USAMADE IN - Hobbico

1 Flite Models guarantees this kit to be free of defects in bothmaterial and workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component partsdamaged by use or modification. In no case shall Top Flite's' liability exceed the original cost of thepurchased kit. Further, Top Flite reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice. In that Top Flite has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, noliability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the finaluser-assembled product. By the act of using the user-assembled product the user accepts all resultingliability. If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, heis advised to immediately return this kit in new and unused condition to the place of Flite Models3002 N.

2 Apollo Dr., Suite 1 Champaign, IL 61822 Technical Assistance - Call (217) 398-8970P516P03 THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION BOOK FIRST. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS IN TMMETRIC CONVERSION CHART ..3 DIE PATTERNS ..4,5 DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE EARLY INTHE BUILDING SEQUENCE ..6 Engine and Mount and Tools Needed ..6 Other Items Required ..7 Common Abbreviations ..7 Types of for Competition-Minded Modelers .7 GET READY TO BUILD ..8 Build the Tail Surfaces ..8 Build the Fin ..11 Build the the Wing ..13 Join theWing Panels ..18 Sheet the the for Silver Soldering ..28 Mount the Wing to the the Stab and Fin ..34 Prepare the Elevators ..36 Fuselage the Dorsal the Top Cowling ..41 Mount the the Wing the Forward Wing Fairing ..45 Fit the Flaps ..46 FINISHING ..49 Final Sanding ..49 Fuelproofing ..49 Balancing the Plane Laterally ..49 Covering.

3 49 Apply Trim ..50 Exhaust Decals ..51 Hinging ..51 Final Control Hardware Hookup ..52 Mount the Landing Gear ..53 Fixed Landing Gear ..53 Retracts ..53 Cockpit Finishing ..53 Install Receiver, Switch and Battery ..54 Balance Your Hookups and Surface Throws .. the Batteries ..56 Find a Safe Place to Fly ..56 Ground Check the Check your Safety Precautions ..56 AMA SAFETY ..56 Radio Control ..57 FLYING ..572-VIEW DRAWINGS ..60 METRIC CONVERSIONS1" = mm (conversion factor)1/64" = .4 mm1/32" = .8 mm1/16" = mm3/32" = mm1/8" = mm5/32" = 4 mm3/16" = mm1/4" = mm3/8" = mm1/2" = mm5/8" = mm3/4" = 19 mm1" = mm2" = mm3" = mm6" = mm12" = mm15" = 381 mm18" = mm21" = mm24" = mm30" = 762 mm36" = mm- 2 -TABLE OF CONTENTS- 3 -INTRODUCTIONT hank you for purchasing theTop FliteGOLD EDITIONP-51D Top Flite P-51D is an excellent sportscale model that is just as at home with sportflying as it is in competition.

4 Its exact scaleoutline allows you to add authentic details andtake it into serious competition if desired. Itsmodern construction and refined aerodynamics,incorporating features such as computer-designed airfoils that progressively change fromroot to tip with built-in washout, give you a planethat will build straighter and fly better than warbirdkits of the Gold Edition mustang is approximately1/7th scale. The exact scale ratio is 1: Thetrim scheme allows you to finish a veryimpressive model using Top Flite SuperMonoKote . The MonoKote covered prototype,shown on the box, was good enough to finish 2ndin Expert at the very competitive 1992 BlueGrass Scale Classicin Kentucky. It scored quitewell in static due to its excellent outline, andposted the highest flight scores in the expertcategory. This performance earned the Mustangan invitation to the1992 Scale inspect all parts carefully beforestarting to build!

5 If any parts are missing,broken or defective, or if you have anyquestions about building or flying this model,please call us at (217) 398-6300 and we ll beglad to help. If you are calling for replacementparts, please look up the part numbers andthe kit identification number (stamped on theend of the carton) and have them ready You must build the plane according to theplans and not alter or modifythe model, as doing so may result in an unsafe orunflyable model. In a few cases the plans andinstructions may differ slightly from the photos. Inthose instances you should assume the plans andwritten instructions are You must take time to buildstraight true You must use a proper R/C radiothat is infirst class condition, the correct sized engineandcorrect components(fuel tank, wheels, etc.)throughout your building You must properly installall R/C equipmentand other components so that the model operatesproperly on the ground and in the You must testthe operation of the modelbefore the first and each successive flight toinsure that all equipment is operating, and youmust make certain that the model has remainedstructurally sound.

