Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
07-30-2003, 02:06 AM
#1
Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
Anyone know what ever happened to the old Fliteglass .60 size P-51 Mustang kit that was made back in the 60's and 70's? I think it eventually became a "D&B" or "Dively" kit. Is anyone still producing it or know what happened to the tooling? Thanks.
07-30-2003, 05:13 AM
#2
My Feedback: (34)
Flightglass
Not sure about history: how it was phased out or sold to D&B.
I bought mine senior year H.S. 1980. Since Ralph White had won the NATS with it, it was the best in its day. Still is.. exact scale outline.
I still have kit in the garage. Started flaps and new firewall for OS 60 long stroke summer 1980 but then college started.
Still waiting to be finished. about 9 on my revised building list.
I bought mine senior year H.S. 1980. Since Ralph White had won the NATS with it, it was the best in its day. Still is.. exact scale outline.
I still have kit in the garage. Started flaps and new firewall for OS 60 long stroke summer 1980 but then college started.
Still waiting to be finished. about 9 on my revised building list.
08-01-2003, 10:15 PM
#3
Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Midland, , TX
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
The Fliteglas kit was a good one for flying, not AT ALL scale in outline, especially the horizontal stab. Mine is hanging up at the CAF High Sky Wing hangar in Midland. Too bad the kit isn't available anymore.
Old Shep
Old Shep
08-02-2003, 03:48 PM
#5
Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Louisville,
KY
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fliteglass P-51
When Ralph first brought out the kit he came to the "Mint Julep Meet" in Kentucky with it and flew it in scale, looked gooood. Then he turned around andflew it in Pattern!!! Great flying plane. There is or was one (kit) for sale in warbirds column. Doug Early (originator of the "MINT JULEP MEET")
08-02-2003, 08:07 PM
#6
My Feedback: (2)
Flightglass P-51
I still have some of the Old RC Scale magazines with the P-51 ads in it. I think that if a WWII Fighter can successfully compete in pattern then its not a very scale plane. Getting 98 in Static way back then was a great score... for way back then. However it would, most likely, get a much lower score by todays standards. Just my thoughts. BobH.
08-03-2003, 12:21 AM
#7
Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
The following users liked this post:
PREDHEAD (05-24-2021)
08-03-2003, 02:26 AM
#8
Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Midland, , TX
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
Having been in the hobby for 40+ years, I've seen my share of Mustang models and I bought the Fliteglas kit because it was the most "scale" one out there at the time, but, as has been pointed out, times and judging standards have changed markedly. I just looked at the model today, and besides the too big by 30% stab, the chord of the wing is all wrong, the gear don't retract in a scale manner (because the retract units are mounted too far from the leading edge of the wing), and the airfoil is definitely not correct. Other than that....
The model did fly extremely well, however. I saw Ted White (no relation to Ralph) fly one in the early 70's and it was quite impressive, which is why I bought the kit, etc.
Good to remember those days.
Old Shep
The model did fly extremely well, however. I saw Ted White (no relation to Ralph) fly one in the early 70's and it was quite impressive, which is why I bought the kit, etc.
Good to remember those days.
Old Shep
08-03-2003, 04:44 PM
#10
My Feedback: (34)
Mustang ??
Totally agree times and judging have changed. I'll have to check the stab. I know the gear was a little far back and no one makes a true laminar flow wing.
--- So should I sell my kit and buy a more scale mustang or hang on to it and build it next winter?
I started to make flaps but thats it. I don't plan to enter contest just Warird Rally's locally. I was thinking military paint scheme "American Beauty" ot "Tempest Fugit" (time flies) in the red striped rudders/stabs.
--- So should I sell my kit and buy a more scale mustang or hang on to it and build it next winter?
I started to make flaps but thats it. I don't plan to enter contest just Warird Rally's locally. I was thinking military paint scheme "American Beauty" ot "Tempest Fugit" (time flies) in the red striped rudders/stabs.
08-03-2003, 05:14 PM
#11
Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Midland, , TX
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
The model flew well enough that I would build another...It would land a bit easier if it were fitted with flaps, so Mike I would go ahead with that modification.
Dewey, I think I knew of you thru your sister perhaps? I went to SMU in the late 60's...your last name sounds familiar. I haven't seen Ted in about 10 years, although I understand he is still in the Metroplex area. His son Tony flies just like Ted did way back when...He was the best I ever saw for displaying warbirds.
Old Shep
Dewey, I think I knew of you thru your sister perhaps? I went to SMU in the late 60's...your last name sounds familiar. I haven't seen Ted in about 10 years, although I understand he is still in the Metroplex area. His son Tony flies just like Ted did way back when...He was the best I ever saw for displaying warbirds.
Old Shep
08-04-2003, 02:04 AM
#12
Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
If you read Frank Baker's original article, the plane was designed as a scale-like PATTERN aircraft (remember the patterns were a lot different back then too). Baker discusses the deviations from scale including increased wing and stab area. Also remember that Baker did not have anywhere near the power to work with that we enjoy today. (Probably about the equivalent of a modern .35) I would think it's a great choice for a sport flying scale P-51 and would love to find one of the kits. Probably not the best choice for scale or "Top Gun" competition, or to lavish with detail.
09-23-2008, 12:22 PM
#13
My Feedback: (28)
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
ORIGINAL: RCDENT
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
09-23-2008, 02:41 PM
#14
My Feedback: (60)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Litchfield Park,
AZ
Posts: 7,677
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
23 Posts
RE: Mustang ??
ORIGINAL: FireBee
...no one makes a true laminar flow wing.
