Looking at doing my first build. I have been flying for over a year, and subsequently have some repair experience. I started out on the typical high wing trainer, went on to the h9 p51 pts, and then my GP Pete & Poke kit. Due to insufficient time to build and lack of experience I chose to help a friend with that kit build.

Anyways, how does the HOB P51 .20 size kit fair as a so called first build. Honestly, I am not sure if the plane would be too much for me to fly at this point, but it is on back order and the build will surely take some time so practice practice.

How does it fly and what engine would be recommended. Basically just a general opinion would be appreciated.

Thanks
Layne

The HOB P-51 is a great kit. There is a fair amount of sanding to be done and the engine compartment is rather cramped, but other than that, it's a pretty easy build. The plane flies great. I don't think you'll have any trouble with it.
I had a Fox .19 in mine. If I were to build another one, I'd mount the engine upright or at 90 deg instead of inverted.
I wouldn't use anything larger than an OS 25LA or a Thunder Tiger GP 25. Both are inexpensive and will be a good match for the plane.

Can this small taildragger fly off of a grass field? Thanks.

You're probably pushing your luck flying off grass. I must agree, there is a lot of sanding involved, and if you use standard servos, it's gonna be cramped quarters. But it's a nice looking semi-scaled plane once complete. I had a TT Pro 25 in mine and it flew like a little rocket and probably a little over-powered, although a little unreliable idle probably due to inverted mounting. Also, watch out for slow speed tip stalls, particularly in turns. It'll fall out of the air like a brick with no control if you ain't careful. Don't ask me how I know that. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd mount my engine upright or at 90 degrees as well and induce a little negative incidence on the wing tips. It can be somewhat squirrely on take-off, but overall it was a good plane and head-turner.

Bending the landing gear forward so that the center line of the wheel is in line with the leading edge helps with grass runways. The wing is designed to have 2 deg of washout in each wing tip. I never had a problem with slow speed tip stalling.
As cool at it may look, do not cover it in chrome Monokote. It will become invisible in the sky.
Mine's hanging on the wall in the background.

I built one a while ago, and only recently flew it. Unfortunately, I built it with the tail misaligned and a badly warped wing. What can I say? I was about 12 when I built it Even though I built it badly, it still flew okay. Used a K&B .20 Sportster engine (HEAVY), and it had plenty of speed. The K&B 20 is actually larger than my OS.25 FP I'll be putting in another one, so something larger may fit, but it doesn't really need the power. You can forget about a grass field on the suggested wheel size. I had to go to 2" or larger tires to keep it from flopping on its nose during takeoff. I don't know what the actual weight was, but with 4 channel standard radio gear and an overweight .20 engine, it still had no trouble getting airborne. Good luck, and take your time getting everything aligned properly.

Silent J[sm=thumbup.gif]

Thanks for all of the replies. I guess I might as well do it when I can find one. Tower and Horizon say (temp. unavailble) so, I will keep looking elsewhere. Now, I wonder if anybody would be interested in a HOB P51 build thread with a new builder at a snail's pace??? lol


Layne

Sheldons has them in stock for $45.
[link=http://www.sheldonshobbies.com/listing/hob.html]Sheldons[/link]

Well,

I bit the bullet! Ordered the plane today. It will take me a little time to acquire the engine, radio gear, and a few my building tools for this kit. I also need to dedicate a spot to build. So, while I am deciding on engines any further suggestions? Maybe the OS .15CV? Any opinion's on that? Also, probably over my head, but a .20 size Miss America? Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.

Layne

PS: RCU has created a monster!...ME

The kit arrived today! Instruction booklet is a bit cheesey. Everything looks good. I will definately have some question...LOL. So, does anyone want a inexperienced & slow build thread? Probably start in a few weeks.

Layne

I have the same plane plus the 1/2A HOB Mustang, still in the box though , got too many other projects going on. Anyway, have fun building it (I love building), if you get stuck, don't hesitate to asks, that's what this forum is for, I have been building on and off for 20 years and I still ask questions when something doesn't seem right.

