Bonified Wingnut

I have this Spitfire of which I have no idea who the kit manufacturer was but it isn't relevant. I have to figure out a way to connect the throttle linkage. The fuel tank seems to be in the way if I move it to where I would like it. I prefer not to use a smaller tank. The engine is a 90 and the tank is a 10 oz.
Any Ideas?
Thanks in advance.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

Looks like a Pica Spitfire. I have one- great flying plane! Mine has a .91 four stroke, but the throttle arm is on the other side of the carb. That's a tough one there. Can you bend the throttle into a 'U' shape to come around and connect to the throttle arm? Or maybe you could build some kind of 'rocker arm' to connect between the pushrod and the arm? Like a see-saw with a pivot in the middle?

warbird lover

Tower Hobbies has a Dubro 4-stroke linkage kit stock number LXD 939
that I have used for a Saito 150. Tried to post a picture of my setup but couldn,t
upload.

warbird lover

Bonified Wingnut

ho2zoo did you have to cut much to get it to fit the engine mounts? Do you have any pictures? Warbird lover thanks I might give that a try.

Bonified Wingnut

ho2zoo I think you solved my problem. You got me thinking about the carb and if I could reverse it. Sure enough it can be. Now the throttle cable is where I can reach it. I will just move the servos. I am not sure if I did it or it came like that. I would love to know more about your Pica Spitfire. I was leaning towards mine being one. How much does yours weigh and where is your CG?

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

Glad I could help. That Du-Bro linkage that warbird-lover showed is a neat solution too. Give me a day or two to get my Spitfire out and take some pics. Mine has an older OS Surpass II four-stroke ( the plane is about 18 years old! ). I think the engine dropped in pretty easy without too much trimming. I balanced it according to the plans and I think I still have them, so I'll have to dig them out to see where the CG is. I modified mine to have flaps and I was so glad I did. Made landings so much easier! I just cut away the sheeting on the bottom of the wing and hinged 2 thin plywood flaps to work on a single servo in the center. Used a semi-flexible cable pushrod in a plastic sleeve.

I'll be back with the pics.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

Here are some pics. I have to take the spinner, prop, and exhaust off to get into the cowl.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

The red wire going to the plug is a home-made glow driver. I had one dead-stick landing and that was enough! There is a cam cut into the throttle servo wheel that pushes on a switch to turn on the power to the glow plug.

Bonified Wingnut

Thanks ho2zoo. What are you using for the bolts? Do you have blind nuts in there?

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

According to my plans, the CG for the Pica Spitfire is 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 inches from the leading edge.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

The stock 65" Spitfire didn't come with flaps, but after talking to a couple guys I decided to modify it to have them.



The flap servo is in the center of the wing (the one on the right, the other is for the retracts). I mounted the aileron servos out in the wing to drive each aileron directly.

Bonified Wingnut

The mounts in mine were spaced for a 40 size engine. I had to cut away quit a bit of wood creating another problem for me. Whoever built it did a really nice job.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

The nylon wing bolts screw into a hardwood block that is epoxied into the fuselage. The holes are tapped- no blind nut is necessary (although I suppose it wouldn't hurt).

Bonified Wingnut

It seems that it will have a light wing loading. Do you feel the flaps helped landings? I removed air retracts and I am replacing them with electrics.

Bonified Wingnut

I meant the engine bolts.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

That's a good looking plane! I can't imagine trying to fly it with a .40! It was designed for a .60 (at least).

I have not weighed mine, but it is pretty light- maybe around 9 or 10 lbs.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

Oh, of course. Mine has wood screws about 3/4 inch I think. I screwed them in, then backed them out, put CA down the hole and quickly screwed them back in. I would check them every dozen flights or so to tighten them up, but it worked pretty well.

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

The flaps helped a lot. The first few flights I was afraid to use them (first plane with flaps) and I would have to land it pretty hot. But I tried them and found the landings a lot easier and more stable. But I understand that you may not want to cut into a wing that is already built.

Bonified Wingnut

Wood screws? Awesome I can move forward. I already ca'd the holes. I am at 7 lbs 14 oz. with everything except RX and battery. Ishould be about 8 1/2 plus fuel.

Bonified Wingnut

ho2zoo

ho2zoo

My Feedback: (5)

Yup.
From the plans; Ailerons 1/2" up 3/8" down. Elevator 3/8" up and down. Rudder 2 3/8" left and right. The elevator and rudder weren't written on the plans- I measured them with a ruler. I always noticed when taxiing out that there was not much elevator throw. Plane simply would not taxi in the grass. Flew great though!