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Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

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Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF

Old 05-01-2015, 10:54 AM
  #451  
SpitfireMkII
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After battling the flu, a sinus infection and allergies, three weeks later I've finally begun the process of applying the panel line tape. Hope to have them sprayed by early next week.
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Old 05-13-2015, 11:40 AM
  #452  
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Panel lines are done, plan to do the access panels and rivets next week. Anyone know of a good tutorial for doing a sliding canopy ?
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Old 05-13-2015, 11:45 AM
  #453  
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Hi,

Mine was pretty easy. Turned out great, too. I needed two canopies to do it, though.

https://youtu.be/3vQ3eopMI18
Old 05-16-2015, 01:38 PM
  #454  
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Has anyone considered shorter stand-offs and something to lengthen the hub? Can't stand seeing the spark plug wire hanging out so far.
Old 05-19-2015, 06:33 PM
  #455  
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I did that on my Brian Taylor Spit with DLE 50. It worked fine.
Old 06-19-2015, 02:30 PM
  #456  
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Work is progressing. I'll be adding the remaining camo and markings next.
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Old 06-21-2015, 03:15 PM
  #457  
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Camo in progress.
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Old 06-27-2015, 01:48 PM
  #458  
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Thanks to the rain I managed to finish the markings today....now on to putting the bits in !
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Old 06-28-2015, 02:18 AM
  #459  
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Nice Work
Old 07-03-2015, 12:32 PM
  #460  
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Thanks!

I got the tailwheel retract installed and working properly, that was a pain! The air cylinder had to mount under the cockpit. Between my budget and the best local hobby store gone, in many cases I have to use what I have and make it work. Not always the easiest solution. I decided to pass on making doors, too much of a pain, so I've modified the existing cover to allow for a smooth transition.

Also, Installed the DLE55RA, servos and air tank. I'm waiting on my wire and connector order to come in to finish up the electronics. Not much left �� I like the plane, the cowling is the only thing that keeps me from wanting to do another one. I'd like to try out the H9 or maybe the ESM next. Keep hoping that Top Flite will do a Hurri or Typhoon.

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Old 07-17-2015, 02:31 PM
  #461  
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Got the guts installed today, along with the cockpit and young flight lieutenant. Finish line is in sight!

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Old 07-22-2015, 03:40 PM
  #462  
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It's just about done, preliminary balance appears to need another pound in the nose. No doubt because I added a retract tail wheel, a hatch with the switches behind the CG and of course the head turning Flight Lt. Probably fly her early next week.
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Old 07-27-2015, 11:38 AM
  #463  
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Not sure if anyone is still following but I suppose to help others who may assemble one of these planes, I'll add some more information. Over the weekend I performed the initial ground tests and it became apparent very quickly that the DLE55RA was overheating (on board telemetry). It then developed vapor lock and died and refused to start until cooled down. With a little research it became apparent that this is a well known issue with this motor. The consensus is to add a heat shield between the muffler and the carb along with adding an intake stack to draw cooler air from the fuselage. I've done these mods and plan to add some baffling to the cowling as well. I also sealed the carb stack to the firewall using a plumbing washer. BTW, my DLE55 side exhaust with a B+B type muffler in my Yellow spit runs so cool you wonder if something is wrong, temp in the air is 100 degrees F. Anyway, here are some photos


.
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Old 07-28-2015, 09:36 AM
  #464  
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MkII, I've been following your re-build with much interest, I can't believe this Spit has actually started as a TF ARF! Now it really looks the part. DId you relocated the L.G. per the full size location?
TIP: To help with the air flow inside the cowl, you should open the space in between the dummy exhaust stacks, it will create a vacuum sucking hot air out. it was the only outlet on my BT Spit with a Moki 1.8

Good points on the DLE55RA baffling & vapor lock issue, I had to feed cool air into the carb via the turbocharger scoop on my Ta152


JG

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Last edited by JGrc; 07-28-2015 at 09:48 AM.
Old 07-29-2015, 03:15 AM
  #465  
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Thanks JG, no I didn't go crazy and change too many things. I moved the radiators out to a more scale location and cleaned up the cowling (a real pain but worth it). My goal was to make it look more like a real Spit but keep the mods and extra parts to a minimum to save time. I'm not as motivated to build or spend months and months in the shop like I used to be.

As for cooling, there really isn't any way to open anything up in there. I completed the baffle work yesterday and need to rebalance it. Hope to get it out for ground tests tomorrow and if all checks out, it's first flight.

Here's the baffle work, hopefully this will strike a nice balance between scale appearance and functionality. If it doesn't run properly it won't fly, pretty simple.

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Old 07-30-2015, 06:40 PM
  #466  
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Today was a success, first flight went off without incident. Best of all, the mods to aid cooling worked perfectly! It now maintains temps between 165-170 degrees in flight and no more vapor lock, even with today's 90 degree temps. The only issue was on the second flight one of the radiator scoops departed the plane. Thankfully we found it, I kind of expected it since I wasn't happy with the way I mounted them but I figured I would try what I had. I think I've solved it, will know more this weekend. I do need to work on getting the elevator throws and expo dialed in, as with most Spits, it's a bit sensitive on the elevator and I haven't found the "feel" I'm after. The overall balance seems fine, I'm set slightly nose heavy. The Robart wheels really effect the balance, about 3-4 clicks of elevator trim as the gear is changed either up or down.

Here's the Spit with my recently sold SEAC Thunderbolt II
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Old 07-30-2015, 07:02 PM
  #467  
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Congrats on the maiden! well done, post a flight pic when able.

JoseG.
Old 08-18-2015, 08:59 AM
  #468  
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So is it a good idea to change the elevator when landing when the nose wheels make the Spitfire nose heavy I have a balance when I come in ??
Old 06-01-2016, 10:56 PM
  #469  
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Here's mine, DLE 55ra, suffered damage last weekend due to dead stick : (
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Old 06-04-2016, 06:22 AM
  #470  
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Have you determined cause? Overheat?
Old 06-04-2016, 07:03 AM
  #471  
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Impressed you guys are using a 55, figured that wouldn't be enough power. People have put the kolm 155 in this bad boy, quit a range....
Old 06-04-2016, 10:14 AM
  #472  
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I noticed the muffler had worked loose, although no noise change in the air so not sure , will add extra baffling

55ra if perfect power, a kolm 155 ? Really ? That's over a big motor in a carf spit let alone one 20" smaller
Old 05-02-2017, 12:05 AM
  #473  
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Can someone tell me how wide the cowl is? I was wondering whether Zenoah 62 will fit into the cowl. I do have a bow intake for the carb, so it should stick much less than a standard carb. This is the engine setup I am talking about is here in this link a bit below.
Old 05-02-2017, 03:33 AM
  #474  
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You do realize that Top Flite has discontinued this airplane, right? Too bad because I still enjoy flying mine and would buy another if I could. Maybe they'll bring it back someday!
Old 05-02-2017, 03:40 AM
  #475  
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here is mine
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