RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Welcome to the retail world! I work for a major retailer and I can tell you without a doubt it's all about price point and perceived value. This is what the public wants, something that looks like quality but at half the price. I can also tell you that Tower, Horizon and others are not making a killing the avg grossprofit for the retail market across the boardis in the 25% -50% range even with chinese goods. Now in regards to this plane being scale;if you look closely on your box it says " almost ready to fly sport scale" that means it's no Top Gun plane and will by it's nature be lacking in many scale details, none of which I will see at 200 yds and going 60 mphhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gifAs I stated before I would not except a sub quality item from anyone even if I got it on sale. Tower has always stood by their products and has replaced or refunded anything I was not happy with, within a reasonable time. I rather doubt Hobbico has a full time QC inspector in China making sure every arf comes off the line in perfect condition and the Chinese are some of the most unscrupulous business people in the world. This is a very small nich market and the customers are known to be real cheap skates, andI count myself in there. All in all the Hobbico family of products is good and has it's issues like any other industry. Heck how many ARFrecalls have we seen in the past compared to autos?http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ey/msn/lol.gif I shop all over for my rc purchases and try to use as many small business's as possible.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

This might be helpful for some of the new guys, and maybe a refresher for the old salts.A heat gun is really not the best tool for the job. I like to get a beer a good war movie and sit down in front of the tube and do the tighten up. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gifhttp://manuals.hobbico.com/top/tighten-covering.pdf

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Thanks alot. Now I read the instructions. That is supposed to be a last resort! (like asking for directions when you are driving)

From what I see posted, different folks have different standards and the initial finish quality varies.I recently purchased the 60 sizeCorsair ARF andfrom others posting the qualityhas not changed significantly.Although someone in the forummentioned that the west coast folks seemed tohave more problems. Could be the environment?

A few years ago my mustang arrived with some small wrinkles. Although I tighten them up every now and then it always seems to have some. I'm sure storing it in the damp cool basement and then dragging it out in the bright hit sun durring summer does not help. Flying the occasional Wintermission may add to it.

For me the bottom line is-The covering on both top flight ARFs I ownare as good or better than I could do. For that perfect scale look that will not wrinklebe prepaired to ditch theiron oncoverings and go to something like glassing with a painted on finish.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Wow Ben that looks fantastic! Very nice conversion. Please keep us updated, love to see her in the sky.

If I may make a suggestion, replace that stock hugely oversized pilot figure with one closer to 1/7 scale. Its almost twice the size the pilot should be and that is such a beautiful bird that it could really make a difference in scale appearance at the field. Just a friendly suggestion from one modeler to another.

Keep up the great work!

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

LOL yep thats why I have a GPS and she has a sexy english accent http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ey/msn/lol.gif

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Flight 21, Thanks! Suggestion well received. Poor guy is almost hitting his head on the canopy![X(]

It's time for me to go back through the thread and glean all of the wisdom from the guys that are using the DLE 20. I'm going proceed with intentions of installing that engine...:D

Build well!

Ben

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

I ordered the Mustang while I was on vacation and had my neighbor put it in the garage until I got home yesterday. I was somewhat concerned to see that the box had a huge hole punched in the side! Luckily, no damage to the plane and contents...just the usual minor wrinkles in the covering. This could be the best $199 airplane I've ever bought. I'm glad I resisted buying the Corsair when it went on sale first...I just don't care for it all that much.

I will be using a Saito 100 engine and Hobby King electric retracts w/P-51 struts. I'm using the stock TF retracts in my P-47 and they work...so far.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

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<span new="" times="" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: ">The discussion about landing gear struts has me interested again. I ordered a pair of the hobby king legs at the end of summer but have not done anything to put them into my plane so it still has the stock retracts and struts. The stock setup has worked OK but without much give to the gear legs the retract mount has cracked twice. Shock absorbing legs seem to be the way to go but many of the commonly used options seem to be overpriced in my opinion. These look good and I'll be anxious to have them on the plan when spring comes. The fit is very close and some modification of the wheel well may be required for the scissors. After thinking about it I realized that mustangs have the gear leg to the inside. A little different but it should work. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt"></p></p></span><span new="" times="" style="font-family: ">

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RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Corsair Jock,

First, Thanks very much for your time and work in doing this comprehensive build thread for the TF P51. I know youve started this 5 years ago. Im sure youve save a lot of the guys here lots of $$$ with all your tips. The way you set yours up is exactly how I have been thinking of building mine. TF P51 with all electrics.

I just want to ask with all your time with your set up, on the electrics that is, what did you find works best, I mean which motor, ESC and Battery (mah??). or if you had to do it again, what motor, ESC and battery would you use.

again Thanks for your time!

Mike
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RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Pay close attention to cooling with the narrow cowl you really need to get air forced over the fins and then out the bottom. with the jtec pitts muffler it sits over the carb and can create a lean situation from the heatand the engine will run fine on the start but will die shortly after takeoff. Look for Rbean's posts as he had this problem and solved it with creative modeling skills. I also had this issue on my P-40and like him I installed some duct work in the cowl that forces the intake air over the fins and out the bottom. Happy modeling. and what is the issue with ups putting holes in every box? I also had a small one that pierced the inner box, but no dammages.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Thanks for posting the pictures of the gear looks like a good fit are those the 3 1/4'' Robart tires?


