Top 10 P-51 Mustangs
Model Airplane News|November 2016

Favorite all-American fighters.

The Model Airplane News Crew
Top 10 P-51 Mustangs

AeroWorks 50cc P-51 Mustang

Incredibly prefabricated for a scale warbird ARF, this built-up balsa and ply P-51 has UltraCote covering and comes with flaps, a flight-ready retract system, and sequenced landing-gear doors. All control surfaces (except the rudder) even come hinged and ready to be connected to their pushrods. A detailed cockpit and sliding canopy make it stand out on the flight line. Mustangs are known for their tracking capability, but this one really sets the bar high: once trimmed, it maintains course until you move the sticks. With its flaps deployed, it’s amazing how slow it can fly before the right wing drops during the stall. This great-flying warbird can be flown by any pilot with low-wing training. The parts fit perfectly, and the plane can be assembled in about a week. 

If there is one plane out there that is easily recognized and loved by most Americans, it would have to be the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang. Whether you like the speed and performance of these war machines or you have a soft spot for their place in aviation history, P-51 Mustangs are certainly among our favorite fighters. At Model Airplane News, we’ve been fortunate to be able to test-fly most of the P-51s that have hit hobby-store shelves, and the 10 we’ve highlighted here represent the best of the breed, so to speak. We considered looks, performance, quality of construction, and parts to come up with this top 10 list. If you’re a fan of this all-American fighter, we guarantee that you’ll find one here that’s perfect for your hangar.

QUICK SPECS

Wingspan: 86 in.

Wing area: 1,359 sq. in.

Weight: 23 lb. 14 oz.

Wing loading: 40.5 oz./sq. ft.

Power req’d: 50cc gas engine

Radio req’d: 10-channel

Denne historien er fra November 2016-utgaven av Model Airplane News.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2016-utgaven av Model Airplane News.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA MODEL AIRPLANE NEWSSe alt
Model Airplane News

Legend Hobby / Seagull Models - Cessna Grand Caravan 208

The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 is a legend in aviation circles. A single engine utility aircraft that punches up with capabilities that rival many twin engine aircraft in its class. Its seemingly simple configuration belies its near extreme utility.

time-read
8 mins  |
January 2022
Model Airplane News

PROPER CG LOCATION FOR AEROBATICS

If you are getting into aerobatics and are starting to perform more advanced maneuvers, it is time to discuss ways you can not only become a better pilot, but how you can also improve the flight characteristics of your airplanes.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2022
Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1
Model Airplane News

Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1

This famous multi-mission single engine observation aircraft served from 1950-1974. From calling out target locations to providing intel/recon information, the Bird Dog was a valued asset in both the Korean War and Vietnam.

time-read
1 min  |
January 2022
EARN YOUR WINGS
Model Airplane News

EARN YOUR WINGS

10 Tips for First-Flight Success

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2022
Old School Model Works Fifty Six
Model Airplane News

Old School Model Works Fifty Six

The Fifty Six takes its design cues from the original .09- to .15-size Carl Goldberg Falcon 56 of the 1960s. Reworked to incorporate modern, lasercut techniques to make kit building better than ever.

time-read
1 min  |
January 2022
Model Airplane News

FLYING TWINS Multi-engine warbirds made easy

Let’s face it, there’s just something extra special about twin-engine RC aircraft. Most modelers stop what they’re doing when a twin fires up on the flightline.

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2022
HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS
Model Airplane News

HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS

Four easy steps to increase performance and reduce vibration

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2022
PRODUCT REVIEW: RC PLANE STANDS BENCHTOP MODEL
Model Airplane News

PRODUCT REVIEW: RC PLANE STANDS BENCHTOP MODEL

I’m a sucker for shop stuff. I buy tools I will probably never use just because they are cool, or I might need to use them someday. When Glen from RC Plane Stands reached out about a review, however, I knew as soon as I browsed their website that I would be receiving something I would use a lot, maybe even daily.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2022
Model Airplane News

SPIRIT OF RHINEBECK AWARD WINNER

A close up of Norman Malinowski’s 1/3-scale Albatros

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2022
CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS
Model Airplane News

CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS

The secret to a plane that flies well

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2021