HOB P-51 Mustang

[sundogue]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and not sure where to post this.

I am new to all of this. Years ago I flew RC planes with my friends and I am an expert with flight simulators and have flown real airplanes with friends that are pilots, but...

I am new to building RC planes from scratch and my son wanted to build one for a fair project. He wanted a model airplane (balsa), but also one that could be flown. While I realize that low wing planes lack the stabilization of high wing planes, our love of military aircraft led us to get a P-51 Mustang electric from House of Balsa (1:10 scale model).

However, there are a lot of parts not included in this kit. Is there a place that has ALL of the necessary parts in one place? I've found various parts on various sites, but none seem to have all the parts I need.

Also, it is quite confusing as to what really is needed. Just when I think I have found what I need, it seems there are still more parts to acquire. Isn't there some kind of retro-kit available that has all the necessary things to finish this plane off to get it to fly once it is built? It's the terminology of the parts that is confusing at this point. OK, I need servos...found them...but then what extension connectors do I need and will they work with what I already found, etc.?

Keep in mind, I understand flight, and I am an inventor, designer, an artist and nothing about this new hobby puts me off or worries me. I just need some pointers as to where to find all the necessary parts...and what goes with what.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

[MINIRCPLANES]

Hello Mark and welcome to the hobby!!!

You have experienced one of the great challenges we have in model building. Since there are so many choices of equipment you can use, it becomes harder and harder to find a supplier that carries everything YOU need for your particular model. And usually when everything is included in the combo purchase, the performance from the model is not that great.

I routinely find myself ordering from two, even three sources for any new project I undertake. Also, visiting my local hobby shop for the usual supplies (e.g. Glue, Fuel Tanks, Misc Hardware, etc.). Dont forget to visit your supermarket for Wax Paper to protect your plan while building. I can keep going, basically it becomes a scavanger hunt. Don't get discouraged! :D

My best advice is to do your research. Forums like these are a great start and provide you valuable information about what other folks have done. Recently I saw in the BackYard Flyer magazine several suggestions of setups that work. So check out the magazines. Also visit your local flying field. The folks there will be able to steer you in the right track and explain what the terminology means. Just keep reading and networking and you will find the answers.

What Radio and Servos are you thinking about using? Futaba, JR, Hitec, other?

Also, I think that Norvel engines are great!!!

Happy Building,
Felix

www.geocities.com/minircplanes/

:)

[sundogue]

Thanks.

Well, the recommended motor is an AstroFlight Geared 020 brushless 803G.

The controller/radio I found that has the number of servos is the Airtronics VG400 4 channel FM/4 102Z.

Until I get it, I guess I won't know what connectors and/or extensions I may need.

And I agree, it is a scavenger hunt to say the least. Our main reason for getting the P-51 was as a model, not necessarily flying. But we figured, since we were building a scale model of one of our favorite aircraft, why not get a model that is also capable of flight?

I realize that the warbirds are not a great first choice and are difficult to fly, but there isn't anything I can't do. Having flown real aircraft and my experience with flight simulators, combined with a study of avaition for the last 35 years or so, I am firmly grounded in the concepts and principles of flight, and I'm quite confident I can crash this bird as well as anyone else...LOL.

My woodworking skills are top notch so I'm not afraid of having to rebuild any part, or all, of it. In fact I've already made a few modifications to the design that I could see as minor flaws (I was also an engineering major). Mainly in the landing gear, which will now be spring loaded to absorb harder landings and wheels with ball bearings for smoother rotation. The wheels will be joined together with an axle and the landing gear will be spring loaded where it joins the body, so as it touches down the wheels will load forward. With any impact that might cause the plane to lurch forward (nose tipping down), the spring loaded landing gear will force the nose back up, rather than catching and possibly making the plane do a nose over. There is also a removable ballast type add-on I designed that I plan on using to make it level out easier (more like a top wing plane) during the first few flights my son tries with it, until he understands flight better. Did I mention I'm also an inventor?

As far as the wax paper, I'm also an artist and I have a lot of rolls of clear masking (that I use for airbrushing...it's slightly tacky on one side and glossy on the other). I've already applied this to the entire plan, so not only can I not worry about ruining the plans while building, I can use dry-erase markers to make notes on it as well.

We have a huge park, that is practically right in our backyard, for flying. It will be a while before we will be flying it as the project is mainly to build a replica of my all-time favorite plane...and I have limited time to work on it.

Like anything else one does for the first time, it takes time to understand what is all involved in putting together this plane from the ground up (no pun intended). Does anyone know what places online have the best selection of equipment? I've Googled for every bit of info I can find and while I've found some pretty good resources, perhaps others here know of some I may have missed.

Thanks for the feedback!

