Official FMS 1400mm P-51D V8 Thread

[mikeonb4c]

Where I fly, NW Wyoming, we're 5000 feet up, so the performance is a bit different than if you live near sea level. When I took her to Muncie for NEFI a few years back, WOW, she really moved out.
I started with the stock 540kv, then tried a 580, not a lot of change, finally put the 650kv that comes stock with the P40 in her with an 85A Mantis ESC and again an improvement. If I'd gone from the 540 to the 650 I'd have noticed a great improvement. Since then, a lot of my planes are flying with the same setup. BTW, my P40 has a 6s system in it now, the same one as the FMS P47 Razorback, flies very scale although you have to update the prop and spinner, don't ask me how I know
Grossman56
Dangerous Dan)

Ha ha love that. I think I'll see how I get on with stock as this was a $260 purchase unflown and until/unless I seriously fall in love with it I don't want to be pouring money in just yet as I've got enough other planes to be fooling around with (in particular the Avios Tucano which, after modifying nosegear and engine mounting bolts should now be a durable beast, and I'm really wanting to get to know it) . But by all accounts and although its been out for some years, the P51 is a very nice flying beast, so I may well at some point make the investment you suggest. Someone has already put an 80amp ESC in the plane - do you think that'd cope with 6s power? When you're flying 6s in the P51 Mustang 1450mm what Mah capacity do you use (I'm thinking CG and flight duration as two considerations of interest)? Incidentally, I just did a density altitude calculation for 5000ft ASL if the temperature is 35C (which googling suggests it can be in NW Wyoming in summer). The answer came out at 8600ft - I can imagine just how different your warbirds might fly (and land) at an altitude like that!

[Grossman56]

Ha ha love that. I think I'll see how I get on with stock as this was a $260 purchase unflown and until/unless I seriously fall in love with it I don't want to be pouring money in just yet as I've got enough other planes to be fooling around with (in particular the Avios Tucano which, after modifying nosegear and engine mounting bolts should now be a durable beast, and I'm really wanting to get to know it) . But by all accounts and although its been out for some years, the P51 is a very nice flying beast, so I may well at some point make the investment you suggest. Someone has already put an 80amp ESC in the plane - do you think that'd cope with 6s power? When you're flying 6s in the P51 Mustang 1450mm what Mah capacity do you use (I'm thinking CG and flight duration as two considerations of interest)? Incidentally, I just did a density altitude calculation for 5000ft ASL if the temperature is 35C (which googling suggests it can be in NW Wyoming in summer). The answer came out at 8600ft - I can imagine just how different your warbirds might fly (and land) at an altitude like that!

So you're clear, my P51 has the same motor that comes in the FMS P40, namely the 650kv and I use a Mantis 85A ESC.
My P40B Warhawk (Tomahawk in the RAF) has the stock 6s system that comes in the FMS P47. A few years back some friends of mine were flying their brand new P47's at AMA HQ in Muncie, flew too close resulting in a foam plume, one plane survived but they couldn't tell who's was who, so they both continued to fly. Long story short, one loser one winner. I bought the loser's 6s motor and ESC and installed it in my P40.


Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Grossman56]

So, with the loss of BBD, I now have enough pieces to possibly put Shangrila back together. Have started in on her and making good but slow progress, always waiting for glue or paint to dry.
as you can see, she's a bit dusty where I left off a few years ago and a bunch of sanding marks as well. But the green I put on it was a good sanding base and I still have a lot of the original color, figured I'd work on the electronics first now that I have the wing attachment solved. Got the tail wheel reinstalled and found some gear doors. I had to get creative with the clam shell door as one of the pins was broken off. Got the vents reattached after sitting on the dresser for or 3 years. Scary! Like having ghosts show up, like the Tigercat was.

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Grossman56]

Got all the electronics figured out and installed, I forgo what a rat's nest these old birds were.
The last time this airplane flew was 2019 and she's sat in pieces ever since. I used her as an experimental fuse and wings to cover the deep panel lines aka Chris Wolf but as I couldn't get the wings to attach to the fuse, I thought that was the end, I just didn't have the heart to throw her out. Good thing...
Got the olive drab over the dark green and WOW, now THAT'S the way to paint, the dark green varies the O.D. color, just amazing.



The canopy is still in dark green until I mask her off. I removed it to get at the cockpit and replace the pilot. He was another misfit from the Spitfire days that Dave was going to toss out, He fits perfectly, I'll have to transfer him from the RAF to the USAAF, but that's no biggie.


Decals are on order as well as a replacement cowling ring, but the old one shows her off good enough for pictures.
Wait til the decals and the chalks are applied.
I wonder how many of these long since discontinued P51B's are still out there?

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Grossman56]

Got all the electronics figured out and installed, I forgot what a rat's nest these old birds were.
The last time this airplane flew was 2019 and she's sat in pieces ever since. I used her as an experimental fuse and wings to cover the deep panel lines aka Chris Wolf but as I couldn't get the wings to attach to the fuse, I thought that was the end, I just didn't have the heart to throw her out. Good thing...
Got the olive drab over the dark green and WOW, now THAT'S the way to paint, the dark green varies the O.D. color, just amazing.



The canopy is still in dark green until I mask her off. I removed it to get at the cockpit and replace the pilot. He was another misfit from the Spitfire days that Dave was going to toss out, He fits perfectly, I'll have to transfer him from the RAF to the USAAF, but that's no biggie.


