year and own a stripped down one myself. It good for high speed passes , but lacks aerobatic capabilities that many other planes have. With the training gear on , it`slow and sluggish , and you can learn to fly on one.
I`m pretty bored with mine and it only took a few flights to find that out that even with the training gear off , it handles good, but it not very aerobatic.

The Protege as CGR mentioned , would be the way to go , if you want to stick with a high wing that will perform . I believe Tower has them on sale right now. [link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LRB032&P=1[/link] $25.00 off.

If you perfer a low wing. You can`t beat the Sig 4 Star.

My Progege is a performer. I really love that plane. I bought it just after Mike (Minnflyer) did the review on it. He suggested the OS 55 AX, but I couldn't get one when I wanted it (the LHS had one, sold it, and they were on back order for about two weeks) so I opted for the OS 75 AX engine. It is a power house, and appropriate for the plane.

Minn said, in his review, that the .55 was a great choice, which I don't doubt for a minute. So, if you want one, it will fly great with either engine, but I like the added power of the .75. And it bolted right in.

I was delighted when I measured the CG. It did not require any nose weight at all, perfect balance right out of the box, and setup as per the instructions. The first flight proved that it was a great plane, two clicks of right aileron and no elevator trim necessary, and it flew straight as an arrow, approach and landing were all perfect.

Great plane, great choice.

And, I must agree with Moondogie.. the Four Star's are really great flyers, great choice for a second or whatever. I had the Four Star 40 with an OS 50 engine. My only problem with it was that I would have liked the larger size of the Four Star 60. Other than that, as a low wing aircraft, it was really capable.

CGr.

Here`s the link to Minnflyers review [link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=901#video[/link]
If you watch the video , you can see it handles different than a normal trainer. Rolls and loops are clean . The Cuban 8s have nice lines , and the .55ax pulls it really well. A .75ax would really make a good combo for skies or floats ?
After watching the video again , I might have to get one and throw some skies on it.

Thanks for the replies guys. I`ve been a warbird guy from the first time I seen one, I love the p-40, got to be nearly my favoright!, I`m hoping I`ll be able to get back into rc with this plane and eventually get my self a p-40...a large one!! I`m not really into arobatics I was just messin with my trainer plane as it was getting a bit boring doing circuts and landings. I crashed that trainer lots, but never when doing stupid stunts, mostly on cross wind gusts on take off. It was fun while it lasted, and I can`t wait to get back at`er....just like a little kid waiting for christmas morning!