# ScaleWings SW51 Mustang

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Austrian ultralight aircraft

SW51 Mustang General information Type Ultralight aircraft National origin Austria Manufacturer FK-Lightplanes ScaleWings Status In production (2017) History Introduction date 2013 First flight October 2014 Developed from North American P-51 Mustang

The **ScaleWings SW51 Mustang**, formerly marketed as the **FK-Lightplanes FK51 Mustang**, is an [Austrian](/source/Austria) [ultralight](/source/Ultralight_aviation), [light-sport aircraft](/source/Light-sport_aircraft) and [homebuilt aircraft](/source/Homebuilt_aircraft) that was designed by [ScaleWings](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ScaleWings&action=edit&redlink=1) of [Strasswalchen](/source/Strasswalchen), [Austria](/source/Austria) and was initially produced by [FK-Lightplanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=FK-Lightplanes&action=edit&redlink=1) of [Krosno](/source/Krosno), [Poland](/source/Poland), who introduced it publicly at the [AERO Friedrichshafen](/source/AERO_Friedrichshafen) show in 2013. After FK-Lightplanes ceased production, the design was built by ScaleWings.[1][2][3][4]

The aircraft was first flown in October 2014 and is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft or as a kit for [amateur construction](/source/Homebuilt_aircraft).[1][2][3][4]

The SW51 is a 70% replica of the [North American P-51 Mustang](/source/North_American_P-51_Mustang) [fighter aircraft](/source/Fighter_aircraft) of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War).[1][2][3][4]

## Design and development

Similar to the P-51 Mustang that it is based upon, the SW51 features a cantilever [low-wing](/source/Low-wing), a two-seats in [tandem](/source/Tandem) enclosed cockpit under a [bubble canopy](/source/Bubble_canopy), fixed or retractable [conventional landing gear](/source/Conventional_landing_gear) and a single engine in [tractor configuration](/source/Tractor_configuration). The light-sport version for the US market will have fixed landing gear as that category requires.[1][2][3]

The design's structure is made from [carbon fibre](/source/Carbon_fibre). Its 7.9 m (25.9 ft) span wing mounts [flaps](/source/Flap_(aircraft)). 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](/source/Fly-by-wire) [trim tabs](/source/Trim_tab), electrically-adjustable [rudder](/source/Rudder) pedals, two internally-mounted 58 litres (13 imp gal; 15 US gal) [Kevlar](/source/Kevlar)/[carbon fibre](/source/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](/source/Rolls-Royce_Merlin) engine sound and a smoke generator for start-up smoke simulation.[1][2][3][4][5]

Unlike the P-51 Mustang, the SW51's [bubble canopy](/source/Bubble_canopy) can slide aft and then is hinged to the right for egress.[4]

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.[3][4]

## 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."[6]

## Variants

**FK51**
- Initial model produced by FK-Lightplanes for the European microlight category with a typical empty weight of 288 kg (635 lb) and a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb), giving a useful load of 184.5 kg (407 lb). With full fuel of 115 litres (25 imp gal; 30 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 102 kg (225 lb). The acceptable power range is 100 to 115 hp (75 to 86 kW) and the standard engines used are the 100 hp (75 kW) [Rotax 912S](/source/Rotax_912S) or 912iS and the [turbocharged](/source/Turbocharged) 115 hp (86 kW) [Rotax 914](/source/Rotax_914) powerplant.[5]

**SW51 Ultralight**
- A proposed model by ScaleWings for when the European microlight category has its gross weight raised to 600 kg (1,300 lb) to match the US light-sport rules. It will have a typical empty weight of 340 kg (750 lb) and a gross weight of 600 kg (1,300 lb). The maximum power will be 250 hp (186 kW).[4]

**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 340 kg (750 lb) and a gross weight of 600 kg (1,300 lb). The maximum power is 100 hp (75 kW).[4]

**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 400 to 650 kg (880 to 1,430 lb), depending on the engine installed and a gross weight of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The maximum power is 600 hp (447 kW).[4]

## Specifications (FK51 ultralight)

*Data from* AVweb and the manufacturer[1][2][5]

**General characteristics**

- **Crew:** one

- **Capacity:** one pilot

- **Length:** 6.880 m (22 ft 7 in)

- **Wingspan:** 7.900 m (25 ft 11 in)

- **Height:** 1.970 m (6 ft 6 in)