Decals are on order as well as a replacement cowling ring, but the old one shows her off good enough for pictures.
Wait til the decals and the chalks are applied.
I wonder how many of these long since discontinued P51B's are still out there?

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[davegee]

Hi Dan: P-51 looking great! Is this going to be Col. Howard’s paint scheme?

davegee

[Grossman56]

I was seriously considering that, but the problem is that the new cowling is red (Tuskegee P51D is the only one available) and red tends to bleed through everything so to make things simple, I'll stick with Shangri-La.
Lots of cleaning up to be done. The exhaust stacks have to be reinstalled, I can't believe I kept them but hey every once in awhile, I do something right! The battery hatch always sat funny so hopefully it won't be too much of a distraction.
Me at Muncie with her.

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[davegee]

Shangri La is an excellent choice!

[Grossman56]

After looking at the pics, I think those scratches on the spine have to go!
Should be easy enough, somehow I didn't notice them until I got the O/D paint on her.

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[davegee]

After looking at the pics, I think those scratches on the spine have to go!
Should be easy enough, somehow I didn't notice them until I got the O/D paint on her.

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

That should be pretty easy to do. Myself, I would use some good sandable putty, even Tamiya Putty which comes in convenient tubes, take a credit card or similar plastic and smooth it out as you drag it across the fuselage. Let it dry reapply in any low spots, and then sand, primer, and paint. I had to do this on several spots on Hairless Joe and all those areas came out so you would never see them when finished.

Whatever technique you use, I recommend fixing things like that at this early part of the restoration. You'll thank yourself later!

Cheers

davegee

[Grossman56]

I hear you, long before decals and chalks!
Just had her outside for some shots as the sun finally came out!

A long way to go, but no rush. The red cowling just shipped from FMS and the decal will be a week at least.
Still some cracks and damage to try and fix but I'm not in any rush. The bottom is still in primer and the wheels have to be cleaned up again. The main thing is that all the electronics worked

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[davegee]

I hear you, long before decals and chalks!
Just had her outside for some shots as the sun finally came out!

A long way to go, but no rush. The red cowling just shipped from FMS and the decal will be a week at least.
Still some cracks and damage to try and fix but I'm not in any rush. The bottom is still in primer and the wheels have to be cleaned up again. The main thing is that all the electronics worked

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

Good deal! This is a perfect time to work on patching any dings or dents, primer, and paint them. I do love the earlier Mustangs without that fin/fairing on the tail.

Question:do you think you can carefully remove the broken canopy window and then come in from behind and glue a piece of good quality clear acrylic plastic from behind? Unless there is someone out in the universe willing to part with his undamaged canopy!

Cheers

davegee

[Grossman56]

I'm thinking of getting a clear plastic sheet thin enough to bend and replacing the whole section from the door, back. The canopy is actually two broken ones that I managed to combine to make one, there's a good overlap on the top as well, so that would solve the problem.
I just made a piece to fit over the dashboard to hide the gatoring. Just used some wet cardboard that was cut to shape, once dry I'll paint it and it should be good. I'm loving that pilot, he seems to be the perfect scale for this airplane, wait 'til you see!

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[davegee]

I'm thinking of getting a clear plastic sheet thin enough to bend and replacing the whole section from the door, back. The canopy is actually two broken ones that I managed to combine to make one, there's a good overlap on the top as well, so that would solve the problem.
I just made a piece to fit over the dashboard to hide the gatoring. Just used some wet cardboard that was cut to shape, once dry I'll paint it and it should be good. I'm loving that pilot, he seems to be the perfect scale for this airplane, wait 'til you see!

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

All sounds great! Really looking forward to doing a photoshoot with Hairless Joe and some inflight pics, too!

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Grossman56,
Your re-work is looking great. Funny what some guys do to ressurect a damaged model and others just pitch in the trash can. Watching intently.
Best Regards, Rex

[Grossman56]

It's the challenge to see what you can actually accomplish. Some are just too far gone, but I have several that were in the trash pile that are now flyable:



The Ghost Squadron!

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Grossman56]

Coming down the home stretch now!

Callie Graphics showed up and Dave brought the pilot and the new armor seat. Installed them and gave the decals a few coats of flat.

Starting to look like her old self, maybe better. This was the first warbird I flew and the first I attempted to 'age'. She always had that stock awful FMS pilot and the cheesy seat back/armor. Back in her younger days...
Not bad for 12 years old!
Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Davegeee]

Coming down the home stretch now!

Callie Graphics showed up and Dave brought the pilot and the new armor seat. Installed them and gave the decals a few coats of flat.

Starting to look like her old self, maybe better. This was the first warbird I flew and the first I attempted to 'age'. She always had that stock awful FMS pilot and the cheesy seat back/armor. Back in her younger days...
Not bad for 12 years old!
Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

Great pics, Dan. I like the flat clear you sprayed overall to dampen sheens on the decals. The armored seat came out well, and pilot is super for this airplane.

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Started in on some of the details, painted the guns, repainted the wheel hubs and touched up the black on the radio boxes. Still hoping to find or design a gunsight before closing up the canopy. Definitely going to swap out the floor of the battery hatch with some sheet balsa even though the pilot doesn't have legs, it'll look better than what's there now. Thanks for the wiring on the pilot Dave, greatly appreciated. I wonder if I could get away with using the same gunsight as the Corsair?

Dan