I bought a Model Tech 60 sized P51 with 66 inches wingspan. It will have an OS 120 for power, robart retracts, and flaps. This is an ARC (almost ready to cover) kit. By looking at it, it seems to be built light, straight, and strong. I would appreciate if someone can share his experience about how this war bird flies.

Thanks.[B][FONT=arial][B]

I had one of these about 4-5 years ago with an OS.61. It was a very nice flying airplane. Before flying it, I had read a review article done by Rich Uravich on this kit. He said, and I found out, the the CG they give is way too far forward. It will fly OK, but hard to get off without tipping over on its nose. While Rich Uravitch did not specify how far aft he moved his, I ended up at 3/4 inch aft of the aft limit specified in the manual. I found it still tipped over easily and was almost impossible to take off in grass in this condition. To help, I shimmed the back gear rail mount with a piece of 1/8 ply to kick the gear forward. This helped substantially and cured the problem on a paved runway, but on grass it was still hit and miss. I would guess that the CG could have gone even 1/4 inch more aft and been plenty safe, but I sold it and moved on the giant scale. This all said, it was a great plane and I had a boat load of fun with it. Good luck.

Hey onewing check my reply on the arf board, bty i agree with f4u5 about the cg and nose over tendency, mostly a problem on grass though,but i made simular adjustments and now it only noses on the final roll out when landing on grass.I plan to move the cg back a little more and increase up elevator. Before these recent changes I couldn't even take off of grass.

Thank you both "F4u5" and "goboom" for sharing your experience about this airplane. I had a TF 60 sized P51 that I lost due to pilot error. TF P51 flies great. It's CG is set at 3-7/8" behind the "Leading Edge Break". As the Model Tech P51 and TF P51 are almost identical in size, I plan to use the TF CG as a reference to check Model Tech's CG.

My other question is about the thickness of the control surfaces. I noticed that the Model Tech P51 control surfaces (ailerons, flaps, elevators) are thicker than the TF P51 control surfaces. Can somebody comment on the effects of thicker control surfaces on flying characteristics? More snappy? Hope not.

Thanks.

Yes, they are slightly thicker. It will actually not be noticeable as to the affect it has on flying. It will not be snappier, but will actually be a bit slower in flight due to the increased thickness (more drag)...she will be plenty fast nonetheless. I actually owned a TF Mustang as well. The modeltech is lighter and I found it to be superior in flight characteristics over the TF. More forgiving and easier to land (better glideslope)

Definitely not more snappy. my old gold edition tf different story.(departed)

Model-Tech 60 mustang: CG 4-1/4 from leading edge at the center section.

One necessary upgrade before this is assembled: The beam motor mounts are hanging in space through a couple of very thin formers. If you want the engine mount to last more than five minutes, please infill between the beams and the fuselage sides with block balsa for the entire length of the beam. It would be a good idea, too, to get some fiberglass tape atop the whole mess except where the engine beams sit. Otherwise the engine will try to tear the wooden beams out of the airplane.

This is a copy of a previous post:
Brian, this is a great flying plane I hope you will like it! I've pulled my manual and will give you what it says but it contadicts its self.

In the owners manual it says:

The CG is located 3 1/2 inches back from the leading edge of the wing at the center section.

Aileron control throw: 3/8inch up and down
Elevator control throw: 1/2inch up and down
Rudder control throw: 3/4inch right and left

Then it has a insert that says:

For improved handling, the P-51 should be balanced between 4 - 4 1/4inches back from the leading edge of the wing at the center section.

Aileron control throw: 3/4inch up and down
Elevator control throw: 3/4inch up and down
Rudder control throw: 1inch right and left

Mine is set to the latter cg and movements. I have a magnum 1.2 4c for power and rhom-air retracts with century jet struts and about 20hr of flight time.

Problems I've had:
I removed the retract rails and replaced them with hard wood. After about 5hr flight time I got tired of the engine mounts that came with the kit compressing and letting the engine bounce around. Then having to shim the engine to fit back in the hole and line up the spinner, so I replaced those mounting blocks with maple. I have had no problems since. Mine weights 11 3/4/# monokoted.

The control surfaces are thicker because the wing is thicker. That means dont expect it to really go, mine will do 74mph out of a almost vertical dive at full bore. Level max is at 67mph but it flys great! The ailerons are kind of quick everything else is standard.

When installing the retracts (for a grass feild) put a 1/8 in. spacer under the back landing gear mount block for each gear this will move the axile of the LG closer to the LE of the wing and reduce the tendency to nose over.

Good luck!

Hey guys!!! I flew my Mustang this past Sunday with all the spec's that have been updated. It flew wonderfull. Thanks for all the info I was able to get from the RC Universe forum!!!! Thanks again, Tony Gonzo.