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Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Page 1 of 1
Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
There were 3 airplanes in the Top Flite Junior Aces series, the P-51, Hurricane, and Cosmic Wind. I built the Hurri and Cosmic Wind some (gulp) half century ago. Ken’s post a few weeks back made me decide to complete the trifecta. This presented a small problem in that I don’t have a kit or plans for the P-51. However, I do have a Cosmic Wind kit, and it is essentially the same airplane, uses the same wing. So, I copied the kit wing parts. For the fuse, I simply found a drawing of the full size P-51B, and blew it up on a copy machine to the size I needed.

I decided to use a Medallion .049, so that I could preserve the P-51 nose shape. I also ended up changing the wing LE design to a more blunt shape.

All finished. It is covered with the ‘flat finish’ Monokote. I fly over grass, so I just left the gear off. Final weight came out to 6.2 oz.




I decided to use a Medallion .049, so that I could preserve the P-51 nose shape. I also ended up changing the wing LE design to a more blunt shape.

All finished. It is covered with the ‘flat finish’ Monokote. I fly over grass, so I just left the gear off. Final weight came out to 6.2 oz.



duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
It looks great, nicely done.
Ken Cook- Top Poster
- Posts : 5109
Join date : 2012-03-27
Location : pennsylvania
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Looks great, ought to fly well. What did you use for the elevator's hinges? Monokote? My P-40 uses that same Monokote on the wing. Olive drab paint on the profile fuselage.
Got pictures of the other two?
Got pictures of the other two?
rsv1cox- Top Poster
Posts : 9011
Join date : 2014-08-18
Location : West Virginia
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
A very nice looker you got there. Turned out great.
NEW222- Top Poster
- Posts : 3797
Join date : 2011-08-13
Age : 44
Location : oakbank, mb
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Duane,
I'm slack-jawed...Great job! I can't wait to see the maiden.
I'm slack-jawed...Great job! I can't wait to see the maiden.
944_Jim- Diamond Member
Posts : 1726
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 58
Location : NE MS
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Thanks, guys!
Bob; yes, I used the over-under style monokote hinges. I find this is an easy way to get free-running hinges.
Sorry, there are no pictures of the other 2. They went to model airplane heaven long ago.
Bob; yes, I used the over-under style monokote hinges. I find this is an easy way to get free-running hinges.
Sorry, there are no pictures of the other 2. They went to model airplane heaven long ago.
duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Nice looking plane !! Like the colors too !

getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9431
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC
Update - Built the other two
After building the Mustang, I felt like I needed to have all three from this series in the hangar. The Cosmic Wind & Hurricane were easier since I have original kits to copy parts from.
I built the Cosmic Wind first. I omitted the gear on this one also. The wing mounted gear is wrong for a Cosmic Wind anyway, the originals had fuse mounted gear. I had a roll of transparent orange Monokote on hand, and this seemed like a good place to use it.


I decided to put the gear on the Hurricane, just to get the right "look". Covering & markings again are all Monokote. I think this one took longer to cover than to build. I was fresh out of stunt tanked Bees, so it got a standard Babe Bee.


I built the Cosmic Wind first. I omitted the gear on this one also. The wing mounted gear is wrong for a Cosmic Wind anyway, the originals had fuse mounted gear. I had a roll of transparent orange Monokote on hand, and this seemed like a good place to use it.


I decided to put the gear on the Hurricane, just to get the right "look". Covering & markings again are all Monokote. I think this one took longer to cover than to build. I was fresh out of stunt tanked Bees, so it got a standard Babe Bee.


duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Wow duaneh Two more Beautiful models , the Hurricane really catches my eye ! Nice job I know you want hear that covering looks Amazing ,Cause it does

getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9431
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Winners!!!!!
You caught that unusual turtle-deck slope on the Hurricane perfectly.
Bob
You caught that unusual turtle-deck slope on the Hurricane perfectly.
Bob
rsv1cox- Top Poster
Posts : 9011
Join date : 2014-08-18
Location : West Virginia
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Just. Slack-jawed. Beautiful!
944_Jim- Diamond Member
Posts : 1726
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 58
Location : NE MS
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
duaneh wrote:
I used the over-under style monokote hinges. I find this is an easy way to get free-running hinges.
Duane,
I like the close set leafs of hinge material, but...
I'm confused. I thought Monokote had adhesive on one side. I can see the first part sticking, but how to you glue the opposite side to the elevator? Or does Monokote come without adhesive, and Stix-it is the adhesive to secure it to the stab and elevator?
I just can't figure this one out. Doh!
Last edited by 944_Jim on Tue Jan 04, 2022 8:35 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Fixing)
944_Jim- Diamond Member
Posts : 1726
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 58
Location : NE MS
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Jim imagine a 8 inch by 1/2 strip of mono, times 2. Then the two are ironed to each other one up and one down and only over lapped by 1/4 inch leaving 1/4 inch each long side with adhesive unused. Then the 8inches is sliced into 8 1 inch tabs than can be attached over and under with the hinge line no adhesive
fredvon4- Top Poster
Posts : 3972
Join date : 2011-08-26
Age : 67
Location : Lampasas Texas
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Thanks Fred,
I could never get that one figured out. Makes sense now.
I could never get that one figured out. Makes sense now.
Last edited by 944_Jim on Wed Jan 05, 2022 10:37 am; edited 1 time in total
944_Jim- Diamond Member
Posts : 1726
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 58
Location : NE MS
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Exactly. Thank you Fred for explaining it better than I could have.
For these small models, I overlap the mono by about 1/8". Use a piece of glass as a work surface when ironing the strips together, as one strip will be adhesive side down. The mono will not stick to glass.
For these small models, I overlap the mono by about 1/8". Use a piece of glass as a work surface when ironing the strips together, as one strip will be adhesive side down. The mono will not stick to glass.
duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
That hinge does look really good never have tried it do you use a trim Iron or reg size to mate the monakote ?

getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9431
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
I just use the tip of the regular iron. A trim iron would work as well, but it's usually sitting on the shelf when I need it, and I'm too impatient to plug it in and wait for it to heat up.
duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
That's a lotta red
Wow, it's been over a year already since this project. Time sure gets away from you.
I was at the St. Charles, IL swap last weekend, and stumbled on a partially built kit of the Top Flite Junior Ace Mustang. The wing was built, and the tailfeathers were glued onto the fuse. The plans and decals were still in the box, as was a Babe Bee!
The bad news is that I still don't have a full kit, the good news is I don't have to feel guilty about finishing this one. I decided to take a break from the usual military markings, and did it up as Paul Mantz's Bendix racer.


I was at the St. Charles, IL swap last weekend, and stumbled on a partially built kit of the Top Flite Junior Ace Mustang. The wing was built, and the tailfeathers were glued onto the fuse. The plans and decals were still in the box, as was a Babe Bee!
The bad news is that I still don't have a full kit, the good news is I don't have to feel guilty about finishing this one. I decided to take a break from the usual military markings, and did it up as Paul Mantz's Bendix racer.


duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Absolutely stunning, that will be a real winner. It looks terrific just sitting there.
Ken Cook- Top Poster
- Posts : 5109
Join date : 2012-03-27
Location : pennsylvania
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Swap meet / what's that lol haven't had one here in years ! Oh and the plane looks Fantastic !! Did you fly any of the others ? Yea the years go by like weeks it seems ?!?!

getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9431
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
Eric, yes, I have flown all 3 of these. I like the Cosmic Wind best, although I really can't say why. It and the Mustang fly exactly the same. The Hurricane is heavier because it has landing gear, and this shows up in the flying.
I am lucky in that I can get to several swaps. I am located in the middle of IL, it is 3 hours to either Chicago or St. Louis. Both have multiple clubs that hold swap meets.
I am lucky in that I can get to several swaps. I am located in the middle of IL, it is 3 hours to either Chicago or St. Louis. Both have multiple clubs that hold swap meets.
duaneh- Gold Member
Posts : 128
Join date : 2019-04-06
Re: Top Flite Junior Aces Mustang Clone
That's Great duaneh Well there is a swap meet 40 miles from me in March bee there at 8.00am would hurt me ! Oh well I need to build and crash what i got first !! Use to bee one 15 miles from every Feb. but no more ?! That is alot better than 3 hrs.


getback- Top Poster
Posts : 9431
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 65
Location : julian , NC

» Top FLite Mustang
» Flite Test Mustang
» My Junior machinist project
» Cipolla Junior?
» MVVS Junior 2cc
» Flite Test Mustang
» My Junior machinist project
» Cipolla Junior?
» MVVS Junior 2cc
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