Funflak

They are there to clear the bell cranks in the wings for the aileron controls.

I can remember when those flew on single channel escapement radios with ignition engines and a timer fuse on the rudder so if it got into a thermal you would not lose the model. A friends dad flew these back in the mid fifties. Great build job too.

Due to obligations with the Tuskegee Airmen for the model to be on display for various functions I have not flown the model yet. However I have another one of similar size and weight and can reach speeds of 120-130 miles per hour in level flight. The 100cc two stroke engine has about 5-6 hourspower I think. It turns a 24"diameterX12"pitch two bladed prop around 6400 rpms. The first plane has now been signed by approx. 70 Tuskegee Airmen and is now grounded. I fly an 85" wing span 24# P-51C Mustang that has a 50cc engine in the nose and does about 115 mph in level flight and cruses around 95 or so. It is painted to resemble the full scale C Mustang that is owned by the Red Tail Project in MN. It was painted to honor the Tuskegee airmen by doing a paint scheme that takes something from all four squadrons of the Airmen and not just one airmens plane. My friend was killed in it five years ago due to an untimely engine failure on base leg at an air show. The group has since restored the plane and is again flying the plane. You can see it by going to this link: http://www.redtail.org if you like. It has been a real priviledge to have met so many of the original Tuskegee Airmen and hear their stories. Toad was at the Mustang gathering with me and met quite a few himself. The photos are of all three, The C model on a fly by with the US Air Force museum in the back ground, and one just as the wheels touch on landing. The first D model, 102" wingspan is shown flying agian with the museum as the back ground and one right after the final signature had been placed on the model at the Mustang Gathering. The other two depic Mr. Archer signing the canopy rail of the newest model and one right aqfter he had signed the plane. The man came running over to me before I had met him and threw his arms around me and hugged me like his long lost son. He was over whelmed with emotion to think someone would take the time to build a model of his airplane. If you look closely at the builder while Lee is signing the plane you can see the tears welling in his eyes when the gravity of the moment had hit him. Toad was there when all this took place and had his photo taken with a lot of the airmen along with a lot of the other WWII Mustang pilots in atendance.

Yes I am retired, but I have been building and flying some type of model airplane for most of my life. It grew into working for my private pilots licence and instrument rating. I have had the priviledge of flying over a lot of the continental US. I am no longer current and relegate all my flying to models and online with the best bunch of fliers in the world. DDs. Not to mention my association with Joint-Ops. I also do volunteer work at The National Museum of the US Air Force which is only about 20 minutes away from where I live. I am blessed to have the priviledge to be around all these great planes in IL2 on a regular bassis. My life has revolved around flying and have really enjoyed myself.

Here is some photos of my 100", 23% scale P-51D20NA Mustang. Powered by a 100 cc gas, single cylinder engine, has working retracts, sequencing gear doors, power operated remote controled sliding canopy, all lights function including the fold down landing light. It weighs 37 pounds and has been signed on the canopy by the actual WWII pilot who flew Ina the Macon Bell, MR. Lee Archer the only known Ace of the Tuskegee Airmen. Even the fuel is put into the aircraft at the fuel port on the side of the fuse behind the canopy on the left side. Also the drop tanks are dropable from the air during flight. You never know when you may be bounced by the Hun...hehehehehe All panel lines, rivets and hatches are inplace along with simulated wrinkled sheel metal.

Thank you all, and thank you all for allowing me to be apart of the DD family. you guys all ROCK!