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Guillow's Spitfire Build

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Guillow's Spitfire Build

Old 01-23-2006, 12:23 AM
  #26  
Big Al-RCU
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

ORIGINAL: Phlip

Yeah, CP, I'm running long torque rods. I think I picked the right gage {0.047!QUOT! or 3/64!QUOT!} as a compromise between being too heavy and being too twisty. I guess I'll see. My HOB .25 size PT-19 has pretty long torque rods that work quite well. Of course it's a bigger plane ...
Hi Phlip, Nice work! My only concern with the torque rods would be possible flutter. I used .020 on a smaller but similar configuration (.010, 19 in WS) plane and had to tear it apart and go with .032 because of flutter. Couldn't figure out any reasonable way to add a counterweight, etc. But .047 sounds like it should be OK, depending on airspeed. That was my downfall, the darn thing was WAY faster than I had figured. No problem straight and level but in a dive, there it was. I have no experience with the truly fast planes that CP, Matchless and others fly. Guys, how do you deal with the flutter problem?
Al Lenz

Old 01-23-2006, 07:56 AM
  #27  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Hi AL! To control flutter, I keep the torque rod short, and use 2-56 threaded wire push rods. The control surface needs to be thinner than the part it is hinged to, and I cover the parts as a unit, so there is no hinge line gap. Finally, for a fast plane, use the inner holes at the servo arm and go at least 3/4 inch up on the torque rod or control horn end. It also helps to use medium weight balsa sheet for the control surfaces instead of light.
Old 01-26-2006, 09:58 PM
  #28  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I've made a bit of progress this week:

I've reinforced the LE and TE for wing mounting (thanks again, Skaliwag). I've joined the wing panels together with the center section.
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Old 01-26-2006, 10:02 PM
  #29  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I've added the top and bottom wing spars. I wasn't real happy with the way the slots didn't line up and the spars snake down the wing, but, I guess they'll do. If I had it to do again, I think I'd wait until this stage of assembly to cut the grooves so that I could make them straight.
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Old 03-10-2006, 04:38 PM
  #30  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Wow, it's been a while since I did anything on this. This is just the way it goes with me, I guess. Life is always getting in the way of the important business of model airplanes.

These are some old photos ... it's still been a while since I've done any building, but I needed to clear out my camera, so I figured I'd get caught up on this thread, and maybe that'll inspire me to get building again.

So, the wing is done:

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Old 03-10-2006, 04:41 PM
  #31  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I've also built the horizontal stab/elevator assembly and hinged it with robart 1/2 A hinge points.
I built the ass'y in one piece and sanded it before cutting it apart and hinging it:
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Old 03-10-2006, 04:45 PM
  #32  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

A few more pics:

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Old 03-10-2006, 04:50 PM
  #33  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I built the vertical stab stock. I cut out the engine cowling, and extended it and prepared it for use as a plaster mold for the plug to form a soda bottle cowling on:

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Old 03-10-2006, 04:54 PM
  #34  
Phlip
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I sprayed the inside of the mold with Pledge, and filled it with plaster of paris to make my plug. The only other thing I've done recently is to run in my new Norvel .061. I've no pictures of that, but it ran quite well. Tached at 16,900 RPM with a Master Airscrew 6-3, and idled reliably just below 6,000.
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Old 03-31-2006, 03:22 PM
  #35  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Some new progress! But just as I get rolling again, I have to leave home for a week in Germany. Anyway, before the trip I figured I'd empty the camera, so here we go:

These three shots show how I've planned to modify the wing saddle and the stab angle to get the incidences I want. I tried for very close to zero, zero, zero, but erring on the negative, positive, negative side of zero.
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Old 03-31-2006, 03:30 PM
  #36  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I glued up the original die-cut stab slot, and then cut a new one. I traced and modified the wing saddle parts, and framed up the first fuse side. I realize that the wing sadle keel will not last long, but I'm putting it there for strength until the fuse is fully framed up. That's about it for now. I'm still working on the cowl plug ... adding filler putty and sanding to get it in shape for shrinking my soda bottle. I'll have pictures as that gets to be something.
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Old 08-31-2006, 06:09 PM
  #37  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Oh boy ... again it's been a while. Been spending as much free time as possible at the field, so the build has been on hold. But I've just begun reading FIGHTER BOYS The Battle of Britain, 1940 and I'm inspired to make some progress again.

First, I'll get caught up on the previous progress, then I'll hit the building board!

