Phoenix Model 1.4M P-51 Nitro ARF Build

[CertifiedMike]

Some rc birds you can remove the reciever and the esc or servos and to plug it in wire set by wire set. Then you can do the install. I may have wired quite a few birds myself, and its second nature, just make sure the aileron dosnt get mixed with the throttle wire.

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NOW THAT'S A FIRE!!!

I have that album on vinyl!!!

I also have a vinyl suit just like that!!!

I struggle to get my big mits into a full size GM to change spark plugs!!! Lacing all this tiny stuff reminds me of swapping tone arms on Technics 1200 turntables.
You only get 1 or 2 shots to strip that wire or the arm is trash. Lacing them thru the tiny holes was no fun either!
I will watch in you now, with awe and admiration!

 

[tudordewolf]

I have done stereo and alarm intalls in 1:1 that had less wiring and fewer plugs!
What crimping tool(s) do you use?
I don't know if my hands would ever allow me to work in such a cramped spot!
This is an amazing build!

Favorite crimper, Engineer PA-20.

I have a ratcheting crimper and it's just too much for small crimps. It does a great job with fatter crimps like molex and Tamiya connectors, but with these you individually do the wire and the jacket portions, and you get good tactile & visual feedback on the crimp.

First, I just bend the outer prongs in enough to hold it on the wire, with my fingers or the end of the crimper jaws.

Crimp wire portion:

Crimp jacket:

Like a little hug.

Insert into connector, using a 1x1 for demo:

To cut/strip, for individual wires I like Proskit 301G's, for stripping a bunch at once you can't beat these otherwise nameless "multi-function wire strippers" on the right, and I like to use flush cutters as my general-purpose fine cutters they've cut plenty of balsa bits and plastic servo horns in addition to wires...

A servo crimp kit & JST-SYP (the red power ones) opens up a ton of tinkering & modding options.

 

[tudordewolf]

Oh, that makes sense then lol. Nicely done.

I'm not an airplane guy, but I swear I have seen link ends with double inputs on them. Probably years ago.

Those would be handy. The kit solution was this plastic "domino", but like I said, I wanted more confidence in the elevator linkage than 3 set screws in plastic... Maybe if it was a metal block.

The concept I'm going for with my solution is "positive mechanical engagement", the bent end of the rod going through the servo arm itself gives a degree of certainty, an interference relationship, based on the sheer impossibility of passing solid matter through itself that guarantees that end of the linkage will do its job. I'll trust the throttle rod to a set screw, but not the all-important elevator.

The elevator end is threaded in plastic, yes, but oriented in the direction of motion and unable to turn, thanks once again to the way the other end is fixed to the servo arm.

 

[tudordewolf]

NOW THAT'S A FIRE!!!

I have that album on vinyl!!!

I also have a vinyl suit just like that!!!

I struggle to get my big mits into a full size GM to change spark plugs!!! Lacing all this tiny stuff reminds me of swapping tone arms on Technics 1200 turntables.
You only get 1 or 2 shots to strip that wire or the arm is trash. Lacing them thru the tiny holes was no fun either!
I will watch in you now, with awe and admiration!

My trick is that 3M double-lock you can see on the receiver in one of the pics, I place the pads when I'm planning everything out, then wire it up and pop things into place. It was pretty tricky seating the receiver once it had a bunch of wires connected to it and servos occupying the spaces I'd been able to place my fingers during the planning phase.

 

[WickedFog]

Those would be handy. The kit solution was this plastic "domino", but like I said, I wanted more confidence in the elevator linkage than 3 set screws in plastic... Maybe if it was a metal block.

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The concept I'm going for with my solution is "positive mechanical engagement", the bent end of the rod going through the servo arm itself gives a degree of certainty, an interference relationship, based on the sheer impossibility of passing solid matter through itself that guarantees that end of the linkage will do its job. I'll trust the throttle rod to a set screw, but not the all-important elevator.

The elevator end is threaded in plastic, yes, but oriented in the direction of motion and unable to turn, thanks once again to the way the other end is fixed to the servo arm.

Yeah, that block is sort of what I remember seeing. But I think the rods actually went through it and bent over into pockets with a clamp over them.

Your solution is pretty ingenious. If each oppsing end is traveling the same arc, that's perfect.

I watched my dad and older brother build a huge RC plane back in 1980. It was a balsa kit. I remember the wing tips were rectangular blocks with templates to put on them to rough the shape in. It was like watching a real plane go together. Pretty cool stuff.

 

[Hobbydude2]

NOW THAT'S A FIRE!!!

I have that album on vinyl!!!

I also have a vinyl suit just like that!!!

I struggle to get my big mits into a full size GM to change spark plugs!!! Lacing all this tiny stuff reminds me of swapping tone arms on Technics 1200 turntables.
You only get 1 or 2 shots to strip that wire or the arm is trash. Lacing them thru the tiny holes was no fun either!
I will watch in you now, with awe and admiration!

Roll Charlie over, he be alright, Eddy give your Aunt Bunny a kiss, But shes got a moustache...

 

[tudordewolf]

Ready for break in, just waiting for a nice day:

Making that spinner work with the Saito engine was tricky, but definitely worth it.

