#905 P51 Mustang

[pedwards2932]

Had some time during snow storm to put this together. I am experimenting with mylar covering. I am using 6 micron and it seems pretty light. We'll see how it goes when I paint it. I used my 3D printer to make a socket for plug in landing gear. They should release easy and I can fly without them if I want.

[pedwards2932]

Here is a pic of the landing gear socket that I printed.

[Blacksheep214]

Very nice! I never though of mylar for covering. How hard is it to work with and paint? Even if you don't decide to paint it, it still looks great! Would like to see some completed pics when you get done!

[pedwards2932]

I have seen it painted with floral spray paint and it looks pretty good. You can also cover the mylar with tissue but I am going to try painting to see how it works. I'll post once I get it painted. The advantage of mylar is it won't sag out at temperature changes and it is really light. I used glue stick and a trim iron to seal it down and a heat gun to shrink. It was pretty easy to do and came out really tight.

[Blacksheep214]

I have seen it painted with floral spray paint and it looks pretty good. You can also cover the mylar with tissue but I am going to try painting to see how it works. I'll post once I get it painted. The advantage of mylar is it won't sag out at temperature changes and it is really light. I used glue stick and a trim iron to seal it down and a heat gun to shrink. It was pretty easy to do and came out really tight.

I wonder how realistic floral spray paint would look. Would enamel work on it?

[kittyfritters]

I wonder how realistic floral spray paint would look. Would enamel work on it?

Depends on the finish you're going for. Except for the metallics, floral sprays are usually a matte finish.

[pedwards2932]

I was able to use Krylon rattle cans.....I think it looks pretty good. You have to make sure you have all the seams tight. I am using silver and it probably the hardest to do. I used black first so it would look solid. It looks like I gained about 2 grams painting....not bad. If I had just been wanting a solid color it wouldn't have taken as much paint. Really need to make sure the edges are smooth. I have to wait to tape off and add the black trim and then decals but looks good so far

[pedwards2932]

Here are the pics with the silver done.

[Blacksheep214]

Looks very nice! I think you have convinced me to try one in mylar now. You do good work!

[pedwards2932]

Pretty near finished.....need to decide on a prop. Not sure what these normally weight but it should be okay? Still need to put the exhaust on.

[Blacksheep214]

I rescued my old Spitfire from the scrap heap just recently. I have a 905 Mustang that is in just about as bad a shape. You have me debating wether to resurrect mine now. That mylar sure looks great! As far as props go, I have had great luck with using a 400 series prop. Its a little bit bigger, but it is a lot more efficient with air. That little one that comes with the plane just struggles to grab air it seems.

[kittyfritters]

Try a 6" Peck prop, available anywhere, or a 7" North Pacific prop, if you can find one. Get it balanced and be sure to put your name an phone number on it. At about 27 grams, with prop, nose button, shaft, and a loop of 1/8", flat, tan sport rubber, you could easily get it up into thermal territory and lose it.

[pedwards2932]

I did a few test glides today. I have a Peck 6" that I think will work and the amount of clay to get a decent glide looks pretty close to the weight of the prop and spinner. I don't like the way the guillow spinner is attached so I think I am going to make a backing spacer for it to fit on. Anyway here are a few of the test glides:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1URHPCIf8Y

[Blacksheep214]

I did a few test glides today. I have a Peck 6" that I think will work and the amount of clay to get a decent glide looks pretty close to the weight of the prop and spinner. I don't like the way the guillow spinner is attached so I think I am going to make a backing spacer for it to fit on. Anyway here are a few of the test glides:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1URHPCIf8Y

That flies so nice you just about don't even need a prop!

[pedwards2932]

I found the plastic prop hub that came with the kit fit too loosely for my liking. I have a laser cutter so I made a new hub that fits snugly. I also printed up some shims so I can add downthrust and sidethrust as needed. I make them in several different degree of angle so I can use them for test flight. I added a picture of final weight with 2 loops of 3/32 and a 6" peck....28.1 grams. If I get decent weather I will try to test fly this weekend.