The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
#1751
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Good News! I maidened the Spitfire today and it was a good flight. The plane flew very nice and didn't do anything unexpected. I mainly flew around for 10 minutes and did a few victory rolls and some other gentle vertical maneuvers. The balance seems fine at 5 5/8" and all the spinner screws are still secure after the flight. I lost two cowl screws, so I am replacing those tonight. The engine ran great, as usual. I need to adjust some of the rates in my radio, but I look forward to the next flight. These planes really do fly nice, don't they? One of the best turning aircraft I've ever flown.
One of the club members took some video and is sending me an sd card, so I'll post it as soon as I receive it.
-Ed B.
One of the club members took some video and is sending me an sd card, so I'll post it as soon as I receive it.
-Ed B.
#1753
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Good on you Ed. Great news in fact. A big kitty cat in Lion's clothing ay?
Look forward to the vid as much as you are looking forward to your next flight no doubt.
Cheers,
Brad
Look forward to the vid as much as you are looking forward to your next flight no doubt.
Cheers,
Brad
#1755
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
To All:
I completed flights 2 and 3 today. It was getting windy, but they were good flights and I was able to begin to fine tune my airplane. I adjusted my rates in my radio and the plane is flying more to my liking. The plane rolls very well, so I have more than enough aileron throw. All my spinner and cowl screws are in tight and all the internal structures seem secure. My LiFe battery packs are also working well. I need to adjust my sliding canopy, but that should be it. I think I will try a 22x8 prop instead of the 21x10 that I am using. The plane is plenty fast at full throttle.
-Ed B.
I completed flights 2 and 3 today. It was getting windy, but they were good flights and I was able to begin to fine tune my airplane. I adjusted my rates in my radio and the plane is flying more to my liking. The plane rolls very well, so I have more than enough aileron throw. All my spinner and cowl screws are in tight and all the internal structures seem secure. My LiFe battery packs are also working well. I need to adjust my sliding canopy, but that should be it. I think I will try a 22x8 prop instead of the 21x10 that I am using. The plane is plenty fast at full throttle.
-Ed B.
#1756
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
To All:
As I mentioned before, for my power system, I am using two 2200mAh LiFe battery packs (A123 cells) through two separate switches into the receiver. After my first three flights and re-charging, I am using approximately 300 mAh per flight, and that is using an IBEC to power the ignition. Seems about right. So far, I am happy with the LiFe packs.
Here are some videos from the maiden flight:
Takeoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D8mQ65U9g
Go-Around on Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CpDtk77XU4
Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEFWUh-CW-0
Tonight I worked on several items: the gunsight lens had come loose and needed to be reattached; my rudder cables were too loose, the sliding canopy needed adjustment, etc.
-Ed B.
As I mentioned before, for my power system, I am using two 2200mAh LiFe battery packs (A123 cells) through two separate switches into the receiver. After my first three flights and re-charging, I am using approximately 300 mAh per flight, and that is using an IBEC to power the ignition. Seems about right. So far, I am happy with the LiFe packs.
Here are some videos from the maiden flight:
Takeoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D8mQ65U9g
Go-Around on Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CpDtk77XU4
Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEFWUh-CW-0
Tonight I worked on several items: the gunsight lens had come loose and needed to be reattached; my rudder cables were too loose, the sliding canopy needed adjustment, etc.
-Ed B.
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
B!00dy well done mate!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice flight indeed. I would be chuffed as well.
You are inspiring me to get mine back together. The weather is becoming nice here now so it is well time. One does not melt so quickly while standing on the flying field now days.
Brad
Nice flight indeed. I would be chuffed as well.
You are inspiring me to get mine back together. The weather is becoming nice here now so it is well time. One does not melt so quickly while standing on the flying field now days.
Brad
#1758
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Looks like it's been a while since someone posted. I've now have 12 flights on my Spitfire and am getting the plane setup the way I like. I have added about 4 ounces of lead to the nose and the plane flies better for me. It penetrates better and is not as sensitive to elevator in turns. Also, in an inverted upline, it now noses down slowly, requiring a little down elevator, which seems about right. To those of you who might be intimidated by this build, don't be! I am a relatively inexperienced builder and all you need to do is study the information on this great thread and decide how you want to do things. It's all there for you!
