RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

How did you guys install your fuel tank?

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Wing tanks baby! Do it right or go home!<div>
</div><div>Lets put it this way, if you cant fit the tank through bulkhead 3, its too big. </div>

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

It fits. its a dubro 12 oz tank. Just curious how everyone is mounting there fuel tank. Are you guys building a rail to strap the tank too or just shoving it in the open area?

Oh stupid me. I was trying to cut the rudder push rod shorter while it is already attached and installed in the plane. when I did that - one end ( the end that is attached to the dual connector and rudder) took off right when I cut it in two. the plastic dual pushrod that is attached to the tail gear broke in two. I am so upset. Luckly, I haven't installed the lower cover behind the radiator scoop so I still have access to the inside. Is there a TOOL that I can attach to the push rod so that I can finger twist it?

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I have a concern about the way the elevator linkage, "the bent wire elevator joiner" , is supported. My linkage does not have any tubing, or bushing on the joiner that can be glued, or fastened to the stab, it seems to rely on just the strength of the balsa that is it riding on. This does not seem like a good long term pivot method.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I flew my stock TF P-51 for 10 years using the wire joiner, so I guess that could be called long term.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Wrap it in foam and shove it in there. You should be able to fit the battery pack under it and maybe even the RX. You can take a balsa stick and glue it in as a brace to fully secure it.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

tonight is mounting engine, sanding fuse, and re-enforcing with epoxy behind the firewall.

tomorrow - throttle control linkage setup, build the front nose section, carving and shaping - then fuel proofing the engine area.

Friday - fuel proofing the wheel well, sanding wings, hinging control surfaces.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Wish I could work on mine everyday. :(  I get a few hours a week to work on them.  Man I need a man cave at home!

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Start digging!:D yes it is great to have a home away from home.:D

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

We'll I'm finished. I decided not to do the guns now. If she survives a few flights then I will add them later. The gear doors came out better than I imagined. I fiberglassed one side of balsa, warped to shape the wing, rigged, paintedand bam, done. They pull in nice and tight. I'm using an OS 65AX with a 14x6 prop (largest it will take), century jet retracts with steerable/retractable tail wheel, covered with monokote, painted the invasion stripes with luster kote, and the grapics done by Callie Graphics. It weighed in at exactly ten pounds. Nothing left except to maiden her. Waiting on the next nice day!

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

All thats left is: Finish final sanding - hinge ailerons, flaps, elevator, and rudder - fuel proof wheel well - sand wing tips - radiator scoop - cockpit - Oh, and repair the plastic dual ball joint for the tail rudder and gear (broke last week while trying to cut the wire). I'm gonna have to cut open the bottom to get to it. I may build a hatch for the bottom for future maintenance. And finally, covering.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Looking real sweet there JohnnyEm. Are you flying off pavement or grass with yours? I have the ARF, (I know this is the kit thread) but basically the same airplane. Will be following to see how your maiden goes.

I had Century retracts on mine for about 50 flights, flying off grass. Unfortunate pilot error combined with hitting the grass right where a gopher had apparently been digging caused me to have to re-wing mine. Ripped one gear almost completely off and the other was bent pretty bad.

I had done some massive reinforcing of the gear mount area and had to re-do my struts several times over the year and a half, but it was generally a great bird. Actually just finishing up the new wing, getting ready to re-maiden.

Best of luck with your new 'Stang. It is beautiful!!

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I still have a long way to go. I shelved the 51 for a while to focus on getting other planes that are much closer to being done, completed, since I found myself rushing through the wing build.  My retracts stick up too much, not so much the retracts, but the wheels. I have the diamond tread wheels that look scale, but they are too thick and the wheel door sticks up too high.  I was concerned of weakening the wing by cutting W2 down too far.  After seeing what others have done and finding they basically dont even have W2 anymore, I am reconsidering how I have the wheel well.  I'll get back to mine in a few weeks, my Dewey is almost RTF.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Thanks Ken!
My field has both grass and a paved runway. Did you have issues with your Century Jet Retracts? One of mine has some slop in the bushing which concerns me a little.
Acdii, I removed W2 completely in the wheel wells, then used balsa to make the walls which gives the area considerable strength. I found a cup which had the same dimension
of the wheel well and wetted balsa and stuck in the cup to create the perfect curve.Let it dry for a couple hoursthen trimmed to fit. No worries. I did have to touch up with some filler in a couple spots.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Wondering if I should do the Reno Racer scheme. Aluminum color is hard to see on a cloudy day.

I just have to hinge the flaps, sand the wing tips to match the ailerons, final sanding, fix the tail gear assembly - oh shoot, forgot about the fillet and radiator scoop. well, little more work.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I just checked the fit of the radiator scoop on the wing and it doesn't slide over the F-8B plywood. it's a 1/4 inch short. when I mount the wings to the fuse and then check the fit of the scoop - there is a gap of 1/4 inch. The aileron servo tray "W-1B/C" seems to be hitting the scoop. Can I just trim it down?

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Ok, all thats left is the Fillet and the scoop. thursday or friday I'll start covering.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

do you have a picture of the scoop not fitting ??

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

When I get back home I'll take pictures and will post them.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I think I can get the scoop to fit - just need to do some wood shaving. I'm debating to do the fillet. After these two - all that is left is to cover the plane, add electronics, glue the hinges, and some other final detail. As of now the plane is really nose heavy with the OS FS 91. Hopefully it balances out with the electronics.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

got the scoop to fit, fillet drying, control horns marked and ready to drill. All thats left is to sand the fillet, put in the electronics, and hook up the control arms. still debating on the color.

question: I plan to use polycarbonate tamiya paint for the canopy - Do I paint the inside or the outside?

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I painted mine on the outside. Glue won't adhere to the canoy through the paint.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

I painted mine on the outside. Theglue won't adhere to the canopy through the paint.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

forgot about the glue.

Done monokoting the fuse. applied decals late last night. must have been late because one of the stars on the side of the fuse is upside down.

tonight I'll paint the canopy, scoop, and cowl.

tomorrow or Wednesday I'll start covering the wing.

Electronics hopefully by Friday.

Hope the engine starts.

RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build
 

Wow Nrad you sure are moving along quickly. I only have an hour or two to work on mine each evening. I just did the wing fillet today after taking a few pictures. The build is going well. I have one challenge left. I need to come up with a way to hold the cowl in place without using screw from the outside. I'm going electric and the cowl needs to be removed quickly and easily in order to plug in the main battery. I'll try to post a few more pictures.
Mike