Hi everyone

[nwa1]

Like many of you, I flew those Cox .049 airplanes when I was a kid in the 60s and 70s. What fun it was back then! Well, I have decided to have some fun again doing something I love to do, so a few months ago I purchased a Parkzone P-51BL BNFand a DX-6i. I kept it stock except for the rudder mod. I feel like I felt when I was 10 years old. That plane is such a joy to fly and it helps me relax. What a blast this hobby can be and my 7 year old son is showing some interest too. I joined a club not far from home and the guys there have been really great; eager to share their experiences and expertise with a novice like me. I recently added a Vapor and the Ultra-Micro P-51. The Vapor is no sweat but I can't seem to harness that little P-51. I am on my second complete tail and will try again in a few days to find some consistency in flying it. Maybe I should program some expo?

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and I am looking forward to reading your posts and gleaning as much as I can from you all and maybe from time to time even adding a word or two in the process.

Ken

[WJCJR1]

Welcome aboard Ken, great to have you.

The P-51 is not a beginner model and this could be a reason you are having some troubles. I would recommend a couple things as you introduce yourself to this hobby

Flight simulators are priceless and phenomenally accurate.
Does your new airfield have people willing to buddy-box?
The UM P-51 is very small and learning to fly off this plane could be frustrating. You'll want something that is a bit larger and slower to respond. Hobbyzone Super Cub is a great trainer and can easily be flown in tighter places. This plane is only a 3 channel but is a terrific trainer.
If you are to stick with the UM P-51 fly only on calm days as the lighter the plane the more it is effected adversely to any wind. And make sure you are on low rates so you do not roll her over as quickly.
Welcome aboard!
Wayne

[ATIS]

Welcome,

Happy to hear you have come back to your childhood, remember we are only as old as we act and for all of us in the hobby that would make us all somewhere between 10 and 12 yrs old!! LOL

I posted a mod for the UM P-51...fixed flaps that will help slow her down. Also some EXPO will take the twitchiness out of her if the CG is set correctly. I recommend a mm forward of the recommended CG location to add some stability.

[rcdude07]

Welcome NWA1.

As previously mentioned, the UM P-51 is not the best bird to get back into the hobby with. But once you get the handling of it down, it's a gem to fly. I don't recommend flying it in winds greater than 10mph, 5mph can also prove challenging at first.

Glad to hear your son is showing interest. I got involved around that age but didn't get serious until I was about 10 yrs old. Soloed not long after that. It'll be a blast teaching him and watching him become a better pilot.

[nwa1]

Yep, I realize now that I probably bit off more than I can chew by getting the UM P-51 so early on in this. But shortly after sunset tonite it was nice and calm so I charged three 150's and put three flights on it without incident. That was the first time I made susscessful landings with no damage. I think I should heed the advice from the guys on this thread and not fly it until calm or almost calm winds. The 150mah batteries seem to be the way to go vs. the 120 or 130.

[nwa1]

Tonite while I was flying the UM P-51 my son was taxiing his hobbyzone cub. He is getting pretty good at making it go where he wants. After flying we had a ground handling contest where we set up a "goal" at each end of a 10 yard "course" and we attempt to put the planes in the goal within a set time... what a blast with a 7 year old!

[nwa1]

Yep, we have a FS One but I want to get the Phoenix because it has many of the planes sold at Horizon Hobby which is the route I want to go for now. I love the bind and fly concept. That new Extra 300 BNF looks pretty cool but is out of my league at present, maybe in a few months, we'll see.