Parkzone Flyers P51 Mustang
Discussion
Every Parkzone I've set up for a flyer has always been tail heavy regardless of the model - which often means when I'm asked to "set it up" it's more a case of "repair it" 
That said, once sorted they are nice little flyers, certainly not what I'd describe as difficult, though being a low wing it's obviously going to be on the twitchier end of the scale. Sorting the tail heavy issue can be more than a simple mod, seems to vary from one to the next, but can involve moving things around to avoid adding too much lead which will just degrade performance.
Depends on your experience level really - don't think I'd recommend it if it's your first foray unless you have someone nearby who can get it balanced and the throws reduced a bit.
That said, once sorted they are nice little flyers, certainly not what I'd describe as difficult, though being a low wing it's obviously going to be on the twitchier end of the scale. Sorting the tail heavy issue can be more than a simple mod, seems to vary from one to the next, but can involve moving things around to avoid adding too much lead which will just degrade performance.
Depends on your experience level really - don't think I'd recommend it if it's your first foray unless you have someone nearby who can get it balanced and the throws reduced a bit.
Thats really helpful, thanks for the info....
I guess then from what you are saying is that i need to move the centre of gravity forward a bit. If i was balancing the model on my hand where abouts would it be ideally balanced in your experience? I'm guessing at somewhere near the leading edge of the wing or maybe a touch further back??
I guess then from what you are saying is that i need to move the centre of gravity forward a bit. If i was balancing the model on my hand where abouts would it be ideally balanced in your experience? I'm guessing at somewhere near the leading edge of the wing or maybe a touch further back??
350Wedge said:
Thats really helpful, thanks for the info....
I guess then from what you are saying is that i need to move the centre of gravity forward a bit. If i was balancing the model on my hand where abouts would it be ideally balanced in your experience? I'm guessing at somewhere near the leading edge of the wing or maybe a touch further back??
yep, needs to go forward. One thing you really don't want to try and fly is a tail heavy plane. If it's nose heavy the controls will just be sluggish and it won't respond well but will at least tend to fly straightish. If it's tail heavy it'll be totally erratic - easiest way to stuff a plane in is by flying it tail heavy!I guess then from what you are saying is that i need to move the centre of gravity forward a bit. If i was balancing the model on my hand where abouts would it be ideally balanced in your experience? I'm guessing at somewhere near the leading edge of the wing or maybe a touch further back??
as a very rough "typical" estimate it'll usually be balanced somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3rd of the chord width (distance from leading edge to trailing edge of the wing) back from the leading edge of the wing - but that is just a rough guide, don't fly based on that
I'm pretty sure the parkzone literature gives an exact dimension, but check with some simple maths - or just type the relevant figures in here: http://adamone.rchomepage.com/cg_calc.htm
It's worth getting this right now - in fact it's one of the most important parts! a well trimmed plane will take 1/10th the effort to keep airborne of a badly trimmed one.
ETA -if you remind me tomorrow I'll give one of my mates a ring and get the exact dim we set his to off his mustang, save you the hassle and testing!
Edited by Davi on Monday 25th August 21:24
I've had the PZ P-51 for a few years now. Flew right out of the box although a switch to LiPo meant it needed some weight up front. I fixed this by moving the battery forward a bit. Works great but battery is now not removable and must be charged in situ which is a bit dodgy.
That said it flies pretty well with 11.1v up it's chuff. Landing is always a bit dubious though as fast landings knacker the prop, spinner and cowl BUT the plane tip-stalls like a b
d so it's a fine line between crashing because you land too fast and crashing because you land too slow. CoG on mine is about 0.5cm - 1cm back from the leading edge at the tip IIRC.
Not really a beginner plane because of the fairly spectacular departure from controlled flight when you stall (normally landing). Spins are perfectly possible but you need 30' to recover safely and beginners tend to spin them accidentally with predictable results.
That said it flies pretty well with 11.1v up it's chuff. Landing is always a bit dubious though as fast landings knacker the prop, spinner and cowl BUT the plane tip-stalls like a b
d so it's a fine line between crashing because you land too fast and crashing because you land too slow. CoG on mine is about 0.5cm - 1cm back from the leading edge at the tip IIRC.Not really a beginner plane because of the fairly spectacular departure from controlled flight when you stall (normally landing). Spins are perfectly possible but you need 30' to recover safely and beginners tend to spin them accidentally with predictable results.
Excellent, thanks for all the help with this... Really looking forward to it arriving, should be tomorrow fingers crossed.
Fortunately i have access to a large field with lots of tall thick grass at one end so i can practice my crash landings there
I was thinking of going LiPo for a bit of extra power/endurance but i'll start off with the original battery and see how it goes...
Fortunately i have access to a large field with lots of tall thick grass at one end so i can practice my crash landings there
I was thinking of going LiPo for a bit of extra power/endurance but i'll start off with the original battery and see how it goes...
350Wedge said:
Excellent, thanks for all the help with this... Really looking forward to it arriving, should be tomorrow fingers crossed.