6 Be sure to check externalnylon clevises often, and replace any that showsigns of If you are not already an experienced R/C pilotat this time, you must flythe model only with thecompetent helpof a well experienced R/C pilot . NOTE: We, as the kit manufacturer,can provide you with a top quality kitand thorough instructions, butultimately the quality and flyability ofyour finished model depends on howyou build it; therefore, we cannot inany way guarantee the performance ofyour completed model, and norepresentations are expressed orimplied as to the performance orsafety of your completed : Take your time and followdirections to complete a well-builtmodel that is straight and ! THIS IS NOT A TOY!The model you will build from this kit is not a toy! It is capable of serous bodilyharm and property damage. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND YOURS ALONE-to build this kit correctly, properly install all R/C components to test fly the model, andfly it ONLY with experienced, competent help in accordance with all safety standardsas set down in the Academy on Model Aeronautics Safety Code.

7 It is suggested thatyou join the AMA to become properly insured before you attempt to fly the model. IFYOU ARE JUST STARTING R/C MODELING, CONSULT YOUR LOCAL HOBBYSHOP OR WRITE TO THE ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS TO FIND ANEXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR IN YOUR of Model Aeronautics5151 East Memorial , IN 47302-9252 (800) 435-9262- 4 -DIE-CUT PATTERNSPLYPLYPLY- 5 -DIE-CUT PATTERNSPLYPLYPLYBIRCH PLYBIRCH PLYPLYPLYPLYSUGGESTED SUPPLIES AND TOOLS 2 oz. Thin CA 2 oz. Medium CA oz. 5-Minute Epoxy oz. 30-Minute Epoxy Hand or Electric Drill Drill Bits: 1/16 , 3/32 , 1/8 , 5/32 , 3/16 ,13/64 , 1/4 , 5/64" & 17/64 Sealing Iron (Top Flite) Heat Gun (Top Flite) Hobby Saw (X-Acto Razor Saw or CopingSaw) X-Acto Knife, #11 Blades Pliers Screwdrivers T-Pins Straightedge with measuring scale Masking Tape (Required for construction) Sandpaper (coarse, medium, fine grit)* T-Bar Sanding Block (or similar) Waxed Paper Lightweight Balsa Filler (such as HobbicoHobbyLite ) 1/4-20 Tap, Tap Wrench Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol (70%) Dremel Moto Tool or similar (optional)NOTE: On our workbench, we havefour 11 T-Bar sanders, equipped with#50, #80, #150 and #220-gritsandpaper.

8 This setup is all that isrequired for almost any sanding blocks can be made frombalsa for sanding hard to reach also keep some #320-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper handy for finishsanding before 6 -DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE EARLYIN THE BUILDING SEQUENCEENGINE AND MOUNT SELECTIONThe recommended engine size range is asfollows:.60 to .91 cu. in. (10cc to 15cc) to .120 cu. in. (15cc to 20cc) 4-cycleThe mustang will fly well with any of therecommended engines. The 4-cycle enginesand most .90 2-cycle engines will turn a largerprop at lower RPM s. This is often desirable forscale realism. Many .60 2-cycle enginesproduce about as much horsepower as thepopular .90 2-cycle engines and will fly theMustang fine. If you use a .60 2-cycle, aSchnuerle ported engine is you will be side mounting your engine,the 2-cycle engines will not stick out of the cowlas much as 4-cycles will.

9 If you mount yourengine inverted, you will need to provide amplecooling air entry and exit kit includes an EM60120 enginemount that will hold most engines in therecommended size range. The Top-Flite In-Cowlexhaust system works very well in the Mustangwhen the engine (2-Stroke) in mounted choice whether or not to use fixedgear or retracts is up to you. Retracts offergood looks and great flight realism at the cost ofsome expense and complication. For sportflying and moderate competition work werecommend you choose an air operated systemsuch as the Robart #605 90-degree offer the easiest installation and reliableoperation. Mechanical retracts could be fitted,but the length and weight of the tire/strutassembly would overload most servos. Moreinformation on retracts is found in the Tips forCompetition-Minded Modelers section and inthe construction sequence.

10 A Robart retractabletail gear will work well and may be mounted toF-10 (you must modify the lightening holes in F-10). You must actuate the tail gear retract witha servo or a 3/8 air cylinder and add a pull-pulltail wheel steering system to your Jet Models also offers a retract/strutpackage that is specifially tailored for the SELECTIONThe scale tire size is 4 . Therecommended range of tire sizes is 3-1/4 to 4 .If you use fixed gear, you may choose to usethe smaller tires to reduce drag in the air. If youuse 3/8 offset Robostruts, they are onlyavailable to fit up to 3-1/4 tires at the time ofthis writing. Robart main wheels are very closeto scale for a P-51. A 1-1/4 tail wheel is scaleand model is designed with all theprovisions in place to include operating flapsthat are very scale. They require somecraftsmanship and time but are not very difficultto install, if you follow the instructions.