400 Series P-51 Build

[Mitch]

Don't be too hard on yourself, I think the model looks GREAT! ALL my models have flaws. Now you know the challenge to make a Guillow kit LIGHT. Even these lazer cut kits are too heavy. I believe it is because Guillows makes these kits for Multiple Purpose. For Static Display it does not matter. With an .049 gas engine it would be fine. For RUBBER, you can remove a lot of wood, and still have a structurally sound model. I am still trying to LIGHTEN the models.
Videos... What I did is download to YouTube then post that link on this site. The link will show and viewers of the post will just click the link and be able to watch the video! Good Flying! Mitch

[jpuke]

http://youtu.be/G68sdy9ciJM
http://youtu.be/XFC1HAY9D38
http://youtu.be/_MP-HDJbNVY
http://youtu.be/9tqLArvN20g
http://youtu.be/zJD-214a3yA

Here's a few videos (filmed by my kids) of some of my test glides yesterday. It looks like it will do OK if I can get enough power.

[Goldy]

Seems like you had it just about perfect on the first glide. Nice looking build!
I've always wanted to try modifying one of these to resemble the P51A or P51B...maybe one of these days.

[Mitch]

I really liked the "woah hooo" in the Test Glide 1. Test Glide 5... do NOT try to throw the model skyward, as you learned. I know it is tempting. That is how my Mustang and FW 190 broke under full power. They will quickly run out of speed and stall, and not have enough airspace to recover, but enough to cause damage. When things are just right the model will climb on its own, when under full power. LOOKING GOOD! Mitch

[jpuke]

The hootin' and hollerin' is my kids' contribution to the project. They were just excited to be filming something. I think there's even an art to doing the test glides, I never tried to send any skyward but it happened and you can see me run as if I'd be able to catch it.

Here's the best one of the night, it even pulls up near the end.
http://youtu.be/TIIRdbUbL9o

I ordered some stuff from starlink-flitetech (blast tubes, T-hooks) and if it gets here today, I'll have some flying to do over this weekend.

[Steve Blanchard]

Very nice! Please note that pulling up near the end is not normally a good thing. It usually shows signs of stalling. The glide should be straight and clean which for the most part is what is going on with your model. Great job on the build and the finish. I really like it. It shows a bit of right turn tendency in the glide. Watch out for spiraling in when you get it up in the air after power runs out. Definitely put some down and left thrust into the nose when you put rubber in it.

Looking forward to powered flight videos.

Steve

[Scott]

Very nice.

[Bus23sDriver]

Very nice looking model

[jpuke]

Thanks for the compliments, unfortunately, flight attempts this weekend taught me a new acronym: FPFF
First Powered Flight FAILURE!!!

I went out on the 4th with my kids and a bunch of family that was in town and was going to attempt some short (250-500 winds) powered flights. I gave it some downthrust and gently tossed it forward only to see it nosedive within 15 feet, crush the end of the spinner I had worked so hard on, bend the prop shaft, break the balsa opening for the nose - and all that combined to let the crocket hook on the prop shaft come free so the motor sprung back to the motor peg and began tearing up the tissue.
No tears, kind of funny that it went SO badly so quickly.

On a side note, I'm not sure what to think of my kids. They like to fly the airplanes but they're even more happy when they break enough that I can't fly them anymore. My oldest was particularly pleased because it was "his turn" to get the carcass to play with so the giant P-51 went to him.

I already started on a 200% blown-up version of the 500 series Hellcat. I'll get a thread posted on that sometime soon.

[CedarBranchFisher]

I am currently building a 400 series P-51. Glad I found your post. I'm getting ready to apply the tissue and am debating the Elmer's/Alcohol/water spray. What did you use? Thanks for any help.