Piccole Ali

Aeromodellismo dinamico online

2009 Piccole Ali – Stra’ (Venezia) - Italia

AEROMODELLO RADIOCOMANDATO

RADIO CONTROL MODEL

NORTH AMERICAN P-51B MUSTANG

VQ MODEL P-51B MUSTANG ARF 46 RC

Apertura alare / Wing span: 1600 mm

MOTORE A SCOPPIO / GAS POWER

2-Tempi / 2-Stroke: 0.61 ci

4-Tempi / 4-Stroke: 0.91 ci

MOTORE ELETTRICO / ELECTRIC POWER

KV 610-720

Produttore / Manufacturer: Distribuito in Italia da:

www.vqmodel.com www.piccoleali.it

www.piccoleali.it …passione pronta al volo !

2009 Piccole Ali – Stra’ (Venezia) - Italia

Il P-51 Mustang, uno dei più famosi, belli ed efficaci caccia della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, fu progettato suuna commissione della British datata Aprile 1940. Il prototipo NA-73X fu prodotto in tempo record e fucollaudato il 26 Ottobre 1940. Le prime versioni del motore Merlin apparvero nel 1943 con il P-51B (di cui1988 furono costruiti in Inglewood, California) e con il P-51C (di cui 1750 furono costruiti in Dallas, Texas).Entrambe le versioni avevano una fusoliera rinforzata e quattro mitragliatrici da 12.7mm montate nelle ali.

Durante i test, il P-51B raggiunse la velocità di 709.7 km/h (441 mph) –esattamente 2/3 della velocitàsupersonica- ad una altitudine di 7600 m (25000 ft). L’impiego dei serbatoi ausiliari a goccia e laconseguente maggiore autonomia consentirono l’impiego del P-51B anche come aereo scorta deibombardieri.

Il modello

Una raffinata riproduzione ARF del P-51B “Shangri-la”, l’aereo dell’asso americano di origine italiana, Cap.

Don Gentile. La qualità del rivestimento è tale da trasmettere l’effetto “logorio” e le tante “fatiche” supportate

da questo leggendario caccia. La finitura è opaca come quella del velivolo originale. VQ Model vi offre la

possibilità di pilotare questo interessante aeromodello che rispecchia le origini del velivolo che avrebbe

cambiato la storia dell’aviazione

Caratteristiche generali

Costruzione robusta in balsa e compensato delle migliori qualità

Naca motore in fibra di vetro dipinta di fabbrica

Dettagliato rivestimento in speciale pellicola polivinilica con finitura opaca

Superfici di controllo installate di fabbrica

Predisposizione per i carrelli retrattili (opzionali)

Manuale di assemblaggio passo-passo in italiano

Caratteristiche tecniche – VQ Model P-51B Mustang “Shangri-la” ARF 46 RC

Apertura alare 1480 mmLunghezza fusoliera 1180 mmSuperficie alarePeso 2700 – 2940 gMotore a combustione interna 2-Tempi / .40 - .46 ci 4-Tempi / .52 - .70 ci

Motorizzazione elettrica Brushless Outrunner

KV/RPM-V 610 o equivalente

80A Brushless controller

LiPo 4500 mAh – 5S

Radio 5 canali 5 servi

Accessori inclusi

Carrelli fissi e ruote

Supporto servi

Castello motore

Radiatore (simulacro)

Serbatoi ausiliari a goccia in ABS (simulacro)

Pilotino dipinto a mano

Ogiva

Pacchetto hardware completo

Non incluso

Motore, servi, carrelli retrattili, colla, tubo miscela

www.piccoleali.it …passione pronta al volo !

2009 Piccole Ali – Stra’ (Venezia) - Italia

Prodotti correlati

Motore ASP FS52AR RC

Electric pack EP-720

Visitate il nostro negozio online / Visi tour webstore: www.piccoleali.it

o scriveteci a / contact us at: info@piccoleali.com

VQ MODEL P-51B MUSTANG ARF 46 RC

Aeromodello radiocomandato / Radio Control Model

The VQ Models (Vinh Quang Models)P-51B Mustang is designed around the46-2 stroke or 70-4 stroke power plant. Itmeasures in with a 1460mm (57.48-inch)wingspan, a fuselage length of 1270mm(50 inches), with an all up weight of 2.5kgs(5.5 lbs). Construction is mainly laser-cutbalsa wood and lite-ply, with a paintedfibreglass cowl and a vac-formed canopy.The model is covered in a printed filmthat includes panel lines and decals andmarkings for the Swiss Air force. The buildquality and accuracy of parts is excellent,which makes for a straightforward assem-bly.

The review model was supplied withVQ brand retractable undercarriage andoleo struts, which are designed specificallyto fit the P-51B wheel wells. This systemworks really well and results in a slop freeundercarriage when the wheels are eitherin the down or retracted position. Themodel has a steerable tail wheel (locatedin the scale position) and this ensures goodground handling. Once in flight, the modelhas very precise and impressive flightcharacteristics.

