Newbie Question P51 Wingtips

[Ken Miller]

Another newbie here doing his first kit.

I have stated No. 402 P51 and when I look at the placement of the spars at the wing tips I can not decide if I need to wet and bend them into place or if I need to cut/notch at the rib in order to get them at the correct angle.

Glad I found the forum as it has helped much already.

Thanks for any help. At my age I need all the help I can get.

[SteveM]

You'll need to cut/notch the stringer or use two pieces.

If you're not going to fly rubber powered then consider replacing the wing tip with a block of balsa sanded to shape as seen here on my P-51. It makes the covering of the wing tip much easier and it looks a whole lot better.

[Ken Miller]

Thank you very much...big help.

[BillParker]

I second the motion on SOLID WINGTIPS.

They're the bee's knees....

I've done about 5 in a row now that way...


bp

[svaughn]

Another alternative is to use expanded bead foam block instead of balsa blocks. This is the foam you find in molded packing material.

Its primary advantage is that it is about half the weight to the lightest balsa.

It has some significant disadvantages though:

- You have to be careful of the glue you use. The Gorilla polyurethane glue works great. Quick-Cure Gorilla Glue, 2oz. Bottle is very convenient.

- You can shape it with fine sand paper, but sometimes no matter how carefully I go, one of the beads pops out leaving a little hole.

- You probably want to glue the unshaped block in place before you start sanding.

- When you cover it with tissue paper, is brighter than other areas of tissue that have nothing behind them or have wood behind them.

- Most paints will destroy the foam. You can seal it with Future Floor wax (actually an acrylic product) and then paint it.

- it is very soft (plan on battle damage if you fly the model)

I used in on a p-51 from the guillow 500 series and I liked the results.

Still another alternative I have been meaning to try is to vacuum form the wing tips. I actually purchase a old Mattel Vacuform on ebay, but I have never got around to making wing tips and then comparing their weight to foam and balsa block.

[Ken Miller]

Thanks for the input. Since this will be a static model weight won't be a problem.

[John G. Jedinak]

Expanded bead foam...sounds interesting. Wonder how "Blue Board" would work...thinking that would not crumble. (I have been using the solid shaped blasa ever since David Duckett recommended it.)

[BillParker]

Solid wingtips are the "bee's knees..." Thank you Mr. Duckett...