Thank you

Ken

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

I think they are the dubro 3 1/4 inch tires. I remember buying a larger size that did not fit well because they rubbed on the wheel wells.


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RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Thanks raptureboy, I did see Rbean's installation of the intake ducts. Very creative! Sounds like keeping the engine well vented and cool is the key to success. I like the wraparound pitts and will probably go that route, so I'll be paying close attention to the heat issue around the carb.

Build well!

Ben

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Here is the pic I promised the other day of the HK 161mm "P-51" strut fitment. The reason the Eflite retract is not flush to the rails is because you have to dremel the rib down almost to the skin to clear the motor section of the e-tract. I did it on my other ARF when I was fiddling with it the other day, but I've already reboxed that one. This is my #1 ARF and it is much better constructed.

As you can see, the length is spot-on. The only drawback is that you cannot run a scale size wheel: 3in is the biggest that will fit that strut and that is what you see in the pic. If you center the retract on the rail, the strut / wheel will be slightly towards the rear of the plastic fairing, but there is room on the rail to move the mechanism forward 1-2mm, which will center the wheel in the stock fairing. The stock opening and fairing is obviously designed for the LG leg to angle forward a bit, but I have had bad results with angled pin wire, and besides, you'd have to go to a shorter strut. I will be tilting my retract forward, as it appears this plane is a bit tipsy.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

I'm in need of some ideas. I want to have an in-cowl exhaust. I am installing an OS 91FS II. I have on hand a Slimline Pitts muffler but it is too bulky. I also have a 90 deg. manifold from OS and a 6"flexable manifold, also from OS. These two parts can be inside the cowl with just the end of the flex pipe sticking out the bottom of the cowl but no muffler. Neither of the two parts have a pressure nipple for the fuel tank. I wonder if I can route the crank case vent to the fuel tank and plug the nipple on the intake manifold?

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Hi,

I have arrived at the conclusion that the sale ($249) was definitely for a batch of poorly-covered models. They put these on sale and then ended the sale when their prunes were gone! The Mustang wasn't as bad as the Corsair (which was the worst I've ever seen on any ARF), but it was pretty bad! I spent about two hours fixing it with my Coverite iron and a baby sock. Not just the wrinkles, but the VERY amateur job they did with seams and corners. I really feel like I did a better job on my very first covering job back in 1991.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Thats a vent line, it doesn't supply pressure and if you hook it to the tank it could have adverse results, posibly even damage the bearings. As for a fix, I got nuttin.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Connecting the fuel tank pressure feed to the crankcase vent will definately not be a good thing. If you fuel tank is properly located you may be able to get away without pressure feed and just leave that tank line as a vent (open). Another alternative is to get a pressure feed connector (Dubro sells them) and install it on the flex tube. The presure fitting requires that whole be drilled and tapped. The thickness of the flexable pipe may be an issue. Use a nut instead of a threaded whole if the wall of the flex tube is not thick enough. As a last resort you could get a pump. I'm not sure how common fuel pumps are on engines that size.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Yeah, I knew it was a vent line, I just didn't know if it would serve as a pressure line for the tank.
I may have no choice with the muffler. I think I'm going to order a 90 deg. adapter from RC Spec., it looks like that may work with the existing parts I have. Or I may just get the Turboheader Muffler, I believe that would also work.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

If you check the scratch and dent sale you can p.u a couple of corsairs with "wrinkled covering" for cheaphttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gifI'm sure these were the ones they got returned. My mustang really was not that bad and a couple of hours watching some good videos on warbirds and acouple ofbeers later she looks pretty good.For under $200 you can't beat curling up with a good arf and a beer.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Hi,

You're right. It looks great now!

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Hey everyone..been lurking here for a bit....I have been moving forward on the mustang. Did the cockpit conversion with the dash panel and mounted the DLE 20 and that was a big pain in the ass with the motor mount. Have been working on the wing as well with the retracts too...hopefully have this bird done soon. will post pics up soon.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Please do show pictures on how you did these two things.

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Ill get pics tonight or tomorrow but i used this guys build log to help with the DLE 20 install. http://electricdan.wordpress.com/top...ome-what-soon/

RE: Top Flite '.60 size' P-51D Mustang ARF: Building & Modifications
 

Hi,

After fixing the wrinkles and sags, I started on the bird. This one is actually for my son, so we're building it together. We opted for a retractable tail, and I don't mind that it retracts the wrong direction, so I decided to use the Robart mechanical one I had lying around. I cut through the two horizontal plates that are in there, but just wide enough for the unit. I measured and cut a mounting plate out of 1/8" ply, and it fits great. This will be epoxied to the existing vertical former, and I'll open up the hatch to allow for the wheel passing through.