Fortunately i have access to a large field with lots of tall thick grass at one end so i can practice my crash landings there
I was thinking of going LiPo for a bit of extra power/endurance but i'll start off with the original battery and see how it goes...
Few extra tips: Fortunately i have access to a large field with lots of tall thick grass at one end so i can practice my crash landings there
I was thinking of going LiPo for a bit of extra power/endurance but i'll start off with the original battery and see how it goes...
- Go Lipo - noticeable performance improvement.
- Get a Lipo battery and charger off eBay. Much cheaper out of HK or China.
- Do get the CofG sorted. Very unpredictable on light-weight Lipos if you don't.
- Throw away the supplied AA batteries for the transmitter. Mine were duff and crashed on 2nd flight.
- Get a few spare props, spinners and cowlings plus a battery door. And I've been flying for years
- Finally, tape over the battery door for extra security. Flimsy / brittle catch snapped off my plane during aeros. The battery flew out into the field and the plane came down like a sycamore leaf.
Must have had a decent one then roop - as I say, I'm yet to see one that hasn't been tail heavy!
Definitely agree with the tips list. Forgot about the battery tray. Last one I set up did similar when pulling out of a (very) low level loop, you know, right at the bit where you really need to have both power and control
Definitely agree with the tips list. Forgot about the battery tray. Last one I set up did similar when pulling out of a (very) low level loop, you know, right at the bit where you really need to have both power and control
Right i'll add sticky tape to my list of stuff to buy!!
Have started looking at LiPo batteries but have to admit i'm a little confused based on what comes up on an ebay search. I've never had LiPo batteries before.... I understand i need a 3 Cell 11.1v battery but there seem to be numerous options...
Also can anybody recommend a good supplier of spare parts, i think i'll get a couple of props and spinners. Got a good deal on the kit (£80) so i have a little spare for some parts/upgrades...!
Have started looking at LiPo batteries but have to admit i'm a little confused based on what comes up on an ebay search. I've never had LiPo batteries before.... I understand i need a 3 Cell 11.1v battery but there seem to be numerous options...
Also can anybody recommend a good supplier of spare parts, i think i'll get a couple of props and spinners. Got a good deal on the kit (£80) so i have a little spare for some parts/upgrades...!
Davi said:
Must have had a decent one then roop - as I say, I'm yet to see one that hasn't been tail heavy!
It was marginal to be fair, but it flew fine with the 10-cell NiMH (or whatever it was). The Lipo screwed it though hence the mods. It was also a very early one so maybe had different / heavier electronics...? No idea.Davi said:
Definitely agree with the tips list. Forgot about the battery tray. Last one I set up did similar when pulling out of a (very) low level loop, you know, right at the bit where you really need to have both power and control
Yeah, I had done a couple of rolls on a 45° dive to the ground, went level at about 30 feet, pulled up shar and just before the a/c hit the vertical the battery sailed out. Landed a good 50m away from the plane...!!!Is this the sort of LiPo batter i would need?? I assume i need a specific LiPo charger as well rather than just a normal charger ??
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11-1V-2100mAh-15C-Lipo-Li-Po...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11-1V-2100mAh-15C-Lipo-Li-Po...
350Wedge said:
Is this the sort of LiPo batter i would need?? I assume i need a specific LiPo charger as well rather than just a normal charger ??
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11-1V-2100mAh-15C-Lipo-Li-Po...
Yes you need a specific charger, never try a lipo on a normal charger!http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11-1V-2100mAh-15C-Lipo-Li-Po...
pack choice is a bit personal, mate uses hyperion, either 1500 or 1800mah in his mustang and that only just fits so would need to check the dims, I suspect that pack wouldn't go in there.
Have to say I don't tend to trust these unknown brands on ebay anyway- you get some very optimistic ratings for them and I've ended up slinging most of the ones I tried, or using them to experiment with how many ways you can get them to explode! With the prices as they are now it's not really worth bothering with them unless you get a recommendation from a regular modeller, the power output on the known brands tends to be not just noticeably better but can be the difference between a good flyer and something that'll scrape itself along the ground for a few meters.
My fist ever (and onlt so far) RC plane was a Parkzone F27 stryker
http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?Prod...
Other than the inital crash testing I found it really easy to fly, was able to maintain inverted flight, loop, roll catch it in my hand etc. Once you get the hang of them they're not hard at all.
My top tip for the absolute beginer is; DO NOT be tempted to fly it in any kind of breeze, let alone wind. It WILL end up in peices!
Also, don't try and fly it when your pi$$ed
http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?Prod...
Other than the inital crash testing I found it really easy to fly, was able to maintain inverted flight, loop, roll catch it in my hand etc. Once you get the hang of them they're not hard at all.
My top tip for the absolute beginer is; DO NOT be tempted to fly it in any kind of breeze, let alone wind. It WILL end up in peices!
Also, don't try and fly it when your pi$$ed
Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 31st August 16:20
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