So, I am now considering a Mick Reeves Spitfire for my next project. Brad, if I am off topic, please forgive me. Since some of you may have built that plane, I would welcome any thoughts or suggestions on good engine choices. It would seem that a 85cc single, such as the 3W 85xi, would be the easiest to install and cool. I am also thinking about an inline twin, such as a 3W110 or a Kolm 135 (four stroke), although this may provide significant cooling challenges that I would have to work out. It would be a lot more work, but an inline twin could be pretty cool.
Cheers,
-Ed B.
So, I am now considering a Mick Reeves Spitfire for my next project. Brad, if I am off topic, please forgive me. Since some of you may have built that plane, I would welcome any thoughts or suggestions on good engine choices. It would seem that a 85cc single, such as the 3W 85xi, would be the easiest to install and cool. I am also thinking about an inline twin, such as a 3W110 or a Kolm 135 (four stroke), although this may provide significant cooling challenges that I would have to work out. It would be a lot more work, but an inline twin could be pretty cool.
Cheers,
-Ed B.
#1759
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Hi Ed, thanks for you update. The weather in Winnipeg has been awful, cool and windy and the forecast for this weekend is the same so I have not been out with the Spitty or any other warbirds since the snow left 3.5 weeks ago.
I did cycle the NiCad rx and ignition packs on the Spitty and they cycled at 1/2 capacity, 1400mah to 750 - 800 mah, holy crap! Upon further investigation the cells were really old, the cells were manufactured in 2000. Shame on the store (Battery Station) that sold us such old cells, no wonder the packs were not holding a charge after cycling and lucky I did not lose a plane last summer. I should have checked the cell dates but I figured new cells meant fresh new cells.
I'm going to replace the NiCad packs in the Spitty with these ZIPPY Flightmax 2500mAh 6.6V 5C LiFePo4 Receiver Packs from Hobby King. A flying buddy used them for the past two years in his TF P-51 with no issues. I will use a diode from Bad Brad Graphics on the ignition pack to drop the voltage from 6.6 volts to 5.9 volts for the DLE 55 ignition.
cheers - ken
.
.
Bad Brad diode link [link]http://www.badbradgraphics.com/photo_23.html[/link]
I did cycle the NiCad rx and ignition packs on the Spitty and they cycled at 1/2 capacity, 1400mah to 750 - 800 mah, holy crap! Upon further investigation the cells were really old, the cells were manufactured in 2000. Shame on the store (Battery Station) that sold us such old cells, no wonder the packs were not holding a charge after cycling and lucky I did not lose a plane last summer. I should have checked the cell dates but I figured new cells meant fresh new cells.
I'm going to replace the NiCad packs in the Spitty with these ZIPPY Flightmax 2500mAh 6.6V 5C LiFePo4 Receiver Packs from Hobby King. A flying buddy used them for the past two years in his TF P-51 with no issues. I will use a diode from Bad Brad Graphics on the ignition pack to drop the voltage from 6.6 volts to 5.9 volts for the DLE 55 ignition.
cheers - ken
.
.
Bad Brad diode link [link]http://www.badbradgraphics.com/photo_23.html[/link]
#1762
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
I've decided to build the Century Jets / Yellow kitbash first (see post 1714/1715 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_76...9/key_/tm.htm#)
I'm going to build it as a F MK XVIII and paint it as one of the examples below. Notice The Extra large split trim tab rudder. I'm wondering if I should use the smaller XIV style, which early model XVIII's did use, or build the Larger version that the later XVIII's used. I like the look of the larger one. I'll add lightening holes to the ply for sure if I decide to do the larger one.
I should have some build pics within the next week or so.
Ed. Thanks for all of the posts on your progress and maiden. It has inspired me to get my arse in gear and actually start building this thing! Congratulations on the successful flights, and for doing such a beautiful job on the Spit!
I'm going to build it as a F MK XVIII and paint it as one of the examples below. Notice The Extra large split trim tab rudder. I'm wondering if I should use the smaller XIV style, which early model XVIII's did use, or build the Larger version that the later XVIII's used. I like the look of the larger one. I'll add lightening holes to the ply for sure if I decide to do the larger one.
I should have some build pics within the next week or so.
Ed. Thanks for all of the posts on your progress and maiden. It has inspired me to get my arse in gear and actually start building this thing! Congratulations on the successful flights, and for doing such a beautiful job on the Spit!
#1763
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Great project cavery, glad to see you moving forward with it. In regards to the fin/rudder I doubt it will matter much in the way the model flies since you won't be dealing with that massive 5-blader up front. I'd say go with whichever one you find more appealing.
