PTS P-51 Mustang
(By Phil Castellanos)

	Wing Span: 58.25 in (1480mm) Overall Length: 50.5 in (1284mm) Wing Area: 627 sq in (w/droops), 603 sq in (w/o droops) Flying Weight: 6.5-7.0 lbs (2.9-3.2 kg) Engine Size: Evolution .46 Radio: JR SX600 6 channel w/ 6 servos

This is the Hangar 9 PTS (Progressive Trainer System) designed for the new R/C pilot with new technology that allows you to advance from learning the basics to advanced sport aerobatics without having to upgrade or purchase a new plane. This plane is setup with many features designed to slow down and tame the flight characteristics of a warbird that was designed with speed and maneuverability in mind.

In order to reduce the top speed, the plane include speed brakes on the landing gear struts, training flaps (22 degrees) and finally a three blade prop. With these three features this otherwise speedy warbird is brought down to a top speed that any new pilot can handle comfortably. Once you gain some experience you can easily remove the speed brakes, flaps, and install a two blade prop. The ground handling is truly amazing with this plane. I would be so bold to say it is nearly impossible to nose over with this plane while taxing. This was a concern of mine as many people told me tail draggers can be difficult to steer on the ground. My only complaint with ground steering is it can be hard to steer if you are taxing on a rough surface. Otherwise this plane handles superbly on the ground.

Another great feature of this warbird is the NACA wing droops that add stability to this warbird's flight characteristics. With the droops installed you will be hard pressed to snap-roll, spin or tip stall this warbird which is ideal for a beginner. They are also made from transparent plastic which makes them difficult to see in the air which keeps your P-51 looking like a P-51 (very important feature for us newbies :) we don't like to stand out).

I've been flying everyday at the field and everynight on the simulator and I think it's time to shed the training gear and see what this warbird can really do! I removed the wing droops, removed the speed brakes, installed a flap servo (for optional flaps), installed a 11x6 2 blade prop and removed the baffle from the muffler. As advertised, my trainer now became a very agile sports plane. I must admit I was really amazed at the speed of the Evolution .46 plus it's ease of operation! Within no time I was doing acceptable rolls, loops, cubans, inverted flying, split s and other basic maneuvers with ease and comfort.

The transition from Trainer to Sport plane was a smooth transition and found the plane still very manageable with all the training gear removed. My one concern was landing without the wing droops installed which provide more lift and more importantly more control at slower speeds. However, when I came down on final it was basically a hands-free affair all the way to touch down with only needing to add a touch of down elevator to keep her on a nice glide scope. All in all I can not be happier in selecting the PTS P-51 Mustang as my first plane.