- **Empty weight:** 288 kg (635 lb)

- **Gross weight:** 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)

- **Fuel capacity:** 115 litres (25 imp gal; 30 US gal)useable

- **Powerplant:** 1 × [Rotax 912](/source/Rotax_912) four cylinder, air and liquid-cooled, [four stroke](/source/Four_stroke) [aircraft engine](/source/Aircraft_engine), 75 kW (100 hp)

- **Propellers:** 3-bladed [DUC Hélices](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=DUC_H%C3%A9lices&action=edit&redlink=1) carbon fiber CS fixed-pitch propeller or 4-blade variable-pitch propeller

**Performance**

- **Cruise speed:** 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) at 75% power

- **Stall speed:** 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)

- **[Never exceed speed](/source/V_speeds#VNE):** 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn)

- **Range:** 1,700 km (1,000 mi, 900 nmi)

- **g limits:** +8/-4 g (at 600 kg)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bertorelli26Apr13_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bertorelli26Apr13_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Bertorelli26Apr13_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Bertorelli26Apr13_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Bertorelli26Apr13_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Bertorelli26Apr13_1-5) Bertorelli, Paul (26 April 2013). ["Video: FK's Incredible P-51 Mustang LSA"](http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_FKLightplanes_P51MustangLSA_208592-1.html). *AVweb*. Retrieved 11 October 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Grady08Oct14_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Grady08Oct14_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Grady08Oct14_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Grady08Oct14_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Grady08Oct14_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Grady08Oct14_2-5) Grady, Mary (8 October 2013). ["First Flight For FK P-51 Replica"](http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/First-Flight-For-FK-P-51-Replica222882-1.html). *AVweb*. Retrieved 11 October 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_3-5) Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: *World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16*, page 51. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1368-485X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1368-485X)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-SW51_4-8) ScaleWings (2017). ["sw51 Mustang - Overview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171206191518/http://www.scalewings.com/en/products/scalewings-aircrafts/sw51mustang). *www.scalewings.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.scalewings.com/en/products/scalewings-aircrafts/sw51mustang) on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Specs_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Specs_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Specs_5-2) FK-Lightplanes. ["SW51 Mustang"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130822062854/http://www.fk-lightplanes.com/aircraft.php?af=4&ln=2&pg=27). Archived from [the original](http://www.fk-lightplanes.com/aircraft.php?af=4&ln=2&pg=27) on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Dye_6-0)** Paul, Dye (13 February 2023). ["ScaleWings SW-51 Mustang"](https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/experimentals/scalewings-sw-51-mustang/). *AVweb*. Retrieved 14 February 2023.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [ScaleWings SW51 Mustang](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:ScaleWings_SW51_Mustang).

- [Official website](http://www.scalewings.com/en/products/scalewings-aircrafts/sw51mustang)

- [FK-Lightplanes official website archives](https://web.archive.org/web/20130822062854/http://www.fk-lightplanes.com/aircraft.php?af=4&ln=2&pg=27)

- [First flight video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNnUSSSTQcI)

v t e North American P-51 Mustang family Military P-51/F-51 Mustang A-36 Mustang Mk.X CA-17/CA-18/CA-21 PA-48 Enforcer Civilian Cavalier Mustang P-51R P-51XR Notable aircraft Dago Red Miss Ashley II Precious Metal Red Baron The Galloping Ghost Voodoo Worry Bird Derivatives P-82/F-82 FJ-1 T-28 Replicas Bonsall DB-1 Cameron P-51G Falconar SAL Mustang FK-Lightplanes FK51 Historical P-51 Jurca Gnatsum Linn Mini Mustang Loehle 5151 ScaleWings SW51 Stewart S-51D Thunder Mustang Titan T-51 W.A.R. P-51 Topics Accidents and incidents Gorman dogfight Mantell UFO incident 2011 Reno Air Races crash Survivors Variants Notable people/groups Edgar Schmued Tuskegee Airmen

v t e B&F Technik aircraft Designs by Otto Funk Greif 1 (Fk1) Greif 2 (Fk2) VFW-Fokker FK-3 Fk4 AK1 (Fk5) Fk5 Fk6 B&F designs Fk9 Fk11 Fk12 Comet Fk14 Polaris Fk131 Bücker Jungmann

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [ScaleWings SW51 Mustang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScaleWings_SW51_Mustang) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ScaleWings_SW51_Mustang?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.