TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I proceed to work on a Top-Flite Mustang ARC that was in my "to build" corner for the past 6 years. Sierra precision main and tail wheel retractable gears, 3W70 for power, Aerotech sliding canopy kit and the full cockpit which I still need to order from IFlyTailies.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I started to work on the Aerotech sliding canopy deck, cut, fit, and glue! some micro balloon/epoxy mix to blend on to the fuselage. The assembly will be fiberglassed with the fuselage.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I opted to make nicer hatches for the ailerons and flaps. The frame is made of two 1/32 ply while the hatch is a combination of G10 and 1/64 ply. Some micro balloon/epoxy mix to clean the gaps. The whole assembly is inserted in the factory openings.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Few years back I reinforced the landing gear mounts by removing the factory rails then replaced by a 1/4" plywood plate glued against the leading edge and running between 4 ribs section. some extra spruce was glued under the plate at the gear mounting bolts location.
The well openings were redesigned to accommodate the Aerotech gear doors. I trimmed The fiberglass bottom leading edge piece then filled with some micro balloon/epoxy mix to blend-in.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Looking GOOD!

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Thank you.
I plan to finish the plane with the following scheme. The wing will be painted with silver, as for the fuselage I probably will use some aluminum tape.
Aluminum finish require a very smooth area without any imperfections, to do so I will apply about 6 coats of primer with a variation of fine sanding between.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

With the usual treatment the wing, ailerons and flaps are covered with 1oz fiberglass cloth sealed with West System epoxy. A coat of filler primer was applied before touching spots with red finishing ( glazing) putty, after sanding most the primer with 120 grid I reapplied a second coat of primer, filled few more spots then sanded most the primer again. At this stage the wing look nice with minimal work on few spots. One more coat of primer then fit the wing on the fuselage. Once the wing fitted the fuselage will receive the same treatment then the last three primer coats will be sprayed on the whole airplane so the sanding gives a nice transition from the wing to fuselage.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Forgot to add that I used some .10 G10 strips to finish nicely the top flaps hinge cover as well for both side of the ailerons.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I had some left over canon blister from a Byron Mustang, after some trimming those fitted pretty well especially after some micro-ballon/epoxy mix was added and sanded. In the line of each gun I inserted little abs pieces to simulate the gun shells exit. I make most of my airplane detail pieces using a home-made vacuum box and oven, a shop vacuum provide enough suction to form the pieces.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

primed wing.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

The kit comes with composites wing fillets which is nice also the match to the fuselage can use more work. First I gave a nice sanding to each area of the fillets especially the side that contact the fuselage, some epoxy was used glue them then again micro-balloon/epoxy mix to blend. Wax paper was used to protect the wing from becoming permanently attached to the fuse.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Could anyone tell me how well this bird fly's with a moki 210?

Regards

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

It flies really well with a Moki 2.1. I've seen a couple with that combo and they can rip up the sky pretty well with it from what I have seen.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I have one with a 210 that I have flown in primer after glassing. The 210 handled it fine for routine flying. It was a test flight so I did not do any aerobatics with it but in take off and cruise I was very pleased.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I built the TF 1/5th gold kit, it is powered with a DLE55 which is used by many, engine with a 22-8 prop will move this plane well over 100 MPH, mine weighs 26lbs. I havent flown mine yet, engine is'nt even broke in. I still have a few things to do to finish it up. Leroy

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

This is one I just finished for a friend. Made it electric. Big Axi with 4-5000mah lipos, came in at 30lbs. Flies good.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

<span style="font-size: larger">Nice Leroy, are we going to see videos of the maiden?</span>

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I don't have the camera to do a video but it can probably be arranged, I would like to have one. I expect the plane will be fast as the polished surface is very slick. Speed is not every thing, scale speed is around 87 MPH, I expect to top 115 MPH on a flat run.
There is still things to do to finish her up so it may not happen till spring.:) Leroy

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Nice looking plane. however an 8 pitch prop will be far from 115 MPH. It will be lucky to hit 100. A 22x10 might get you near 100, a 20x12 will get you around 115 a 18x14 will get you too 125mph. This is of course if your engine can turn these props at around 7300rpms on the ground.

I saw a T/F today with a 22x8 fly. It was very "scale like" around 85 mph.

My mustang flys at a very "unscale like" speed of 135mph. G-62 with T-6 racing prop on RCexel ignition. turns 7600 on the ground.


Agian nice plane.

Here is mine. 26lbs also

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

With a dle 55 and 22x8 prop, how well does it do loops? How is the vertical?

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Not sure. didn't see it pull a loop. I do know that the mustang today was very noisey. Probubly from over reving the prop.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Scale top speed for a 1/5 scale would be 185 to 200 mph per this chart done by Kent Walters a few years ago. Certainly proportioning to get the "scale" speed is wrong.

Ed

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

I may be off on the prop size, That just came off the top of my head, matter a fact that is the break in prop for the DLE55. If I recal, the G-62 and the DLE55 power ratings are about the same, I'll check that out and say the Dle55 has pulled a number of these planes to 115MPH and my plane will create less drag than most of them. Leroy

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Wrong is'nt the word for it . take 437MPH devided by 1/5 or 5 is 87.4 MPH and to date a G62 doing 135 is'nt going to happen.

RE: TOP FLITE GIANT SCALE P51 ARC
 

Leroy, do you plan to maiden soon? I'd like to here how it loops and how the DLE 55 pulls it around. I assume that the DLE 55 is easier to fit in the cowl compared to a G62?