Tail of the Spitfire
02-27-2006, 06:54 PM
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Tail of the Spitfire
Here's a first in my experience !
Out came my new .60 Spitfire for it's maiden flight, all control surfaces checked, motor transition good, weather mostly sunny with a slight cross wind steady at 10 mph. Temperature a balmy 45 degrees yesterday. What more could a guy ask for ? This was the first time for me taking off with retracts and I can tell you, it was a little wobbly going down the runway but as you can see in the video, it lifted faster than I anticipated.
Once in the air with a couple of trim adjustments and it was flying extremely well. Opened the throttle and she really scooted, especially with the retracts up. A few high speed laps around the field at a relatively safe height (which I like to do on new planes) and suddenly the motor quits. Fortunately, with speed and height, all is good and it landed almost like a trainer.
Adjusted the high speed needle a few clicks richer and off we go for the second adventure!
A few high speed turns & descents (see video). During one high speed left hand turn, something flies off the plane with no apparent loss of control. Other's were quick to point out the fluttering object and I thought it was probably the plastic canopy but bring the Spit down for a good landing (no video). As I approached the plane, I was astonished at seeing one half of the stabilizer and elevator missing from the plane. The stab and elevator looked as if someone had taken an Xacto knife and simply sliced it off. A little closer inspection and it appeared to me that the balsa used in the stabilizer looked very soft and weak. My guess is that it simply gave way into the left corner but I've never had that happen before.
Anyone else have this happen?
PS...I didn't hear any flutter and neither did any of the other pilots so I don't think that was the cause:
[link]http://www.sendspace.com/file/rqsxlz[/link]
Out came my new .60 Spitfire for it's maiden flight, all control surfaces checked, motor transition good, weather mostly sunny with a slight cross wind steady at 10 mph. Temperature a balmy 45 degrees yesterday. What more could a guy ask for ? This was the first time for me taking off with retracts and I can tell you, it was a little wobbly going down the runway but as you can see in the video, it lifted faster than I anticipated.
Once in the air with a couple of trim adjustments and it was flying extremely well. Opened the throttle and she really scooted, especially with the retracts up. A few high speed laps around the field at a relatively safe height (which I like to do on new planes) and suddenly the motor quits. Fortunately, with speed and height, all is good and it landed almost like a trainer.
Adjusted the high speed needle a few clicks richer and off we go for the second adventure!
A few high speed turns & descents (see video). During one high speed left hand turn, something flies off the plane with no apparent loss of control. Other's were quick to point out the fluttering object and I thought it was probably the plastic canopy but bring the Spit down for a good landing (no video). As I approached the plane, I was astonished at seeing one half of the stabilizer and elevator missing from the plane. The stab and elevator looked as if someone had taken an Xacto knife and simply sliced it off. A little closer inspection and it appeared to me that the balsa used in the stabilizer looked very soft and weak. My guess is that it simply gave way into the left corner but I've never had that happen before.
Anyone else have this happen?
PS...I didn't hear any flutter and neither did any of the other pilots so I don't think that was the cause:
[link]http://www.sendspace.com/file/rqsxlz[/link]
02-27-2006, 09:58 PM
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RE: Tail of the Spitfire
I just checked the link and it's working good. You have to look down to the bottom of the page in the center and click on the link
03-08-2006, 08:11 PM
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RE: Tail of the Spitfire
First flight of my Sterling MKI Spit, lost 3/4 of the entire elevator from left to right. It fluttered away. A bit of trim adjustment, (without landing) and she flew fine. She was powered by a Super Tigre 75 2 stroke. I took her home, made a new elevator, reinforced it with aluminum sheeting, and never had another worry. I lost her in a straight down verticle dive from about Angels 500 when she pulled out too late. Lt. Henderson was never recovered from the wreckage, as not enough of him could be found. That plane was a tough bird and a good representative of English might. I'll have to build another Spit someday. I'm off to watch "Battle of Britain" again!
"Keep 'Em Flying!"
Flak
"Keep 'Em Flying!"
Flak
03-12-2006, 06:10 PM
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RE: Tail of the Spitfire
same happend to my .40 size kyosho p-40. took it off, built a solid horizontal and put it in, been perfect ever isnce.. plane is like 6 yrs old now
