P51 Conversion to DLE20RA

Hi Frank, hope you feel a bit better soon and can get up the field. Thanks for the offer, may take you up on that, but not sure when at the present moment. I assume your neighbours are used to some noise.... :lol: You got something to restrain the fuselage? Probably have to be a morning. Going off subject momentarily,

Frank, Wots Wot are back and I now have one (pre-ordered ages ago and suddenly turned up). Gonna fit mine with a 4030/08 laying around on 6 cell (1200 watts) However, there has to be a downside and a forthcoming post will explain what, why, etc.

Kevin, mine is a Walbro and is fitted to the 20, 35's. The CDi is supposedly the same unit for the 20,35,55. (DLE changed the capacities because of counterfeit copies) However, rumour has it that specifically the 20's timing is 32 deg rather than the the standard 28. Not that I am concerned because I don't have that issue, I am just commenting for general info.

Glad you got it sorted Phil..... Can be frustrating chasing a ghost!

Getting there now, progress is showing at last. Engine installed, all the electrics, wings completed. Repainted cowl and top of fuse to replicate a Yellow Nose Mustang of 351st Fighter Group. Got to hand paint the canopy frame though. Lots of tidying up to do once everything is checked out twice.

Engine fit was tight, I knew it would be, but sits nicely. Took some thinking on getting the throttle and choke controls (the latter still neeeds a better way of operating it but minor issue) into the main fuselage. Had to make up a few custom mods to allow the RX to sit where I wanted it, seeing as the regulator was in it's position. Prop is MAS 15x8 also Inca yellow tips.

The yellow acrylic paint job on the cowl and fuselage top is Rover Inca Yellow, the nearest I could find to match the spinner. The blue rudder was sprayed in Mercedes wheel silver but is isn't as "silvery as the fuselage covering but I'll think on that one. I wanna see it fly first... :lol:

More images to come as I stumble along.... :lol:

Hi Phil

I'm curious (and concerned) about the Fuel tank
- Does the photo show the tank fwd of the L/E but facing rearwards ?
- Is it aft of the wing T/E
- Or is it in in the upper deck space

Hi Phil

Looks like it is getting close now, is that the standard DLE 20 exhaust?? If it is it will be LOUD

kevinross wrote: Hi Phil

I'm curious (and concerned) about the Fuel tank
- Does the photo show the tank fwd of the L/E but facing rearwards ?
- Is it aft of the wing T/E
- Or is it in in the upper deck space

The tank is in it's designated position but is reversed to allow for a small gap between the tank end and firewall. This is because the carb sits partly in firewall hole that the tank would've sat in.

I have had the Muzzie running again for something to do after modifying the choke and throttle control. In the near future will get it up the field for some tuning.

Chris73 wrote: Hi Phil

Looks like it is getting close now, is that the standard DLE 20 exhaust?? If it is it will be <strong>LOUD</strong>

It didnt' sound loud in my drive...

Trust me the standard DLE exhausts are useless, you can pick up a reasonably cheap Pitts exhaust which will make a big difference

PhilF51 wrote: The tank is in it's designated position but is reversed to allow for a small gap between the tank end and firewall.

Don't think that will allow the clunk to work very well Phil, if it stays at the back ( now front) of the tank it will be out of the fuel when the nose is raised. If it does drop to the rear of the tank it will get caught in the pipes around the bung end then be out of the fuel when you are inverted (or upright depending on where it gets caught). You might want to reconsider this arrangement!

Cheers Guys, I'll rethink the tank layout Jon but I got the idea from RC Forums where they had similar issues with gas conversions in scale models and they had the tank reversed. I must admit I thought it might be an issue with the clunk up front, but maybe would work if the tank is short and also in this case it is side on. But on the other hand you have G-forces at work also which will attempt to push items and fuel to rear.

I will have look see for an alternative Pitts exhaust then.....

www.motorsandrotors.co/index.php?main_pa...info&products_id=179
Any use?

If you can't fit the tank in that you have, what about two smaller tanks that can go in the right way round and plumbed into a central pickup (uat).

Or the tank the right way round just set back a little?