Cambria Funfighter P51 Mustang

So then, continuing the build thread theme hers another one, this one is a on going one so will update throughout the build.

Those longer serving members will know i have a soft spot for these things and tend to have a couple a year, most i commission the build out for but I thought i would do one on here for some of the newer guys to see even a numpty like me can build from a kit (all be it normally badly)

So onto the model Its a Cambria Funfighter P51, not a cambrian, they are different. Long story short Cambria (no N) was the original company, owners split and went deferent ways. The cambria range has developed into the better kits with more advanced wing sections to make them faster, Also Cambria are the ones behind the Funfighter display team that fly in the bombing slots at the shows.

Over the last few years I've owed and flown all the range including some very nice composite ones, they all fly very similar and build pretty much the same, the Spitfire is the most complicated as the wing fairings can be tricky and the mustang and Me109 builds have the least amount of shaping to do.

The Hien seems to be the quickest with the mustang the slowest but the tang i believe flies the best at all speeds and for me is the prettiest.

so then open the box.

Simple box showing the models in the range

Wingspan - 43"/1090mm
Motor - .20 to .36 cu - .25 is ideal for a light build, Os35 if you want a rocket ship but the launch can be tricky.
Control - Aileron/Elevator/Throttle/Rudder (optional) - Ive flow with and without but tend to go without now.



They provide a old news paper to read while you decide if building really is a good idea


Some laser cut balsa and ply parts, much block to carve a nice set of foam wings and a bag of bits. A full size plan and some building instructions, what more could you want

First job is to glue the ply doublers onto the balsa fuz sides, making opposites, sounds obvious but most trad builders will tell you they have made a matching pair in the past!!



Old lipos work well as workshop weights


Balsa Longeron added to the base of the fus at this stage

next up is to laminate F2, this wants to be nice and strong as your chosen engine will be bolted to it


Its been that long since i built anything i can't find my clamps so I've raided the washing line


back to the now dry fus its time to add a few of the formers, namely 3,4and 6

Once dry F2 is added along with the wing bearer that sits behind F4


At this point the 2 fuselage halves are joined together, making sure its all square its put to one side to dry

After a couple of brews with Chris it was back to it. next job was to join the rear of the fuz adding the tail post then formers 7 and 8

once dried next step is to add the mustang radiator sides and cover the rear fuz section.



upper rear fuz sides next and the adding of the elevator push rod




the push rod differs from kit/plan as this will be flown at public shows the wooden push rod brace is exchanged for a carbon one with a push rod for each elevator half instead of just the one half, some tail plane strengthening doublers were added too.

top deck pretty much completes the back end bar the final shaping

Moving to the front, Some tri stock is added to the firewall and the "tank bay" floor is put in, adding some more tri stock makes the whole front nice and solid.



Next for the fuz is to drill the firewall for the engine mount and mount the motor ready for adding the block for the cowl, My engine hasn't arrived yet so the fuz it put to one side for now.

Breaking open the wing panels reveals 2 nicely made halves foam core and I believe poplour skinned. The section is quite thin as this is the area the kits have been worked on throughout the years,

For the last 10 years Cambria has been owned by Paul Bardoe and now Daren Graham both keen pylon racers with Paul being multitude british champion, with this in mind the wing section has been tweaked over the years to bring a more pylon stye section to the kits. Amazingly the slow speed handling still remains as most Funfighters will glide for what seems like an age...

Anyway onto the assembly, leading edge and tips need to be glued on and at this point its imperative you can't find your masking tape and have to resort to nasty brown packing tape



I will leave then to set over night and pick this back up tomorrow

That's a lot of pieces of tree that are going to need whittling....

Yes as you know i do love a good whittle

So this morning its al dry and we have a couple of panels that look like wings, Ive given them a rough shaping ready for a final finish once complete



New to the kit is a Alieron template to make making them easier,



mark out


cut out


and shape the Ali stock to fit. I do cap the ali hinge point with balsa stock to make the hinge point stronger too.

Back onto the fus, I found my old template for the motor mount so was able to mount that, 4 captive nuts mounted to the firewall, these don't come in the kit which i always find odd, they do supply 4 bolts and nuts though.

Half former 5 is glued in then the upper fuz parts with doublers on the cockpit sides.





Ive also installed a captive nut for the wing bolt before the top deck was added

I've fancied getting a Cambria fun fighter for years, whats the thoughts on building with electric power ?

Gary M Jones wrote:I've fancied getting a Cambria fun fighter for years, whats the thoughts on building with electric power ?

Ive owned and flown a few Electric ones, they convert well. All you really need to do is cut a hatch in that top deck of the fus (the part added in my last picture) for battery acsess.

Around 900-1050 kv of 35mm motors on 4s3000mah give performance on a par with a .25cu motor. which is more than fine for club level flying. The issue i always had was making one last long enough for a 10+ min show slot.

Tidying the workshop recently I find I have two FF ME109's part built. One for IC and the other electric ready for the motor to be installed. I'll finish the IC one however would sell the electric version. Most woodwork is done, aileron servos (twin servos) are built into the wing.

Id be intrested Alan.

Mark, PM'd you

Thanks for the info. I've got a Hawk 70 (Magister) next on the go for electric so will see how that goes first . Similar power as suggested for the FF. Also intending to get back into PSS this year having met some of the PSS gang up the Orme on new years eve ... hardy bunch !

Box of goodness has arrived so the fuz can be complted.



Went with a ASP32, picked up from Hobby King UK for 44 quid posted. Thanks for the Tip Chris as i had no idea they were that cheep. I was looking around for secound hand.

This is the same engine i had in my ill faited Sebbyspit Funfighter last year that went like the clappers on a 9x6 APC right up to the point the tailplane plane gave up!

Progress has slowed down as expected. Real life keeps getting in the way but I've begun to block up the cowl ready for shaping.

Carve sand carve sand carve sand repeat ......







Much more still to go but my arms dead now so will revisit at a later date.