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Thanks Chad. You've been a great help as I've been doing my research. I've actually just sent your tailfeather plans off to get lasercut!
I've just been having a look at the plans for the Century Jet model, and there are a couple of interesting things I noticed that I thought I'd share. The Century Jet model calls for a full main spar, much like the one that most of the Yellow guys (thanks to all the great info in this thread) have been adding as a mod. The length of the spar is 48". The trailing edge spar also is one piece and is about 24" in length. Both are made of 1/4" AC Ply. I will use these plans to cut the Spars for my Yellow Wing.
It seems the Century Jets setup also has a more solid retract base. Probably heavier, but I'm sure it would be stronger than the Yellow setup. They have a built up retract box that gets glued directly to the main spar. Pictures below. I'm not sure if I will try the box method, or use the tried and true strengthening mod that most of the guys here have used. I just wanted to share as both the spar and the landing gear have been such major topics here.
I've just been having a look at the plans for the Century Jet model, and there are a couple of interesting things I noticed that I thought I'd share. The Century Jet model calls for a full main spar, much like the one that most of the Yellow guys (thanks to all the great info in this thread) have been adding as a mod. The length of the spar is 48". The trailing edge spar also is one piece and is about 24" in length. Both are made of 1/4" AC Ply. I will use these plans to cut the Spars for my Yellow Wing.
It seems the Century Jets setup also has a more solid retract base. Probably heavier, but I'm sure it would be stronger than the Yellow setup. They have a built up retract box that gets glued directly to the main spar. Pictures below. I'm not sure if I will try the box method, or use the tried and true strengthening mod that most of the guys here have used. I just wanted to share as both the spar and the landing gear have been such major topics here.
#1765
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
A few "Before Shots".
Notice the vertical stab is missing. The CJ kit is designed to be built as a MK 22/24 so the fiberglass one that's included is the wrong shape for Mk XVIII I am doing. Going to have to build it up myself. It might save me a few more ounces in the tail.
Notice the vertical stab is missing. The CJ kit is designed to be built as a MK 22/24 so the fiberglass one that's included is the wrong shape for Mk XVIII I am doing. Going to have to build it up myself. It might save me a few more ounces in the tail.
#1766
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RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Nice job Cavery. It's looking good. I personally think that any additional strengthening of the landing gear mounting area is worth the weight penalty. Same for the full wing spar. The additional weight won't be noticed with the large wing and you'll have more confidence with the aircraft in the air and during landings!
-Ed B.
-Ed B.
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Hi Chad, I know it's been a while since you first posted the plans for the Yellow Aircraft Mk XIV spitfire but if you still have it could you please send me a copy of the plan file?
Regards, SImon
Regards, SImon
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Chad.
I am Just about to start a winter build myself over the coming weeks.
Would it be possible to get a tail plan from you to save
on weight up front?
Thanks in anticipation...
happy landings...
Am6
I am Just about to start a winter build myself over the coming weeks.
Would it be possible to get a tail plan from you to save
on weight up front?
Thanks in anticipation...
happy landings...
Am6
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The weather is so disgustingly hot and humid here you get a sweat up just going out to the shed. Lucky it is airconditioned ay?
So no flying at all here but get to work on the Spitfire at last as I really want to fly the pants off it this winter. I have already fitted the new ignition and tested the engine but only getting 5100 rpm with a 21x11 prop at the moment on the stand.
Fitted new digital aileron servos as the analogous twitched a bit when new fully charged Li-Fe batteries were plugged in. Next is re-do this canopy slide and locking tab, fit all the systems and wait for a nice afternoon to go fly.
If I get enough time and enthusiasm I will rivet and panel line the bottom of the wing. All while trying to build my 109.
Cheers,
Brad
So no flying at all here but get to work on the Spitfire at last as I really want to fly the pants off it this winter. I have already fitted the new ignition and tested the engine but only getting 5100 rpm with a 21x11 prop at the moment on the stand.
Fitted new digital aileron servos as the analogous twitched a bit when new fully charged Li-Fe batteries were plugged in. Next is re-do this canopy slide and locking tab, fit all the systems and wait for a nice afternoon to go fly.
If I get enough time and enthusiasm I will rivet and panel line the bottom of the wing. All while trying to build my 109.
Cheers,
Brad