Official FlightLine 1600mm P-51D Mustang Thread

[Elbee]

Never an issue removing or installing blades. To me that is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

[Evan D]

Never an issue removing or installing blades. To me that is a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

[Elbee]

https://www.amazon.com/MIERE-Surgical-Blade-Remover-Unit/dp/B0GN4M9JGS?crid=AR7QDN4CAKLX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rPwwxVCX8XNyrByadKG6Uu2BgWIN2jcvphnZvVlimlhGOIQTCeFX2wDZL4-HdODvZ98sbAkPlQrVL4BVTWyNKEeQTG5tbaRpV1x_i139lOhKSZtg4YE5lAInbMYpVwRKJfLWegFVIVVf1PgItbCguorWwsLIuw68p8u7t8r-bELFzGJOje50oTnUIrM5VlPFz1vV0YMk5Pedu18SIvHPxGgJjD_N9liggkji5Qvlt2c.t2G-EzcRcZhpeEGTu5Bsb1gvq0bUAl8RSOiBpFZeWp4&dib_tag=se&keywords=scalpel+blade+removal+tool&qid=1781010711&sprefix=scapel+blade+removal+tool%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-6

davegee

Make sure you pick up a blade removal tool.

Removing a used blade without one is an accident waiting to happen.

I sound like my Mom, but I have sliced a layer or two off trying to remove the blades with it.

Best, LB

[davegee]

Hi Rex: I’m going to buy those surgical blades on
Amszon and try them out. Will report back.

I’m reminded when I was 10 years old I was cutting a pumpkin for a jack o lantern and slipped on a soft spot and cut my ring and little finger on my left hand. Severed the tendon on my little finger and damaged the one on my ring finger. Spent a week on my back with my arm in traction! To this day, I’m mindful of that whenever I pick up a sharp object 60 years later!

cheers

davegee

[Evan D]

Yes. We have a group here interested in it. A-7 or A-4… I worked on both but not sure I’d be interested but then the C model Lightning II really doesn’t either. A VTOL B absolutely.

Hey Evan D,
You going to consider the new FW F-35? Lots of money. I'd like a large 110mm fan A-7 Corsair II.
Still modifying my FW F-4

Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

Hey Evan D,
You going to consider the new FW F-35? Lots of money. I'd like a large 110mm fan A-7 Corsair II.
Still modifying my FW F-4

Best Regards, Rex

[Evan D]

The numbering (#11 or #10, etc) that Xacto and surgical blades use is the shape of the blades. A surgical #11 and Xacto #11 are both triangular blades with a straight cutting edge. The surgical blades are stainless, very thin, slightly flexible and extremely sharp.

[jetfool]

Davegee,
I use x-acto #11 blades also, but these scalpel blades are 100 times sharper. I only use them for special cuts; afraid I'll cut my finger off. For foam they are great.
My buddy who is a retired Dr. says he uses a Kevlar glove on his opposite hand when cutting balsa just for safety

Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

I have been using handles I got in the military 40+ years ago and blades I buy on line. A box of 100 lasts about 20 years. I prefer the #11 blades.

Amazon.com: 21PCS 20 Scalpel Blades with #11 Scalpels Surgical Sterile Blades Including 1 Handle,Laboratory Blade-Lab Knives- Carving Blades with Handle-Art Blades Practicing Cutting-Crafts & More… : Industrial & Scientific

Evan,

I just found that the Chine$e blades and even the brand name X-acto blades are just not as quality as those used to be.

No biggie, I bought a box of 100 X-acto #11s about a year ago and the the tips are not that sharp or are the tips always completely symmetrical.

Even fresh, most of these tore paper at the tip when cutting out graphics and decals.

I will say those worked okay for cutting foam, just not very accurate on other things.

I have a box of Hobbico brand #11s from the 90's that are better than OEM X-acto #11 I bought last year.

Maybe a got a bad batch, but I still doubt whether X-acto OEM are made here and a poor Q&A issue is in eye of the beholder. .

Just my experience of late.

Best, LB

[Davegeee]

I have been using handles I got in the military 40+ years ago and blades I buy on line. A box of 100 lasts about 20 years. I prefer the #11 blades.

Amazon.com: 21PCS 20 Scalpel Blades with #11 Scalpels Surgical Sterile Blades Including 1 Handle,Laboratory Blade-Lab Knives- Carving Blades with Handle-Art Blades Practicing Cutting-Crafts & More… : Industrial & Scientific

I agree, Evan. I use almost exlusively the #11 blades, probably have for 40 years or more.

Cheers

Davegee

[Evan D]

I have been using handles I got in the military 40+ years ago and blades I buy on line. A box of 100 lasts about 20 years. I prefer the #11 blades.

