{{Short description|Austrian ultralight aircraft}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use American English|date=May 2021}} <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = SW51 Mustang | logo = | logo_size = | image = Z-Das Scalewings SW-51 Mustang (47695530841).jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[Austria]] | manufacturer = [[FK-Lightplanes]]<br>[[ScaleWings]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production (2017) | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 2013 | retired = | first_flight = October 2014 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = [[North American P-51 Mustang]] | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''ScaleWings SW51 Mustang''', formerly marketed as the '''FK-Lightplanes FK51 Mustang''', is an [[Austria]]n [[ultralight aviation|ultralight]], [[light-sport aircraft]] and [[homebuilt aircraft]] that was designed by [[ScaleWings]] of [[Strasswalchen]], [[Austria]] and was initially produced by [[FK-Lightplanes]] of [[Krosno]], [[Poland]], who introduced it publicly at the [[AERO Friedrichshafen]] show in 2013. After FK-Lightplanes ceased production, the design was built by ScaleWings.<ref name="Bertorelli26Apr13">{{cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_FKLightplanes_P51MustangLSA_208592-1.html|title = Video: FK's Incredible P-51 Mustang LSA|access-date = 11 October 2014|last = Bertorelli|first = Paul|date = 26 April 2013| work = AVweb}}</ref><ref name="Grady08Oct14">{{cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/First-Flight-For-FK-P-51-Replica222882-1.html|title = First Flight For FK P-51 Replica|access-date = 11 October 2014|last = Grady|first = Mary|date = 8 October 2013| work = AVweb}}</ref><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 51. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref><ref name="SW51">{{cite web|url = http://www.scalewings.com/en/products/scalewings-aircrafts/sw51mustang|title = sw51 Mustang - Overview|access-date = 14 December 2017|author = ScaleWings|work = www.scalewings.com|year = 2017|archive-date = 6 December 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171206191518/http://www.scalewings.com/en/products/scalewings-aircrafts/sw51mustang|url-status = dead}}</ref>
The aircraft was first flown in October 2014 and is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft or as a kit for [[homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="Bertorelli26Apr13"/><ref name="Grady08Oct14"/><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="SW51"/>
The SW51 is a 70% replica of the [[North American P-51 Mustang]] [[fighter aircraft]] of the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Bertorelli26Apr13"/><ref name="Grady08Oct14"/><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="SW51"/>
==Design and development== Similar to the P-51 Mustang that it is based upon, the SW51 features a cantilever [[low-wing]], a two-seats in [[tandem]] enclosed cockpit under a [[bubble canopy]], fixed or retractable [[conventional landing gear]] and a single engine in [[tractor configuration]]. The light-sport version for the US market will have fixed landing gear as that category requires.<ref name="Bertorelli26Apr13"/><ref name="Grady08Oct14"/><ref name="WDLA15"/>
The design's structure is made from [[carbon fibre]]. Its {{convert|7.9|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing mounts [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]]. The Mustang features electro-hydraulic retractable landing gear, hydraulic disc brakes on the main wheels, dual controls and electrically-operated flaps. It also has three-axis [[fly-by-wire]] [[trim tab]]s, electrically-adjustable [[rudder]] pedals, two internally-mounted {{convert|58|L}} [[Kevlar]]/[[carbon fibre]] fuel tanks and detachable outer wing panels. The design includes two baggage compartments, one in front of the firewall and one behind the cockpit. The manufacturer has made the aircraft as similar to the original as possible, down to the simulated metal finish, rivets and other details. It also includes a 2000 watt sound system that provides a [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] engine sound and a smoke generator for start-up smoke simulation.<ref name="Bertorelli26Apr13"/><ref name="Grady08Oct14"/><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="SW51"/><ref name="Specs">{{cite web|url = http://www.fk-lightplanes.com/aircraft.php?af=4&ln=2&pg=27|title = SW51 Mustang|access-date = 11 October 2014|last = FK-Lightplanes|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130822062854/http://www.fk-lightplanes.com/aircraft.php?af=4&ln=2&pg=27|archive-date =22 August 2013}}</ref>
Unlike the P-51 Mustang, the SW51's [[bubble canopy]] can slide aft and then is hinged to the right for egress.<ref name="SW51"/>
The initial FK-Lightplanes model was a European microlight version. When production passed to ScaleWings they developed new models of the design, including a light-sport model, a homebuilt model that is also available ready-to-fly for the US ''Experimental-Exhibition'' category and a heavier weight ultralight version.<ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="SW51"/>
