Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Hi

First post here and after searching found loads of good advice on the forums here.

I have been flying helis for the past 10 years on and off and in the past 18 months have started flying planes with the ultimate goal of flying a warbird.

The choice of aircraft is between a Spitfire or a Mustang P51D, those choices being inspired firstly being a Brit I love the Spitfire, and secondly our flying field is a disused WW2 airfield where Marauder Bombers supported by you guessed it, P51D's flew from in the war and it would be nice to see one fly from there again.

I have experience in kit building from a while back (gliders etc) and more recently have built scale helis, my building skills aren't too bad but I'd need tp refresh a few skills relating to balsa sheeting and covering etc.

Time is also of the essence and as its my first one I dont want to put too many hours into it just in case (you know what I mean)

Should I go ARF or Kit ???

Which Kit / Model would you recommend ??

I want nice solid handling and flight characteristics and also a decent looking 'scale' effect.

I would like to use retracts.

I would also like to use a 4 stroke engine but do not want it sticking out of the cowling, unless you can recommend another good engine to use. ( sorry not too knowledgeable in the makes of aero engines)

My only concern is ground handling, I have heard so many times about theses birds nosing over, is it really that bad ????

I know theres loads of questions here and I hope I have made some sense.

Thnaks

Lee

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Lee:

I'd suggest the World Model P-51 in the .40 or Giant ARF.
Noseover is more of a problem on grass than concrete. The EURO
value is better on the WM than the Kyosho.

Randy

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Hi

I've searched for details of the World Model aircraft.

Where can I find a site that shows them or details/prices etc.

Thanks

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Lee:

Sorry for the omission. The Giant is at top of list and the 40 is at the bottom

http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...ustanggssilver

Randy

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

My first warplane was the Pica FW190D. It is a dated design as far as construction goes, using hardwood mounts for the engine, and with a smallish tank compartment that doesn't fit much available on the market without some squishing and smashing. But, flying-wise, it is easy to fly, pretty fast and fairly predictable. I could never get mine to come down on approach, just kept floating unless you killed the power. I used a ST G61 and cjm retracts (which I wouldn't use again). I am sure that the Top Flite model of this plane would fly as well. If you are comfortable with a low wing plane, you shouldn't have trouble with either one. Mine flew a lot like a pattern plane that didn't have power enough to get it through a huge loop. I am sure that adding a .90 size engine to either plane would solve that problem. Be ready to build with either plane, they take a while, but the results are well worth it. I prefer building on the warplanes, as I feel they both look more scale, and fly less like a model and more like the real plane than the arfs. If you're looking for a 51, I have seen the Model Tech version fly, (it is an ARC) and it is very nice. Looks scale and flies the same, quick to put together. The one I saw had a YS 91 and it had LOTS of power, using mechanical retracts (reinforce the landing gear area). It looked great with my FW up in the air, he could fly circles around me.

First Warbird
 

I would go for the Hanger 9 P-51 ARF. This thing is great, flys smooth, fast but will still slow down to a crawl on landings. The good part is it does not cost much and will get you in the air very very quickly. I love mine with a YS 91 in the nost mounted inverted just the valve cover and muffler stick out of the cowl and you can not see them in flight. The retracts are premounted and and with one of the upper radios you can slow down the retract servo so it goes at a scale speed. I would recommend this plane to anyone wanting to get into warbirds because it flies just like Ultra Stick or some easy flying sport plane. I love mine.


Chris Puckett
Puckett Model Aviation

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Hi Lee, Graham here also from the UK.

I find big is better, but building take forever.

The Kyosho range aint half bad, and comes with retracts (see rcm&e review). Alternatively ring some of the model shops, second hand spits are always available. Do a search for Mainly Models (Hitchin, Herts) I know he has one hanging up for about £130. inc engine, retracts etc.

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Just an idea Lee, have you looked at the Galaxy models Mustang
http://www.galaxymodels.co.uk/

I have built lots of their stuff, and most of it is prefabricated, the Mustang is nice and big (a 4 stroke 1.20 would be nice) and being slightly bigger installing things like retracts are easy.

I orderd the Domino Biplane on a Sunday (via web site) and it arrived Tuesday !!!!!! :stupid: :stupid:

Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

Hi

Yes the Mustang is about £129 and comes with prefabricated foam laminated wings which takes out a lot of build time, retracts are £74 plus engine so not too bad really. Anyone know how it flies ?????

I'll check out mainly models.

Thanks

Lee

RE: Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

i'm going with the hanger 9 1.50 size. It will be equiped with a saito 200Ti inline twin! and man it will go fast at least 140mph. I bet it can go with an (altitiude of 400ft) 200+ mph!!! so that's just me i like them big and super fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Getting my first warbird - recommendations please.
 

I would suggest the World Models P-51- 40 size. It is an arf and is a great flyer with a 70 to 90 size four stroke. They also fly great on OS 46 two strokes for a start. They are all wood and monokote construction. Easy to fix if you need to. They build fast and fly great. I have several that I race (highly modified) and love to fly them all. My 2 cents worth.