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Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

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Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Old 06-18-2013, 04:40 PM
  #151  
DUCATIKID
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF


ORIGINAL: Capt G

You don't have to make new markings - just put them in the right locations. BTW , this is my TF P-40.
I am getting some roundels made similar to yours (it was too dear to buy a Spitfire decal set from Tower) and i will cut some lettering to depict 112 squadron.

Sorry to digress from the Spitfire build!
Old 06-18-2013, 05:05 PM
  #152  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

My Spit is almost ready to go. I went with the recommended servos and a R6014HS Rx, 14SG Tx, DLE55 side exhaust and Robart electric retracts. If the JTEC P51 muffler isn't available, you can use the P40 in cowl muffler. They are both the same, just that the exhaust stacks are longer. Cutting them to length shouldn't be a problem. Using the 14-channel Rx has made setting everything up a breeze, not a single Y harness to be seen! Also, with the electric retracts, you can sequence them so the right gear starts its cycle before the left gear, very cool! I'm also using the servo slow programming on the flaps, they look pretty neat moving slowly. First flight should be sometime next week.

FB
Old 06-18-2013, 05:28 PM
  #153  
Chad Veich
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

ORIGINAL: Ramstein44

ORIGINAL: Chad Veich


ORIGINAL: Ramstein44

Yeah, I considered that one. You'd have to modify the tail also..

Many, many Mk.IX's were built with clipped wings and the original short chord, rounded rudder as well. In fact you can find almost any combination of wing/rudder/canopy if you look hard enough!

Now that was helpful.. Can you get me more information on that bird or point me into the right direction? I looked but didn't find much.
Ram,

That particular Spitfire, NH188, is now on display at the Canadian National Aviation Museum. It is relatively common in that it is a clipped wing Mk.IX but very uncommon in that it has the brown/green camoflauge which is incorrect for a Mk.IX. It does work very will with the Top Flite ARF though since it too is incorrectly camoflauged! More information can be found at the link and a Google search would probably turn up even more.

http://www.jerrybilling.com/Jerry%20Billing%20Spitfire's/History%20of%20Spitfire%20NH188.htm

Old 06-18-2013, 06:43 PM
  #154  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Well...since there is a real example in a museum with the brown camo on a mkiv, even if its incorrect from any that left the factory......the fact of the matter is....a real example exits. So anyone that made their model look like the one at the museum would still be representing an actual scale plane.
Old 06-18-2013, 06:47 PM
  #155  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Getting all dressed up now. Spent most of the day doing throttle and choke install.
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Old 06-18-2013, 07:08 PM
  #156  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

That was very helpful.. Thanks!
Old 06-19-2013, 06:21 AM
  #157  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

love the spitfires, however the clipped wing version looks a little like a beautiful curvy woman who underwent breast reduction surgery, just doesn't do it for me:-D
Old 06-19-2013, 06:22 AM
  #158  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

I looked at the muffler for the P-40 and while the front is tapered, it appears that the exhaust pipes are angled to the rear.
Old 06-19-2013, 07:52 AM
  #159  
Ramstein44
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

ORIGINAL: avidflyguy

love the spitfires, however the clipped wing version looks a little like a beautiful curvy woman who underwent breast reduction surgery, just doesn't do it for me:-D
Well, I guess I chose right as I'm personally a long legs kind of guy.. Quite possibly why I like the FW190 sooo much..
Old 06-19-2013, 01:13 PM
  #160  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

dulled down the shiny silver exhaust stacks a little
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Old 06-19-2013, 01:58 PM
  #161  
fw190
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Is the gap between the cowl and fuselage for cooling? Is there a way to get rid of the gap? A bad breast augmentation perhaps?
Old 06-19-2013, 06:12 PM
  #162  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

"I looked at the muffler for the P-40 and while the front is tapered, it appears that the exhaust pipes are angled to the rear. "

The boys at JTEC told me the mufflers were the same except for the length of the exhaust tubes. Perhaps the angle looks steeper because the tubes are longer? I got the cowl and muffler installed tonight. The exhaust tubes had to be shortened quite a bit. The cowl doesn't have any give to it and really can't be "stretched" to go over the tubes. Once I was able to get the cowl into place, it was pretty easy to line it up with the spinner. Just have a few loose ends to button up and she'll be ready to go. Next week's maiden is looking better and better.

