FT Mini Mustang Paper Replacement Kit - "Paul I" You Print it. You Build it.
The second in my Mighty Mini P51 Mustang paper replacement or "skin" set is Paul I, a P51 currently on display at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, WI. This aircraft belonged to the late Paul Poberezny. Paul was widely considered as the first person to have universalized the tradition of aircraft homebuilding. Through his work with EAA, he had the reputation of inspiring millions of people to get involved in grassroots aviation.
This unique color scheme also included different versions of invasion stripes than "Old Crow". From these two base configurations I will be able to create other color schemes quicker. I will also be taking the Paul I color scheme, making it purple (my wife's favorite color) and adding my wife's name to the nose. When I told her this she smiled and said "How romantic."
Oh well, ya gotta score thoses point when and how you can! lol!
Note the different color on the bottom/back of the fuselage. I had to reprint that part on a different printer and, no surprise, I got a different color. Something to consider when you decided where to print your plane.
I tried a version of localfiend's clear canopy and it came out ok. I really think it needs a paper model cockpit when a clear canopy is used. I also edited the blue stripe on the fuse in front of the canopy to make it extend more down the side of the fuse to look more like the full scale.
It is advisable that you download the full plans and have them available for viewing before beginning your build. You will need them for reference as score lines are not on the skin kits. This is not a beginner build! You must be comfortable with the flite Test build method. I would also advise you build a mini P51 before attempting this. I learned much from my first build.
**Please read the Hints and Tips under the pics before printing and building!**
There will be two page sizes for you to print out. An 11X17 and an 8.5X11.
The 11X17 version has less tiled parts and makes for a quicker build. It’s six pages, over 23 meg and available here. Or cut and paste this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ysihkxeqkeki61r/FT MM P51 Paul I.pdf?dl=0
The 8.5x11 version has more tiled parts and will take some more pasting together of the sk. It’s six pages, over 23 meg and available here Or cut and paste this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uhoasa0olzs2379/FT MM P51 Paul I 8.5X11.pdf?dl=0
Let me know if you run into any issues with the files. I will also be "tweaking" them from time to time when I find issues but I don't intend to post for every tweak.
Hints and Tips
The next big thing will be who posts the first “Paul I” flight video! It won’t be me so good luck! Build, fly, and post lots of pics!
The second in my Mighty Mini P51 Mustang paper replacement or "skin" set is Paul I, a P51 currently on display at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, WI. This aircraft belonged to the late Paul Poberezny. Paul was widely considered as the first person to have universalized the tradition of aircraft homebuilding. Through his work with EAA, he had the reputation of inspiring millions of people to get involved in grassroots aviation.
This unique color scheme also included different versions of invasion stripes than "Old Crow". From these two base configurations I will be able to create other color schemes quicker. I will also be taking the Paul I color scheme, making it purple (my wife's favorite color) and adding my wife's name to the nose. When I told her this she smiled and said "How romantic."
Oh well, ya gotta score thoses point when and how you can! lol!
Note the different color on the bottom/back of the fuselage. I had to reprint that part on a different printer and, no surprise, I got a different color. Something to consider when you decided where to print your plane.
I tried a version of localfiend's clear canopy and it came out ok. I really think it needs a paper model cockpit when a clear canopy is used. I also edited the blue stripe on the fuse in front of the canopy to make it extend more down the side of the fuse to look more like the full scale.
It is advisable that you download the full plans and have them available for viewing before beginning your build. You will need them for reference as score lines are not on the skin kits. This is not a beginner build! You must be comfortable with the flite Test build method. I would also advise you build a mini P51 before attempting this. I learned much from my first build.
**Please read the Hints and Tips under the pics before printing and building!**
There will be two page sizes for you to print out. An 11X17 and an 8.5X11.
The 11X17 version has less tiled parts and makes for a quicker build. It’s six pages, over 23 meg and available here. Or cut and paste this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ysihkxeqkeki61r/FT MM P51 Paul I.pdf?dl=0
The 8.5x11 version has more tiled parts and will take some more pasting together of the sk. It’s six pages, over 23 meg and available here Or cut and paste this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uhoasa0olzs2379/FT MM P51 Paul I 8.5X11.pdf?dl=0
Let me know if you run into any issues with the files. I will also be "tweaking" them from time to time when I find issues but I don't intend to post for every tweak.
Hints and Tips
- Printing - Please check your Print Dialog box and make sure that under "Page Size & Handling" that the "Actual size" button is checked and NOT the "Fit" button. If "Fit" was chosen it can result in smaller sized prints even when the correct paper size is selected. So far this one tip, if not done, has wasted more time and money than anything else!
- Again this is not a beginner build! You must be comfortable with the flite Test build method.
- It is advisable that you download the full plans and have them available for viewing before beginning your build. You will need them for reference as score lines are not on the skin kits.
- The extra turtle deck - It was the one piece I had the most issue with. The extra non-curved one was a last minute fail safe. In case something went wonky with a build, the builder would have this to use as a backup to custom cut.
- The horizontal stab - Do not cut out the tabs that engage the fuse on the top (blue) skin. It is unnecessary and will detract from the look.
- The Wing - I opted to just remove all the paper and only use the skins. I think after the spar is in it will be more than sufficiently strong. Take extra care in trimming the edges where the wing halves come together.
- The fuselage - Peel off the paper from just one side of the foam.
- When a piece has two sides covered with skins:
- Rough cut one side from the paper
- Take an appropriate sized section of foam and peal the paper from both sides
- Glue it to the foam
- Trim the foam to the skin (art)
- Trim the other side of the skin from the paper
- Carefully align the second side to the foam
- The bottom of the fuselage - Take extra care when gluing the two bottom sections into place. Panel lines should line up and the paper on the edges should be flush for a clean look.
- Sheeting - To keep the color between pieces the same I printed out everything on the same paper - 24lbs bond although 20lbs bond would work as well and save a little weight. For parts that require card stock, I just glue the printed paper skin to a black sheet of the same paper then cut the piece out.
- Sharpie Touch Ups - Use an appropriate color Sharpie for touch ups.
- Weathering Tip - Use a silver fine tip Sharpie to simulate paint chipping.
- Landing Gear - You have several options in the gear and bay area. As a belly lander, cut and glue part of the gear bay doors so it overlaps the wing and fuselage. For a mustang with gear down, cut and glue in the "open bay" graphic, Again overlap the wing and fuse. Use the remaining gear doors to make yourself some killer looking landing gear! Can't wait for someone to do this!
- Belly Landings - Protect you P51 doing belly landings so it stays awesome looking longer. Using packing tape on the undersides of the fuselage.
The next big thing will be who posts the first “Paul I” flight video! It won’t be me so good luck! Build, fly, and post lots of pics!
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