Warbirds Replicas P51 Mustang

Hey progress.....

Well the second wing is at the same build level..

Time to join them.

But before you do you will need to trim the main spar brace at the front as this will foul the sheeting in the wheel well.

You need to reduce the length of these by about 4 mm.

And now the joining...

We are gathered here today..... oopps wrong type of joining

Servos fitted with ply blocks, this is just my little way of fitting them, for the bish bash boshers out there you could also hot glue them in .

A big thanks to Ron for sending me a sample of the covering method he uses, laminate film, so first a test.

It goes on a treat and to test adhesion pulled a piece off and as you can see it stripped a layer of balsa with it showing how well it is fixed in place. it also fits curves very well.

The thing that impressed me was the increased strength it added to the balsa. I am going to cover this model in it.

Again thanks Ron.

Good work Paul and glad you like the lam film 👍

Oooh the laminate looks like an interesting option! I must have missed the "laminate 101" lesson, where's that? Do you iron it on? How does paint adhere to such a shiny finish, or do you key it?

After covering a flap it was time to undertake the challenge of fitting it in place.

Now whilst contemplating my navel I thought of an idea and it turned out a reasonably easy fit.

First remove a small piece from the rib to allow access.

Glue torsion bar into flap and allow to dry fully.

Make sure that the hinge material is only a fraction longer than the torsion bar as it's a tight squeeze if you leave it too long.

Drop the flap in and align the hinges with your pre-cut slots you already made.

Push home, Pin and glue... job done!

Easy...

The plate for the flap servo is DIFFERENT from the production models as previously mentioned but I wanted to share this solution for the flaps as it allows gluing the torsion bar in without risk of getting glue everywhere and having the flaps glued solid. I will 'patch' the material removed and post that later.

Coming along well Paul, interesting use of laminating film so looking forward to seeing that.

Saw this beaut online today and haven't seen this scheme before. Not the correct model for me but might be a good and unusual one for some of you

Hi Graham,

It's 38 micron which is 1.5 thou in old money.

As per Paul, the lam film I use is 38 micron, I have tried heavy gauges but when you get up to 70 it does become difficult to form around compound curves albeit you end up with a bullet proof covering! The thing to remember with it is that it requires a bit more heat than we are generally used to using, I have my iron set to min 150 and when forming around curves you can feel it suddenly give.

Something I’m currently experimenting with is perforating it with my film perforator when applying it to smooth foam surfaces to prevent air bubbles, I do this on balsa before applying film and it works well. On foam I’m applying the film then going over it with the ‘pecker’ then going over it again with the iron, appears to be working and the holes either self seal or get filled with primer (or could be argued they are rivets!). 

Edited By Ron Gray on 30/11/2020 12:59:09

Hmm, whilst the perforations worked regarding air bubbles they are too prominent and show after primer so will need some lightweight filler, maybe apply really light pressure next time!

Yes I agree with Ron , Ive just been ironing some on a Spitfires tail feathers . I was surprised how much heat was needed to make it shrink . I used my favourite tool .......an electric paint stripper . Everyone should really get one . You can heat a room in about two minutes and Ive even done a bit of cooking with it . Creme Brulee is great but this year Im going to have a go at the Turkey .

The other warning I would offer chaps, is this :

While I had my little wooden handled solarfilm iron out (circa 1983) The Memsahib breezed in , in all her finery .

Now , this sought of encounter always makes me nervous , and as it turns out , I was right to be .

She said " Rather than messing about with that bloody thing and while you've got your iron out , why dont you get your Spider Man Pygamas out of the washing bin and give them a once over ? "

"Oh yes , and while youre at it , you can do the king sized Duvet cover . "

Well that was three hours ago , and I'm still at it . How can I have Tennis Elbow when Ive never played a game in my life ? The cord on my vintage iron is all frayed and so are my nerves . I'm only able to type this because I told her I needed a comfort break .

Still, my PJs look great .

I remember proudly showing my ex how I could set my helicopter blades up to 0.01 of a degree with my new Digital Inclinometer, next thing I knew I was re-hanging all the kitchen cupboards so the tins didn't all go to one end. Still got the Inclinometer.

I used to get that Richard, "How come you can iron on that stuff and not iron your own clothes?" Mutterings of keeping a dog and barking yourself did not win any Brownie points

Quite right Eric .

I must say , that the dainty solarfilm iron is excellent for collars or the pleats of my kilt ....

Beat that Mrs W !!

(sshh, she's not in the room )

Best not get the pleats to sharp, might damage some accessories

I find it really good for pocket squares and cravats. Oh yes, as I’ve just been reminded, it’s that time of year to use it on last year’s wrapping paper.

Edited By Ron Gray on 01/12/2020 10:54:24

Ron, Paul Thanks for your help.I am waiting on delivery of some 38micron film via Richard.

Don't know how to tell you this Richard but somebody has to - Spiderman is not real unlike other real heroes like Superman or Dan Dare.

I realise it's not a Mustang, but a Jaguar pretending to be a Hurricane paying tribute to 303 Sqn. It's been wrapped to perfection, and the noise from the free flow exhaust makes the engine sound like a Merlin.

A very well packaged box arrived today.

I managed to open it up to waft the smell of balsa around the house before I had to pack it back up as the movers are coming Tues.

Richard thanks for all your help and advise.