...no one makes a true laminar flow wing.
09-24-2008, 07:18 AM
#15
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
ORIGINAL: Jeff Worsham
Hello- Recently acquired a partial built FliteGlass P-51 but the wing is pretty rough- delaminating sheeting among other issues. Searched for an aftermarket foam wing but no luck specific to the Fliteglass kit. Then saw this post! Does anyone now if the built up balsa wing from Frank Baker's '67 design is a direct fit to the Fliteglass P-51? Thanks, Jeff
ORIGINAL: RCDENT
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
09-30-2008, 09:02 AM
#16
My Feedback: (28)
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
ORIGINAL: Michaelj2k
The FliteGlas P-51 is a direct copy of the Frank Baker plans which are available from RCM Plans. When the airplane was published in 1976, the biggest engine available was a .60, thus the increased wing and stab areas. Now, power is not a problem as we now have four stroke, larger two stroke and electric power available.
ORIGINAL: Jeff Worsham
Hello- Recently acquired a partial built FliteGlass P-51 but the wing is pretty rough- delaminating sheeting among other issues. Searched for an aftermarket foam wing but no luck specific to the Fliteglass kit. Then saw this post! Does anyone now if the built up balsa wing from Frank Baker's '67 design is a direct fit to the Fliteglass P-51? Thanks, Jeff
ORIGINAL: RCDENT
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
The original Flitelglass kit was derived from a design published by Frank Baker in R.C.M. in 1967. It was the first close to scale design published to my knowledge for RC. Flitelglass at that time was owned by a guy named Rex Taylor. Can't remember exactly when Ralph White acquired it, and don't know if he modified the design further or not. It definitely had a reputation as a great flyer. The airfoil was a semi-symetrical, but not a P-51 laminar foil. It was one of the first Mustangs to use a 4+ in. spinner for correct nose contour. Even today, .60 size Mustangs such as the H9 kit use a 3.5 in spinner which is actually too small. Would love to find one now. I have the Baker plans, so I might just scratch build one. It's easy enough to get canopies, spinners, and retracts nowdays.
05-23-2011, 11:42 AM
#18
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
I have this model I bought at a garage sale for $75.00. does anyone know where the CG needs to be on this model? I think its 3 3/4 inch from LE which puts it just behind the wheel wells. I guess I will have to buy the Frank Baker plans.....
05-23-2011, 01:12 PM
#19
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elm Grove,
WI
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
I have an unbuilt kit at my cottage. I'll be there tomorrow night & can get the c.g. plus anything else you might need from the plans. Ralph White also posts on RCU; he can tell you where the c.g. really should be.
Jim
Jim
05-24-2011, 06:05 PM
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elm Grove,
WI
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
Glen:
The c.g. is 5 1/8" behind the rear face of the fuse bulkhead at the front of the wing. From the prop driver (rear face of spinner backplate) it is 14 9/16".
Control throws:
ailerons 5/16 up, 1/4 down
elev 1/2 up, 1/2 down
rudder 1" l&r
flaps 3" down maximum (50 degrees)
Design weight 8-9 1/2 pounds
Don't try to stretch the glide - use addl engine power
First few flights no flaps either t/o or landing
Plane looks good; you got a real bargain.
Jim
The c.g. is 5 1/8" behind the rear face of the fuse bulkhead at the front of the wing. From the prop driver (rear face of spinner backplate) it is 14 9/16".
Control throws:
ailerons 5/16 up, 1/4 down
elev 1/2 up, 1/2 down
rudder 1" l&r
flaps 3" down maximum (50 degrees)
Design weight 8-9 1/2 pounds
Don't try to stretch the glide - use addl engine power
First few flights no flaps either t/o or landing
Plane looks good; you got a real bargain.
Jim
05-25-2011, 07:41 PM
#22
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
Thanks Jim, I finally got the plans out to check for Glenn. 5 1/8" from the rear face of the fuselage bulkhead. It is much better to have the P-51 a little nose heavy rather than tail heavy. Nose heavy means hot landings but tail heavy means snap rolls and crashes. And you are also right to never stretch the glide with the P-51D. It will snap quickly with no time to recover. Flaps are just for looks, the plane takes off and lands very well without flaps.
Ralph White
Glenn, I sent you a PM (says the same things as above).
Ralph White
Ralph White
Glenn, I sent you a PM (says the same things as above).
Ralph White
06-20-2011, 09:17 PM
#23
RE: Fliteglass P-51 Mustang
Jim and Ralph, thanks so much, the plane flies great. I had to get used to the take offs as I have only flow 1/3, 1/4 scale WWI birds. But once got use to it, she flies great! Mine weighs in at 10.5 pounds with 9 cells and I have a monster 110 electric motor in her with a castle creations HV 85 speed control. I have flown her with a 17 x10 prop and an 18 x8 prop both pull her around the skies very nicely!
Glen B.
Glen B.
The following users liked this post:
Newportmap (08-07-2020)
05-16-2021, 11:40 AM
#24
10 years since the last response to this thread, let's revive it. Today, poking around my stash of kits pondering what to build next, I came across my FliteGlas Mustang. Out of curiosity I fired up Google and came across this thread, and off we went down memory lane! Especially nice to have seen Ralph White responding. So where are we? Am I alone with one of these still to be built?
--
John
www.promodeler.com
--
John
www.promodeler.com
05-19-2021, 01:09 PM
#25
Mine is hanging up in my basement, still yet to fly. Too many honey do's and too many projects. I have been thinking of an electric conversion though. What are your thoughts?