Titan T51 Mustang with V6..first in UK

[bencmaster]

Titan T51 Mustang with V6 engine
by bencmaster » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:40

For those of you who like Warbirds, here are two Youtube links to the first completed and flying Titan T51 Mustang with a V6 engine.

I am just ploughing through the test flying schedule at the minute.
This has turned out to be quite a complex aircraft, but so far all is going really well.

UK T51 Mustang in flight.mov - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vtvxwXWNw) (2.5 min air to air video)


and

First UK 'V6' T51 MUSTANG build .mov - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuVHq7u9fXI) (15 min build video)

I hope it may inspire one or two potential builders to take the plunge. I want a squadron to fly with!

Ben

[Genghis the Engineer]

An attractive aircraft, what's the test programme been like? Also interesting that you're using a chase aircraft which is very unusual on an LAA programme - in fact it may be a first!

G

[boguing]

Lovely aircraft.

Link to youtube isn't working for me?

[Jan Olieslagers]

Link to youtube isn't working for me?

try removing the <b> </b> tagging

[bencmaster]

Sorry these should work:



UK T51 Mustang in flight.mov - YouTube (2.5 min air to air vid)


and

First UK 'V6' T51 MUSTANG build .mov - YouTube (15 min build video)

[bencmaster]

The test programme needs to be seen in the light of the fact that there is another one already flying in the UK and this one (mine) has done 20hrs on the ground being scrutinised. So the programme has been fairly standard and not too long. The main difference is obviously the Suzuki V6 motor, which is where most of my attention needs to be focussed when the tests pilot comes back each time from the various stages/flights. The next thing is the big 84" CS prop, which seems to be good.

This is a heavier/faster aircraft than the lighter Rotax version and we are still working on some drop tests back in the States that will hopefully fill in the last of the info required for its 2 seat status. (its a very nice two seater unless you are tiny and your pilot is very tall, then you don't see the panel at all).

But so far, all good news and big smiles all round.

Ben:ok:

[stickandrudderman]

looks nice! See the swap an hour sticky, mine's a Falco!:ok:
One thing: the tail wheel seem a strangely long way forward leaving very little ground clearance at the tail.

[abgd]

A very pretty aircraft. Congratulations on finishing it.

Perhaps it seems silly, but I find it very satisfying that the radiator is where the radiator should be.

[boguing]

Thanks for correcting the 'building' video link.

Great choices on the music front, and an "adult length" video too. (So tired of watching short attention span clips). Really enjoyed watching it.

If you consider the swop an hour thing, I have lots of models. I'd even say that two hours of model flying would be more fair to you.

Edit. Well done choosing a V6. Only engines with a multiple of three cylinders sound right to me. Which is why my new L.and R.over build was getting a Jag straight six, and is now getting a V12.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Out of interest, who is the TP? I'm really quite envious of them.

G

[Deeday]

It looks like there is a lot of metal well ahead of the main landing gear, considering the general proportions of the aircraft. I hope it doesn't make her want to nose over on landing.
Nice job anyway.

[Hairyplane]

Hi Deeday,

I'm sure the builder - a good buddy of mine - will be alarmed to read that his aircraft will have a propensity to nose over and will immediately re-check the Cof G calculations that have been examined and approved by specialists.

If you are proven to be right I'm sure he will thank you.


HP

[bencmaster]

Hmm

Yes the nose is prominent, as is my own. But if you have a look at the u/c geometry, canted forward, there is no real tendency for it do as you suggest.
The trick is to shove a little ballast in a designed location (rear of course) when flying solo with a light pilot.

This geometry tends to better lend itself to two pointers.

Ben

[Deeday]

Hi Deeday,

I'm sure the builder - a good buddy of mine - will be alarmed to read that his aircraft will have a propensity to nose over and will immediately re-check the Cof G calculations that have been examined and approved by specialists.

If you are proven to be right I'm sure he will thank you.

I am so terribly sorry to have caused unjustified alarm to the aircraft builder about the soundness of his creation, and I will be extremely proud of his acknowledgement if it turns out that I have contributed to enhancing the safety of a light aircraft design simply by posting an innocent, two-line comment based on a grainy YouTube video.

[bencmaster]

No alarm caused...just hairyplane getting humorous!

[bencmaster]

We are some way onto testing and the numbers are a bit elusive due to never seeming to have the day calm enough for the really interesting ones. It might happen today!

But generally we have 1500ft/ min climb (possibly more) , cruise anywhere between 'super slow/economy cruise' at 135mph / 23" and 4000rpm to normal cruise at 150 mph. She shows 175mph and accelerating at 28" MP with 5000rpm (max continuous).

We are finding engine cooling (water) very good and oil temps only a whisker high which may anyway be gauge error, still to be tested.

As Francis Donaldson found with the earlier 912 version, directional and longitudinal stability are typical (oddly enough) of the Mustang/fighter genre.In other words, they are fairly hands on. But acceptable within the LAA way of thinking.

Ground and air handling are really sweet.

I am not doing the flying as LAA asked for an experienced Test Pilot. It is certainly a complex aeroplane and keeps me (spanner man) on my toes.

As a footnote to the Carolyn Grace argument.....I know exactly what she means and am relieved this is a T51, not called a P51! That said, there are some in the T51 community who forget occasionally (me!) :roll: I have encountered her as she did a display for a business I once ran and I credit her with putting me in touch with the seller of my Slepcev Storch, and therefore getting me flying again. So, indirectly I have to include her in my list of thanks.

Ben.