Official FlightLine 1600mm P-51D Mustang Thread

[Glazier808]

Dozen more flights today, man it just keeps getting better!

I couldn’t charge batteries fast enough lol

Love this plane!

[nuts-n-volts]

Assuming you want to turn a scale prop, (wider chord, longer blades), you would need to go to a much higher capacity (amp draw/more weight/higher ESC) on the 390kV on 6s or get a motor around 300kV or below for 8s. No, I have not done the math - simply guessing. The pitch would have to be pretty high on the lower Kv to get the speed right with the lower revs and that means you may need a longer runway compared with what you got due to a slower acceleration. You probably would not be able to use the stock spinner, which makes it a bit harder for the right look. You could pull off the prop looks as an Aero Products, maybe with a Beila?, or another brand. All that said, good luck finding a scale, cuffed Hamilton at 19" diameter!

And if you're really going for looks, you must straighten out the motor mount, and cowling, as no P-51 or any other WWII fighter had right thrust. This would also mean a gyro on the rudder as most folks are not fast or accurate enough with right corrections to keep a big prop straight. I did these mods with the FlightLine Corsair. I'm still considering trying it on the Mustang... sorta! I enjoy flying it more right now. Good luck!

[xviper]

Besides the picture posted above, The official Freewing site states 390kv, RC Castle states 390kv. The manual for this plane states 390kv. This is the same motor that is in the 1600mm Spitfire (390kv), which is the one I ordered to put into my FMS 1700mm P-51. I think MRC simply transposed the number wrong. Given all this information, I believe that 390kv IS correct.

[nuts-n-volts]

OK. Just remember, this is with a light in my mouth and holding a mirror and the phone camera. So, backwards and upside-down. 390

[marty 72]

I saw that, doesn't mean it's correct. Has anyone verified by looking at the actual motor?

[GliderGuy]

Spare parts list this…
-GG

[marty 72]

Has anyone who has the plane confirmed that it is operated with a 5055 390 Kv motor? Or is it the 340kv? The documentation is still conflicting.

[nuts-n-volts]

I looked like a native. The worst was getting under a Beechcraft 1300 wing to unload the baggage pod. Don't even touch the ground with any skin! Gloves and knee pads mandatory! ...and that damn fuel vent sticking down from the wing!

[Glazier808]

I’ll give it a shot!, if nothing else the steam coming off it will look cool🤣🤣🤣

man, I know you still have a tan from that job😎🤣

[nuts-n-volts]

Nuts….

all those things help but here in Vegas we have 120° plus summers. It won’t help for long with days like that. The best thing you can do here anyways, is keep the plane covered and out of the sun… we were about 90° last weekend and I noticed that after about a half hour in the sun, there was some light gatoring starting…

You may note my 1st sentence... And, I know what you mean. I lived in Bullhead City for three years working the flightline for Mesa Air. - 133*

I keep them out of the sun, period. But, when I want to fly, I spray 'em down. It works better then flyin' dry.

[Glazier808]

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8bmbuMQ/

buttery smooth landing

[Glazier808]

Nuts….

all those things help but here in Vegas we have 120° plus summers. It won’t help for long with days like that. The best thing you can do here anyways, is keep the plane covered and out of the sun… we were about 90° last weekend and I noticed that after about a half hour in the sun, there was some light gatoring starting…

[nuts-n-volts]

Gatoring... Try a simple water spray bottle before you take her out from the shade. Just lightly spray the whole upper surfaces. I also vent the cockpit forward and aft to get the air moving thru it. When in the air (and sun), with no air movement, the cockpit will gator. Take your pick to vent the outside or inside. I try to figure to least obtrusive and most air movement.

[davegee]

I 100% agree!!! Once on the sticks, your brain says ENJOY! Absolutely a joy to fly!

-GG

This is really great news coming from experienced warbird pilots like yourself and others who have chimed in with their pilot reports for this airplane. These reports are informative and helpful.
I had 3 of the E-Flite 1500mm P-51Ds that I modified to early model Ds without the tail fillet on the vertical fin. Flew great once it was in the air, but the airplane had some tough piloting issues for takeoffs and landings. I never crashed it, but didn't feel that comfortable with it, either, for takeoffs and landings sometimes. Getting 3.5" Robarts to replace the hard OEM wheels was a big help, though. My last one I retired after 100 flights, that was good enough for me.