==Operational history== In a 2023 review for AVweb, ''Kitplanes'' Editor-at-Large, Paul Dye wrote, "What makes this latest entry in the Mustang look-alike contest special? Its carbon-fiber construction is a place to start. Making composite structural parts in female molds allows a surface finish that simulates every rivet and screw in the original Mustang. Painted properly, it is hard to tell that you aren’t looking at an aluminum airplane unless you knock on the structure and hear the difference. Remarkably, the molds for the SW-51 have every surface feature made into the mold individually with meticulous care, or so we’re told. When you look at the finished product, it shows flush rivets and screws that appear to have typical paint buildup in the dimples and in the heads of the Phillips screws. The simulation is remarkable. Even the rudder looks as if it is fabric covered, with rib stitching and pinked tapes—the whole nine yards. Just like a real Mustang."<ref name="Dye">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/experimentals/scalewings-sw-51-mustang/|title= ScaleWings SW-51 Mustang|access-date= 14 February 2023|last= Paul|first= Dye|work= AVweb|date= 13 February 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230214222057/https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/experimentals/scalewings-sw-51-mustang/|archive-date= 14 February 2023|url-status= live}}</ref>
==Variants== ;FK51 :Initial model produced by FK-Lightplanes for the European microlight category with a typical empty weight of {{convert|288|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|472.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, giving a useful load of {{convert|184.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. With full fuel of {{convert|115|L}} the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is {{convert|102|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The acceptable power range is {{convert|100|to|115|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and the standard engines used are the {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912S]] or 912iS and the [[turbocharged]] {{convert|115|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 914]] powerplant.<ref name="Specs"/> ;SW51 Ultralight :A proposed model by ScaleWings for when the European microlight category has its gross weight raised to {{convert|600|kg|lb|abbr=on}} to match the US light-sport rules. It will have a typical empty weight of {{convert|340|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|600|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The maximum power will be {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="SW51"/> ;SW51 S-LSA :A model by ScaleWings for the US light-sport rules, with fixed landing gear and a fixed pitch propeller. It has a typical empty weight of {{convert|340|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a gross weight of {{convert|600|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The maximum power is {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="SW51"/> ;SW51 Experimental :A model by ScaleWings for US ''Experimental Amateur-built'' or ''Experimental-Exhibition'' rules as a quick-build kit or fully assembled. It has a typical empty weight of {{convert|400|to|650|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, depending on the engine installed and a gross weight of {{convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The maximum power is {{convert|600|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="SW51"/> <!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->
==Specifications (FK51 ultralight) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=AVweb and the manufacturer<ref name="Bertorelli26Apr13"/><ref name="Grady08Oct14"/><ref name="Specs"/> |prime units?=met<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=
|crew=one |capacity=one pilot |length m=6.880 |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m=7.900 |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m=1.970 |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=288 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=472.5 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|115|L}} |more general=useable <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 912]] |eng1 type=four cylinder, air and liquid-cooled, [[four stroke]] [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=100
|prop blade number=3 |prop name=[[DUC Hélices]] carbon fiber CS fixed-pitch propeller or 4-blade variable-pitch propeller |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=
<!-- Performance --> |perfhide=
|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh=280 |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note=at 75% power |stall speed kmh=65 |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh=370 |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi=900 |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits=+8/-4 g (at 600 kg) |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website|http://www.scalewings.com/en/products/scalewings-aircrafts/sw51mustang}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130822062854/http://www.fk-lightplanes.com/aircraft.php?af=4&ln=2&pg=27 FK-Lightplanes official website archives] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNnUSSSTQcI First flight video]
{{North American P-51 Mustang family}} {{B&F aircraft}}
[[Category:ScaleWings aircraft|SW51]] [[Category:FK-Lightplanes aircraft|SW51]] [[Category:2010s Austrian sport aircraft]] [[Category:2010s Austrian ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Replicas of North American P-51 Mustangs]] [[Category:Aerobatic aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2014]] [[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]