60" Wingspan P51 Kit Build

[Derek]

I'm pretty sure that I mentioned to you all, a while back, that my Uncle Mike was giving me a 60" P51 Mustang. This is a kit build that my uncle started over 30 years ago. Any reason as to why the plane never got finished is irrelevant. I now have a partially finished fuselage and a partially finished wing and a box of parts and pieces and a very old manual. This plane will need a lot of work. I'm very confident that I can get the build completed but I will have to do a lot of researching about how to apply the covering. I'm not even sure that I will be the one to do the covering. I'm going to have to set this plane to the side for a little while so that I can finish up a few projects. This plane might make a great winter project for me. We'll just have to wait and see.

Here are two pics that I have right now

P51 Kit2.jpg (131.93 KiB) Viewed 5148 times

P51 Kit1.jpg (124.92 KiB) Viewed 5148 times

[cml001]

Looking real good bruh!

[Derek]

Thanks Clay! This is going to be one hell of a project for me. There are gonna be so many new aspects of "building" that I'll be exploring during this build. This isn't gonna be like my foam builds because I probably won't be able to "guess-timate" as much. It will be a cool new challenge. I don't know how much I'll get done in the flying season of 2016 but I'll surely be able to work on this plane during the winter and then 2017 better watch out...because there will be a new P-51 Mustang on the runway, lol

[Graham Lawrie]

Thats cool Derek:) Love the P51:)

[Derek]

Thanks Graham! It's very raw right now. I won't be working on this plane any time real soon because I'm trying to wrap up a few other projects (rc and non-rc) first. I'm thinking the balsa P-51 is going to be my winter project. I've never done a balsa build before, and considering that this plane is nearly as old as I am, I want to take great care in the build.

[DOG]

I think your going to have fun getting this bird together Derek. Big difference from the dollar store rugged foam to the sensitive balsa wood. Enjoy the build.

[Stambo]

I would be too scared to fly something like that.
There is one underlying requirement for anything that I fly, it has to be able to handle a crash.
I have seen too many videos of beautiful balsa models turning to kindling to risk all the time and effort required.
You are obviously a far better fixed wing pilot than I am so it is definitely in safer hands than mine.

[Derek]

I hope it turns out well lol

[Vipertech13]

It will be a nice plane! I have built 2 balsa planes from laser cut kits and have a 3rd one in process, man are they some tedious work! BUT they do fly great! The covering I use is mono coat I bought from HobbyKing and if you watch a few videos on the process and do some practice it really isn't that hard.

[wolfman76]

Trying to compete with my 65" redtail p-51 huh brow? J/k loll wish I lived closer would show you how to do the covering not as hard as you might think look at my videos of the eagle 2trainer I got and the redtail I covered the redtail wing and all of the trainer it used to be baby blue (trainer)

[Harper88]

That looks a nice build P-51 “Derek”. I am also motivated to build a P-51 for myself. But I am novice in this hobby, so I decide to buy a RTF plane first in order to get familiar with the mechanics. Later I build my own plane. I saw a cool P-51 at http://www.nitrotek.co.uk/rc-planes/war ... h-rtf.html . What do you think ? I have made a couple of change will post the pictures look guys.

[Derek]

I'm sad to report that I won't be continuing with this build. This kit was originally packaged in 1969 (1969 is the date on the plans). Although the plane is partially built, the plans are difficult to understand and there seems to be bits of wood and hardware missing. My uncle is the one that gave me this plane. I have emailed him and I've told him that I don't feel confident enough to continue and I'd like to return it to him. Even with my building experience, this is just an intimidating project.

If I do decide to get a balsa P-51, I imagine I'll order up a newer ARF.

.....sad.....

[Graham Lawrie]

:(:(

[Derek]

Yep...I feel the same way, Graham! I just feel that I'd rather return the build to my uncle, in the same condition, rather than attempt to continue and mess something up.

[cml001]

Ur close tho!

[Derek]

Close? I've not been able to progress at all. It's in the same condition that it was in when I brought it home.

[Derek]

I got a reply from my uncle about the P51. He has said that I don't need to return it to him and that I could just find someone else that may be able to finish the build. Hmmm, maybe I'll just keep it....do some research and see if I can finish the build, as originally planned.

[pvolcko]

You're still a member at your club, right? Should be a couple people there that have experience with stick builds and older models/kits. May be some useful info there if you reach out from some guidance.

[Derek]

You're still a member at your club, right? Should be a couple people there that have experience with stick builds and older models/kits. May be some useful info there if you reach out from some guidance.

That's a good idea, Paul! I have them saved on my Facebook. Perhaps I could seek some assistance there. Thanks!