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

[davegee]

Beautiful Mustang, Todd!

Hey, I like your wing bags. I need to make a big one for my B-17 wing. Where do you purchase that material?

Thanks,

davegee

[f4u ausie]

I saw a large Corsair fly (2.5 m span gas ,) at my new field .. was beautiful. Except 4 1 thing. The damb. 2 blade prop. Just does not look right.... So I'm on your side aros

[Aros]

Beautiful Mustang, Todd!

Hey, I like your wing bags. I need to make a big one for my B-17 wing. Where do you purchase that material?

Thanks,

davegee

Thanks Dave!

You can get it at Home Depot. Everbilt 24" x 10' double reflective insulation roll. Cut to size, heat glue the edges, add duct tape or Gorilla tape to extra seal, and done! Takes minutes!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-24-in-x-10-ft-Double-Reflective-Insulation-Radiant-Barrier-24x10DRI/314983628

[Aros]

I saw a large Corsair fly (2.5 m span gas ,) at my new field .. was beautiful. Except 4 1 thing. The damb. 2 blade prop. Just does not look right.... So I'm on your side aros

AMEN Ausie!

There is NO WAY on God's green earth I am slapping some non-scale 2-blade on ANY of my warbirds, end of story, period. I don't care how much more efficient they are or better top speed. Bleck.

Give me scale or give me death!

[davegee]

Thanks Dave!

You can get it at Home Depot. Everbilt 24" x 10' double reflective insulation roll. Cut to size, heat glue the edges, add duct tape or Gorilla tape to extra seal, and done! Takes minutes!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...0DRI/314983628

Great info, Todd. Thanks! Our nearest Home Depot is 90 miles away in Billings, but we do make regular pilgrimages up there for supplies, like Costco. I'll make a note to pick up a bunch which I think would work great for the B-17 wing transporting in the bed of my truck this spring.

Cheers

Davegee

[davegee]

Craig, the only dispensation I could grant you for flying a 2-blade prop might be a Mk.I Spitfire that had a fixed pitch, wood prop very early in WWII. But that didn't last long. But I agree with you, a P-51 with a two-blade prop on it just to get a bit more performance on it just doesn't work for me!

Cheers

Davegee

[edwarda10pilot]

Hi Aros. I just finished assembling and painting my Top RC P-51. I am working on getting the CG correct. Have you or anyone else flown you plane and if so, where did you set the CG?

Thanks,
Ed

[Aros]

Hi edwarda10pilot. Would love to see some photos! I do know of someone who owns a few of these models. I'll reach out to him and ask him where his CG is at. Good luck with the maiden! I plan on maidening mine probably late Spring or Summer.

[Grossman56]

EEEWWWW, two blade prop on a Mustang!?!?!
I remember having this out with the bosses when they brought out Old Crow and wouldn't supply the optional 4 blade spinner with the kit. The reason why I bought the Iron Ass version and converted it to Old Crow. Dumped a kv650 and a 85A Mantis ESC, did the zip tie mod and she flew great!


Man that was a few years ago!!

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Aros]

EEEWWWW, two blade prop on a Mustang!?!?!

A Mustang with a 2-blade is just WRONG!

[Eddie P]

Aros, do you have a maiden flight date “range” in mid so to speak? Great project!

[Aros]

Hi Eddie, no not really? Most likely sometime this Summer I would imagine?

[rclad]

All that’s left is CG and the courage to fly her.

I hear ya. Courage is definitely needed when a large investment of time and money is made.

I have a ways to go on my build, but I'm already thinking about the maiden. The simulator has been helpful for rudder practice and two wheel landings. But that only goes so far. I have plenty of experience with taildraggers but have never flown a Mustang. I've been toying with the idea of buying a foam Mustang and increasing the wing loading just to practice takeoffs and landings.

On CG I'm shooting for 180mm. AUW is creeping up with mods I made and will probably be near 33 lbs with two 6s 8000 mAh packs. That gives a WCL of 17, which is about the same as my SebArt Mini Avanti EDF jet. Definitely not a floater.

Did you get a final weight?

[Aros]

Sounds good for sure. I too am thinking of snagging a foam P-51D as a general practice bird. I have flown Mustangs before but certainly nothing this size.

Assuming the CG and throws are ideal, she should be a fairly straight forward giant scale warbird. All the videos I've seen she seems pretty docile, but of course a pilot has something to do with that as well.

I haven't gotten the AUW yet. I have a few things left to do and once I am done strengthening the inside of the fuse I will see what she is. I suspect close to yours. I'm still shooting for a Summer maiden. Time will tell!

[Eddie P]

I would definitely second the idea of getting a 6s warbird and flying the snot out of it just to keep your field routines intact. The plane doesn’t matter as much long as it’s got a relatively nicely loaded wing loading and is durable (no hangar queens).

Of course this is just my opinion. The idea… Yo’ll want to fly her at least 4 flights back to back for a few outings, the more the merrier, leading up to your maiden. That alone will better “simulate” your big day with the big bird. Simulators absolutely help finger work but they really don’t substitute for familiarity and capacity to adapt when dealing with the real immersion of distractions, environmental awareness, field situation awareness, field viewing limitations and general familiarity with your tools and charging and setup routines.

One fun “hack” of a warbird I’ve been flying the wings off lately is the Hobby King 6s Yak-11 single seat racer. It’s needs a new spinner. The stock one is terrible and not easily balanced. And some nose weight. But the rest is stock. I fly mine with a 6s 6700 HV pack and it rips. It’s also supremely simple, durable and reliable. Not to mention it is super fun to fly. It’s my cleanup bird. If a larger / more complex / more “precious” bird goes maintenance at the field, and it’s using 6s packs, this one flys them to storage charge. And many times. She just flies the extra packs before the precious birds get to, because she’s too fun to not fly. A true $300 wonder.

[Eddie P]

PS! I look forward to hearing about your maiden!