I'll do the cowling once it's broken in and tuned, might even fly it a few times like this.

Some final touches - the Saito .82's carb doesn't have a tubular inlet, just a hole in the square carb body -

But that little groove around it is just about 11mm in diameter, and the throat 9mm, so I got some matching aluminum tube and JB-welded it in:

So I could fit one of my homemade air filters:

 

[tudordewolf]

First flight successful! A little dicey at the start, but I got to bring it home in one piece!

@gandalfnz had strongly suggested I go for the .82 over my originally chosen .62, and I'm glad I did, the CG balance is great and the extra power handles well.

Due to my nerves about the first flight, the video I got has a lot of head movement and looking down at the transmitter and around for other planes, so I edited it down to the take off, a good overhead pass, and landing:

 

[Doom!]

P-51's can be a handfull sometimes if your not paying attention. Beautiful build.

 

[Hobbydude2]

Cool flight, does it have a cowling?

 

[tudordewolf]

Cool flight, does it have a cowling?

Thank you - it does have a cowling, I just want to get all the adjustments and fine tuning done before I fit it. I'll probably be redoing some finishing touches to seal out oil as best I can.

 

[tudordewolf]

And here's that cowling! lots of careful cutting to keep as much of it as possible - separate holes for the rocker valves, a small access to change the glow plug, a loop of fuel tubing to pinch, a 2mm allen key turned into a mixture adjustment, and a hole for the low speed needle.

A rotary tool with a cutting wheel & sanding drums did most of the work, the small round circle were done with RC car body reamers.

Respirator & safety goggles are a must working the fiberglass.

Drilled out the exhaust manifold holes for looks and ventilation.

When mounted everything has clearance.

Using servo grommets to protect tubing at the pass-throughs. Engine breather vents into the exhaust.

Did the yellow tips myself with ultracote, pleased with the result. It doesn't overhang or lift anywhere around the edges when I rub it with my finger, so I don't think it'll peel in flight. I'll do some ground runs first just to be sure.

 

[tudordewolf]

Details on the needle access - clear tape for my label maker was a game changer for "custom" decals.

Clearance to the spinner

Breather addition:

Vanity shots:

 

[CertifiedMike]

Details on the needle access - clear tape for my label maker was a game changer for "custom" decals.

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Clearance to the spinner

Breather addition:
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Vanity shots:
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Beautiful bird!!!
Very, very nicely done!!!

 

[WickedFog]

First flight successful! A little dicey at the start, but I got to bring it home in one piece!

@gandalfnz had strongly suggested I go for the .82 over my originally chosen .62, and I'm glad I did, the CG balance is great and the extra power handles well.

View attachment 226547

Due to my nerves about the first flight, the video I got has a lot of head movement and looking down at the transmitter and around for other planes, so I edited it down to the take off, a good overhead pass, and landing:

Holy cow, it even sounds like a P-51, but tiny.

I cannot believe you spent all that time building it then took it up in the air all care free like that. I'd have gotten it in the air ok. But as soon as I realized I had to land I'd have just ran away so I didn't have to see it

Very nicely done man. And quick!

 

[Doom!]

Nice job with the cowling and custom markings. She's a good looking bird.

 

[tudordewolf]

Holy cow, it even sounds like a P-51, but tiny.

I cannot believe you spent all that time building it then took it up in the air all care free like that. I'd have gotten it in the air ok. But as soon as I realized I had to land I'd have just ran away so I didn't have to see it

Very nicely done man. And quick!

Thank you!

It was a hair-raising first flight, I was very relieved to get it back in one piece. In hindsight I got lucky with the wooden 4-blade prop from AliExpress... it was poorly balanced and I noticed a crack in the root of a blade after the flight. It flew much, much better with a factory-balanced master airscrew 3-blade 12x8.

 

[Doom!]

Thank you!

It was a hair-raising first flight, I was very relieved to get it back in one piece. In hindsight I got lucky with the wooden 4-blade prop from AliExpress... it was poorly balanced and I noticed a crack in the root of a blade after the flight. It flew much, much better with a factory-balanced master airscrew 3-blade 12x8.

Mustangs are a bit twitchy untill you get a feel for them. They like to land hot. You did pretty good. Maidens are nerve wracking enough.

 

[WickedFog]

Mustangs are a bit twitchy untill you get a feel for them. They like to land hot. You did pretty good. Maidens are nerve wracking enough.

There's a really good documentary on the Mustang that I saw years ago. That's what the pilots said too. Ya gotta fly it like you're tail's on fire.

 

[Dominator]

I believe I'd start flying with a foam plane in my back yard in order to learn how to fly.
If I found the wind too difficult, I could see moving up to a balsa to add stability BUT I'd likely be buying one thats more "done" and expensive.
At least so I can see, feel, know what its SUPPOSED to be.
I think my desire to fly/learn to, is overshadowing the fun in building the plane.
Once I learn, I think I'd enjoy building planes too.
I do a fair amount of tinkering. 1:1, small engine, nitro, surface... planes and drones just seem naturally... next.
Its fun watching your posts and builds.

Building is half the fun.