The horizontal rolls are very axial andthe climb rate is quite scale like. Thereview model needed no ballast to achievethe recommended Centre of Gravity,

whichproved to be spot-on for producingits stable flying characteristics. All in all,the P-51B is a very practical and attractiveWarbird replica, and differs markedly inappearance from the P-51D type that is sooften the subject of reviews.

Wing Assembl y

The wings come with the ailerons factoryfitted, so the first task is to glue the winghalves together. A trial assembly using thewooden wing joiner showed the accuracy

of the panels, so allthat remained was a quick sand with a flatsanding block to prepare the surfaces forgluing. The instructions sheet indicates thatepoxy glue should be used, however I am agreat believer in using wood glue forjoining wooden parts.

I subsequently used yellow aliphaticglue, spread over each root rib and a liberalamount on the wooden spar. When woodglue dries, it is far lighter than epoxy andit is totally adequate for the job. I madeuse of several spring-clamps and masking

Easy installationof factory retract

units.

tape to hold the panels together, during thedrying process.

The aileron servo is installed on thewing centreline into the factory preparedcut out. Supplied push rods make the con-nection between the servo and the ailerontorque rod arms. You don’t see this set-upvery often these days, but it is a system thatworks well and saves the weight of havingtwo aileron servos and leads etc.

The retract gear simply screws into thefactory prepared wooden bearers, as doesthe retract servo, which mounts onto itsfactory prepared bearers in the port sidewing panel. The kit comes with severalplywood packers to lift the retract mecha-nism so as to allow for the thickness of theoleo legs. I used 4mm of packers and thisallowed the oleo legs to lie flat in the wheelwells without any misalignment or binding.

To run the retract pushrods; I used alength of plastic tube that is supplied forthe throttle pushrod outer as a guide. Theplastic can be run through from the wheelwell to the servo location. It is then a sim-

Handy clampwhile the aliphatic

resin (sandablewhite glue) dries

ple matter of pushing the steel pushrod intothe plastic tube and guiding the pushrodthrough.

TAil PlAne, elevATors, verTicAl Fin

And rudder

The tail plane, minus the elevators, is aone-piece covered structure that is fitted

Number 86 October-November 07 Please mention RCM News when responding to advertisers 53

Product Review

VQ ModelsP-51 B Mustang

byLes Marriner.

PRODuCT REViEw: VQ MODELS P-51 B MuSTANG

Steerable tailwheel.

pleased to see that VQ Models leaves the engine positioning up tothe modeller.

Wherever possible, I will always position a 2 stroke with theengine mounted in the 45 degree down from the horizontal. Thisensures that the carburettor level is positioned close to the midwayposition on the fuel tank. This is the optimal position as the enginedoes not have to suck fuel uphill when the fuel level is low. Thisreduces the likelyhood of the engine leaning out towards the endof a flight.

The second plus comes in here with the engine weight beingpositioned closely to the centre-line of the fuselage, which aidsthe lateral balance. The third plus is that the exhaust is kept awayfrom the wing and retracts.

The manufacturer has allowed for this positioning by steppingthe fire-wall to cater for the 2-stroke standard muffler. When theexhaust is fitted with a rubber extension deflector, the exhaustemissions exit the deflector outside the prop wash. This results inthe model remaining virtually mess free after a days flying. Theassembly guide indicates that the measurement from the propwasher to the fire-wall should be 120mm. To achieve this, I placethe spinner back plate on the engine and secure it with the propnut and washer.

I then place a strip of masking tape onto the engine bearer arm,and whilst holding the mount in place with one hand, I can easilymeasure the required distance from rear face of the engine mount,to the rear of the spinner back plate. Marking the masking tapewith the engine position results in easy to see reference pointswhen it comes to drilling the engine mount holes.

rAdio seT-uP And conTrol ThroWs

The P-51B can be controlled by the most basic of radio transmit-ters with 4 channels, or with a 5th channel if retractable undercar-riage is to be fitted. I make mention of this point, as so many ofthe latest model kits these days require 7 or 8 channels to copewith separate ailerons servos, flaps, twin elevator control etc.

I am also amazed at the number of aero modellers who don’tunderstand the basics of physics and gear reduction systems,which will ensure the ongoing performance of those little onboardworkhorses that are commonly known as servos. How manytimes do you hear, “It crashed because the of radio interference orthe flight battery went flat during the flight.” How many model-lers think that a 6 kg servo will deliver 6 kgs of torque no matterwhat length the output arm on the servo is. Servos are generallyrated with their pulling power measured at 1 cm from the axis ofthe servo. If you were to attach a pushrod to a servo arm 4 cms

The main benefit of swunging the engine around is that verylile oil blows on to the airframe.

out from the axis point, you are reducing the power of that servoby four times. The actual measurement for power loss will dependon the length, or lack of it, of the control surface horn.

