Danorn

My Feedback: (1)

Yes I used the tank, but the lines I did not as I have Viton tubing for the tank. I believe the lines were good for gas though, but I can't honestly remember.

Paul60

Did you open the tank and replace the internal lines & clunk ?

Danorn

My Feedback: (1)

Yes Paul I did. If I remember correctly the stopper was gas rated as well.

Paul60

Thanks Danorn,

I'm going to put a fuel filter in the line as well.

Any more flights to report ?

kiwibob72

Hi Danorn, I'd be keen to see how you set your tank up .... I've gone with a smaller option myself as I'm trying to keep the spinner gap as small as possible.

Danorn

My Feedback: (1)

My tank set up is pretty simple. I did have to mod the hatch a bit.

kiwibob72

Thanks for that, using the stock servo placement was causing me issues, didn't think about modding the deck to suit!

Paul60

Hi Kiwibob,

May I ask what servos you are using on this plane ?

I went into my LHS today just to buy petrol rated fuel line and came out with 6 x Hitec 485HB Karbonites.

I'm hoping they will suffice. I'll be using a MG servo of some sort on the throttle & have the 2 x JR RT88's on order for the retracts.

The bloke at the LHS assures me the 485's will do the job. (at 6v)

kiwibob72

Hey Paul60. With the retracts I've gone with Bluebird metal geared digital (6.5kg) digital retract servos (the specified ones over here are just stupid for what they want for them, and where I was working previously I have access to a professional welder and the right alloy welding gear to reduce the servo hole size to allow the bluebird's to fit).
While you might doubt the quality of the next option, I've known a LOT of people uses these on almost every type of model you can think of, and never have I herd of a single problem with them (and they are rated to 7 volts), so have installed these cost effective options on everything other than retracts (as I'm going with a DLE20 gasser, metal geared digital were always my preferred option): http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store...0kg_16sec.html

On a side note, the weight on these very small control surfaces should not be an issue at 'normal' flying speed for most standard size servos. From memory the specified ones are not that strong or flash (just really really over priced down here, like stupidly priced!).
I went with gruntier metal geared options as a result of the potential speed and vibration you get from that DLE20 gas motor in one of these (look up these combos on Youtube, they are stupid fast IF you ever ring it out) - well that and the ones I was looking at will more than cut the mustard in this application as they far exceed the ones specified, and they are not going to be any issue with a 2S LiFe receiver power setup!

Paul60

Thanks for all the info Kiwibob

I'm wondering now if I made an error with the 485HB Karbonites. I'm putting a Saito FG-21 in mine. So worried a bit now about vibration issues.

Those Hobby King servos look great for the price.

I'll definately be using a MG servo on the throttle.

Paul60

Guys,

Those little wooden blocks that hold the aileron & flap servos are glued in with epoxy. I've had epoxy fail on me numerous times.


I'm thinking white glue (woodworkers pva) would be stronger for wood to wood.


Any thoughts before I glue em in ?

Danorn

My Feedback: (1)

Paul, I think epoxy done correctly will work well.

I had four good flights on her today. I think she is an excellent flyer and lands so easily with full flaps and some throttle mgt. for altitude. Take offs are a bit@# tho on our lush green grass, as even with the wheels shimmed forward it has a nasty tendency to nose over. May have to shim more and bigger wheels. Hopefully the grass lightens up a bit.

Paul60

Thanks Danorn

Nice field you have there. Great to hear she flys so well. Not sure why so many had issues with tip stalling.

That nose over issue sounds a bugger. Can you shim the wheels much more without problems with fit ?

Well, I have all my servos (the RT88's are in the mail) along with one of those dual switches/fuel dot combos
& a Dubro Wire Bending gadget to hopefully make bending the elevator pushrods and Z bends a bit easier & neater.

Danorn

My Feedback: (1)

I have already cut the front of the wheel wheel to allow for the forward shim of the wheels, but the grass is so thick it really hugs the wheels. Its nice to have the grass, but can be a bugger. Yes the field is nice and open except on the opposite end, it has a friggin power line that will reach out and grab ya if your not careful.

charlie1960

A power line is what got mine....lol

Paul60

No power lines where I fly but the grass can get a bit higher than I'd like.

I don't think there's room in the wheel well for a slightly larger wheel is there? I must have a look.

Danorn

My Feedback: (1)

No the wheel wells are tight with any shimming or bigger wheels and require a bit of enlargement. I also fly off another field where its more of a prairie style grass and we cut it fairly short and the nose over tendency is far less. No power lines either
Sorry to hear that Charlie1960. Again, thanks for all your detailed help on your initial build and flights of this p51.

Paul60

Guys,

Just got a reply from Horizon Hobbies regards the fuel tank & line.

The line and stopper in the tank is NOT gas rated.

I have the Tygon fuel line but where on earth can I find a gas rated stopper that will fit the P-51's fuel tank ?

Looks like I'll have to buy a complete new gas rated fuel tank. This is going to be one costly plane by the time I finish.

kiwibob72

$10 max and you'll be away. But to help you in the interim:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXD755&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...C%2Fb%3E+tanks

Hope that helps!

Paul60

Thanks Bob,

I'll have a look at those.

I gather you used a smaller tank anyway ? How did that work out with fit, CG issues etc ?

kiwibob72

Mines in an incomplete state, it's not finished yet due to having to many other items to get done on other project, so I can't answer that question I'm afraid.

Paul60

No worries,

Be interested to hear how she's coming along.

Robert Groves

Have done about 20 flights now on the Mustang and loving this plane!
i still battle with top end revs on the DLE 20 due to buffering it seems and finally did this mod on the carb yesterday.
Once Ive mounted the engine again Ill see the difference but hope to get the performance I see with cowl off.

http://www.thunderboltrc.com/tutoria...ial_seven.html

Once all the mods are done to this plane its great!
CG is just way off from my experience, if i recall 4.5"-5" Im at 5.25" and still happily nose heavy
With full flaps, I have 15% up elevator trimmed in ....makes landing much easier..... as does the steep angle of attack.
Rob

Paul60

Hey Robert, good to hear its flying well. I'll keep the CG info handy.

Paul60

I got my flaps sorted by putting them on two seperate channels and reversing (Inv) one channel.

Now I'm confused. Seems like I'll need to do the same trick with the gear ?

Either a matchbox, reverse servo harness or use two channels for the gear (as with the flaps).

I hadn't thought that through. All the info I've read has said you only needed reversing on the flaps or am I not getting something ?

Also, looks like I'll need 180d servo horn travel ? How do I accomplish that ?