FB
Old 06-19-2013, 06:25 PM
  #163  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Great! Any pics?
Old 06-20-2013, 03:07 AM
  #164  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

I'll try to get some posted this weekend.

Does anybody have a quick/easy way to extend the exhaust tubes? Mine extend just barely below the cowl and I'm hoping the exhaust heat doesn't have a negative affect on the cowl or the dummy scoop right behind them. The OD of the tubes are 22mm, so someting that will stay on in flight, but yet be easy enough to remove so you can take the cowl off. I need some ideas.

FB
Old 06-20-2013, 09:50 AM
  #165  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Wrap some sheet aluminium over the exhaust tubes and use some hose clamps to hold in place.
Old 06-20-2013, 01:08 PM
  #166  
Lifer
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

I am a big fan of using silicone header couplers to extend the exhaust tubes. They also will soften the exhaust note considerably. I get them from Mac's Products for the most part. Any other silicone tubing should work just as well. I usually put a very small sheet metal screw on the tube and then use a cable tie on the other side to clamp.

FWIW.
Old 06-20-2013, 01:47 PM
  #167  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Great idea lifer! That's what I was looking for. The largest diameter they have is 5/8" and I don't know if that will fit over the exhaust outlets, they're 22mm. I'll have to give them a closer look. Thanks again!

FB
Old 06-20-2013, 03:56 PM
  #168  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Should have posted this with my previous post. This is one of the grey, extra large couplers from Mac's Products. Attached as described earlier.
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Old 06-22-2013, 10:59 AM
  #169  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Free Bird - I'd be interested in knowing how your plane balanced. We just did the preliminary CG check and found that the plane was so nose heavy that it took almost 3 oz in the tail wheel area to balance - so - we removed one of the front steel blocks (same side as the muffler) and replaced it with both receiver batteries in the same area. A total savings of almost 18.5 oz and the balance was very close. Will do a final check after assembly is completed.
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Old 06-22-2013, 01:44 PM
  #170  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Thanks for the heads up on the CG. Not that there's too much you can do differently, but is your Spit assembled as recommended? Also when you say the CG is close, which way is it off? I'll post my CG findings when I get there. Gonna run up the engine tomorrow. Pics are forth coming.

FB
Old 06-22-2013, 02:03 PM
  #171  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

A little nose heavy still but this is only a preliminary ck. Now , on to the fuel system. I have never been a fan of holding my tank in with rubber bands so I made a small tray to mount it (Du Bro 24 oz) with a Velcro strap.
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Old 06-23-2013, 08:22 AM
  #172  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Working on some cockpit stuff for a little change. Reinforced the control column with wire in the grip and balsa on the back. Also got the instrument panel ready to install. Mounted the servo batteries with Velcro inside on the same plate as the ignition battery.
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Old 06-23-2013, 01:27 PM
  #173  
DUCATIKID
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Looking good, what sort of pilot are you using? i can highly recommend Best Pilots as a source of a great looking figureLyle is great to deal with and he makes an outstanding product
Old 06-23-2013, 05:28 PM
  #174  
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

OK, took the Spit to the field this evening to run the engine and do some taxiing tests. It took a some effort to get the engine running, but after putting some fuel in the cylinder, we finally got it to pop and run. The factory needle settings were way off to the lean side, no wonder it had a hard time drawing fuel. Once the engine warmed up, we adjusted it pretty quickly for reliable idle and good transition. Did a range test next and all was good. Next I put the Spit on the runway, the wind was blowing pretty hard, crosswind of course. I must say for such a narrow track gear, its ground handling manners were pretty good. It handled the crosswind well and didn't weathervane too much. The tail comes up pretty quickly and the steering is very positive. Like all narrow gears, if you make a turn with too much speed, you'll drag a wing tip. Overall, not too bad for a Spitfire. BTW, it got light on the wheels very quickly, she wants to fly!

Would have gone airborne, but she's not ready to fly. Still have to finish the cockpit, setup the throws, dual rates, expo and balance plus apply the graphics. Sorry, no pics forgot to bring a camera.

FB
Old 06-24-2013, 09:47 AM
  #175  
Capt G
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Default RE: Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

I have a pilot from Lyle on the way. It looks like cooling might be an issue - especially here in the desert. Lots of air over the head but no exit - so - I cut a hloe in the bottom of the chin scoop. Should suck the air out ok.
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