I started to build my old redbox P-51 kit and have a question since the instructions are so explicit on the plans When you set the 5-1/2 wing dihedrial is it with the full length wing spars or the cut to length wing spars?
I know someone somewhere knows the answer. I hope its here.
Thanks
Bob
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Hi Bob,

I don't have that kit, but I can't imagine it not being for the spar after cut to length. I know that sometimes, for cost savings, etc. different length wood is shipped with the kits. Or if nothing else, they aren't always cut to any sort of exact length tolerances.

Let us know how it goes, it's been a while since I've seen that kit built.. sounds like a good build thread.

Russ

Are you talking about the P-51A kit?
It goes under at the last rib. I split the difference, and put half under each wing tip. Just the way I do it.

Pat

Yeah the A kit and thanks I kinda thought I had to cut them now i can cut them apart and do it again LOL
Oh well Its all good.

Do yourself a favor and don't use the belcranks on the ailerons. I almost did, and I'm glad I was talked out of it.( after I had the wings halves glued together, and all sheeting on, except the top back half.)I've never had a problem with belcranks, but if you do or they wear and get loose, you'll have to cut open the wing to fix them. Plus their more positive, and no slop. I still use the belcranks on the flaps, which work good, butwould have been better with servos there also.

Pat

Thanks for that tip. I was thinking about doing the servo trick in the wing for both flaps and ailerons. Just something about sealing a belcrank in the wing just doesn't sit well with me plus it will give me room for my retract servo and valving in the wing.

I wish I had put retracts in this one, but I was just rebuilding one I bought at a auction, that was basically destroyed by the builder on the bench! I have a build thread on this plane, if you search for "TF P-51" you'll find it. If I decide to keep it and not sell it, I'll open everything back up and install them....Maybe. It's no big deal for me to do, I enjoy building &amp; rebuilding.

What motor are you going to use in it? Ialso made the bottom of the front of the fuse removeable, to remove the engine, and to get at the tank any time.
I also moved the tail wheel, and it's steerable.

Keep posting pictures of your build while you do it.

Pat

How is the build going, Pat???

Bob

It's still waiting for a pilot, and to be covered, or painted, which ever I decide to do. I have set it aside while I had built my 30" DR1, and the repaired my 72" DR1, and then I built a few small planes to fly in the backyard. And now I'm redoing the living room, and making new cupboards in the kitchen for the wife..
I will get back on it, unless someonewants to buy it, and finish it.

Pat

I hope that you stay with it... but I have one question. What is a 'Red Box' P:-51. I have a Gold Edition that I hope to start this winter, I believe that it's 1/7 scale. How would this differe from the 'Red Box' edition?

Thanks,

Bob

It's the earlier version from the 80's,and it's 1/6 stand-off scale of the P-51A, and it came in a red box.

I have the gold edition 1/7 Corsair kit also, and everything needed to complete it, except pilot &amp; paint.. - Some day!

Pat

Do enjoy your build,I built one years ago and opted for separate servos for each aileron, I have yet to fly it .A picture of it is posted in "my gallery"

Thanks, Pat.

I'd never seen that box style before... I figured that it was something vintage. I've got a P-51D Gold Edition with a P-51B converter sub-kit. I'm thinking about starting that one this winter.

Thanks again,

Bob

Just FYI if you do the math I think you will find it's actually 1/7 scale rather than 1/6. (A 1/6 scale Mustang would have a span of ~75 inches) The picture on the box top is a P-51B although I think the plans may show the Allison powered P-51A model as well.

Along with Chad's musings, the Gold Edition kits are head and shoulders above the Red Box on the subject of engineering. No doubt the Red Box kits are very buildable and make a good looking and flying model, they are just 25 years older than the Gold Edition.
Chris...

Thanks for that input, Chris. Looking forward to my build too but I want to watch this Red Box go together too...

Bob

Yes you are right, I never really cared of the size, as I bought this as a never finished disastrous build .60 size Mustang for $5.00, and Iput it back into kit form, and started it over. It does have the P-51B on the cover, but Irebuilt it into the P-51A (different exhaust (Allison), 3 blade prop, and smoother cowl) version, and going to finish it into a A-36 Apache without the hard points or dive brakes, or guns.

This is a stand-off scale, the Gold Edition is a completely different type kit tobuild. to compare them is apples and oranges.

Pat

The Red Box P-51 was designed by Dave Platt when he started to work for Top Flite, it was his first design for them.
Several months later a conversion kit was released that you could convert the B model to a D. It had a bubble canopy and several fuse formers and instructions.
He did the P-51, P-40 and P-39 (people wanted a nose gear model) and the SE-5A before he left to form his own company.
The early SE-5A kits came with the plans pre-waxed so you didn't have to use wax paper.
BRG,
Jon

Hi Pat
Been slowly working on the kit and here are the pictures so far.
I picked up an ASP .61 off Ebay for twenty bucks that is very lightly used so I'm going to use that. Also i am going to fit the robart retractable tailwheel in to this beast (large crowbar) lol.
Bob

Bob,
Looking good! No need to rush it. I have a Magnum .61 in mine. I didn't put retracks in mine, I should have. But I didn't know if I was going to keep it or not, and I was rebuilding it (put it back into a kit) at the time, to keep me buzy while I take of care my wife in the next room. But now I like it, and wish I did use retracks. Thats the only thing I would change.

When I was movingthe tailwheel forward, I tacked glued the bottom onand then formed the fuse to it's shape, and then popped the bottom off and then mounted it.

Keep posting pictures of your work!
Any questions, just ask, mabe I can help on a problem spot.

Pat

G'day Bob,greetings from down under.

I also have one of these kits which I bought partially built from a fellow modeller. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I cannot find the plans.

I believe the dog may have eaten them I now have a lot of balsa bits, and not much idea where they may go, so, after much searching I have found your build log.

I look forward to your progress, especially as it helps me to identify where particular pieces are meant to be positioned.

Nice work so far, am subscribed and keen to see the story of your build unfold.

Cheers, Rob