ESM Spitfire 72.5
#251
My Feedback: (5)
Nice job. That Spitfire is going to haul with the 55RA in it.
I have an 88" Pica Spit with the 55RA in it which took a huge amount of work to convert from a rail mount glow engine. It weighs 12+kg and is really quick.
The 20x12 Mejzlik is a great prop for speed and ground clearance. Also the small Bennett muffler will give you extra room around the rear of the cylinder for the cooling air flow. Just watch for fuel vaporisation from radiated heat around the carb and fuel lines. My Pica Spit suffered really badly and required and lot of baffling to keep the carby cool.
https://vimeo.com/155070689
I have an 88" Pica Spit with the 55RA in it which took a huge amount of work to convert from a rail mount glow engine. It weighs 12+kg and is really quick.
The 20x12 Mejzlik is a great prop for speed and ground clearance. Also the small Bennett muffler will give you extra room around the rear of the cylinder for the cooling air flow. Just watch for fuel vaporisation from radiated heat around the carb and fuel lines. My Pica Spit suffered really badly and required and lot of baffling to keep the carby cool.
https://vimeo.com/155070689
Im a bit concerned about the air in the cowl. Especially during break in. I may have to run it without or do some additional venting and baffling.
As far as work to the wing, I added some extra gear plates to bring the gear out a bit more but other than that its stock. Im lucky enough to have a good field and runway to use so the landings are easy on the planes. I also take care to set up the plane, radio and approach to minimize stress on the plane.
#252
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: GosfordNSW, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thats a great video! That thing moves along very nice.
Im a bit concerned about the air in the cowl. Especially during break in. I may have to run it without or do some additional venting and baffling.
As far as work to the wing, I added some extra gear plates to bring the gear out a bit more but other than that its stock. Im lucky enough to have a good field and runway to use so the landings are easy on the planes. I also take care to set up the plane, radio and approach to minimize stress on the plane.
Im a bit concerned about the air in the cowl. Especially during break in. I may have to run it without or do some additional venting and baffling.
As far as work to the wing, I added some extra gear plates to bring the gear out a bit more but other than that its stock. Im lucky enough to have a good field and runway to use so the landings are easy on the planes. I also take care to set up the plane, radio and approach to minimize stress on the plane.
#253
My Feedback: (5)
Well Ive managed to put several flights on it. Everything seems to be fine and it moves right along. Very stable, power dives all good, and lands very nice. I did have a dead stick off field but I was very lucky the repair was minor. That should have been a lot worse. Ive ordered a new cowl and radiators. My plan is to do a full on bash of this ARF. Ill glass and paint the wing with some other mods, paint the fuse and add some scale exhaust which should also aid in cooling.
#254
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi All, I have recently treated myself to one of these, moving away from Foam park fliers to bigger balsa is the way I want to go. My first time to build a plane of this size, I have a question, I have added the dowel plugs to the front of the wing, & now need to drill the holes in the fuselage they locate in, what is the best way to ensure I drill them in the right place ? really dont want to cock that up
#255
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Bardufoss, NORWAY
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Measure and drill. That's how I do it. Usually I have to adjust with a file. If you mess it up it's easy to fix. Either fill the holes with epoxy and micro balloons and try again, or glue in plywood washers with the wing in place so that they end up in the right spot.
#256
Hi All, I have recently treated myself to one of these, moving away from Foam park fliers to bigger balsa is the way I want to go. My first time to build a plane of this size, I have a question, I have added the dowel plugs to the front of the wing, & now need to drill the holes in the fuselage they locate in, what is the best way to ensure I drill them in the right place ? really dont want to cock that up
Roger
#257
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Easy simple solution, put a small dab of wet paint on the ends of the dowels and move the wing forward until the dowels contact the fuselage. The wet paint will transfer to the fuselage and there is where you drill the dowel holes. If you don't have paint, women's lip stick will do the same trick. Just don't get caught using the lip stick; for some unknown reason, women get upset when you use this method. I know this from experience!!
Roger
Roger
#258
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Qld, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi, when I built mine I marked out where I wanted the holes in the fuselage side of the wing saddle, drilled a small hole, then drilled straight forward through the back of the engine bay area, sat the wing in place, lined it up and pushed a bit of wire into the wing leading edge, then used that to drill into the Leading edge. have done that on a couple of models now, doesnt work on all models, but it did on the Spitfire.
Oldtimer
Oldtimer
#263
My Feedback: (5)
A little thread revival.
Well I got caught by the cooling problem. After many flights it bit me. Wouldn’t idle down for landing so I went around. When I did it wouldn’t power up! Got on a very low downwind with gear and flaps down and it died.
Building a a new foam core wing that is significantly more efficient (thin
The trimmed prop is,what happens when your buddy tries to beat you on the low pass!
Well I got caught by the cooling problem. After many flights it bit me. Wouldn’t idle down for landing so I went around. When I did it wouldn’t power up! Got on a very low downwind with gear and flaps down and it died.
Building a a new foam core wing that is significantly more efficient (thin
The trimmed prop is,what happens when your buddy tries to beat you on the low pass!
#265
My Feedback: (22)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Leicester,
MA
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, looks like I got the last 72in. Spitty that VQ Warbirds had. I’ve been reading this thread and it will really help in the build once I get it. I’ve got an OS155 waiting to install in it.