Top RC Model 1/5 Scale P-51D Mustang "Blondie" Build

[Aros]

I've had my eye on this model for years. Fully composite, true scale mold...Loaded with scale details. I've talked my buddy into building her for me and I am super stoked. I want her to be a museum piece so I've already started compiling the goodies. Starting with ripping out the stock cockpit and using the premium, painted cockpit and exhaust from JPWarbirds.com. Jiri Prekop does masterful work. I am adding the 1/5 scale WWII pilot from warbirdpilots.com. Going with a 4-blade variable pitch 22" CF prop. I will be adding invasion stripes and of course tasteful, realistic weathering. The latter I have no idea how to achieve quite yet, lol.

Powerplant is going to be a BadAss BA-6245-180Kv Motor, BadAss Renegade V2 130-amp HV OPTO ESC, running two 6S 7000mAh Lipos with XT90 connectors in series for a 12S setup. RX is a Spektrum AR10400T 10CH PowerSafe Telemetry receiver.

Retracts are TBD. I may use the Top RC retract set for this model once they are in stock, or I may seek council on an alternate set. I heard Robart no longer offers the compatible retract set for this bird so I will be researching for sure. Any ideas I welcome mightily.

Servos are Savox SB-2273SGP Plus High Voltage Brushless, High Torque, Steel Gear Digital Servos. I'll add build photos and progress as it goes along. I'm always open to any advice, comments, suggestions and critiques, lol.

[Twowingtj]

Great project!

[Elbee]

Aros

Great model.

Robart did sell the retract designs and equipment.

I will do a little research, too, and see what's what.

Best, LB

[nuts-n-volts]

Aros... You may want to check out the StinGR belt drive for power. I'm planning on going with that for my 1/5 Mustang that I will start building eventually. Check out this vid! And... StinGR - Mega Power for Electric Giants

[davegee]

I've had my eye on this model for years. Fully composite, true scale mold...Loaded with scale details. I've talked my buddy into building her for me and I am super stoked. I want her to be a museum piece so I've already started compiling the goodies. Starting with ripping out the stock cockpit and using the premium, painted cockpit and exhaust from JPWarbirds.com. Jiri Prekop does masterful work. I am adding the 1/5 scale WWII pilot from warbirdpilots.com. Going with a 4-blade variable pitch 22" CF prop. I will be adding invasion stripes and of course tasteful, realistic weathering. The latter I have no idea how to achieve quite yet, lol.

Powerplant is going to be a BadAss BA-6245-180Kv Motor, BadAss Renegade V2 130-amp HV OPTO ESC, running two 6S 7000mAh Lipos with XT90 connectors in series for a 12S setup. RX is a Spektrum AR10400T 10CH PowerSafe Telemetry receiver.

Retracts are TBD. I may use the Top RC retract set for this model once they are in stock, or I may seek council on an alternate set. I heard Robart no longer offers the compatible retract set for this bird so I will be researching for sure. Any ideas I welcome mightily.

Servos are TBD. I'll add build photos and progress as it goes along. I'm always open to any advice, comments, suggestions and critiques, lol.

Hi Aros: great project, and the composite construction should ensure a very realistic outline. The "QP" designates one of the squadrons of one of the elite 8th USAAF fighter groups in England during WWII, the 4th FG out of Debden. Great tribute to that unit and pilot, as well!

davegee

[Aros]

Aros

Great model.

Robart did sell the retract designs and equipment.

I will do a little research, too, and see what's what.

Best, LB

Thank you kind sir, I will take all the help I can get!

[Aros]

Aros... You may want to check out the StinGR belt drive for power. I'm planning on going with that for my 1/5 Mustang that I will start building eventually. Check out this vid! And... StinGR - Mega Power for Electric Giants

Oh wow, that is super cool!! Unfortunately the power system has already been purchased. I shall live vicariously through your build though for sure!

[Aros]

Hi Aros: great project, and the composite construction should ensure a very realistic outline. The "QP" designates one of the squadrons of one of the elite 8th USAAF fighter groups in England during WWII, the 4th FG out of Debden. Great tribute to that unit and pilot, as well!

davegee

Thank you Dave! I can always count on you to bring the wonderful historic element among many other sources of great ideas and knowledge!