After taking the first side off of the building board, I thinned out most of the formers from the inside with the sanding drum on my Dremel. Then I took the formers for side-2 and traced the modifications onto them. Then I sanded them to the same shape.
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Old 08-31-2006, 06:13 PM
  #38  
Phlip
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Next, I continued the assembly of the fuselage by gluing on the side-2 formers. Then I took the sanding drum to the top and bottom keels and thinned their height between the formers. Out of aircraft ply I made a servo tray and glued it to the side keels.
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Old 08-31-2006, 06:18 PM
  #39  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Whoa! Dodged a bullet here ... I never even thought about interference between the elevator and throttle servos and the aileron servo once the wing is on, but it looks like it'll work!
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Old 08-31-2006, 06:22 PM
  #40  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Next, I added some supports to help keep the elevator pushrod from bowing and flexing. I made the pushrod adjustable with a length of small silicone fuel line around an inch or so of overlapped music wire.
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Old 08-31-2006, 06:27 PM
  #41  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I took the top part of a 2-liter Pepsi bottle and shrunk it over my plaster-of-paris plug to make the engine cowl. After the shinking, I popped out the plug (easier said than done) and trimmed it up.

Now I'm heading off to begin adding the stringers to the fuselage.
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Old 08-31-2006, 11:50 PM
  #42  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I can't wait to see this one finished and maidened. Thanks for the detailed build.

George
Old 09-01-2006, 03:59 PM
  #43  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Great job so far! I know it is a lot of work. I've built most of a full house Guillow's P-51 17.5" wing span.

Where can I read a thread about building cowels out of plastic bottles?

What did you do to the front edge of your ailerons so they can move up and down. Are they double beveled, rounded, or single belveled? I can't tell from the pictures. I'm never sure about the best way to do that and make the least gap. Others say they cover both sides but I don't see how the aileron can move if it is covered on both sides.
Old 09-01-2006, 07:45 PM
  #44  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build


ORIGINAL: chevy43

Where can I read a thread about building cowels out of plastic bottles?

What did you do to the front edge of your ailerons so they can move up and down. Are they double beveled, rounded, or single belveled?
I don't know of any threads on plastic bottle cowls. I think my brother told me about it years ago, and I just experimented. I've done three so far, all on Guillows warbirds: FW-190, P-51, and now the Spit. I came up with the idea of plaster in the vacu-formed Guillows part to make the plug, and it works well. the most difficult parts of the process are finding a smooth bottle to start with (the store brand sodas are usually smooth, not Coke, Dr. P, etc.) and getting the plug out after the plastic is shrunk.

I double beveled my ailerons. The bevels leave a good size gap at the wing surface, but they're tight at the hinge line. I'm hoping to have the plane light enough to fly relatively slowly so that flutter won't be a problem. But we'll see. I also plan to cover with silkspan and dope, so covering over the hinge line won't really be an option, either.

Phil
Old 11-21-2006, 07:35 PM
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Chevy 43, I have an article from an old magazine about making cowls & canopies out of pop bottles. I can't post it, but if you want I will E-Mail you a copy.
Steve
Old 02-24-2007, 07:18 PM
  #46  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I guess this thread could wind up lasting quite a while because I tend to build slowly and get distracted
I said this in the first post, and by now, you know I was telling the truth!
Now I'm heading off to begin adding the stringers to the fuselage.
But when I said this in August, I was definitley lying! I guess I could blame busy-ness, but truthfully, when I run up against difficulties like the following, I tend to shy away from the build for a while. Anyway, back at it ...

I don't really have much progress to report, and no pictures at the moment, but what has happened is that I've discovered some problems and lack of forsight on my part. After hooking up the throttle cable and routing the linkage to the servo, all working smoothly, I discovered that I would have interference with the aileron servo when the wing is installed. So, frustrated, I've left it alone for a few months. Today, though, I just spent the afternoon modifying the location of the throttle cable so that I can turn the throttle servo over in the tray. Unfortunately, the cable now binds and won't work. So I have to pull it all out and start over. After that is working OK, I still hope to get to the fuselage stringers!
Old 03-25-2007, 05:38 PM
  #47  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

Progress! The bones are done, and I'm ready to start covering. Yay!! Covering and painting is my favorite part of the build.

Right now, I'll post the pictures to get the thread caught up. These are of the finish (almost) work on the cowl ... making room to clear the engine.
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Old 03-25-2007, 05:42 PM
  #48  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

On the previous post, you see the results of poor planning as to where on the motor mount to put the engine. I put it too far rearward, and thus needed to make clearance for the muffler in the firewall. Came out OK anyhow.

A few more pics. Throttle linkage in (although I later had to move it to turn over the servo for clearance). Stringers are added:
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Old 03-25-2007, 05:47 PM
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

After installing the stringers, I scalloped away the formers with a sanding drum on my Dremel. Then I cut away the bottom keel and former where the wing mounts, and checked the wing fit and servo clearance. Whew, good to go.
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Old 03-25-2007, 05:52 PM
  #50  
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Default RE: Guillow's Spitfire Build

I epoxied a couple of aluminum pins into the leading edge (there's a piece of hardwood glued to the back of the leading edge for extra strength). I epoxied a couple of hardwood blocks, with holes to fit over the aluminum pins, to the front of the former just in front of the wing. I secure the trailing edge of the wing to a drilled and tapped hardwood block glued to a former at the rear.
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