Saito G36 Gas + Hangar 9 P-51 1.50 = YES
Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Written By: Jim Booker
Copyright:© 2008 Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Install the Saito G36 Gas into the Hangar 9 P-51 1.50
By now you have probably heard about the
Saito G36 gasoline 4-stroke engine. It shares the same case
as the FA-220a glow 4-stroke and features a Walbro
carburetor and electronic ignition. Its valve seats have
also been specially hardened for long life with gasoline
fuels. And, like its glow-fueled Saito kin, the engine is very
receptive to different size propellers, giving you all kinds of options.
Ever since I first heard of the engine, many new projects have started coming to mind. The G36 will fit just about any 1.20- to 1.50-size airplane…so what airplane? Well, in my mind,
that's simple. Hangar 9 has recently re-released their P-51 1.50 in a new trim scheme. This airplane has traditionally been a perfect match for Saito's 1.50 or 1.80 glow engines. Plus, Saito engines are "happy" with large diameter propellers which only add to the scale appearance of a Mustang. Of course, the sound of that Saito humming away up front just makes the experience all that much better.
Does the Saito fit the Mustang 1.50? With a little help, yes. But the
modification is not difficult. Two options are available for the engine
mount. The G36 includes a very nice machined aluminum mount, or
you can use the "universal" fit mount that comes with the Hangar 9 kit.
Both work very well. We used the Saito factory muffler which can be
almost totally hidden in the cooling air channel behind the cylinder.
With either mount, a modification to the firewall is required as the
G36 is longer than the glow FA-180 normally used in this P-51. The
fix involves cutting part of the firewall away and installing another
firewall on the back side of the factory piece. Other items you’ll need
to make room for in the fuselage include the ignition battery, a smaller
than normal fuel tank (gas engines use less fuel) and the electronic
ignition module. Also, it is strongly recommended that you use a
True-Turn 5" spinner when setting up the engine-to-cowling spacing.
Click on templates below to print full size. Note, when printing these templates, set Printer Page Scaling to "No Scaling" in your printer dialogue box.
When you are ready to go to the field, check everything over in the radio installation as well as
the gas engine setup. Make any adjustments to the control surfaces and remember to tighten
all screws and bolts. Your new DX7 will provide all the functionality this model requires.
The flight characteristics of the Hangar 9 P-51 1.50 have always been exceptional. A 2007
Nationals Scale-winning entry is testimony to that. The G36 provides all the power a pilot is
going to expect from a model of this type. With the gas ignition Saito on board, there is no
longer any concern about the fuel consumption of the previous glow engines. A smaller "gas"
tank easily provides 10–15 minutes of flying time.
