HobbyKing 1/5 50cc Spitfire Mk IX Group Build Tips/Mods
04-16-2014, 05:35 AM
#151
Senior Member
Got a negative opinion of another RCU member? Keep it out of your post. It has nothing to do with Warbird modeling, wastes everyone's time and obscures the issue of the thread.
04-18-2014, 04:46 AM
#153
LOL! "Warbird pilots" should not be told to avoid full throttle dives! I like it! rc34074, I'm telling you to not make full throttle dives with any plane warbird or not.
I never expected this to be a "build" out of the box stock, it is up to the modeler or like rc34074 calls himself the warbird pilot, to assemble the model and make it airworthy, and that goes for any plane from any company. If you don't like that then you are in the wrong hobby.
The tabs that hold the wing on are basically light ply, I cut them off and replaced them with 2 pieces of laminated G-10 with an extra piece on the end so that I could tap it out for the bolts. I cut a slot in hard balsa blocks and drilled holes in the G-10 so that epoxy would anchor them to the wing. My G-10 is copper clad, just sand off the copper and epoxy it together.
The Hobby King exhaust looks great, but it did not fit in the cowl, so I cut it down and aluminum brazed the side back on. You can get aluminum brazing rod at Harbor Freight.
I ordered a pilot from Aces of Iron, great service. You have to paint it but that is part of the fun! Still need to paint a few more items and make his goggles look like glass. Yes he is a US pilot, but it's good enough for this plane!
I'll show some pictures of my radio installation later, I went with the Smart Fly Sport Regulator with the Failsafe-switch and Charge Package. I'm running two Fromeco Li-ion 2600 batteries.
You kids play nice while I'm gone, and like I said (for those that can't follow directions, read my first post) if you have beef with HK, please stay away, I don't want you here.
I never expected this to be a "build" out of the box stock, it is up to the modeler or like rc34074 calls himself the warbird pilot, to assemble the model and make it airworthy, and that goes for any plane from any company. If you don't like that then you are in the wrong hobby.
The tabs that hold the wing on are basically light ply, I cut them off and replaced them with 2 pieces of laminated G-10 with an extra piece on the end so that I could tap it out for the bolts. I cut a slot in hard balsa blocks and drilled holes in the G-10 so that epoxy would anchor them to the wing. My G-10 is copper clad, just sand off the copper and epoxy it together.
The Hobby King exhaust looks great, but it did not fit in the cowl, so I cut it down and aluminum brazed the side back on. You can get aluminum brazing rod at Harbor Freight.
I ordered a pilot from Aces of Iron, great service. You have to paint it but that is part of the fun! Still need to paint a few more items and make his goggles look like glass. Yes he is a US pilot, but it's good enough for this plane!
I'll show some pictures of my radio installation later, I went with the Smart Fly Sport Regulator with the Failsafe-switch and Charge Package. I'm running two Fromeco Li-ion 2600 batteries.
You kids play nice while I'm gone, and like I said (for those that can't follow directions, read my first post) if you have beef with HK, please stay away, I don't want you here.
04-18-2014, 05:52 AM
#154
The tabs that hold the wing on are basically light ply, I cut them off and replaced them with 2 pieces of laminated G-10 with an extra piece on the end so that I could tap it out for the bolts. I cut a slot in hard balsa blocks and drilled holes in the G-10 so that epoxy would anchor them to the wing. My G-10 is copper clad, just sand off the copper and epoxy it together.
04-18-2014, 06:02 AM
#155
My Feedback: (5)
One more time I will say that any company that tells people not to make full power dives with the engines recommended by them for their plane is selling shoddy merchandise. people who support those companies in this practice are hurting the hobby with their poor advice. The good suppliers design and build their planes to meet this standard - I have been doing those full power dives with my warbirds for 20 years now and never had a problem because I choose reputable suppliers. Obviously this company does not meet this standard and should be avoided.
It is totally unrealistic for any company or other modeler to expect others to analyze the design and structure of a plane perfectly t0 avoid crashes resulting from poor design or construction. So comments like these are a disservice to the hobby and should be ignored:
"LOL! "Warbird pilots" should not be told to avoid full throttle dives! I like it! rc34074, I'm telling you to not make full throttle dives with any plane warbird or not.
I never expected this to be a "build" out of the box stock, it is up to the modeler or like rc34074 calls himself the warbird pilot, to assemble the model and make it airworthy, and that goes for any plane from any company. If you don't like that then you are in the wrong hobby."
So you guys make your own decision but I for one would never buy from hobby king or similar suppliers that state their incompetence right in their manual.
Ed
It is totally unrealistic for any company or other modeler to expect others to analyze the design and structure of a plane perfectly t0 avoid crashes resulting from poor design or construction. So comments like these are a disservice to the hobby and should be ignored:
"LOL! "Warbird pilots" should not be told to avoid full throttle dives! I like it! rc34074, I'm telling you to not make full throttle dives with any plane warbird or not.
