FMS 1700mm Mustang low power

[brokenfoam]

I recently purchased the FMS 1700mm P-51D Red tail. Its a beautiful scale airplane but just lacks power. I dont need a pylon racer but some realistic vertical would be nice. Does anyone have an upgraded motor recommendation? Flying the Admiral 6 cell 5000mah packs. I may have to go to single blade prop but thats ok.
Thanks!

[OV10]

Hello BF,
The stock 300kV motor is a bit anemic. A simple direct bolt-in that has been the standard upgrade throughout the forums is the FMS Pitts Biplane 5060-360kV motor.

https://www.motionrc.com/products/fms-5060-kv360-motor

Bumping up the esc from the stock 80A to a 100A would be recommended.

Best regards,

[apmech1]

If you van find the V1 prop bades and hub, you can do the zip tie shim mod to the prop, gets just a bit more pitch.

[Gringotuerto]

I did the 360kv motor, and sure enough it consumed about 20% more current. Performance improves a bit, but it is still poor versus other planes. I think it is the prop. A two-blade electric would probably liven it up. I haven't tried it though.

Reasons I guess this are:
(1) The current is already quite high with the 360kv motor. Lack of power dissipation is not the problem here;
(2) I compare to the 2 meter T-28 trojan, and it is much faster even though much heavier and larger. One difference I can see is the two-blade prop;
(3) I fly a 22 pound P-47 with a 24x10 4-blade scale prop with round tips, and a 24x12 two-blade electric prop. The difference is astonishing.

Anyway, I never tried either the zip tie mod nor a two-blade electric, so somewhat of a guess. I can say the only way you will be satisfied with 360kv is if you fly the 300kv long enough to think of that as "normal" and therefore have very low expectations.

[Blewbayou]

Must have been an older version then, my Frankie came with a 360kv motor bought in May of this year. Some oddball company's are selling old stock at full price, I would check before you buy. Bought mine from motion rc.
doesnt make sense to pay full price for older stock when you have to upgrade the motor just to match performance of newer planes.

[OV10]

Must have been an older version then, my Frankie came with a 360kv motor bought in May of this year. Some oddball company's are selling old stock at full price, I would check before you buy. Bought mine from motion rc.
doesnt make sense to pay full price for older stock when you have to upgrade the motor just to match performance of newer planes.

Came with a 360kV ???
Motion's present product page for Frankie indicates it comes with the 300kV and they stock the latest version birds.
https://www.motionrc.com/collections...kie-1700mm-pnp
Even FMS's web site says the same...........something ain't right here :Confused:
http://www.fmsmodel.com/fms-1700mm-p...us-frankie-pnp

[ICM]

Several questions. Does the FMS 1700 P 51D at least fly at scale speed with the 360kv motor and 100A esc? Do any of the FMS 1700"s? How do you do the zip tie prop mod and does it only work on the v1 blades and hub?

[HANGER FIFTYONE]

Several questions. Does the FMS 1700 P 51D at least fly at scale speed with the 360kv motor and 100A esc? Do any of the FMS 1700"s? How do you do the zip tie prop mod and does it only work on the v1 blades and hub?

I did the tie wrap mod on my 1700 red tail and with a 3300mah 6s it will go straight up on take off 200 ft with no problem at all.

https://youtu.be/QksnbavFSwg

I think you'll be happy with it.

Kenny

[Blewbayou]

Came with a 360kV ???
Motion's present product page for Frankie indicates it comes with the 300kV and they stock the latest version birds.
https://www.motionrc.com/collections...kie-1700mm-pnp
Even FMS's web site says the same...........something ain't right here :Confused:
http://www.fmsmodel.com/fms-1700mm-p...us-frankie-pnp

Yes, came with 360kv. Bought from motion rc in May from a shipment that came in then. All the web sites still say 300kv. I also talked directly to fms and they told me since I think nov.2016, all new ones came with 360kv. Even FM's web site still had 300kv listed.

I know a couple who bought past couple months from a different vendor and got 300kv. My guess is they were old stock and that vendor doesn't have a good rep. Why I said confirm before anyone buys. Now, I have the frankie model, and it was sold out everywhere back in April when I wanted one, so I waited until motion got them in. The red tails were still available then and in stock at different places, but not what I wanted, so I waited and my guess is they were older stock, didn't seem to sell as well as Frankie.

Also, FMS doesn't seem to change there specifications hardly at all, but have made minor changes to the plane, like motor, v2 spinner and a couple other items that I don't recall. Only way I knew was to research other posts and confirm with fms.

