Theres no introduction needed for this plane,the P51 is iconic,here is my scratch built version.
BTW this is a big article :P
The painted one is mine,the other I built for my mate,paint scheme to be finalised but I think he is edging towards this paint scheme so should be quite cool :) .....
Anyway,I've already done an article prior to this one covering the story this far so onto the build as promised.
I build using a heavier and denser board from DTFB,I'm guessing from what I've read on the forums that its similar to Elmars FB.It's from Hobbycraft,5mm thick and is virtually impossible too remove the paper without destroying the board.It's far more robust and durable but it is considerably heavier.
The build pictures are from the painted version shown above,the white one,has already gone through some changes in the build method and it shows,it flies better than mine ....typical :(.
This was never going to be a swappable plane,I designed this to be more scale looking and too hold much larger motors including if wished ,doubling up the batteries.We've tested the white one with 2 x 2200mah 3s...it was interesting :).I've flown mine with 2 x 1800mah 3s much to my delight they both fly beautifully.
Being built as they are,cooling was a concern so where ever I could,I allowed for venting,the White one with the spinner off gives an incredible noise from a steep dive :) big smiles that day .
Fuselage
formers and battery box
fuselage sides and motor
assembled....
motor installation
battery hatch
doubler for wing seat
joining the 2...
tail
verticle stab and ruder,doubled of course ;)
elevator
fitted
servos,esc and wing mount
if you read the last article you will know I had a failure with the control snakes I used which resulted in a crash,I went back to a tried and tested method,a pushrod,only I used 3mm carbon rod with adjustable clevices.
rear turtle deck....lots of 50% cuts required too allow a smooth curve
front cowling again with the 50% cuts and some careful shaping
trusty pink insulation foam....I love that stuff :)
air scoop reinforcement
yep....pink foam :)
a couple shots of the white one with some modifications,mainly in the motor mount area too allow for additional cooling
I also added wooden reinforcement too the fuselage sides
sisters....
Wings
main rib
removable servo mounts
flap and aileron servo access
ready for paint
some in flight pictures.....and my buddy :)
and a couple of videos
http://youtu.be/RwTJoUp1szk
http://youtu.be/URjMfs0OpQo
So there you have it folks,my P51-B,about a year in the making but it was worth it,I'm quite rightly happy with her,they both fly beautifully altho mine has a slower roll rate than my mates but I can live with that,I'm just trying too enjoy flying her altho,a typical scratch builder that I am,I'm already planning my next build ;-) and further refinements too this bird.
Thats it from me for now folks,please rate and feel free too comment or ask any questions.
Cheers
Scottie
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