Mustang mania!

Model Airplane News, Oct 2002

If any aircraft symbolizes the grace and power of the fighters flown in WW II, it is the mighty P-51 Mustang! The P-51 in all its incarnations qualifies as a hugely successful mechanical masterpiece. Its flowing lines, under-slung air scoop and bubble canopy all contribute to its being one of the most popular aircraft of all time.

It's likely that more RC models have been built of the North American Mustang than of any other airplane, and it's a safe bet that most-if not all-modelers have had at least one Mustang in their modeling repertoire. An RC Mustang will surely produce fond memories for anyone who has ever glued the pieces together!

In this article, we have assembled an impressive herd of P-51s. Including all kinds of kits, ARFs, ARCs and electric foamies, our guide provides an up-to-date view of all the Mustangs available today! Whether you want a super-scale competition bird or a fun-scale sport job, a backyard flyer or an easy-to-assemble ARF-In foam, fiberglass and wood-we've got you covered. For warbird lovers and Reno Racer fans alike, there's nothing like a big helping of Mustang to get the adrenaline flowing!

We've arranged the main source chart by engine size and by kit type. You can easily check wingspan and other specifications to see which manufacturer has the Mustang you want Saddle up, pard; it only gets better from here!

TAMING

THE MUSTANG--

TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS

Different planes require a variety of flying styles, and the Mustang is no exception. Because it's a heavy-metal, taildragger warbird, certain considerations need to be taken into account-especially during takeoffs and landings. We've seen many Mustangs flown over the years at various events, and the flights that impressed us most were the ones for which the takeoffs and landings were executed in a scale-like manner. Here are some tips to help you attain the utmost in scale realism.

TAKEOFFS

Handled improperly, getting airborne can be a challenging task. If you fly off a smooth surface, use full down-elevator when you taxi down-- wind, as the wind will push down on the top of the elevator and help hold the tail down. On a grass runway, use full up-elevator to keep the tail "glued" to the ground. This helps prevent the prop from hitting the ground if the model hits a bump and noses over. Don't forget to apply aileron in any crosswind. If the wind blows from the models left, use full left aileron; the wind will push down on the wing and prevent it from lifting.

After you turn the model onto the runway centerline, do a final control installed check and take a deep breath. Gradually apply the throttle, hold up-elevator, and steer with rudder. As the speed builds, slowly release the elevator; the speed will rise. As you approach full throttle, continue steering with rudder until flying speed is attained. Apply slight up-elevator to rotate the model to a positive andle of attack, and the model will become airborne.

As the angle of attack increases, you'll need to add more right rudder to compensate for P-factor (the prop force that tries to swing the nose to the left). As you gain altitude, raise the landing gear and then the flaps (if you use any) and make your turn out of the traffic pattern. By now, your Mustang should be flying at full speed and redy for action.

LANDINGS

WWhen you've finished dogfighting that Messerschmitt Bf109, you'll need to return to base and land. If your P-51 has retracts, it's a good idea to make a pass down the runway after you've lowered the gear; you'll be able to see whether the gear is down and in the landing position. Make the pass upwind so you can enter the landing pattern.

As you turn onto the crosswind leg, start reducing throttle to lower the model's airspeed. Establish the downwind leg, and if your model has flaps, lower them about 1/4 of their travel to further reduce airspeed. Retrim the elevator as necessary for level flight. At this point, your throttle setting should be around 1/2, depending on the size and weight of the model. If there is a strong wind, you'll also have to compensate for that.

As you turn onto the base leg, lower the flaps fully and further reduce the throttle. Turn the model onto final approach and line up with the runway centerline. Use throttle to control the descent rate and the elevator to control airspeed. If there is a crosswind, coordinate ailerons and rudder to keep the wings level. Adjust power, pitch and bank as you guide the plane over the threshold. When the model is about 5 feet above the runway, let it settle, and chop the throttle to idle.

When the wheels touch down, use down-elevator to keep the model on the ground and steer with rudder; the ailerons should be deflected into any crosswind. Two-point wheel landings look best and are easier to do than 3-point landings. Landing your model at a higher airspeed helps maintain positive control for a longer time during the approach and touchdown. If you try to land in a 3-point or stalled landing and then flare too early, you can easily stall the wing too soon, and the model can drop onto the runway. When the rollout stops, turn off the runway and taxi back. Good luck, and don't forget to check your six!