Always check each control linkage to be sure they are secure and
that nothing is loose. Always make it part of your pre-flight routine
to check each control on the airplane, making sure the surfaces
are moving in the correct directions. Also, be sure to range check
your radio system per the radio manufacturer's instructions.
TAKE-OFF: When you're satisfied that the airplane is ready for
flight, start the engine and allow it to warm up to operating
temperature. While the engine is warming up, make one last check
that all controls are functioning in the right direction. Make sure the
flaps are up - we do not recommend using them on takeoff under
normal conditions. Taxi the P-51B our to the take-off position on
the flying field. Hold full up elevator during the taxi to keep the
tailwheel firmly to the ground.
Line up with the center of the
runway with the nose pointed directly into the wind. When ready to
go, hold a little up elevator and smoothly advance the throttle - do
not slam the throttle full open all at once. The airplane should roll
forward smoothly, tailwheel on the ground. As speed builds, back
off of the up elevator input and use the rudder as needed to
maintain a straight takeoff run. The tail will come up as flying
speed is reached and a little up elevator will lift the Mustang off the
ground. Keep the wings level with the ailerons and climb out at a
shallow angle until a safe maneuvering altitude is reached. Make
your control inputs smooth and avoid jerking the sticks. Retract the
landing gear during the climb out.
Once you achieve a safe
altitude, throttle back slightly to a nice "cruising" speed. Use your
transmitter trim levers to make any necessary trim adjustments to
achieve straight and level, hands-off flight.
With the airplane now trimmed and flying straight and level, you
can begin to explore the P-51's flying characteristics. You should
find it to be a very comfortable flying airplane, with smooth
neutral-stability characteristics.
If you've flown "pattern-style"
aerobatic airplanes, the Mustang should feel very familiar. It will
perform all the basic aerobatic maneuvers with ease and grace -
loops, rolls, inverted flight, snap rolls, spins, Immelman turns, split
S, etc., are all well within the P-51's flight envelope. Take it easy
with the Mustang on the first flight, gradually getting acquainted
with it as you gain confidence.
STALL TEST: Sometime during the first flight you should take the
Mustang to altitude and see how it stalls. Fly the airplane directly
into the wind and get the wings perfectly level. Begin throttling
back the engine while steadily increasing up elevator input as the
airplane starts into a descending glide. This will give you a good
idea of the airplane's glide characteristics.
While still at idle,
steadily increase up elevator until the airplane stops flying and
enters a stall. If the wings are level, the stalls tend to be clean and
straight ahead, with the nose simply dropping forward and
controlled flight resuming quickly. This is great information to have
when set up for your first landing.
PRE-FLIGHT SAFETY CHECK
Turn the radio system on and check the function of all the controls.
Make sure they are moving in the right direction! Thousands of
R/C airplanes have crashed over the years because the servos
were moving the wrong way! Also, make sure all the servos are
centered and working perfectly, without any binding. Double check
to make sure that you have secured the servo arms to the servos
with the retaining screws. Correct all such problems now.
CONTROL MOVEMENTS
Following control surface movements for the P-51B Mustang are
based on our experience flying our prototype models.
These
measurements have provided us with a very smooth flying model.
We urge you to use these measurements for your initial test flight
set up. Later, after test flying, you can change them incrementally
if you feel you want faster or slower control response. Because all
pilots have differing opinions about what they like or dislike in
control authority, these numbers can certainly be changed to suit
your own flying style.
Ailerons:
7/16" Up - 7/16" Down
Elevators:
11/16" Up - 11/16" Down
Rudder:
1-3/8" Left - 1-3/8" Right
Flaps:
1-1/2" Down (maximum)
Expo:
20% on Ailerons and Elevator
Note that these measurements are taken from the widest (inboard)
end of the tapered ailerons and flaps, and at the widest trailing
edge point of the elevators and rudder.
RANGE CHECK
Be sure to range check your radio installation on the ground,
before you attempt to fly your MUSTANG for the first time. With the
transmitter antenna collapsed, and the receiver and transmitter
turned on, you should be able to walk at least 100 ft. away from the
model and still have solid control. Have an assistant stand by the
airplane to watch the action of the control surfaces, while you walk
slowly away from the model, constantly working the controls as you
go. Your assistant should signal to you if the control surfaces
become erratic. If all is well out to 100 ft. or further, repeat the test
with the engine running, with the assistant holding the airplane. If
the control surfaces do not respond correctly, do not fly! Find and
correct the problem first.
Look for loose servo connections or
broken wires, corroded wires, poor solder joints in your battery
pack, or a defective cell in the battery pack, or a damaged
receiver crystal from a previous crash. If you can't find and fix the
problem, send the radio in to an approved service center.
NEVER FLY WITH A RADIO SYSTEM THAT ISN'T WORKING
100% CORRECTLY. THE PROBLEM WON'T GET BETTER IN
THE AIR, IT WILL GET WORSE!
FLYING
If you have carefully followed this assembly manual, test flying your
P-51B Mustang should be a lot of fun with no surprises. Planning
and preparation are the keys to success in flying R/C!
Try to choose a calm day with little or no wind for the first flight.
Good conditions allow you to better evaluate and more accurately
adjust the trim requirements for your airplane.
A good running reliable engine is a must for the success of this or
any airplane. Take the time to solve any engine related problems
before trying to fly your model.
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