VQ P-51B (No Flaps) Tuskegee Airmen [Electric]

[Dreamy_Bongo]

I was gifted this by a family member who is big into the hobby. I have only flown foamies. He is really excited for me to do a balsa plane.

Parts:
E-Flite Electric retracts
Tacon 46 brushless
Hitec HS-322HD Deluxe

What I need:
Prop
Nose Cone
Arming Switch
ESC
Battery

Plane:

Cutting away for the retracts:

 

[degriz]

Nice gift! have fun

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Cut out the area for aileron servos. The instructions for the plane do not include this wing design so I had to ask where it was.

I also learned that rope and balsa piece are for guiding your wire through the wing.

Now I have to figure out where on the wing root to cut open for the wire.

 

[rockyboy]

It's a nice touch that the string for pulling the aileron servo wires is included!

If you aren't able to find any other documentation for where on the wing root rib to cut through to get the wire, take a look at the inside of the fuselage and see if there is an opening in the balsa just behind the spar.

If so, that's probably the right location to go with.

If not, I'd suggest going in a straight line to the wing root from where the string goes into the balsa in your picture, perhaps learning a little bit towards the thickest part of the wing. Chances are it's designed with the fewest cuts to get that wire through the wing, and the holes are probably placed in the thickest part of the ribs, so it shouldn't wander around too much in there.

 

[OliverW]

Looks like a beautiful bird!

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

There is a small hole near the wing root... The manual did not show this exists. I goofed up the servo rope guides so if anyone has an idea on how to thread the extension wires without that I would appreciate it.

Extensions bought, and threaded through the wing. Using the supplied rope was easy thanks to having forceps.

I think the wing assembler decided to max out their roll of rope here....

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Start work on the firewall. Going to use some washers to create the thrust angle.

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Motor mount done:

Fire wall done, glad I didn't need to thread that:

 

[rockyboy]

Did the servo extensions have a little locking tab that grabbed the servo connector housing to keep them firmly together? If not, its a good idea to tape them together, or tie them together with string, or something to make sure you don't have an unexpected separation in the future. I know they seem to plug together nicely now, but after taking the wings on and off a couple times the servo wires do get tugged, and worst case is they slip lose enough that they disconnect while in flight some day It's a horror story that I haven't personally experienced, but have heard many times.

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Did the servo extensions have a little locking tab that grabbed the servo connector housing to keep them firmly together?

No, that is why I am using medical tape.

 

[rockyboy]

No, that is why I am using medical tape.

Perfect! Good 'ol 3M Blenderm Medical tape is a necessity in a well stocked RC tool box

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Perfect! Good 'ol 3M Blenderm Medical tape is a necessity in a well stocked RC tool box

Might also take some of my nephew' s hockey stick tape and see if that works.

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Got the servos installed:

Motor is test fitted, and most of the holes are ready for stabs:

Tail wheel installed:

Now I hae to get the control surfaces off the horizontal stab so I can slide t through.

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Aligning the horizontal stab. Should be fun.

 

[Dreamy_Bongo]

Got an aluminum Hangar 9 spinner and finally got some velcro straps for the battery tray. Screwing in the control horns have been kicking my butt.