Top Flite Giant Scale Spitfire ARF
#476
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I was down in Minneapolis last week, Hobby Warehouse had the giant TF Spit on the shelf, shop owner Tom says its $600.00. http://www.myhobbywarehouse.com/
cheers - ken
#477
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berlin, GERMANY
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I just received the retracts and wanted to install them but it turned out that one of them is not working at all. It seems like worm drive is not moving and probably the motor is shutting down because it is blocked. Anybody have an idea about how to fix this? Should I risk loosing warranty and open it up? I must say that I am really disappointed with Robart electrics, I have another set in a corsair and it caused quite a few problems, too.
#480
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There is/was a problem with the robart electrics. If you switch on power to the gear a few time without cycling the gear the motor keeps jogging the lead screw tighter and tighter each time until the motor cannot run the lead screw in the other direction without hitting the current limit. You can manually turn the screw just a little and it will free itself. I don't think you need to disassemble everything.
#481
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berlin, GERMANY
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I am sure I could have fixed it but I didn't bother just sent them back. I have ordered the pneumatic version from tower. Shipping and customs charges will be added but I also think that electric are less reliable. @Shaun, did you actually use the HK Spit retracts? How did they work out?
#483
I have acquired one of these Top Flite Spitfires.
The plane was not really even close to finished, so still a good amount left for me to do.
It did have a 60cc Gasser on the front, but one of the four prop bolts was broken down to 1/2" sticking out from the prop driver on the front of the motor.
I'm unable to remove that to try and replace it(must have had a ton of locktite put on it).. So, considering that only 3 bolts would hold the prop on, and probably the broken 4th one might cause an unbalanced vibration problem, I removed that motor from the firewall.
I have decided to convert this aircraft to electric.
Does anyone have pictures of how they did a battery hatch?
I'm leaning towards putting the batteries right behind the firewall.... Sitting straight up. This places them under the back end of the cowl.
Two 6s 5000 packs...if I can, allow enough space for maybe 6000 mah 6s for a bit more flight time later on.
The motor I'm planning on is a 50cc rimfire with a 22x10 prop. I have the white spinner that came with the plane(2 blade) as well as a black 3 blade.
So, how has anyone done battery placement on this plane for a conversion??
The plane was not really even close to finished, so still a good amount left for me to do.
It did have a 60cc Gasser on the front, but one of the four prop bolts was broken down to 1/2" sticking out from the prop driver on the front of the motor.
I'm unable to remove that to try and replace it(must have had a ton of locktite put on it).. So, considering that only 3 bolts would hold the prop on, and probably the broken 4th one might cause an unbalanced vibration problem, I removed that motor from the firewall.
I have decided to convert this aircraft to electric.
Does anyone have pictures of how they did a battery hatch?
I'm leaning towards putting the batteries right behind the firewall.... Sitting straight up. This places them under the back end of the cowl.
Two 6s 5000 packs...if I can, allow enough space for maybe 6000 mah 6s for a bit more flight time later on.
The motor I'm planning on is a 50cc rimfire with a 22x10 prop. I have the white spinner that came with the plane(2 blade) as well as a black 3 blade.
So, how has anyone done battery placement on this plane for a conversion??
#484
By the way, the plane has pneumatic retracts installed in the wing halves already. They are the Vantex(hobbyking) gear that was sold for the Vantex 89" spitfire still for sale at Hobbyease.com. Last I checked, they had the retracts for sale at 40% off... About $95.
Oh.... And the fuselage has had the stock plastic covering removed and solartex applied in its place.
I'll have to paint the plane.
The wheels I have bought are the Robart Spitfire aluminum hub set.
Oh.... And the fuselage has had the stock plastic covering removed and solartex applied in its place.
I'll have to paint the plane.
The wheels I have bought are the Robart Spitfire aluminum hub set.
#485
This is the installation I've done using the hobbyking tailwheel unit. To mount it, I used the metal bracket from the stock TF tail unit, removed it, then conjoined it two hardwood plates sandwiched and supported by two square dowel rods.
