Official FlightLine 1600mm P-51D Mustang Thread

[BL_41]

3/10/26 I maiden my Flightline P-51 today. Flew for a little over 4 minutes, starting with a fully charged battery. Probably used 20-25% of the battery.
This plane came with their plug and play gyro. Flightline claims it is ready to go with this plane. There were 10-15 mph winds from the SSW, right down our runway. I decided to leave the gyro as is for this first flight. The plane was rock steady, all the way down and through the landing. The only hitch in the flight was that the plane went almost straight up after take-off. I got it under control and put all the down trim available in it. Still needed some down on the stick. I know the elevators looked level, but on close inspection they really did have a few millimeters of up.
No video, no one else flying in this weather today.


3/12/26 The gyro in my plane never showed any lights nor did it seem to respond to the TX switch assigned to it. But it was working based on ground test and the maiden flight was really smooth even in gusty winds. After that flight I got the gyro programmer from Motion RC. Connected the gyro and android device. I made no change, but the gyro lights up now. Solid green, blinking green, and off as I move the switch. Apparently that corresponds to full gyro, self leveling (it won't let you bank more than about 20deg, Thanks to Evan for that info.), and off.

I did not find the gyro app in the Apple store. It did show up in the Android store. Maybe a different name search would find it in the Apple store.

[xviper]

I did not find the gyro app in the Apple store. It did show up in the Android store. Maybe a different name search would find it in the Apple store.

Odd, mine came from the APP store. It's called "Freewing Flight Assistant". When I got it, the Android app hadn't been released yet.

[xviper]

Next time someone has this plane out and handy, could you give me the diameter of the prop base plate (next to the cowl), please. One option to inject some zest into my old FMS 1700mm P-51 is to use this new FL P-51's propeller and motor. Since the motor is a bit higher KV than what's in the FMS and the propeller seems to be much more stout (metal reinforcement plate), much higher pitch and designed to spin at the given KV. However, if the base plate is too small or too big, I'll take that option off the table. (Not that these parts are available yet anyway.)

[GliderGuy]

BL-41….
Where is your CG? Looking for clues as to the pitch-up you experienced.

Just checked my gyro…steady green and all responses to movement are correct.

Thanks,
GG

[GliderGuy]

Xviper - base plate diameter is right at 102 mm +/-
about 4 inches

-GG

[Evan D]

105mm from the other site.

NEW Flightline 1.6m P-51D - Page 7 - RC Groups

Next time someone has this plane out and handy, could you give me the diameter of the prop base plate (next to the cowl), please. One option to inject some zest into my old FMS 1700mm P-51 is to use this new FL P-51's propeller and motor. Since the motor is a bit higher KV than what's in the FMS and the propeller seems to be much more stout (metal reinforcement plate), much higher pitch and designed to spin at the given KV. However, if the base plate is too small or too big, I'll take that option off the table. (Not that these parts are available yet anyway.)

[BL_41]

Next time someone has this plane out and handy, could you give me the diameter of the prop base plate (next to the cowl), please. One option to inject some zest into my old FMS 1700mm P-51 is to use this new FL P-51's propeller and motor. Since the motor is a bit higher KV than what's in the FMS and the propeller seems to be much more stout (metal reinforcement plate), much higher pitch and designed to spin at the given KV. However, if the base plate is too small or too big, I'll take that option off the table. (Not that these parts are available yet anyway.)

Prop base plate picture with ruler - about 105mm

[xviper]

Perfect! Thanks everyone.

[BL_41]

Glider Guy - CG is right where the specs show. I just did not have elevators exactly level. And first take-off, I probably pulled the stick back a little to much. The down trim I put in during the flight definitely helped but I did not have quite enough available. I thin I have that all sorted out now. I have expo in the elevators, may increase it some.

[GliderGuy]

In case you should need it….PERFECT color match:
TAMIYA AS-6 Olive Drab (USAAF)

Amazon or TAMIYA USA websites…


-GG

[BL_41]

Odd, mine came from the APP store. It's called "Freewing Flight Assistant". When I got it, the Android app hadn't been released yet.

xviper--I found the app in the Apple Shore using that name to search. Thanks.

[BL_41]

Odd, mine came from the APP store. It's called "Freewing Flight Assistant". When I got it, the Android app hadn't been released yet.

xviper--I found the app in the Apple Store using that name to search. Thanks.

[xviper]

[nickwildman81]

Hello folks! Just waiting for the EU distribution centre to have some stock of this and it'll be entering the hangar! I tend to use the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 gyro in my aircraft. However as this one is pre-installed and tuned, should I just buy the gyro version rather than the PNP and add my own?

[Evan D]

Yes.

Hello folks! Just waiting for the EU distribution centre to have some stock of this and it'll be entering the hangar! I tend to use the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 gyro in my aircraft. However as this one is pre-installed and tuned, should I just buy the gyro version rather than the PNP and add my own?

[xviper]

Double yes.

[GliderGuy]

After some WINDY/GUSTY F-4 flying, it calmed down about 7:10 PM CDT.

I set the P-51 up by the manual and flew with an Admiral 6000 mAh pack.

PIREP after 3 flights…
My hats off to Flightline designers and testers and factory folks! This bird is as close to PERFECTION as you can get-in my opinion. It is the best flying bird I have. Added 2 right aileron clicks and 4 down trim clicks after the first pattern.
Tips….
Yep hold a little right rudder as you slowly bring up the power.
- Wheel land it with about 15% power…she will drop in if you get slow. Full flaps were used.
- No flaps needed on take-off.
- The position lights are AWESOME…very bright and easy to see.
- Gyro mode = normal / solid green light.
- 6 min at 1/2 power cruising about the pattern leaves 3.95V in the cells
-Easy to see
-I decided to put an RF choke on the battery lines near the ESC and one on the throttle line near the ESC AND I glued the ESC to the floor.
- It’s not necessary to pull the battery tray all the way out to change batteries. That simplifies this procedure.
-She held straight after landing and behaved well on the bounced landing I made.

I can see leaving it on high rate all the time…after a few more flights.

Bye for now. Gotta pack up and go eat.

SOOOOO pleased with this bird. I can’t stress that enough. Immediately (30 sec) into the maiden flight, your brain says, “AAAHHHH relax and enjoy!”

-GG

[Evan D]

Congrats!

[Aros]

Always appreciate your breakdowns GliderGuy. I am very much looking forward to adding this one to my hangar in the Spring!

[davegee]

Always appreciate your breakdowns GliderGuy. I am very much looking forward to adding this one to my hangar in the Spring!

I agree with Aros, Gliderguy. I like your reviews and expertise, especially on new airplanes. I plan on getting one of these later this year. I have had 3 E-Flite P-51Ds and I think they fly similarly to what you describe with the new FL P-51, but I also think takeoffs and landings won't be quite as difficult or "sporty" with the FL P-51D. I"ve sold or retired all of the E-Flite P-51s so a FL P-51 sounds like just what I want!

Cheers

davegee