Author Topic: Twist-stang - D or B model, what do you think (Read 2304 times)

Bill Heher · « **on:** July 20, 2009, 01:12:44 AM »

Back to working on the Twiststang, added the fuse extension per Fancher mods, made new tail feathers and flaps from 1/4" sheet.
Now the decision - I wanted to do a B model with Malcomb hood ala "Old Crow", but had trouble getting the proportions right, D-model is easier but still didn't look right. Limited resources in the Residence Inn workshop, basically razor blades, hobby knife and sandpaper.

Which one looks better to you guys, the 2nd "-B" pic is with the top block dropped about 1/4" to lower overall height.

EDIT; typos- Thanks Steve!

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2009, 01:40:05 AM »

D for Definately D

Bob Hills · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2009, 06:27:14 AM »

Go for the lowered B model turtldeck.

bob hills in CT

jim gilmore · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:41:08 AM »

I personally Like "B" myself

andreas johansson · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:24:48 AM »

D!

/Andreas

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:10:45 PM »

The second "B"...I'm partial to turtledecks, and the lowered version looks more graceful.

Pinecone · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:15:05 PM »

B model was the best looking one.

James Mills · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2009, 07:58:44 PM »

My vote would be for "B"

James

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:41:12 PM »

I'm afraid that lots of folks won't recognize the Malcom hood "B" for a Mustang, even with the belly scoop. I'd make it into a 'fastback' Reno Racer. Take the lower "B" and remove the Malcom 'bump'. A racer paint job will be more like "Pro-Stunt" anyway.

Steve

PS: Only one "r" in FANCHER! Ted's from Renton, ya know...

Bill Heher · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:52:31 PM »

An extra r in Ted's name and a missing t in Twister- see what happens when I stay up too late and ponder the apperance of a bunch of chunks of balsa. Not to mention standing on the couch to get far enough from the coffee table to get the whole thing in the picture.

I decided Steve is right, lose the Malcomb hood bulge, sand a bit of curve into the dorsal line from canopy to tail and go for a racer look. I am kind of partial to this one! Red is one of my favorite colors.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:27:10 PM »

Absolutely the "B". There are too many "Ds" built. That red racer looks great. Where is it on display?

jim gilmore · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:49:01 PM »

Hmmm it's a nice looking Midget mustang according to it's reg number.
Either the number is incorrect or has been re issued to something else.
So where it is I do not know.

Bill Heher · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:59:39 AM »

It's a genuine P-51 ( C model), flown in Bendix races by the great Paul Mantz of movie stunt flying fame, and later purchased by Brig. Gen ( Retired) Charles F.Blair, Jr. in 1950. He had it modified with a 1650 hp RR Merlin engine, long range fuel tank and advanced navigation / comm equipment in preperation for some record setting flights.

In Jan 1951 he took off in Excalibur III from New York and flew non-stop to London - breaking the piston engine powerd record by completing the trans-Atlantic crossing in 7 hr 48 min at an average speed of 446 mph. He used the recently discovered Jet Stream winds above 37,000 ft to boost his speed and stated that the powerfull tailwind " blew me all the way to London".

4 months later he set another record when he piloted the Excalibur 3260 mile non-stop in 10 hrs 27 min across the north pole from Norway to Fairbanks Alaska, dropping a letter from his son to Santa Claus over the North Pole!

The plane is now beautifully restored and hanging in a prime spot from the ceiling of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport - the new addition to the National Air and Space Musuem.

I took the picture during a visit there about 2 years ago. This showplace should be at the top of every aviation fans "Must See" list, everything from the dawn of powered flight, through WW1 / WWII / Vietnam and the cold war, up to the Concorde and Space Shuttle are on display.
If you end up with a long layover ( better have 4 hrs minimum) at Dulles you can take a shuttle to the Museum - fill your camera with shots of some of the most historic planes you will ever see in one place, and then ride back to the terminal to catch your plane. Admission to the center is free but parking is $10 ( i think) if you drive there in a car.

You will not see everything and want to go again and again ( I've been 3 times and there was something new each time). For us engine nuts there is one of the best collection of aircraft engines in the world, Mecanical Art at it's finest. I want to go back!!! I need more shots of Excalibur for my Twist-stang ( as if I needed an excuse!)

jim gilmore · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2009, 02:21:13 AM »

I figured It was real but was running the Ni202 registration number. But it is nt current. NI 202 comes back as a midget mustang N1202 comes back aqs a glider.
Sooooo I haven't a clue how the Registration numbers go. Maybe hanging in a museam. means the numbers expire and are up for grabs ?

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2009, 01:08:23 PM »

D D D D D D D D D!!!

Bill Little · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2009, 10:44:08 AM »

Just saw this one, sorry! My *favorite* Mustang is a D model, but I would build the B for your plane.

I am doing my new CLPA plane in the Mantz #46 scheme which the pictured Museum plane derived from. The book (thanks, Dennis!) available from the Smithsonian on the plane even gives the Randolph dope color of the original!

Mongo

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #16 on:** September 03, 2009, 05:38:23 PM »

I was looking thru the building tips ans saw that you are doing a P-51B from a Twister. I`m doing the same with a P-51B loosely based on the Twister. Good luck.
Juan

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #17 on:** September 03, 2009, 06:29:46 PM »

Juan,

That looks magnificent!

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #18 on:** September 04, 2009, 02:39:19 PM »

Tom you are very kind. I hope it will fly good when I finish it. It has adjustable leadouts,adjustable rudder,tip weight box,1/8 inch thicker airfoil and fuse is 1.5 inch longer. scratchbuilt with SIG balsa. I`m ready for primer and color.
Juan

Bill Heher · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2009, 05:47:38 AM »

Hi Juan- man you nailed the look I was after! That is a sexy looking bird. I have a couple of questions..

Do you have any pics of your gear mounts in the wing?

Is the wing 1/8 thicker due to the D-tube and capstrips on the standard Twister rib profile?

Did you draw the plans yourself? - do you have electronic file of them; or do you have a good pic of the fuselage plan with a scale / ruler in view?

What is the bare bones weight?

What paint scheme are you thinking about?

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2009, 11:57:18 PM »

Hello Bill
Here are some pics of the gear mounts I used 1/16 inch ply half ribs and a 1/8 inch plate to mount the gear. The ribs in the kit are 1 7/8 inch the ones I made are 1 15/16 inch and with the cap strips and leading edge sheeting. The wing came out at 2 1/16 inch thick. I just wanted to try a thicker wing. I just drew in top of a Twister plan that I had erased the fuse outline.The weight as of now without engine or tank but already covered wing ready for some primer and paint is 28.1 ounce. I have thought about painting it in the Excalibur III paint scheme or olive drab in a commando style paint job. I had the book written by Robert Mikesh about Charlie Blair and Excalibur III since 1982 that I went to the Smithsonian.Blair was the owner of Antilles Airboats, I flew in one of the Grumman Goose as a passenger a few times when the airline was still active.
Juan

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2009, 02:33:33 PM »

Here is a pic with a ruler Bill. I can send you a 1.3 meg pic to your yahoo mail account. Let me know if it helps.For the fuse I used a piece of balsa that I marked in the middle to see how it would balance and used the heavy side for the nose a tip from Larry Cunnigham that I read in Stunt News. I used 5ply birch ply for the nose I could have cut lightening holes since it was going to be covered by the cheek but didn`t think about it at the time.
Juan

Terry Bolin · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2009, 07:18:53 AM »

Truely a thing of "ART" please post a finished picture when you get it painted!
Love the plans. Good work.
Terry

dssit · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2009, 07:54:53 AM »

where can I get a full size plan?