It's controlled by a separate servo than the rudder.
It's controlled by a separate servo than the rudder.
#487
My Feedback: (10)
may still be there. call them.
cheers - ken
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#488
Another option would be the Hangar 9 30cc spitfire at 81". Last I knew it was on sale for $539 at horizons website.
A little smaller then the top flite at 86.5".
I actually got one myself still in box that'll get built after I finish the TF spit
A little smaller then the top flite at 86.5".
I actually got one myself still in box that'll get built after I finish the TF spit
#489
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Location: Southampton, UK
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While I accept that in the USA there are probably not too many real Spitfires to look at there are zero excuses for the small kit one to be a 'wrong' as it is.
#491
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Richmond, KY
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back in May I was down in Minneapolis last week, Hobby Warehouse had the giant TF Spit on the shelf, shop owner Tom says its $600.00. My Hobby Warehouse
may still be there. call them.
cheers - ken
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may still be there. call them.
cheers - ken
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#492
Progress on my TF Spitfire.
Almost everything is done. Motor is installed, retracts, cockpit interior, etc. Still need to CG it and seal the vinyl graphics. The sharkmouth teeth decal with the set from Callie Graphics doesn't have the correct angles and is far too shallow so probably not going to use it. The air intake grill vents on the forward bottom of the cowl also make it extremely difficult to make use of that decal regardless anyway.
Almost everything is done. Motor is installed, retracts, cockpit interior, etc. Still need to CG it and seal the vinyl graphics. The sharkmouth teeth decal with the set from Callie Graphics doesn't have the correct angles and is far too shallow so probably not going to use it. The air intake grill vents on the forward bottom of the cowl also make it extremely difficult to make use of that decal regardless anyway.
#493
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berlin, GERMANY
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Hi all, I lost one of the tires during take off which resulted in a belly landing. Am happy that I already installed the oil coolers under the wings, there is no damage at all. But now I am trying to source the set screws. Does anyone know the size? I have the parts list but it does not include the set screws. I’d be happy if someone could give me the specs. I live in Europe so it is pretty hard for me to estimate the imperial sizes..
#494
I have the Robart retracts, installed, but not the Robart oleo struts on my Spitfire. The struts I'm using are from a different spitfire that just happen to fit.
But, I have a few other planes with robart oleo that should have those grub screws. I can check when I get off work(11 hours from now).
Someone else might be able to tell you for sure though hopefully.
But, I have a few other planes with robart oleo that should have those grub screws. I can check when I get off work(11 hours from now).
Someone else might be able to tell you for sure though hopefully.
#495
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berlin, GERMANY
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Thanks, I found it in TF manual, funny it is not in the parts list of the retract itself. I ordered it at a specialized store. Where are you going to set your cg? I have OS gt-55 with pitts muffler, I left the preinstalled weights as they are. It flew very nose heavy. Now I removed the weights and moved the batteries forward. It looks like it will balance at 148mm with 250-300 g weight in the front.
#498
#499
No critisism on your work Katniss, more aimed at TF to supply such a moulded- soap type of canopy. The fit and finish of the real thing is shoddy to say the least.Shoukld be very easy to fake.
#500
Here she is out at the field. Unfortunately a maiden didn't occur as two servo horns in the wing were found to have cracked and split apart. Very odd thing to happen as they weren't like that the day before, unless they were hairline fractures. In any case, glad it did it before any flight attempt.
No I didn't over torque the screws and there's no binding happening on the linkage. Just some fluke thing.
One on an aileron and one on a flap, same side of wing. Maybe got caught on something in the car during the drive out to the field. No way to know.
There's no shark mouth decals simply because the air intake on the chin of the cowl is grated aluminum.
No I didn't over torque the screws and there's no binding happening on the linkage. Just some fluke thing.
One on an aileron and one on a flap, same side of wing. Maybe got caught on something in the car during the drive out to the field. No way to know.
There's no shark mouth decals simply because the air intake on the chin of the cowl is grated aluminum.