Amazon.com: 21PCS 20 Scalpel Blades with #11 Scalpels Surgical Sterile Blades Including 1 Handle,Laboratory Blade-Lab Knives- Carving Blades with Handle-Art Blades Practicing Cutting-Crafts & More… : Industrial & Scientific

[Davegeee]

Davegee,
looking good. I bought some scalpels off Amazon for $12. Best tool for cutting clean lines in foam I have ever made. I handle these with care! Didn't know if you use them.
Best Regards, Rex

Hi Rex: what is the official name given to them on the Amazon website? I'll order some and give them a try.

Thanks

Davegee

[Elbee]

...bought some scalpels

The only issue I've ever had with scalpels is the brittleness.

Side loads can break the blade and zing it across the bench.

Less expensive in the long run than #11 X-actos and sorry to say it, but better quality, too.

Great tip, Rex.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Davegee,
looking good. I bought some scalpels off Amazon for $12. Best tool for cutting clean lines in foam I have ever made. I handle these with care! Didn't know if you use them.
Best Regards, Rex

[Davegeee]

I made some progress on the P-51D makeover during the weekend. Still working on refinishing the vertical stab (minus the foam fairing that was amputated by razor saw) and will be painting it today, probably.

I'll attach a couple of pics of the fuselage and wing redo, spraying silver paint where the grey parts were. This is a version (paint scheme) that was a little later than the scheme MRC has on their Mustangs, with the exception that the first D bubbletop models that came to the unit did not yet have the fairing installed on the vertical fin. These "finless" models were later field modified with kits that came from NA in California when they discovered the controllability problems cutting down the spine on P-51s and P-47s. The aluminum fairing seemed to fix the problem. The P-47 used a smaller, longer fairing that extended from the vertical fin to near where the bubbletop canopy stops when it is fully open.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

Davegee,

Take your time. Remember it's about the journey when you modify and create a new masterpiece.

Best Regards, Rex

Rex,

Sage advice, my friend.

I organize all my ideas by how happy I'd be if it worked.

The process then becomes a pleasure to wake up to every day.

Works for me.

Best, Steve

[Davegeee]

Davegee,

Take your time. Remember it's about the journey when you modify and create a new masterpiece.

Best Regards, Rex

Wise words, Rex. I'm methodically going over all the changes to make on this airplane. It is complicated, and I have to be very careful in masking to be sure it comes out right. Going to my local Sherwin Williams this morning with the rudder so that they can do a color match for all the OD paints that will remain on the topside of the airplane. Most everything else below that will be NMF. Shouldn't be overly difficult, but definitely time consumng.

Hope you get some flights on your Lucky when the weather is appropriate. I heard third-hand that there is talk that we might be able to resurface our runway, which if true, would be a godsend! Have to wait to confirm if that is actually true, or not.

I'm making plans to go to Washington, DC for a peek preview on June 28 of most of the new galleries that will be opening on July 1 at the NASM. I can see some of my handiwork and how all that turned out. I especially want to see the new WWII exhibit which has about 15 diecast 1/72 scale B-17s hanging from the ceiling on threaded rods in a "combat box" formation. I shipped them to the museum in the summer of 2023, so it's been a while. Also there are two plastic models of a Mustang III and Me-163 Komet I'm looking forward to seeing. There are still about two or three galleries that will open later this summer, not quite done yet. Will take pics!

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Davegee,

Take your time. Remember it's about the journey when you modify and create a new masterpiece.

Best Regards, Rex

[Davegeee]

Great News, Davegee. Looking forward to the mods. As well as the Corsair was constructed is the P-51 light years ahead in improvements?
My club mate has been flying the heck out of his FMS P-47 so when the winds calm down I will start flying mine. They can't all be hanger queens. LOL

Best Regards, Rex

Hi Rex: The Flightline Corsair was and is a great rc model. I have had mine since 2019 and it has been great. I flew it 4 times the other day, just a few minor glitches that were easily corrected, like one of the flap sets on one of the wings did not extend for landing, so it flew a bit goofy until I got it on the ground to find out what the cause was. After playing with it a bit and a few more flap cycling on the ground, it worked again. Go figure...

The new P-51D I am still learning about but it does have a lot of improvements like the wing extensions and the push button locks, although I have heard a few complaints about them. When I get to that point, I'll see what is going on with them.

Flying wise, you've probably read in HS numerous glowing reoports about it being a stable flyer not subject to some wild takeoff and landing rollouts, like what the EFlite 1.5M plane has, for instance.

I'll be sure to post any good or bad points that I see as I put this thing together. I have several mods that I plan to do, including the cockpit area, so it will take awhile. But I'm looking forward to eventually flying it, for sure!

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Great News, Davegee. Looking forward to the mods. As well as the Corsair was constructed is the P-51 light years ahead in improvements?
My club mate has been flying the heck out of his FMS P-47 so when the winds calm down I will start flying mine. They can't all be hanger queens. LOL

Best Regards, Rex