or170b

My Feedback: (3)

I am getting ready to start this build, I ordered the eflite retracts but I don't know what struts to use. also am planning to use a DLE20ra but I also have a pumped os120 4stroke that I could use whats everyones thoughts on these engine choices?

radfordc

My Feedback: (14)

No brainer....DLE 20

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

I will use the DLE . I would sure like some advice about different modifications tha you (every one who has this model) think should be done as I do the build. I realize that the topics and advice are already in this forum, but the posts span seven years and many pages!

radfordc

My Feedback: (14)

Just be sure to reinforce the landing gear mounts in the wing. You should also put in some baffles to force all the cooling air through the engine fins and to keep the muffler heat off of the carb. Look at post #2714 and you can see what I did. If you want some nicer decals you should see Callie Graphics http://www.callie-graphics.com/

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

could anyone tell me what robart struts fit the eflite 60-120 gear? For this plane?

Johnnie Red

According to Robart rhe struts are #653L and R.
3/8" diameter LH Offset RoboStrut for a 3" - 3 1/4" Wheel (each)
http://robart.com/collections/gear-finder-top-flite-p-51-mustang-60/products/3-8-dia-lh-offset-robostrut-3-3-1-4-wheel

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

would the robart# 662L&R work also? they say that they are for 3.25 to 3.50 wheels.

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

I have been mocking up the engine mount with the DLE 20 and its a tight fit with the stock mount. I am having a hard time getting the spinner to fit the front part of the cowel properly.

raptureboy

3-1/2 "wheels will be the max you can get in the stock wells. Also suggest that if you go with Robart wheels that you get the inserts for them as they will flatten out under the weight of the plane. The DLE will be a tight fit with the stock mount but it will work, you may want to go with another. I used a Dubro anti vibration mount only because I had it but it required redrilling the mounting holes in the firewall. Most definitely want to beef up the gear mounts as others have said.

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

will the 3/8 robart struts work with the eflite elec, retracts? the eflites use 5mm gear wire.

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

what prop are you using? I have mounted a apc15x10 how would this work?

radfordc

My Feedback: (14)

I think I used a 16-8 or maybe it was a 15-8. Yes, the 15-10 should work, but be sure you have a nice slow idle.

flycatch

My Feedback: (26)

The answer is yes however you have too modify the strut and strut spring. The strut is too long and the spring has one to many coils after shortening the strut length.

autotecart

I am with or170b on this one I will probably go with the eflite retract units and robart struts. Can we use the robostruts and if so which ones off the robart site?

Many have said that we will need to make adjustments to the length of the robart struts. how do you do that? I am presuming that they are longer than the specified fitment for length and they will need cutting so that the wheel and strut fit into the space of the well? how do the struts fit into the actuators of the undercarriage motors is this pretty self explanitory when you get them?

for those who have fitted the eflite motors, how have you fitted them, are they easy to fit and what modifications will there be in order to fit them snuggly into place as some have mentioned that you need to trim some of the wood away in order to do this? I am presuming again these have control wires for the servo attachment, where and how have you hidden your wires in the wheel wells? There is no way any wiring can slot through the holes in the wing for the metal poles of the OE fitment that came with the kit so I was wondering how you have managed to hide the wiring.

I have two images here and i was thinking of drilling a hole through the wing spar at 90 degrees so that the wire could go through the wing and down along with the flap and aileron wires? can this be done with a 90 degree drill and bit?

autotecart

these look really good what scale or size would you need to click on as they list a load of scale sizes? and how do we reinforce the the landing gear mounts in the wing?

autotecart

my progress so far. I am creating the chrome effect finish on mine (yes I have been warned about losing it in the sky) but I was determined to create a mega looking version of this great model. The monokote is fairly forgiving stuff but I am no expert compared to the guys who originally covered the model in the factory. But it looks ok so far. The only other time I have ever covered a plane like this from scratch is with my ongoing Great Planes Pitts special project which has a custom Adidas livery see the last pic

as it came out of the box
























one of the final wings covered and finished with servos in place

autotecart

would these be any good, it has the remote actuator in the kit too?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3313333411...84.m1436.l2649

Johnnie Red

If I was in your shoes I would go for one of the Eurokit retracts. Much better quality offered at much better price. I've used them a lot in my models and they work flawlessly with a lot of punishment in their use.http://www.eurokitshop.it/en/

Johnnie Red

These ones in order to use you have to move the whole structure of the retract well.
The 60 size tf 51's are designed to use different retracts than the ones you are refering to.

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

The struts you need are the 653R and 653L. They will both need to be cut to length with a saw or rotary cutter. They come with a knurled insert that is tapped into the hollow strut after they have been cut to length. Follow the instructions that come with the struts. The wing will need to be slightly modified for the retracts and struts to fit properly, once you have all the components together you will see what needs to be done.
The struts referenced on the e-bay site are too big, they are for the giant scale Mustang. You will need decals for a 1/7th scale Mustang.

radfordc

My Feedback: (14)

Get 1/7 size decals. You can epoxy hardwood blocks under the existing landing gear mounts. Shape the blocks so that they fit as tightly as possible against the structures.

Duplicator41

My Feedback: (1)

These are for the 85" TF P51.

Cheers

brockettman

I have been working on fitting E-flite electrics into a wing that I am rebuilding. The stock retract struts have a 5 degree bend in them I guess to give the gear more forward angle. I cut a piece of 3/16" strut wire and gave it a little bend. This is what attaches the robart strut to the retract unit. The 5mm wire from the E-flights is too big to fit into the robart insert at the end of the oleo but I suppose it could be drilled out if you wanted to use the E-flite wire. Anyway, I still don't have them quite dialed in yet, but they look like they'll function pretty well.

autotecart

many many thanks for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge and knowhow on this, I very much appreciate it. Excuse my ignorance, but what is the wire for going through the metal pole? what does it do? I am also presuming that the only way to get the servo wires sorted is to run them along the inner surface of the flat part of the wing and make a hole in the inner flat bulkhead part of the wheel well where both wings are ultimately be glued and joined together? is there another way around this?

Does anyone know where the cheapest place is on the net to get the Eflite retract motors, robart struts and 3 1/4 or 3 1/2 sized robart wheels from?

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I believe what you are referring to in the center photo in brockettman's post is the line drawn on the background paper to show the 5 degree bend. There is no wire.
As for the routing of the lead for the retract motor, you are correct, you will need to run it through the wing, enlarging a few holes as you go, and bring it out where the mechanical retract servo would mount.
Occasionally you can find an individual willing to sell a pair of the e-flite's for less than retail price but the best place to get a new, off the shelf, set is through Horizon or e bay.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/60---120...etract-eflg500
For the struts, same thing, maybe Tower or another online retailer.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXES70&P=SM
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXES71&P=SM
The Tower price at this time is the cheapest that I can find.
The wheels will have to be the 3 3/4".
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXES44&P=SM
To go with a 3 1/2" wheel you will need these struts.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMRP2&P=SM
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMRP3&P=SM
However, 3 1/2" wheels will require the wheel wells to be enlarged.