P51D Mustang (radio controlled) flight.

I did maybe three flights on it previously, but without gear, hand-launch and belly-landing on grass. This one is the first proper flight with gear on. I almost crashed it on takeoff because I wasn't prepared to so much torque roll. I eased off on throttle thinking about at least avoiding a crash at full throttle but I somehow managed to stabilize it while almost clipping the crass, gave it a 3/4 throttle and took off. I did somewhat clumsy aerobatic maneuvers getting the feel of the plane - I'm really just starting with this one, it's been sitting in my basement for three years because it was too complicated for me, which I realized from a near disaster on maiden flight (if you can call it a flight). Since then I didn't have much time for this hobby but when I did I flew a used balsa trainer which I eventually totalled and then a Dynam Piper Supercub which looks like a trainer but is so difficult to control that Mustang seems going on rails after the Piper. It means though that Piper did prepare me for quick corrections and subtle but quick stick movements.

The landing on this flight was just perfect! Well, at least it was perfect considering my negligible experience. I was ecstatic about not crashing it an being able to nail the relatively short and narrow "runway" precisely. I rarely succeeded doing that with Piper. Time will tell if I can repeat it with Mustang again :-)

Here is the 4:30min video, watch it in HD by clicking the link below:

Art-Tech P51D Mustang - first take-off, flight and landing with gear. from RomanDesign on Vimeo.