Scratch 1/2A P51D

[John Crocker]

With Al Rabes AMAZING work on the Mustunt, I decided to build something myself, just smaller.  Well, finished this up last night.  Final weight 13 oz, 30" span, .061 AP wasp for power.  Heavier than I wanted, but easily flyable with the .061 from my experience.  Plus can save some weight by taking off the rubber wheels and putting lightweight ones on.  On 30 foot lines should not be an issue anyway.  Again, made to look good as opposed for stunt.

The mockup



Finished Plane "Miss April" after my wife, whom I met in 1994 (tail #).  The T T represents my boys (Thomas and Tanner).   Still can't get Monocote just like I want it, but was tired of messing with it (so was the wife )

[minnesotamodeler]

Nice lines on that plane, John...well proportioned.

Your .061 should pull 13 oz. no problem.

--Ray

[Michael Boucher]

Very nice John!   Let us know how it flys

[LARRY RICE]

I am very impressed! Nice job!

Not meant to nit pick........well maybe but the star on the right side is upside down.
Larry

[John Crocker]

Thanks Guys,

Yep, realized the star was upside down bout 5 min after I put it on.  Oh well.

As for flying, I just came in from the cul de sac.  The Miss April needs to go on a diet!!  It'll fly no problem, but its sluggish like I figured.   I did not try any stunts, nor do I think I ever will with the current set up.  Also, when the engine quits, you better be ready to land, cause its coming in.

Couple of points.  I put WAY too much out in the rudder.  Need to bring it in a bunch.  I did not strengthen the landing gear enough, gotta figure that one out, cause its being held in place with toothpicks right now after a hard landing. Lastly, the plane is just like my wife (top heavy   .  good for the wife, bad on the plane).  Actually its a little nose heavy even though the balance point is right at the front lead out.  Also, I need to figure a way to hold the muffler extension pipe on, it blows off after a lap or 2.

Overall I'm happy with it.  I knew it would be a heavy and sluggish, but it flies.  Neighbors enjoyed seeing it.  One of them is a WWII vet and he came over and helped launch it.  He had a big smile on his face as it came around the circle.

Time to put away the models till Duck and Goose season go out.

[john e. holliday]

Don't worry about the star,  it will be upright when inverted.  As far as the exhaust extension, you might try roughing up the surface of the nipple with sand paper.  Glad it flies and you have a new friend hopefully.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday