Official FMS 1400mm P-51D V8 Thread

[FLY BOY]

Hey Guys, I have made an interesting discovery. I recently upgraded my P51 motor to the KV650 from the P40, Only to find out I made the wrong choice. I'm now using the KV650 motor from the the T28 Trojan V4 instead. The why is the Trojan motor will handle 4-6s batt packs. I can run a 6s when I feel the need for speed on a stock 70amp ESC. Check out the T28 V4 specs. I dont know how I missed this before. I posted a video in the RC Comm FB page. The speed is incredible! Pocket radar clocked a top speed of 140mph, and with an average speed of 133mph. WOW!!!!! I am using though the 3 blade prop and and spinner from the P40 as it offers better cooling because the nose cone is vented, and keeps the prop thrust in the area spec of the T28. Plus it closes the gap a lot better between the spinner and fuse. Food for thought from the PNW

[Elbee]

version 6, wow, that's a keeper in that its probably getting rare!
Mine is a V-8. I didn't glue the wings together but in hindsight it's probably a good idea although if you have to replace a servo, it may be easier if you can pull the wings apart, can't remember, it's been a while since I had mine apart. Mine has the stock wing setup and I have never had any problems (touch wood) with just the stock carbon fiber rod. After the first year, I replaced all the control surface servos (except the rudder) with metal gear servos and did the power upgrade to a 580, it was a bit better so I eventually went the 650kv when it came out with the P-40 and that was a great match. Since then, I've flown her for 5 years and never a lick of trouble doing sport aerobatics. I did lose my P-51B after the major rebuild, but she just didn't feel right and I suspect something in the wiring as she just wasn't happy in the air as she used to be. Still hoping for a Freewing P-51B with a Malcom hood, maybe in the colors of Major James Howard, CMH winner as well as ex Flying Tiger member

The airplane is the famous "Ding Hao!', shown here when she still had the stock canopy. I would love to see a line of airplanes depicted in the CMH recipients colors, it would be a cool tribute.

Grossman56

GM, Kudos for photo. I bought the Jim Meister 'Master-Scale' Ding Ho kit back in the 80's. sadly, lost it during the marital readjustment of 2008-11. A campaign for a Flightline 1600 mm "B" model with a 'Malcolm Hood' option would be worthy, I would think. And yes, CMH Recipient Liveries would be quite cool. Loring's P-80, Davis's F-86, Day's Anything, there are more than 15 Air Force pilots and certainly many other pilots from other services. Great idea. Best, LB

[Grossman56]

version 6, wow, that's a keeper in that its probably getting rare!
Mine is a V-8. I didn't glue the wings together but in hindsight it's probably a good idea although if you have to replace a servo, it may be easier if you can pull the wings apart, can't remember, it's been a while since I had mine apart. Mine has the stock wing setup and I have never had any problems (touch wood) with just the stock carbon fiber rod. After the first year, I replaced all the control surface servos (except the rudder) with metal gear servos and did the power upgrade to a 580, it was a bit better so I eventually went the 650kv when it came out with the P-40 and that was a great match. Since then, I've flown her for 5 years and never a lick of trouble doing sport aerobatics. I did lose my P-51B after the major rebuild, but she just didn't feel right and I suspect something in the wiring as she just wasn't happy in the air as she used to be. Still hoping for a Freewing P-51B with a Malcom hood, maybe in the colors of Major James Howard, CMH winner as well as ex Flying Tiger member

The airplane is the famous "Ding Hao!', shown here when she still had the stock canopy. I would love to see a line of airplanes depicted in the CMH recipients colors, it would be a cool tribute.

Grossman56

[rckruser]

I hear you, for grass it's probably the better way to go. I just wanted that big scale fidelity prop so inherited the same problems as the full scale. I've never tried flying her off grass but I did install some Dave Browns that were slightly larger, but still retracted, the difference was amazing!
Still waiting for the 1600 mm FlightLine F8F, (HINT HINT!!)

Grossman56

Gman,
It looks like my Petie 2nd is a version 6. I've been reading on RCG where the wings are too flexible and the pilots have been performing a "one piece wing" mod and adding carbon fiber to the wings. Any experience with this? Still waiting on the new motor from FMS.

FYI the Bearcat went from 488W to 702 Watts with the new power system. Can't wait to try it.

Bernie

[Grossman56]

I hear you, for grass it's probably the better way to go. I just wanted that big scale fidelity prop so inherited the same problems as the full scale. I've never tried flying her off grass but I did install some Dave Browns that were slightly larger, but still retracted, the difference was amazing!
Still waiting for the 1600 mm FlightLine F8F, (HINT HINT!!)

Grossman56

[rckruser]

You'll be pleased!!
With my Bearcat, I used the same 650kv power system with the same 85A ESC and installed the 1400 mm FMS Corsair prop in front, incredible airplane, literally unlimited vertical.

