User Manual

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Section 21: Maintaining Your P-51 Mustang ARF
The following is a check list that you should follow every
time you have completed a flying session with your
P-51 Mustang. Doing so will keep your aircraft in the
best flying condition.
Clean Up
After a long flying session with your P-51 Mustang ARF,
you will want to clean it up before loading it into your
vehicle to head home. Use a cleaner such as Windex or
409 and a paper towel to wipe down the exterior of your
plane, removing the fuel residue. Remember a clean plane
will last longer since the fuel won’t be allowed to soak into
any exposed wood.
Checking the Propeller
Check to make sure the propeller is tightly secured to
the engine. If not, remove the spinner and use a crescent
wrench to tighten it back down. If you have had any
not-so-great landings, you will want to inspect the
propeller for any damage. Small nicks and scratches
can quickly become fractures, causing the propeller to
be unsafe for flight. Always carry a few spare propellers
so a damaged propeller can be replaced at the field,
increasing your flying time per trip to the field.
Checking the Clevises
Inspect the aileron, elevator and rudder clevises to make
sure they are connected and in good working order. If
you find a clevis that is showing signs of wear or is
broken, replace it with a new clevis. Also check the nylon
connectors at the servo for any wear or damage. If they
look worn or in bad shape, replace them as well.
Checking the Control Horns
Inspect the control horns to make sure they have not
crushed the wood of the control surface. If so, remove the
control horn screws to remove the control horn. Place 2–3
drops of thin CA into each of the screw holes. In addition,
use a T-pin to poke small holes in the covering in the area
where the control horn mounts, then saturate the area with
thin CA. This will harden the wood and give the control
horns a solid surface to be mounted to.
Checking the Wheel Collars
Check the setscrews on the main and tail wheel collars to
make sure they are not loose. Use a 1.5mm
hex wrench to tighten the setscrews. It is suggested if
they loosen frequently to remove them, apply threadlock
to the setscrews, then secure the wheel collars back
into position.
Check the Muffler Bolts
Use a 2.5mm hex wrench to make sure the bolts holding
the muffler onto the engine are tight and have not vibrated
loose during flight.
Check the Engine Mount Bolts
Remove the spinner and propeller from the engine.
Remove the exhaust stacks from the fuselage, and then
remove the cowling from the fuselage. Remove the muffler
from the engine, and then use a Phillips screwdriver to
make sure the four bolts securing the engine to the mount
are tight.