Hanger 9 P-51 Mustang progressive trainer

[king_arthur]

I am returning to RC flying after a 15 year break. I flew from 1971-1994 starting with powered aircraft then switching to sailplanes for the last few years. I have never purchased an ARF kit much less an inclusive package like the Hanger9 P-51. My local RC shop has high regards for the kit and at 399 bucks it seems to be not only a good value but also capable of entertaining my 13 year old son for awhile. I learned on traditional high wing 20 size stuff and the whole low wing Mustangs goes against my grain. I am aware however that the RC world has changed. The add-on stuff on the P-51 makes sense and once flying ability has reached the point where it can be removed it appears the plane is capable of some pretty spirited flying. The wing is pretty massive and I have a gut feeling that the 36 engine will be a marginal power plant once that point is reached. Of course these are all suppositions.

I would appreciate feedback from anyone familiar to this kit or if you just know someone who has flown this kit. I appreciate all comments.

[ivanc]

Excellent second plane - low wing taildragger. Flies better with an OS 55AX and a 12x6 - 13x6 prop, compared to the stock 46BB engine the RTF comes with.

Ivan

[haasjj]

I am on my second P51 PTS and I do like the plane its a great flying and very sporty plane with the training gear off. The engine is not a 36 though unless they changed it, if you look at the specs online it is just slightly smaller than the Evo .46. If you are going to buy more than this plane and continue flying, my recomendation would be to get the ARF and buy your own radio gear and engine. The radio that comes with the plane is nice but it is only a 5 ch so its limited. The "air brakes" that are on the landing gear slow the plane down to much and when you fly it for the first time you will see this. The prop should be changed it is not enough for this plane IMO I use a 11X6 or a 12X5 and that is a good size for the plane.

[ivanc]

If you're going to buy the ARF (which I strongly recommend), I'd recommend getting a tad more powerful engine, especially one that will spin a bigger prop with authority - like the OS 55AX (although it is expensive :o ). I'd also recommend the mod to the engine installation - described here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=754727).

Ivan

[brentrob55]

I recently got this plane as my first. I am very pleased with the results after a few modifications. i found that will the flaps fixed down, the air brakes, and the wing stabilizers, and standard prop the P-51 was a dog in the air. It was slow, and would take a lengthy distance to get of the ground on takeoff. Needless to say, we removed all of the "training" gear and changed the prop to an 3 blade 11-7 and man what a difference! This plane keeps up with the best of them, and is very sporty in the air. I am sure switching out the prop with the training gear on would drastically improve its speed and handling to, we did not decide to do this until all that garb had been removed. My only other complaint (which might only be in reference to my particular plane) is that it had a severe problem with rolling to the right in the air. You could give full left aileron and it still wanted to roll right. After some adjustment, we have offset the problem and the plane now fly's great! For the value you can't beat this package!

[king_arthur]

I now have the P-51 ready to go. Just waiting on the weather. I removed the speed breaks on the landing gear at the request of the club trainer who will be training us on cable, and added the servo for the flaps. Also it seems my radio is a 6 channel. I have my son spening lots os stick time on the PC sim program getting use to the controls.

[godofcable]

:) :cool: :D

[king_arthur]

Got it in the air for the first time Sunday 3/2/08. It was really windy so the instructor took it up and shook the bugs out. He said it flew well. My son and I flew his trainer with a 90 4 stoke on it. It was really stable in the wind. No crashes so it was a good day.

[webdragon]

I get the feeling you were the one i met at the field yesterday.

Searcy Arkansas, right?

If so Welcome to S.M.A.R.F.A.

[king_arthur]

Yes that is me. Which guy are you?

[linw]

If you're going to buy the ARF (which I strongly recommend), I'd recommend getting a tad more powerful engine, especially one that will spin a bigger prop with authority - like the OS 55AX (although it is expensive :o ). I'd also recommend the mod to the engine installation - described here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=754727).

Ivan
That makes such a difference to the look of the plane, Ivan. It sure is a lovely job of work. Greta photos, too. I have it bookmarked, now!

[webdragon]

Yes that is me. Which guy are you?

I showed up around 1 o clock in the white Mazda.

[micah]

"Searcy Arkansas, right?"

O.K., that's just weird. I am also from around Searcy. Higginson, to be exact, but I live about 2 miles from the air field.

I have been looking and reading on the forum to decide exactly which kind of plane to look into getting and the p-51 you mentioned is up there on the top of my list.

I sure would like to see one fly before buying. Maybe one day when your out there you can holler and let me know? Just send me a pm and I get you my #.

Later!
Micah

[webdragon]

"Searcy Arkansas, right?"

O.K., that's just weird. I am also from around Searcy. Higginson, to be exact, but I live about 2 miles from the air field.

I have been looking and reading on the forum to decide exactly which kind of plane to look into getting and the p-51 you mentioned is up there on the top of my list.

I sure would like to see one fly before buying. Maybe one day when your out there you can holler and let me know? Just send me a pm and I get you my #.

Later!
Micah

The hangar 9 p-51 is a pretty good one, a little pricey but good.

[ivanc]

"Searcy Arkansas, right?"

O.K., that's just weird. I am also from around Searcy. Higginson, to be exact, but I live about 2 miles from the air field.

I have been looking and reading on the forum to decide exactly which kind of plane to look into getting and the p-51 you mentioned is up there on the top of my list.

I sure would like to see one fly before buying. Maybe one day when your out there you can holler and let me know? Just send me a pm and I get you my #.

Later!
MicahI'd move the P-51 PTS second on that list - after a high wing trainer.

Ivan

[godofcable]

hey regarding this plane...medium CA glue to glue the canopy on??

[ivanc]

hey regarding this plane...medium CA glue to glue the canopy on??Never use CA to glue canopies - they will fog from the CA fumes. Use canopy glue, shoe goo or screws.

Ivan

[godofcable]

so when i go to the hobby shop, i ask them for canopy glue?

[ivanc]

Yes. It's also marked as RC 56 or RC 560 (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXR529).

Ivan