G`Day

Can someone please advise me on what servo to use in my 60 size P-51. I need servos for Pneumatic Retracts,Flaps, Rudder, Elevators and Ailerons!!
Not sure whether to go Analog or Digital, Hitec or Futaba?
What do other members use in this type and sizeplane?


dutchy50

Go for ball bearing servos. Suggest Futaba S3010 or Hitec HS475HB. Both of these are analog servos. By default they are also hi-torque servos. Use a 6V battery system. Beyond this, it is down to personal preference.

Personally, I never had any problems with the S3010. But I had a lot of issues with the Hitec 311 and 645MG both of which went bad at some time. Some others have had good luck with them. However, I do have HS475HBs taked 3 years ago that are still operating OK. And my original 3001s are also still operating fine after the same amount of time. Now, I dont take any servos other than 3010 and 475HB.

Use digital servos only if you have the need for them. They react faster and are more accurate. However, they consume more power and are more expensive. The way I see it, the jury is still out on which type are better

Ameyam

Really good advice above

G'day I agree with the above. I like Hitec servos and I use them with my Spektrum, JR and Hitec radio gear. I also have a number of 3001 and 3003 servos and a few JR as well but the Hitec are my favourite.

The HS-425 is a great basic power servo and is ball raced. The HS-475 was the next leg up but I think it has now been replaced by the HS-485 which has similar specs. For heavy duty the HS-645 is a stump puller at a reasonable price.

I don't use digital servos, I prefer the simplicity of the analogue and I don't need the extra flexibility of the digital servos.

I usually use HS-422 in simple trainers and for throttles.

I have only had one Hitec Servo fail. It was a new HS-422 which was working when I bought it but dead after I installed it. I ended up using it for spare parts to repair other similar servos. That is out of a total of at least 100 servos. I have never had one fail in flight and only a couple of damaged gear sets after prangs which were easily replaced.

Well, I'll be the first to disagree. For a 60-size Mustang you don't need anything fancy and you sure as hell don't need digital - especially on something like the air valve for the retracts.

Get some cheap, analog servos. If some came with your radio they'll do fine.

I had a Hitec 311 fail in flight. It jammed the rudder right but I wasnt even using the rudder much then. Had I not got timely help I would have lost the Tiger 40, becoause as soom as I had the problem I went far away to prevent injury to others. Thats why I dont suggest them.

Think for a 60 size analogs should be enough. Get 475/485 or 3010s whatever catches your fancy and pocket

Ameyam

The question I have is "What engine are you putting in there?"

I agree with Minn that basic standard servos will be fine, as long as you aren't going fast.

I always wind up using whatever is around in the shop on air valves, very little force required. And I wouldn't use digital there because I wouldn't want to get the setup a bit off and eat the battery.

I've become a fan of the less expensive digital servos like the Hitec 5465. For $25 each, they really are nice. And depending on the pushrod setup and the way you fly, you can tell the difference. But for most of my planes in that size, I'm using Hitec 425's for most flight surfaces.

Note that flaps often require more torque, but not always. I'm using Hitec 322's on the flaps on my 72" Mosquito which is going to be a bit heavier and faster than your Mustang. I have one of these on each side, and it's plenty. If I was using a single servo, I'd be using something bigger though.

For rudder, elevator, and aileron, I usually just want something that centers well because a plane that doesn't hold a trim drives me nuts. That's one reason I've been moving towards digital, but frankly good pushrods and surface hinging matters as much or more.

Thanks
To everone who replied to my question,
I now have a clearer picture of what to use!!
dutchy50

G'day

I see you are in Watson in the ACT. My son is somewhere near you.

Now some useful info - have a look at www.rojshobbies.com in Melbourne. His prices on Hitec servos are pretty hard to beat. I like Nitrodude in Canberra because their website tells you what they have in stock but for price, Roj will almost always win. Col Taylor Models in Wagga Wagga is very good too. All have good delivery systems too though for you, Nitrodude it is just a short drive. Five hours for me.

Cheers

Mike in Dubbo

Just a thought about servos. What you see today is pretty much all digitals and people swearing about them. I use them myself and I agree, they really are great and hold well. Thing is, it has only been a decade, just 10 short years sense the big digital craze. A good servo back then was just a standard 48 inch pound analog with ball bearings. We used these in everything from 40 to giant scale size planes.
Today I see people stating digital high end servos are a must?? Perhaps if you are flying giant scale 3-D planes but for most sport pilots any good standard servo in a 60 size plane or smaller is going to work. Montague mentioned the HT 5465 digital and I found these lower end digitals perfect for sport flying for those of us that like the holding power of the digitals.
I have a lot of the high end digitals but they sure aren't going into a 60 size plane when something less costly will work. The industry has marketed these servos very well and people today are buying into the must have line of thinking. They may be nice but too many people seem to feel it's the only way to go with servos, nice they be but don't buy into the hype!!

I have a 60 size P51 myself with nothing but standard servos and they work just fine, unless you are planning to do crazy maneouvers with it, you'll be fine with standard servos.

I couldn't agree more.

For MANY years we used a single ailreon servo on 60-size sport and pattern planes. Now people feel that you must use one servo per aileron even on a 40-size plane.

The manufacturer's want you to think that because:

1 - It's easier to buld an ARF without aileron torque rods
2 - They can sell you an extra servo.

Now, granted, if you're flying 3D or really high-performance stuff, you may want the extra oomph, but for sport planes? Naw.

It's sort of like 2.4 VS 72, when it's new they start pushing the sales for a decade until you start seeing people on the net and at the field telling you this is the only way to go, just aint so. As for two controls on a control surface?? Not needed but I have been using two servos for the ailerons and elevator for most {MOST} of my planes. It's just easier for me to set up. This doesn't happen too often but two weeks ago I was flying my HOTs and it was acting sluggish? It wasn't pulling out of loops or the down line very well? I landed and discovered I had a broken control horn on one half of the elevator. The other side was fine, I knew something wasn't right and I figured it was an elevator problem. On any of my single servo planes it could have been real ugly!! Two of something is often helpful.