Scale guys, what is the general opinion of detailing a Brodak P-51B to a sacle apperance. I was thinking of adding a new leading edge at the wing root to make a more "Mustang like" wing. adding machine gun barrell fairings, spent case chutes, etc to give a more realistic appearance. Is this kit worth the effort? I may like to warm up on it before doing other warbird paint schemes.

I saw a pic of a Brodak kit made into a D, and it looked good I thought.

Greg

Is this the one you saw? It came from SShobbies web page. Built by Don Thibault. Looks great.

Yea Leester, thats the one,      really cool, I like it.

I almost did my B like this before I traded it.....I can still build it from plans tho

Greg

Hi Greg,

While I'm not (yet) a scale competitor, I have hung out at the NATS and especially local scale contests.  What you were talking about doing is what I've seen a good bit of done locally and even at Brodak's in "fun" or Profile scale.  Getting started is the "Big" thing, and learning the 3 line system of take offs, taxi, landing, etc., might just be easier with that Brodak plane.

Of course, as you go up the food chain, you will have to get much more "scale" in your builds.

Bill <><

Greg;
    Instead of the three line system you could use one of the electronic systems like the one from Clancy Arnold. His systems are pretty reasonable especially for the single function unit. and you can even use your favorite handle.

Leroy

Joe;
    Clancy's email address is clancyarnold@juno.com. Send him an email and he can send you some info. He also had a write up in the August issue of Model Aviation in the CL scale column.

Leroy

Hello Keith:
    Glad to see you made it.

Leroy

For Scale you need to have good outlines that match the 3-view you are using and have a throttle control system. You can use 3-line systems, "down the line" electronic controls like Clancy's, or the new 2.4 Ghz radio control unit that is easier to set up. The judges look at the 3-view during static judging and compare it to your model, any deviations from the 3-view will result in a lower static score.

Learning how to fly with throttle control is not hard just takes some practice.

If you are at the Nats drop by the Scale circle and ask me to see some documentation and what the judges are looking for.

Remember that the Semi-scale stunt model can be used in Fun scale but will suffer in Profile scale competition. the biggest reason for the point deduction is because the outlines on a Semi-scale stunt model have been modified and the markings don't match a full size aircraft. Also our scale models do not put our AMA number on the wing. Even in Fun scale the judges will be looking for a throttle control system.

You can easily add a 2.4 Ghz control system to control the throttle on a stunt model that is already built and still fly with your existing lines. The CL scale column I wrote for the MA JUne issue covered all forms of throttle control systems that are out there.

Land softly,
Fred Cronenwett