Joe

Hi All,

[X(] Now I find this out! []

I finished my .20 size HOB Stang last year around this time. I've yet to fly it! It's been a busy summer, and I've only made out to the flying field twice. I finally have the GMS .25 running good. Hopefully I will get to fly it this fall before the snow flies. Some comments on my bird in this [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3381422/anchors_3381422/mpage_1/key_HOB%252Cstang%252Cwydah/anchor/tm.htm#3381422]LINK[/link]

You can also follow a picture play by play of the build on my [link=http://wydah.sky.prohosting.com/]WEBSITE[/link] Just click on the pic of the Mustang!

Have fun with the build, and keep us updated.

Your invasion stripes and yellow tail will make it plenty visible. Nice looking plane.

Thank you WYDAH,

The pics on your site are going to be very helpful. I was just thinking today about how to install aileron servos in the wing. I have built the 2 wing halves but haven't joined them yet. Still need to do a lot of sanding on the LE and wing tips. I am going to wait till I join the halves together before I finish the LE and wing tips. The #1 ribs mate pretty good but, I feel I need to sand and shim a very little bit to make me happy. How did yours turn out on the intial join?

I plan on using mini servos all the way around. Also have my eye on a MVVS .21.


By the way. This is my first build, so far no major flubs.


Layne

Hi Layne,

The joining of the wing halves went fine. I do recall some concern over whether I had the angle of the #1 ribs correct since it resulted in a large dihedral. If I laid one wing half flat on the bench, the other wing tip was nearly 4.25" off the bench. I asked around on these forums and the consensus seemed to be that the amount was correct. I wish I could tell you how it flew, but I've yet to maiden it. You can check the feedback I got in this thread .... [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1784447/anchors_1784447/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#1784447]HERE[/link]

I wonder how it will fly with about 2 1/2" of dihedrial???? LOL




Layne

The 0.15CV is a light little engine. It's got the power of a .20-.25 though. And I don't know about others, but I needed the weight in the front. I had a K&B .20 Sportster on mine, although I don't recall the actual weight it was physically larger than a OS .25FP, and I still needed a bit of lead up front. So with the .15CV, you may need to add 5oz of lead to the nose. It would still fly alright, but a .25 would get you a bit more power and the weight for less money. That's from my experience.

Oh, and the dihedral seems to be large on this kit, I'm not sure as to why they chose it to be that way.

good luck,

Silent J

Where?

Here it is in flight....

Well I thought I would give an update. I purchased an MVVS .25 and awaiting it's arrival to proceed further with the build. I have had a few mishaps along the way so far. Joining the plywood doublers to the fuse sides. Note: Make left and right fuselage sides, just as clear as a picture in the instructions. Note to self: Pay attention to notes in the instructions. Anyways, 2 lefts don't work well. I cut and razor planed the balsa off of the ply and re-cut a new balsa fuse side.

I tend to rush while building. I know thats not productive, it's actually counter productive for me. It's not like I am in a hurry to get the dang thing done either. Does anybody else have this problem?

Layne

Haven't started this kit yet, anybody got any tips on building? This is the plane I chose for my first build. I'm thinking maybe it wasn't the best choice for my first, but I seem to do that with everything.

I have flown mine off of grass but you will need to put larger tires on it. I tried it with the single center servo and was greatly disapointed so I put mini servoes out in the wing the results were great. seems to fly well. Haven't alot of fllight but would definetly no do the engine inverted.

I started this kit years ago and had a problem with a bad twist in front of the firewall so I put it up and did not touch it for a long time. Just recently got a wild hair and cut the twist off at the firewall. will complete the build this weekend. the only engine I had available was an O.S. la 40. We are going to find out how fast this thing will go. I used micro servos in the wing and on the sides for the rudder and elevator. I fly off grass so I will bring larger wheels to the field.

Any update ?

just curious, was your single servo in the wing a full size or a micro? I was thinking of trying a high torque metal gear for the ailerons, and micros for everything else.

Also since you were using larger wheels, did you still have to bend the landing gear forward to keep it from tipping forward??? I bought the wheels the kit recommended unfortunately, guess I might be reordering bigger ones when I get this thing done someday.

My directions seem pretty poor in my opinion, but that could just be me, the full size plans are nice though. I talked to someone at House Of Balsa and they admitted this kit is "dated" Can't remember how long they have been making this kit but it was quite awhile.

I wonder if the electric p51 is pretty much the same build????