I never expected this to be a "build" out of the box stock, it is up to the modeler or like rc34074 calls himself the warbird pilot, to assemble the model and make it airworthy, and that goes for any plane from any company. If you don't like that then you are in the wrong hobby."
So you guys make your own decision but I for one would never buy from hobby king or similar suppliers that state their incompetence right in their manual.
Ed
04-18-2014, 08:51 AM
#156
Even real warbird pilots avoided full power dives except in a dire emergency to avoid tearing the wings off or compressibility issues that would lock up the controls. Every aircraft has it's limits.
04-18-2014, 01:08 PM
#158
Senior Member
This model does seem to have a poor reputation for strength, somewhat unique among models.
It is time to move ahead or the thread has run it's course.
04-18-2014, 01:49 PM
#159
It seems odd to me that the dive had anything to do with the wings sliding off of the tube. If possible, I would modify this aircraft to the conventional method of running a bolt thru the inside of the fuse, into an appropriately tapped hole in the wing. Access could be the issue here, but it would work if possible. Although the G10 should be fine as well.
Like I said, this is a really nice looking plane, and would make a fine model. If you can overcome all of the weight they built into the tail.
Like I said, this is a really nice looking plane, and would make a fine model. If you can overcome all of the weight they built into the tail.
04-20-2014, 06:42 PM
#160
I had to block one troll already, please if you don't like Hobby King stay away from HK threads, mine in particular. I have flown the best this hobby has to offer and the worst, there is something about fixing up things that need help that is fun for me, this plane is one of those and I never tried to hide that. It is not an ARF that is ready to assemble without changes, but like I said I knew that going in, no more needs to be said. I've had a blast working on this plane and I'm very happy with it so far.
My BVM Bobcat and Yellow F-15 kind of make this Spitfire seem not so big!
I only used one of the nice mounting clamps provided for attaching the doors, the lower part of the door is held on by the bolt in the retract strut. It works very well and I'm glad I made the doors out of fiberglass.
Next I used flight skin and the lower part of the door to make a nice cover for the retract mount opening.
I am very happy with the finished look, when I paint it all the parts will blend in. The scoops and landing gear were by far the most work and the parts I did not like the most about the kit, but they are very easy to do and I am very pleased with the result.
My BVM Bobcat and Yellow F-15 kind of make this Spitfire seem not so big!
I only used one of the nice mounting clamps provided for attaching the doors, the lower part of the door is held on by the bolt in the retract strut. It works very well and I'm glad I made the doors out of fiberglass.
Next I used flight skin and the lower part of the door to make a nice cover for the retract mount opening.
I am very happy with the finished look, when I paint it all the parts will blend in. The scoops and landing gear were by far the most work and the parts I did not like the most about the kit, but they are very easy to do and I am very pleased with the result.
04-21-2014, 12:13 PM
#162
Hi Darren, Thanks! I am enjoying myself, so I'm not thinking about the flying part of the project yet. I have to do a repaint because I'm just not happy with the looks of the stock paint work, I have a mix of Tamia, Model Masters and others with a flat clear coat of Klass Kote http://www.klasskote.com/ It won't be long though, so check back in a bit!
I went with the Du-bro 4.5 wheels, wanted them to look a little more scale so I made some plastic inserts out of .040 styrene. I used a dremel to remove the original spokes first then painted them black before gluing in the new plastic pieces.
I went with the Du-bro 4.5 wheels, wanted them to look a little more scale so I made some plastic inserts out of .040 styrene. I used a dremel to remove the original spokes first then painted them black before gluing in the new plastic pieces.
04-24-2014, 05:35 PM
#163
Decided I'll probably fly this thing as is and if I like it I'll do a repaint. Working on the nose weight, I have 3 lbs of steel plate to protect my engine from gunfire and to add some ballast. I painted it with epoxy high temp engine paint. If I have to add more I will strap it to the underside of this piece.
I used a piece of aluminum brazing rod and a few magnets to hold the antenna mast on. I just epoxied a small balsa block inside, this works well, I've used it on other planes.
Here is my fuel tank ready to install and my radio compartment almost done, I am using the orange receiver for testing only. I'm using a Smart Fly regulator with two 2600 Li-ion Fromeco batteries.
Some have a cat or dog for a building buddy, I have a peacock! She is very interested in the planes!
I used a piece of aluminum brazing rod and a few magnets to hold the antenna mast on. I just epoxied a small balsa block inside, this works well, I've used it on other planes.
Here is my fuel tank ready to install and my radio compartment almost done, I am using the orange receiver for testing only. I'm using a Smart Fly regulator with two 2600 Li-ion Fromeco batteries.
Some have a cat or dog for a building buddy, I have a peacock! She is very interested in the planes!
Last edited by dionysusbacchus; 04-24-2014 at 05:47 PM.
