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

I have update pics on the build.
Wing has been rebuilt/fixed and covered all in silver. I added plates to cover the main retracts as seen in pics. So far so good and hopefully will be completed in a week or two.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...E217C39728.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...E21C0DFF35.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...E21F4F3DCF.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...E222E967C2.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...E22677EFA4.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...E22A463D16.jpg

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

Isn't part of that inner door supposed to be on the gear leg instead?<div>
</div><div>Casey</div>

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

Its not 100% scale like the real one but I know what you mean. I made it that way and I made my own gear doors and did not use the fiberglass ones.

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

Mine is completed, I'm at the point of applying the decals. I discovered that the decals don't match pictures on the box. In the pictures, the star on the side is the same size as the decal on the wing. The decal sheet does not have the correct sizes.

As for the rest of the decals that come with the plane, they are a poor example. I've decided to make my own decals for most of the plane. Earlier in the thread there is a link to a page that has the correct decals and placement for a P-51D. The same link also shows panel lines and rivet detail so I'm making my first attempt at adding panel lines. I may do the rivet detail if this plane lasts long enough to get re-covered.

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

yeah I agree with you on the decals they are kinda weak...ill be making my own too..i do own a vinyl cutter so that will help...but anyways my P-51 is going to be civilian..no weapons and going to have the Audi infineon race inspired colors. silver with red and black carbon fiber.

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

I had gotten some made byKirby Custom Graphics. Was not cheap but they did come out really good.

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

Looks good thebluemax!!!! ill have to do some decals too

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

Try Callie graphics, she is very reasonable and already has many of the popular themes already on file in the correct scale and will customize what ever you need. http://callie-graphics.com/

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

I'm looking for the stenciling decals. You know, "step here, aftercooler vent, that kind of stuff. From what I've found on the internet, you pretty much have to make your own.

I find it funny that TF left off the part about crew weight. Didn't want to offend anyone I suppose.

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

Try here http://www.getstencils.com/ pricey but they have what you need.

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

May not be scale, but looks great nonetheless badazz. What door sequencer did u go with?

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

Thanks TTrotary,
I'm using the jet tronics sequencer. Been wrapping the fuse in silver/aluminum monokote. Having one hell of a time wrapping it though...Going through monokote like crazy. The wing was pretty easy to wrap. Does anyone have any options on how i should paint the canopy or what paint i should use. Only thing that comes to mind is that paint that is used for the lexan plastic for RC car/truck bodies.

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

I did a search of the thread and find no mention of the M.A.C. Has anyone worked out the M.A.C.?

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

thx badazz - that's a nice one - going to try my luck with the cheaper Jomar.

KaP2011 - no, but not hard to calculate on this wing. The LE jog at the fuse is insignificant, so just extend the LE line to the fuse,measure the chord, do the same for the tip, and average the two. Published CG info for this bird seems accurate - a rarity among chinese ARFs. If you want to be safe, start at 25% root chord, Not including the jog, upside down with gear retracted of course.

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

Why would you care what the MAC is? The manual gives you the correct CG location.

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

Mostly I was just curious. I've read in the thread that several people thought the C/G was wrong. I worked it out today on a drawing board and it worked out exactly where TF says it should. 33% of the M.A.C. is 5 5/8" from the leading edge at the side of the fuselage. Falls right on the spar.

And just because a chinese manufacturer says something in a manual does not always make it true. I havefound more ARF manuals tobe wrong than right.

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

Thats true of most of the off brand ARF's but this is a TF and they do a great job on their manuals and I've never had an issue with the C.G being wrong on any of their products. In my opinion Ithink people are inaccurately checking their c.g and making them too tail heavy, again just my opinion. I started using a vanessa rig to check the c.g and it works great.

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

One of the reasons I wanted to find the M.A.C. is because I didn't like trying to measure the C/G at the fuselage, I could only get close to where it should be. Checking the C/G at the M.A.C. eliminates the problem.

I've only assembled two TF ARF's, a Cessna 182 and this P-51. The 182 was perfect, minimal wrinkles and only one problem. That was in the instructions concerning the flap instelation. The P-51, well, it had issues. It hurt TF's reputation in my opinion.

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

The Vanessa rig is certainly the cheapest, easiest and most accurate method of finding the CG.

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

I'm going to try these retracts and gear legs in my P-51.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=34110

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=23892

They work well on the bench and I've read some good reports on them: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11373387

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

I have the same setup I plan on using have you tryed them for fit yet.


Ken

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

I pulled a wing out of the box and the retract fits OK. May need to clearance the wheel well just a little to clear the scissor link.

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

Hey radfordc,

Thanks for posting the picture saves me the trouble. I havn't started on mine yet still in the box but looks like I my need to stay with the 3 1/4" tires.

Ken

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

These Hobbyking struts will only take a 3" tire...max.

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

Hey everyone!! an update and photos of the build....Finally Wrapped in silver aluminum! what a pain in the ass! Not a perfect wrap but pretty good. Going to be adding decals and red with carbon fiber accents. wings are finished and wrapped as well those were easy. Still gotta work on the cockpit and instrument dash and got the canopy taped up and ready for paint.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps280380c0.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps0fa6cce4.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps1277a733.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...psbfe5ed67.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps4febbc58.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...pseeb5112f.jpg