[Aros]

Found the servos I am going with. The Savox SB-2273SGP Plus High Voltage Brushless, High Torque, Steel Gear Digital Servo.



This is the retract set I am looking to add...I am not sure when they will be back in stock: https://gator-rc.com/p-51d-retracts

Also, here's some updated goodies from Jiri at JPHobbies.com...He said the parts should be shipping out tomorrow.

[davegee]

Thank you Dave! I can always count on you to bring the wonderful historic element among many other sources of great ideas and knowledge!

Thanks, Aros. This should be a fun and satisfying project for you and your friend helping you with the build. Those cockpit panels from JP Hobbies look spot-on for accuracy. Good choice!

Davegee

[Elbee]

http://www.sierragiant.com/prod27.html

Aros check these out. I don't know anything about this company, the price is reasonable considering all options. Best, LB

[Aros]

http://www.sierragiant.com/prod27.html


Aros check these out. I don't know anything about this company, the price is reasonable considering all options. Best, LB

Thanks for checking! I’m hoping for electric retracts but if there’s no other option I can go with pneumatic I think?

[Aros]

Elbee davegee gents, I'm looking for an accurate green zinc chromate spray paint...Any ideas? I'm going to paint the inner gear doors and wells appropriately. Much thanks!

[Elbee]

https://www.migjimenez.com/en/ammo-paints/488-acrylic-color-fs-34151-zinc-chromate-green-interior-green-amig-0220.html

Aros

FS-34151 Zinc Chromate Green is the actual color you want.

That said, finding that in a rattle can is the difficult thing.

If it were me, I'd shoot a coat of light gray primer from a can and go with AMMO by Mig (A.Mig-0220).

Let that dry overnight and either hand brush a couple/three coats or airbrush it.

But that's just me.

Best, LB

[Aros]

Wonderful advice, thank you Elbee.

[davegee]

Elbee davegee gents, I'm looking for an accurate green zinc chromate spray paint...Any ideas? I'm going to paint the inner gear doors and wells appropriately. Much thanks!

Hi Aros: I would agree with Elbee's suggestions on the green zinc chromate color that is probably best applied with an airbrush if you or your friend have one, or a good paint brush if you don't. Looking at some of my books on P-51s, the inside of the inner gear doors and the fixed strut door that is affixed to the landing gear leg are NMF (Natural Metal Finish) and not painted. The zinc chromate paint is mostly on the inside of the wheel wells. Of course, with thousands of these airplanes produced in WWII, there were some exceptions to that here and there.

Cheers

Davegee

[Grossman56]

This IS a new plane right Aros?? I'd hate to see you go through what you went through with the Corsair. Just watchin' out for ya buddy!

Grossman56

[F106DeltaDart]

Hi Aros: I would agree with Elbee's suggestions on the green zinc chromate color that is probably best applied with an airbrush if you or your friend have one, or a good paint brush if you don't. Looking at some of my books on P-51s, the inside of the inner gear doors and the fixed strut door that is affixed to the landing gear leg are NMF (Natural Metal Finish) and not painted. The zinc chromate paint is mostly on the inside of the wheel wells. Of course, with thousands of these airplanes produced in WWII, there were some exceptions to that here and there.

Cheers

Davegee

That is my understanding as well. In fact, it sounds like on most aircraft, only the spar on the aft side of the bay was painted zinc chromate: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/...l-bay-colours/

[Aros]

Hi Aros: I would agree with Elbee's suggestions on the green zinc chromate color that is probably best applied with an airbrush if you or your friend have one, or a good paint brush if you don't. Looking at some of my books on P-51s, the inside of the inner gear doors and the fixed strut door that is affixed to the landing gear leg are NMF (Natural Metal Finish) and not painted. The zinc chromate paint is mostly on the inside of the wheel wells. Of course, with thousands of these airplanes produced in WWII, there were some exceptions to that here and there.

Cheers

Davegee

Excellent info, thank you!!

[Aros]

This IS a new plane right Aros?? I'd hate to see you go through what you went through with the Corsair. Just watchin' out for ya buddy!

Grossman56

Aaaack! That was a true nightmare. Indeed my friend, this is a brand new ARF never been out of the box.

I need to light some candles and say some incantations to keep that Corsair project’s bad juju faaaaaar away from this bird!