I have seen some horrific servo set-ups on large 3D modelswhere servos are expected to deflect huge flying control surfaces,some 60 or 70 degrees. I have also seen pattern models thatrequire very minimal flying surface deflections to assist the pilotwith smooth and accurate inputs, who have had to reduce thetravel of the servos to 30% or 40 %, to achieve the required deflec-tions of the particular flying surface. All control servos should beoperating with at least 100% travel adjustment. My policy is thatif you give the servo resolution a fighting chance to centre accu-rately, and also give smooth and powerful servo movement.

The safe and effective rule of thumb when setting up servoto control surface linkages is this, “ Always connect the pushrodends by going in on the servo arm and out on the control surfacehorn to maximise the effectiveness of the available servo poweror torque.” If a servo is labouring to perform a job that is beingasked of it, the power drain on the flight battery pack will be hugeto say the least.

Another area that will drain a flight battery is control surfacebinding or pushrod friction. It is always advisable to manuallyoperate the pushrods by hand before connecting them to the servoarm. If anything greater than minimal hand pressure is needed todeflect the surface to the required measurement, then the problemcausing the need for the application of extra pressure needs to

PRODuCT REViEw: VQ MODELS P-51 B MuSTANG

The main benefit of swunging the engine around is that verylile oil blows on to the airframe.

be fixed before the servo gets to do its intended task. I am sorrythat I got a bit side tracked, but I get annoyed when I see peopleblaming their radio gear, when the real problem is in the way thatthe radio gear has been set-up, and the unreal expectations of themodeller.

I will get back to the review at hand. Control throws forthe ailerons were set at 8mm up and down with 30% expo. Theelevators were set for 1 0mm up and down with 20% expo and therudder was set at 25mm left and right with 50% expo. All controlpush rods were connected to the outside hole on the surface con-trol horn with standard size JR 516 servos and arms or discs used.

F i T T i n g T h e c A no P y An d P i l o T

The canopy needs to be trimmed to the cut-line on the moulding,and I find that a good pair of Weiss tin snips really does the cut-ting job very well. The secret here is to keep the cutting control-led and hasten slowly. Once the cutting is complete, a trial fitshould result in a pleasing match with the fuselage. The canopyis fixed to the fuselage with six 2mm x 12mm self-tapper screws.I find the best way to achieve a good job here is to fix the canopyin place with masking tape, drill the six fixing positions with a

1 .5mm twist drill, then remove the canopy and enlarge the canopyholes to 2.5mm. This ensures that the self-tappers will not split thecanopy plastic.

Prior to finally fitting the canopy, you can glue the pilot inposition using medium CA glue. The only other task here is to cutout and fit the instrument panel decal sheet in place. As an addedprecaution against splitting the canopy though engine vibration, Icut some short 2mm lengths of fuel tubing to act as washers underthe heads of the 2.5mm self taper. This compresses to about 1mmand will act like a spring washer, whilst holding the canopy firmlyin place without any risk of cracking the canopy material overtime.

T e s T F l i g h T

The test flight was carried out in near perfect Spring weather atmy local club field. Even though I had routed the antenna insidethe fuselage, exiting underneath and just before the rudder, I hadmore than enough distance (approx 50 metres with TX antennacompletely collapsed) when range testing the P-51B. A finalcheck of the control direction (thank goodness I religiously do afinal check of control directions before every take off) alerted meto the fact that the rudder had been programmed for the wrongdirection.

All my checking at home had been done with the model in-verted in a cradle – so it just shows how easy it is to be caught out

and how little mistakes could have a marked affect on the longevityof the model.

Ground handling was very controlled with the steerable tailwheel, and a good 46 to 55 2 stroke would be an excellent matchto the airframe. The Mustang really does fly very nicely, and withthe wheels retracted, the clean lines of the P-51B presented well inflight. Slow rolls can be performed with very little input with theelevator when inverted. All in all, it is a delight to fly.

s u m m A r y

As for the assembly of the model, it really all went together withoutany hick-ups at all. My recommended method of positioning of theengine certainly keeps the model clean from exhaust residue, andthe engine runs very happily indeed.

The VQ Models P-51B Mustang has very sound flying charac-teristics and I am happy to give the model my total endorsement.If you have any queries about the model, please feel welcome tocontact me by email at marriner@alphalink.com.au

The VQ Mustang P-51 B is distributed to hobby shops by The Hobby

Specialist Tel 026260 2265 www.thehobbyspecialist.com.au

9C CLARKE ST. LILYDALE. 3140.(Opp. Blue Turtle Cafe)

Phone Charles Fisher on (03) 9735 3466Helping beginners is our speciality.

in stock, an excellent range of ARF’s.Trainer, Sport and Scale including

Electric and accessories

Check me out with stock items and accessories too numerous tomention. Good quality package deals available, drop in and enquire.

PROMPT ATTENTION TO MAIL ORDERSALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS O/K, Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Number 86 October-November 07 Please mention RCM News when responding to advertisers 57

DUE SHORTLY New TWISTER CP

3D and BlackhawkinstockVmarGrasshopperandCub,

extensive range electricsHitec Optic 6 $299 complete. OS 46 AX $ 149

Real Flite Simulators v 3.5 $299Thunder Tiger Raptor Titan 50 with engine $699