Mark

[MINIRCPLANES]

Hello Mark,

I just looked at the Airtronics VG400 radio w/ 94102Z Servos. Be aware that the radio comes with Standard Servos (94102Z) not Micro Servos (94091Z) as specified by HOB. :eek: The standard servos are larger and heavier and mignt not fit inside the fuselage. I saw the VG400 radio available with 3 servos at Tower Hobbies. You just need to purchase the fourth servo and you will have a complete set. Usually Radio kits with micro servos come with two or three servos because one channel is usully used by the ESC (Electronic Speed Control).

Check out Tower Hobbies offering of 4 Channel Radios...
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=JEJ

It appears that Airtronics has changed their connector colors. From what I read, the Black connectors were used in older equipment. New Airtronics equipment (e.g. 94102Z & 94091Z) comes with what they call the new Z connector which is Blue.

Tower folks provided this warning...
"Do not use the Z (blue) connector with standard (black) Airtronics or Sanwa equipment. Damage will occur due to reversed polarity."

I also saw both the old and new Servo Extension Cords available at Tower. Check out this link,
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=MHC

Just be aware that if you purchase equipment using OLDER connectors that in the future you might not be able to purchase replacement parts (e.g. servos, cords, etc.) for it. When I started the folks at the field gave me some good avise on what to purchase. They had an interesting philosophy stating "Buy equipment that others at the field fly with". Not only did it make it easier for others to help me because they were familiar with the equipment. It also allowed them to have compatible radios to help my learn using the Buddy Box system. Long story short, I buy Futaba and compatible accessories only. Some folks love JR, some love Airtronics, others Hitec, etc. What brand you buy is all up to you. Just invest in equipment that you will be able to upgrade and use in future models.

Regards,
Felix

www.geocities.com/minircplanes/



:)

[sundogue]

Hello Mark,

I just looked at the Airtronics VG400 radio w/ 94102Z Servos. Be aware that the radio comes with Standard Servos (94102Z) not Micro Servos (94091Z) as specified by HOB. :eek: The standard servos are larger and heavier and mignt not fit inside the fuselage. I saw the VG400 radio available with 3 servos at Tower Hobbies. You just need to purchase the fourth servo and you will have a complete set. Usually Radio kits with micro servos come with two or three servos because one channel is usully used by the ESC (Electronic Speed Control).

Check out Tower Hobbies offering of 4 Channel Radios...
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=JEJ

It appears that Airtronics has changed their connector colors. From what I read, the Black connectors were used in older equipment (e.g. 94091Z). New Airtronics equipment (e.g. 94102Z) comes with what they call the new Z connector which is Blue.

Tower folks provided this warning...
"Do not use the Z (blue) connector with standard (black) Airtronics or Sanwa equipment. Damage will occur due to reversed polarity."

I also saw both the old and new Servo Extension Cords available at Tower. Check out this link,
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=MHC

Just be aware that if you purchase equipment using OLDER connectors that in the future you might not be able to purchase replacement parts (e.g. servos, cords, etc.) for it. When I started the folks at the field gave me some good avise on what to purchase. They had an interesting philosophy stating "Buy equipment that others at the field fly with". Not only did it make it easier for others to help me because they were familiar with the equipment. It also allowed them to have compatible radios to help my learn using the Buddy Box system. Long story short, I buy Futaba and compatible accessories only. Some folks love JR, some love Airtronics, others Hitec, etc. What brand you buy is all up to you. Just invest in equipment that you will be able to upgrade and use in future models.

Regards,
Felix

www.geocities.com/minircplanes/



:)


Thanks much for the heads up. I haven't purchased any of that stuff yet. I only have the accessories required to build the plane, not fly it. I was waiting on more info before I plunged into the expensive hardware such as radios, motors, etc.

I'll check those links out. I appreciate your help!

Mark

P.S. - I just checked out Tower Hobbies site. I like how the description of the items (the radio is what I just looked at) is extensive and they also throw in technical info as to requirements and other parts needed and what those parts are. Very good site. Thanks again!

[MINIRCPLANES]

Mark,

Are you going to power the P-51 with an Electric motor or a Glow Engine? I just realized that if you are building it electric, there is no need to purchase that fourth servo. Just get the Radio with three servos and purchase a ESC appropriate for the motor (Brushed or Brushless).

Also, all the servos shown with the Z at the end are of the new style. So there should be no worries about compatability. The warning appeared in the description for the Servo. I guess it is there to warn folks not to buy the Z style servo for older radio systems.

Regards,
Felix

[sundogue]

At some point I may convert...but I will be going electric.

If I get the radio with 3 servos, I think I'd still get one more servo right away, so I'd have 4 when needed.