I might just go with a stock kit that Flightline offers, but I might play around with it some to make an early model D because I really like the way that it looks. But I am sure I am in the market for this aircraft kit as soon as I free up some room for it in my shop!

[Glazier808]

Personally after about 12 flights, I’ve went to no flap landings on the mains. Amazed at how “floaty” it still is without the flaps, but for me this is the perfect setup for a nice scale rollout without (most) of the ground loop effects… you still need to be rudder proficient, but this plane reacts gently enough that it’s quite easy to catch.

with that said I’m really loving the scale wheel landings with a nice straight rollout down the length of the runway. Finishes with a nice little gentle drop of the tail with very little control loss in transition.
Makes for some great looking landings!

I also wanted to add that I have the FMS 1700 mm P 51, I absolutely loved the way it flew, (already sold to another club member and had its re-maiden today) But there were a few things about it that I did not like

I feel like everything I thought needed improved has been done on this new P 51

Real Hinged surfaces
Plug-in wings
Better speed, great power!
The landing gear has to be seen to be believed
Oil dampened gear…. It actually dampens like full scale
A real life honest to God good looking pilot that’s the right scale for the plane!

there’s plenty of other things that I like as well, but that’s more of a personal preference not a reflection on how the plane is built or how it flies

I love the OD green🤙🏽LOVE IT!
I almost repainted my FMS in this exact scheme thank God I didn’t have to do that🤣

but note to all… i’m flying out of Las Vegas and we’ve had some pretty warm weather here and I already noticed some gatoring due to its dark coloration, Not too bad but a little, so I’ve started to cover my plane as I go out now cause I know it’s only gonna get hotter here in Vegas

[GliderGuy]

I 100% agree!!! Once on the sticks, your brain says ENJOY! Absolutely a joy to fly!

-GG

[Glazier808]

Another great day of flying! Got around 6 more flights today and I can’t say enough about how amazing this thing flys! Landings make you look sooo good lol.

We’ll it flies so good, that I had to let a couple of other club members take the sticks, cause they couldn’t believe how well this thing handled. They both walked away saying, “I’m not buying this plane tonight. I’m not buying this plane tonight. I’m not buying this plane tonight.” Lol

good luck with that!

love it!

[Aros]

6 flights on her…rather limited opportunities due to windy conditions. Having to wait until almost sunset for the wind to lay enough to be comfortable. Admiral 6S 6000 mAh battery…
Subjective Observations:
- 7 minutes at 1/2 throttle consistently leaves 3.96 volts in each cell. At 1/2 throttle, I bet she’ll go 10 min possibly longer!
- Definitely full rate control setting feels better.
- I’m finding 1/2 flaps on take-off gets you in the air quicker…feels better.
- More throttle on final with full flap is a surprise discovery. Coming in with more power lets you settle her on more easily. 5 clicks of throttle like the AL37 seem to feel about right.
- The landings are sooooo easy to make good ones.
Definitely loving this bird!

-GG

Love your input! I just sold a couple planes to make room and to pay for this one. She looks and sounds like a real beauty. FlightLine does it again!

[GliderGuy]

6 flights on her…rather limited opportunities due to windy conditions. Having to wait until almost sunset for the wind to lay enough to be comfortable. Admiral 6S 6000 mAh battery…
Subjective Observations:
- 7 minutes at 1/2 throttle consistently leaves 3.96 volts in each cell. At 1/2 throttle, I bet she’ll go 10 min possibly longer!
- Definitely high rate control setting feels better.
- I’m finding 1/2 flaps on take-off gets you in the air quicker…feels better.
- More throttle on final with full flap is a surprise discovery. Coming in with more power lets you settle her on more easily. 5 clicks of throttle like the AL37 seem to feel about right.
- The landings are sooooo easy to make good ones.
Definitely loving this bird!

-GG

[spanner76]

Got my order in, now the wait for it to arrive to Australia..