Gman,
I went with the FL recommended 3648-880kv w/12x6 2-Blade (scale blasphemy I know I'll paint the wing tips yellow). Two reasons:
1. I read on another forum that the 14x8 prop is tough to fly from grass. I did some measurements. With the plane near horizontal there is only 1.375 inches from the prop tip to the ground. Our field is cut to .75" and gets to 1.3" between cuts. Just a little error on takeoff/landing and I'd be cutting grass i.e probable hard noseover.
2. $47 versus over $100.

Bernie

[Grossman56]

You'll be pleased!!
With my Bearcat, I used the same 650kv power system with the same 85A ESC and installed the 1400 mm FMS Corsair prop in front, incredible airplane, literally unlimited vertical.

Grossman56

[rckruser]

Thanks OV10 and Gman,

I ordered everything today. Hopefully I'll be in business in a week or so. I ordered the motor direct from FMS. Never dealt with them before.

I also ordered the speed upgrade for my FL F8F Bearcat 1.2m.

Bernie

[Grossman56]

Oh yeah, that's right, I keep forgetting about the prop shaft. If you don't change it out the spinner sticks out
Look at Old Crow with the stock prop shaft and My Little Gal with the new one, takes care of the gap.

Grossman56

[OV10]

Thanks Gman,

I already ordered the motor from Activepowersports.com, Backordered for now. Already ordered the ESC from MRC. Thanks for the heads up on the mount. Plenty of time until the field is rolled in April.

If worst comes to worst I'll make my own mount. I Crashed my EF P-51 1.2m last year and broke the motor mount. It was back ordered so I made my own out of 1/8th lexan from Home Depot. !40+ flights on it and the smoothest (quietest) plane I fly.

By the way "Paint Your Wagon" is a great movie.

Bernie

Your also gonna need the prop shaft from the FMS 1400 F3A Olympus in order to keep the appropriate cowl to spinner spacing.
See my lengthy post # 1245 where I discuss the two most popular power upgrades and provide the links for the motor shaft.

[rckruser]

Thanks Gman,

I already ordered the motor from Activepowersports.com, Backordered for now. Already ordered the ESC from MRC. Thanks for the heads up on the mount. Plenty of time until the field is rolled in April.

If worst comes to worst I'll make my own mount. I Crashed my EF P-51 1.2m last year and broke the motor mount. It was back ordered so I made my own out of 1/8th lexan from Home Depot. !40+ flights on it and the smoothest (quietest) plane I fly.

By the way "Paint Your Wagon" is a great movie.

Bernie

[Grossman56]

Quick, fix that!!

http://www.fmsmodel.com/fms-motor-4258-kv650-predator

http://www.fmsmodel.com/fmsdj014-motor-mount

https://www.motionrc.com/collections/airplane-and-helicopter-escs/products/ztw-mantis-85a-esc-with-5a-sbec

And you're in business

Grossman56

[rckruser]

Thanks guys.
Just looked under the hood. It's only a 4250-500kv motor. Ouch!!

Bernie

[Grossman56]

http://www.fmsmodel.com/fms-1400mm-p-51d-v8-red-tail-pnp

Here's the link to the page, you'll see the tab for the manual there, just download it.

Grossman56

[handyman220]

Go to FMS models they are still selling the Mustang. You can access the manual there. Not much difference between the V7 vs the V8 manual. I think the inner gear doors closing with the gear extended was the big change.

[rckruser]

I just picked up a FMS P-51D 1450mm Petie 2 at the Dayton RC swap meet. I think it is a V7 as it has no battery tray or inner LG doors. It's in great shape. The seller said it only had 10 flights on it and it looks it. I've been searching the web to find an owners manual but have had no luck. Does anyone know where I can get one?

Thank in advance,

Bernie

[Grossman56]

I've tried the Varathane and Minwax, so far my hands down favorite is the Spar Urethane

It comes in Clear Gloss but the can looks the same, got it from Lowes. For the glossiest finish, apply it with a brush, probably four coats (the extra weight is minimal, its water based) letting each coat dry overnight. Conversely, if you're going for a flatter duller finish, spray it on. The best Matte finish, in my opinion is the Minwax Matte, which I could only find on line.

Grossman56

[Butchn]

Just ordered some - thanks for the information!

[xviper]

Just wondering out loud here ... is the Varathane the thing to do and why?

Varathane, MinWax, Mod Podge - the purpose of all of these is to seal the foam, paint and decals. This reduces damage from handling, hanger rash, exposure to the elements, fingerprints and dents. Which one you use is a matter of personal taste. MinWax is thin, goes on easily but might need 2 or 3 coats to get the protection you want. Mod Podge is like a paste glue, goes on white, dries clear but can show streaks if put on too thick. I've only used Varathane on furniture but if I recall correctly, it's a bit on the thick side and could do with some thinning before applying onto a model foam plane - drying time is a bit longer if not thinned out. Mod Podge and MinWax can be dry to touch in less than an hour - doesn't need to be thinned. I don't do it to all of my models, only ones that are harder to keep nice looking due to their color scheme and the type of foam used.
I didn't do it for my FMS 1450mm P-51 V8. Wish I did.

[Butchn]

Just wondering out loud here ... is the Varathane the thing to do and why?