[OV10]

Yes, came with 360kv. Bought from motion rc in May from a shipment that came in then. All the web sites still say 300kv. I also talked directly to fms and they told me since I think nov.2016, all new ones came with 360kv. Even FM's web site still had 300kv listed.

I know a couple who bought past couple months from a different vendor and got 300kv. My guess is they were old stock and that vendor doesn't have a good rep. Why I said confirm before anyone buys. Now, I have the frankie model, and it was sold out everywhere back in April when I wanted one, so I waited until motion got them in. The red tails were still available then and in stock at different places, but not what I wanted, so I waited and my guess is they were older stock, didn't seem to sell as well as Frankie.

Also, FMS doesn't seem to change there specifications hardly at all, but have made minor changes to the plane, like motor, v2 spinner and a couple other items that I don't recall. Only way I knew was to research other posts and confirm with fms.

Looks like AROS needs to get that product page updated ;)

[HANGER FIFTYONE]

Hello fellow pilots; I just up loaded a video of me flying my FMS P-51 Mustang Red Tail with a 3300mah battery and the tie wrap prop mod showing the plane going vertical way over 300 ft up with no problems at all. I listed another video in the description on the prop mod. I hope this helps you get the most out of your plane.


happy flying!

Kenny

[seaviper]

Good job

[Hugh Wiedman]

The new version with the V2 prop and 360KV motor is better than the old, but it is still a flying brick. Will climb vertically, do loops, Cuban eights, etc., but you need to stay at almost full throttle. The plane does look nice in the air and flies scale, but keep in mind it weighs in at over 12 pounds! Added the Mr. RC Sound cards in all my warbirds, so that adds more weight. This thing does look great and sound great taxiing, but getting it in the air and especially back on the ground in one piece is always an adventure. Probably keep an inventory of spare parts that even Motion would be envious of.

The FMS hardware is all crap, had to replace all the clevis's. The stock retracts had no guts and after 10 flights would not retract unless I flew inverted. Installed the upgraded metal retracts, which had more power, but now after about 20 flights they too are loosing stamina. Was going to replace the motor, esc, spinner and prop to a 2 blade Xoar, but decided to save the money and use it for another plane. The pilot is the wrong scale, looks like a 6 year old that can't see over the dashboard. The plane is always a challenge to fly and keeps you on your toes, one mistake and it's buried in the ground. Landings are at half throttle or you crush the retracts-IT DOES NOT GLIDE.

Doubt I'll ever buy another FMS warbird, also have the 1400mm Corsair, it's not as bad, but still underpowered. Was thing of the 1700mm FMS Corsair, but the reviews suggest nothing but more troubles. The other annoying thing about FMS is there are several parts that they do not sell separately, like antennae, rear tail mechanics and doors, etc. that I have had to make myself. Both planes take a serious left turn on takeoff, even with flaps up, not unusual for tail draggers, just more exaggerated. Changed main wheels on both to the 4" and 2 1/2" Robarts, respectively, cause don't like foam wheels and FMS loves "c" clamps, which I hate, and now held on with 5/32" dura collars. Any one else have some of these same issues, or is it just me? It was suggested to use the E-Flight EFLG500 retracts, which are supposed to be much better, but at a cost of $160 plus a 6 second sequencer, again, how much do you want to put into a plane before it gets ridiculous.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hello fellow pilots; I just up loaded a video of me flying my FMS P-51 Mustang Red Tail with a 3300mah battery and the tie wrap prop mod showing the plane going vertical way over 300 ft up with no problems at all. I listed another video in the description on the prop mod. I hope this helps you get the most out of your plane.


happy flying!

Kenny

Took Kenny's advice and swapped out the 5000mah battery I've been using and changed to a lighter weight 4000mah. Kenny, you are right on. Although I have the 360KV motor, with the 5000mah battery it still flew OK, climbed, loops, Cuban Eights, etc. but usually had to do those with full power. Now I can run on 60%-80% and still get better performance. Takeoffs are smoother now (although it still loves to hang a left turn on throttle up like all these tail draggers) and landings are a little less crunchy. Thanks for your advice.

[Rick227]

I’ve also tried a 3300 45c battery.....although it is an improvement.....it still lacks performance.....

[rifleman_btx]

What would be acceptable performance? You trying to 3D it?

[Rick227]

No.....but it’s a dog......compared to the 1400 P40.....it doesn’t come close...but I am going to try the prop mod and see what that does for her....Even with the performance knock...it’s one of my favorite planes though....love the 1700 size..

[rifleman_btx]

I can understand that. Maybe the prop mod will be the final touch.

[Rick227]

Well even if it isn’t...I couldn’t part with it.....but then I say that about just about all of them it seems....

[rifleman_btx]

Indeed I totally know that feeling