TopRC P-51 build

[benjack71]

I started it tonight. Not much just going through the stuff and added a bit of nomenclature. Was really set on adding nav lights. Not so sure now. I could always come back an do it later. Will post up some more pics as I progess

Spektrum DX 9
Spektrum AR9030T receiver
Hitec HS-645MG High-Torque 2BB Metal Gear Servo
torqpro 70cc 4 stroke

[JFandL]

Looking forward to your build, a club member is just finishing up one of the TopRC P-51's. He did his in FliteMetal.

[rifleman_btx]

Very cool! Looking forward to the progress!

[benjack71]

Not going to lie, its been a lot of staring and wondering. I have not got a lot done, but I have some progress. I have done some nomenclature, courtesy of callie graphics. I have done a bit of painting and added some cockpit detail. Some of the cockpit detail I added came out of the FMS 1700mm mustang cockpit. Such as the gun sight and the throttle and flap controls. I just got done getting the red wing tip nav light installed. I am going to run out of channels on my DX9 lol.

[benjack71]

Looking forward to your build, a club member is just finishing up one of the TopRC P-51's. He did his in FliteMetal.

Thats interesting. FliteMetal looks good. That is a lot of work to add to a sheeted composite model with panel lines already. Then again, I am sitting here right now wondering about my landing lights lol

[JFandL]

I have the Top RC FW190a and there is a lot to do for a almost ready to fly airframe(On all the Top RC airframes). Yes he kind of went over the top on his P-51. powered sliding canopy, pilot head turns, lights as well as gun lights. Right now he is installing a sound system. test flight due sometime this week.

[benjack71]

I have the Top RC FW190a and there is a lot to do for a almost ready to fly airframe(On all the Top RC airframes). Yes he kind of went over the top on his P-51. powered sliding canopy, pilot head turns, lights as well as gun lights. Right now he is installing a sound system. test flight due sometime this week.

Oh, he is going electric I assume with the sound system. Yeah, I don't think I would want to set up electric on a plane that size. I have not gave a thought about making a sliding canopy yet. That will be a after build, fly modification for sure.

[OV10]

Not going to lie, its been a lot of staring and wondering. I have not got a lot done, but I have some progress. I have done some nomenclature, courtesy of callie graphics. I have done a bit of painting and added some cockpit detail. Some of the cockpit detail I added came out of the FMS 1700mm mustang cockpit. Such as the gun sight and the throttle and flap controls. I just got done getting the red wing tip nav light installed. I am going to run out of channels on my DX9 lol.

Hello Ben,
In your pic of the gear, your comment about the controller says sequencing.
No need to test your theory...........they don't sequence.
I have the same retract/brake controller and etracts that came with my ESM struts for the ESM F7F(Sierra/Robart were stupid expensive :Scared:)
I am going to try to use the FMS 6 sec sequencer between the Rx and the TopRC controller retract input. If the time is not long enough then I'll use mixing on the radio.

[benjack71]

Hello Ben,
In your pic of the gear, your comment about the controller says sequencing.
No need to test your theory...........they don't sequence.
I have the same retract/brake controller and etracts that came with my ESM struts for the ESM F7F(Sierra/Robart were stupid expensive :Scared:)
I am going to try to use the FMS 6 sec sequencer between the Rx and the TopRC controller retract input. If the time is not long enough then I'll use mixing on the radio.

I came across my old ESM yellow box sequencer. It was one that motion use to sell before FMS started sequencing the doors closed on the Mustang like they use to. I thought about trying that. I really will run out of channels lol

[benjack71]

got nav light installed in port wing, cowl mounted and aileron and flap hinges gorilla glued in. . Been debating on scrapping my servos and going for some more torque digitals. Finally decided to stick with what I got. Late start this evening in the shop, hope to get a nav light installed and the aileron and flap hinges gorilla glued in on stbd wing tonight. See how it goes. Actually i may as well get my horns glued in as well.

[benjack71]

Hello Ben,
In your pic of the gear, your comment about the controller says sequencing.
No need to test your theory...........they don't sequence.
I have the same retract/brake controller and etracts that came with my ESM struts for the ESM F7F(Sierra/Robart were stupid expensive :Scared:)
I am going to try to use the FMS 6 sec sequencer between the Rx and the TopRC controller retract input. If the time is not long enough then I'll use mixing on the radio.

Guess what, the old school EMS sequencer that motion use to carry before FMS started adding door sequence in the Mustangs worked like a charm. At least on the bench lol

[OV10]

Guess what, the old school EMS sequencer that motion use to carry before FMS started adding door sequence in the Mustangs worked like a charm. At least on the bench lol

Saved yourself $12 by not having to buy the FMS sequencerLOL

[JFandL]

Glad the sequencer works for you. Most of my Warbirds use 10 channels just for the main controls with a few that use up to18 channels with mixing. Like on this P-51 ( channels ) 2 flaps, 2 elevator, 2 ailerons, 1 engine choke, 1 throttle, 1 kill switch. 1 landing gear .if no doors up to 6 with doors. So I would have used 12 channels. 2 inter doors mixed. and 10 for controls.

[benjack71]

Glad the sequencer works for you. Most of my Warbirds use 10 channels just for the main controls with a few that use up to18 channels with mixing. Like on this P-51 ( channels ) 2 flaps, 2 elevator, 2 ailerons, 1 engine choke, 1 throttle, 1 kill switch. 1 landing gear .if no doors up to 6 with doors. So I would have used 12 channels. 2 inter doors mixed. and 10 for controls.

I only have 9 channels to play with. Will y ailerons and flaps. Elevator servos will be seperate channels. Have not decided if I will servo choke or pushrod.

[JFandL]

I know how it is, along time ago when 6 channel was king. ( The PAIN the Pain)

[benjack71]

I know how it is, along time ago when 6 channel was king. ( The PAIN the Pain)

I am planning on using a power distribution board as well. I think its limited to 8 channel input. Which, really is no big deal. All its really for is control surfaces and output to ignition. It gives me voltage regulation, allows two batteries and equalizes the voltage draw from the batteries. I know I could have just went with a dual switch/voltage regulator and a separate ignition batter, but I like the idea of all that on one board. It could change my mind though lol

[benjack71]

I will try to get some pics this evening and post up. Here is my build update. As you can read I bench tested the retracts. I got both wings ailerons and flaps hinged. I began servo installs. Ran into a hiccup with that. This ARF has metal brackets that you attach to the servos. Then you are supposed to attach the brackets to these plywood tabs that are located in the servo bay. The problem was, there was no tabs in the servo bay. Quality control issue I guess. So, the ARF did not come with the traditional servo mounting block, I dont really have any laying around. So, I had some choices. I could order blocks, I could literally attach the brackets to the door with small bolt/cap nuts. Or, I could epoxy the bracket to the door in the same manner I would a wooden block. I went with epoxy it to the door. With that said, I wish now that I would have used a craft/Popsicle stick between the bracket and the servo door. I felt like attaching the brackets to the door with bolt and nut would end up making a larger hole from vibration. Maybe not beats me. Anyway, I did not like the idea of a bunch more jewelry hanging out on a scale model.

[JFandL]

Yes the metal servo brackets look like a 9 year old drilled and taped them out( in my kit that is not sure how yours are.) Not one is cut the same size.

[Aros]

Cool, I have had my eye on the Blondie version for quite a while. I like the full composite aspect, has nice scale profile...I will keep watching your progress!

[benjack71]

Yes the metal servo brackets look like a 9 year old drilled and taped them out( in my kit that is not sure how yours are.) Not one is cut the same size.

The brackets seem fine. There is no tabs in the wing to attach them to.