TF Spitfire build
02-01-2015, 11:07 PM
#976
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I've been waiting and wanting to build a Spitfire like this for decades. I've always lusted after a large scale version as my great uncle flew them in the war. I'm a bit scared to get her in the air even though its fully kitted out with everything. Anyway, it will stay hanging in the garage till next Xmas - performing a low fly past over my Lotus (bit of a British theme going on there). :-)
02-02-2015, 04:20 AM
#977
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Smkrcflyer, I'm not sure if there is any pics of a dle20 side exhaust on this thread, but on RC Groups there is a build thread of the TF Spitfire done by eireflyer. Towards the end of the build he has pictures of him mounting a dle20 ra on his Spit. The dle20 ra is the engine of choice for me on my build! Speaking of my build, here's a few pics of my progress so far. 
My son and I are both building one of these planes starting this week. I think he will be using a Saito 125. I started to make a list of things to watch out for from this forum. One thing I'm not sure about is adding the flaps. Are they difficult to include and are they useful?
02-02-2015, 04:41 AM
#978
Thanks for the information on the dle20. I decided to use the Saito 100.
My son and I are both building one of these planes starting this week. I think he will be using a Saito 125. I started to make a list of things to watch out for from this forum. One thing I'm not sure about is adding the flaps. Are they difficult to include and are they useful?
My son and I are both building one of these planes starting this week. I think he will be using a Saito 125. I started to make a list of things to watch out for from this forum. One thing I'm not sure about is adding the flaps. Are they difficult to include and are they useful?
Roger
02-02-2015, 03:48 PM
#979
Join Date: Jan 2013
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I myself will be adding the flaps as well, but instead of a single servo operating both sides with bell cranks, I am going separate servos mounted underneath the radiators 
. At least that is my plans so far! I will post some pictures of my work when the time comes.
. At least that is my plans so far! I will post some pictures of my work when the time comes.
02-02-2015, 06:13 PM
#980
Just remember that every gram you add behind the CG you will have to add in front of the CG. Top Flite already forced the addition of extra nose weight by grossly over sizing the rudder and horizontal stab plus elevators. If you plan on adding any weight to the airframe I would make every effort to put it in front of the recommended CG.
02-03-2015, 02:20 PM
#982
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That's a very good point Steve, I will keep the weight notice in mind when I get to working on the flaps, even though I did remove some material from the tail feathers, every gram counts and it all adds up in the end. And by the way, nice work Simon! Looks awesome!
And by the way, nice work Simon! Looks awesome!
02-05-2015, 03:36 PM
#985
TF Spitfire, Correct Horizontal Stab Seating
Topflite R&D has confirmed that my observation is correct in finding that the drawing plan shows the incorrect seating of the horizontal stab in the stab saddle. TF is as dumb founded as me why this mistake in the drawing was not brought to their attention way before now?
For all builders that seated the stab with the leading edge of the stab butting up against fuselage frame # 10.The stab is seated in the wrong location in the stab saddle and more stab incidence has been introduced then the required + 2 degrees.This may be a contributing factor in the reported nose overs during the takeoff run. It may also explain why more elevator up trim was needed to fly level than what was expected.
Topflite will be releasing a Technical notice to address the problem. Note: TF still has not released the Technical Notice to address the problem with the horizontal stab seating!
The photo at step # 10, page 36 of the manual shows the correct seating of the stab in the saddle. To correctly seat the stab in the saddle, the leading edge of the stab should rest on the small lower step of the saddle, not the upper step. When seated correctly in the saddle the leading edge of the stab is 1/4" back from fuselage frame # 10.
If you are currently building or plan to build the Spitfire there are 3 items in the manual that need to be corrected:
(1). Page 35, step 2, it states that the fuselage sheeting should be long enough to extend past the plywood stab saddles by 5/8". This should be changed to 7/8".
(2). Page 36, step 1, the die-cut 1/4" balsa "Fin Spacer" must be increased in thickness to 1/2". You can make another fin spacer from scrap 1/4" balsa and glue both together to make the fin spacer 1/2" in thickness.
(3). The horizontal stab must be seated correctly in the saddle. The leading edge should rest on the lower step of the saddle. When it is seated correctly, the leading edge of the stab will be 1/4" distance from fuselage frame # 10. See page 36, photo at step # 10 shows the correct seating with the 1/4" spacing.
Roger
02-05-2015, 03:57 PM
#986
The Saito 100 will be ok, it has the right amount of power to fly the 8.5lb H9 Spitfire with authority. However, IMHO, the 10lb+ TF Spitfire would be more suited to the Saito 115 or 125. I believe this because I have the H9 Spitfire with a Saito 100 and the TF Spitfire with an FG20.
If you already have the FA100, I would not go out of my way to purchase an FA 115 or FA 125 just for the sake of .02 hp or .04 hp increase.
I like flying both my H9 and TF spitfires but I enjoy flying the TF more due to more available power with the FG20.
Roger
If you already have the FA100, I would not go out of my way to purchase an FA 115 or FA 125 just for the sake of .02 hp or .04 hp increase.
I like flying both my H9 and TF spitfires but I enjoy flying the TF more due to more available power with the FG20.
Roger
Last edited by ForcesR; 02-06-2015 at 05:30 AM. Reason: word correction and additions
02-05-2015, 04:14 PM
#987
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Thanks Roger for addressing these issues, as I have yet to build the fuse and fasten the stab and rudder. Top flite should hire you for quality control 
smkrcflyer, the manual calls for a. 70 - 90 fs, so as for a Saito 100 should be plenty for your build.
smkrcflyer, the manual calls for a. 70 - 90 fs, so as for a Saito 100 should be plenty for your build.
02-05-2015, 06:18 PM
#988
smkrcflyer; this video link of a TF Spitfire with a .91 four stroke will give you an idea of how it will perform with a Saito 100.
Roger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbtJqj0Tnts
Roger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbtJqj0Tnts
02-05-2015, 07:55 PM
#989
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Roger thanks for pointing out the stab issue. The 91 Seams to fly it well.
My son and I got together tonight to go over our plans for the planes. Building starts next week.
My son and I got together tonight to go over our plans for the planes. Building starts next week.
02-06-2015, 05:43 AM
#990
Actually I am down right jealous of his workmanship
Roger
02-06-2015, 09:11 AM
#992
02-06-2015, 02:04 PM
#993
smkrcflyer; are you and your son considering changing the main wing dihedral from the current 4 degrees to what the full size Spitfire has, which is 6 degrees? It's easy to do and it helps in making the TF Spitfire look much more scale and a lot more attractive
Roger
Roger
Last edited by ForcesR; 02-07-2015 at 02:13 PM.
02-06-2015, 05:32 PM
#994
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This Xmas I'll add the guns, antenna, cockpit and exhaust detail + put the motor in and get her up and running.
Then after that I'll start the TF 1/5 Mustang which is just sitting in the lounge room gathering dust.
Thanks again for your kind comments.
02-07-2015, 06:10 AM
#995
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Were not going to change the dihedral. This is my sons first kit build so were going to build it by the book so to speak.
02-13-2015, 05:31 AM
#998
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I'm looking ahead at covering. I was woundering why people use fiberglass cloth and not Koverall? It seams like Koverall would be easyer to use because of its ability to shrink. It would also work well for the open areas like elevator etc.
02-13-2015, 09:44 AM
#999
Roger
Last edited by ForcesR; 02-13-2015 at 10:31 AM.