04-25-2014, 10:19 PM
#164
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Alice Springs, AUSTRALIA
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Just a word of caution, watch that steel plate for vibration as it's a long unsuported lever arm/moment. You would be better having some sort of front support from the plate to the front bearing housing area of your engine. Just something to check that's all, it may be fine as it is. Cheers,
Dave
Dave
04-26-2014, 07:48 AM
#165
Senior Member
A diagonal brace or two (asymmetrical ones might be even better) might be a simpler method of strengthening that plate. It certainly does look like a lot of mass with a significantly long moment arm.
09-27-2014, 06:41 PM
#166
I finally got around to finishing this plane (been into turbines lately), all I can say is that it flies so nice and looks awesome in the air. You can slow it down enough with flaps to three point land it, really fun. I know it's not totally scale, but I bought this as a sport flyer to knock around on the weekends. It lands so soft, it's just a real pleasure to fly. Da Rock, Yes I did change the plate a bit, I had to add more steel! Total weight added to the nose is 4 1/2lbs. AUW is 25lbs ready to fly without fuel. The Hobby King retracts work great, everyone was very impressed at the field.
I will post video and pictures tomorrow...
I will post video and pictures tomorrow...
09-28-2014, 07:39 PM
#167
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1NBfzJ7EwQ&list=UUyxHouTpDk4RzqAGyCUZSPQ
Not a great video, but considering no one flies very much in my club if at all, it was the best I could do. I have 11 flights on my Spitfire just this weekend and I am VERY happy with it's performance. Watch how I can drag it along on landing with a little burst of power and it will just float on down the runway, very cool. I can slow it down and have full up elevator and 3 point land it, that is the safest way to avoid nose overs. Just a beautiful flying aircraft, very majestic in the air and definitely looks the part!
Does not appear to be much interest in this plane so I will skip the details, but if anyone has any questions I will be more than happy to try and answer.
Over and out!
Luke
Does not appear to be much interest in this plane so I will skip the details, but if anyone has any questions I will be more than happy to try and answer.
Over and out!
Luke
10-02-2014, 04:02 PM
#172
Yea Al, I mounted the camera to mother earth!
Thanks Daren and all, glad most of you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!
I found a primer that matches the paint pretty close, I used it on the gear doors, radiators and anywhere a touch up was needed. After it dries you can't tell at all, then just clear coat it. I was going to repaint the whole plane, but I just don't want to spend the time, to many other projects right now.
Luke
Finished product looks very nice, I also added what I believe is the carb air intake under the nose. You can see my cooling arrangement, works very well, remember this plane is for weekend fun and it does that really well!
10-08-2014, 03:34 PM
#174
Thanks Radford!
This thing is a floater, it's amazing how slow it will fly. I did a landing last weekend with a rollout after touchdown of about 5 ft it was so slow! I now have 16 flights on the plane with just minor bugs here and there to fix, it's the same with all new planes that I've ever owned. So far I'm doing standard maneuvers, cuban eights, loops and stall turns, the stock spar is holding up very well. Dragging this thing along in slow flight is a blast, it is just such a nice flyer.
On props I have not had much luck with the Hobby King JXF propellers, I purchased two 22x10's and one did not have the hole in the center, it was off so I could not balance it. They sell for about $12, but it's just not worth it to take a chance with them, some are fine and some are no good, a real shame. I purchased some top quality props from the local hobby shop, at $30 a pop they are worth the extra money, just a light sanding to get them to balance perfectly.
I also purchased the Top Flite spinner, it really looks nice on the plane, the white looks nice with the white band on the fuselage. It was also nicely balanced and is selling at a good price.
These are photo's I took this afternoon after fitting the new spinner and a new prop.
Looking forward to more flights with this machine, like I said I was never a big Spitfire fan but this bird is making me a believer!
Luke
This thing is a floater, it's amazing how slow it will fly. I did a landing last weekend with a rollout after touchdown of about 5 ft it was so slow! I now have 16 flights on the plane with just minor bugs here and there to fix, it's the same with all new planes that I've ever owned. So far I'm doing standard maneuvers, cuban eights, loops and stall turns, the stock spar is holding up very well. Dragging this thing along in slow flight is a blast, it is just such a nice flyer.
On props I have not had much luck with the Hobby King JXF propellers, I purchased two 22x10's and one did not have the hole in the center, it was off so I could not balance it. They sell for about $12, but it's just not worth it to take a chance with them, some are fine and some are no good, a real shame. I purchased some top quality props from the local hobby shop, at $30 a pop they are worth the extra money, just a light sanding to get them to balance perfectly.
I also purchased the Top Flite spinner, it really looks nice on the plane, the white looks nice with the white band on the fuselage. It was also nicely balanced and is selling at a good price.
These are photo's I took this afternoon after fitting the new spinner and a new prop.
Looking forward to more flights with this machine, like I said I was never a big Spitfire fan but this bird is making me a believer!
Luke
