Comp ARF Spitfire build
#226
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
If you check out the Carf F4U1 Corsair build thread, on there they have fittedelectric retracts, Down and Locked, which are a conversion of the Sierra gear. I thinkall the Sierra CARFwarplane retracts use a similar if not the same air cylinder so maybe they can easily doa retrofit unit for the Sierra gear for a Spit. If its powerful enough for the Corsair it should be OK with the lighter spit legs/
#229
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
Thanks. I got the exhausts from Mike Skingle in the UK. http://www.artfbuilds.co.uk/index.htmThey were a little larger (1/4 scale I think) so needed a bit of slimming down plus I hollowed them out, but they work very well. Mike also produces guns and other items like the rear view mirror. Mention my name then I may get a discount next time ! Ed
#230
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RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
Don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but I have a question about the engine mounting and alignment in this bird. I'm installing a DA-85 engine with a JTEC inverted pitts muffler in this project. I mounted the engine flush with the firewall with a 3/32" washer under the engine mounting lugs and I'm using a Sierra 1.5" prop hub extension. The problem I'm running into is the spinner backplate isn't even with the front of the cowl, with a very visible and singnificant gap on the right side (about 5/32" ) while the left side is about 1/16". Anyone else whose building this kit have this same issue? The problem is do I now asymmetrically mount the engine on the firewall with a wedge rather than a uniform ply plate of 3/32", or do I modify the back end of the cowl to match the engine? The latter would make the back end of the cowl asymmetrical. The former would create a right engine thrust line. Your input is appreciated.
For those of you installing a full depth cockpit, how deep from the window ledge did you go?
Since a full cockpit will interfere with the stock servo installation for the rudder and elevator, did anyone place them far behind the cockpit or move the whole tray in front of the cockpit.
For those of you installing a full depth cockpit, how deep from the window ledge did you go?
Since a full cockpit will interfere with the stock servo installation for the rudder and elevator, did anyone place them far behind the cockpit or move the whole tray in front of the cockpit.
#231
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RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
Has anyone tried the Mike Reeves accessories? I know his are for 1:4 scale but from my calculations the CARF is 1:4.35
Just wondering if his wheels and cockpit would fit the CARF?
http://www.mickreevesmodels.co.uk/~m...its/p4spit.htm
Anyone had experience?
Thanks, Gregg
Just wondering if his wheels and cockpit would fit the CARF?
http://www.mickreevesmodels.co.uk/~m...its/p4spit.htm
Anyone had experience?
Thanks, Gregg
#232
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
If it helps I found the same on mine and mounted the engine so spinner matched the cowl but adjusting at the firewall with some shims.
I had no problems and flew great with only minor trim change and tracked well on take off. If I remember offset is required as per manual and this is built into the firewall and cowl but some adjustment will probably be needed in most cases
I had no problems and flew great with only minor trim change and tracked well on take off. If I remember offset is required as per manual and this is built into the firewall and cowl but some adjustment will probably be needed in most cases
#233
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
COMP ARF SPITFIRE WITH MVVS 80 AUTOSTART
I decided, having nothing better to do one day, to change the Zenoah 62 in my Spit, as pictured above earlier in this thread. Why? Well whilst the 62 was just fine, I just fancied trying this new Autostart system from MVVS (no more prop swinging for me, I am getting too old!!) plus nothing annoys me more than carrying dead weight up front. Now even Ali's great looking "Pink Princess " pictured earlier, which is also fitted with the MVVS 80, sorry I mean Evolution 80, has a ton of lead up front making it more lucrative than the model to the local scrap metal tea leafs.
Also, the spark plug on the Z62 did stick out and the hole on the RHS for the carb was also bugging me (yes I know I have a non-scale hole for the exhaust and the cooling inlet up front but some things are easier to avoid than others and life is too short).
Well the MVVS and all the extra autostart bits motor, gear ESC etc fitted just fine and all with the stock silencer. This MVVS80 also has the spark plug fitted at an angle so is fully enclosed in the cowl. You need to mount the engine at a slight angle (see pics) and I needed a short 12mm prop shaft extension (or you can simply add a couple more prop anodised blue MVVS prop washers, you get two with the engine, which is about right.
OK you do have to cut the fiirewall and set it further back but its worth it and on the plus side- no extra weight up front to balance, so model still weighs in at about 33lbs but with no dead weight (the starter system and ancillaries does add quite a few extra pounds to the engine so it will not suit some warbirds with long noses)
I decided, having nothing better to do one day, to change the Zenoah 62 in my Spit, as pictured above earlier in this thread. Why? Well whilst the 62 was just fine, I just fancied trying this new Autostart system from MVVS (no more prop swinging for me, I am getting too old!!) plus nothing annoys me more than carrying dead weight up front. Now even Ali's great looking "Pink Princess " pictured earlier, which is also fitted with the MVVS 80, sorry I mean Evolution 80, has a ton of lead up front making it more lucrative than the model to the local scrap metal tea leafs.
Also, the spark plug on the Z62 did stick out and the hole on the RHS for the carb was also bugging me (yes I know I have a non-scale hole for the exhaust and the cooling inlet up front but some things are easier to avoid than others and life is too short).
Well the MVVS and all the extra autostart bits motor, gear ESC etc fitted just fine and all with the stock silencer. This MVVS80 also has the spark plug fitted at an angle so is fully enclosed in the cowl. You need to mount the engine at a slight angle (see pics) and I needed a short 12mm prop shaft extension (or you can simply add a couple more prop anodised blue MVVS prop washers, you get two with the engine, which is about right.
OK you do have to cut the fiirewall and set it further back but its worth it and on the plus side- no extra weight up front to balance, so model still weighs in at about 33lbs but with no dead weight (the starter system and ancillaries does add quite a few extra pounds to the engine so it will not suit some warbirds with long noses)
Read on for more details of the installation.
#234
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
Iused 6cm standoffs (sorry but I am going metric) for the engine, the distance from the rear of the cowl cover where it meets the fuselage to the firewall is approx 11cm, and the distance from the front of the firewall to the back of the spinner is approx 23cm. Note the cutout for the silencer.
I also fitted the 3s lipo needed for the brushless starter motor above the engine on a removable cradle (also use this to power the ignition). The ESC sits on the shelf projecting from the firewall on the LHS.
I cut the cowl so that the upper section can be easily removed with a single catch for access to the battery. Also makes access to the engine and carb much easier.
The starter is beautifully engineered and works just like a bendix car starter motor. The ignition and ESC has some clever programming like revesring the starter motor when the engine starts or starter is disengaged so that the bendix gears disconnect cleanly. And all controllable from your transmitter.
A favourite trick is to taxi out, stop the engine in the middle of the runway, wait for everyone to groan and point a finger at my engine setting up skills, than amazingly the engine restarts (with simulated smoke from the onboard smoke pump) and away we go!!
#235
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
CARF SPITFIRE WITH MVVS 80 Auto Start
The ignition control unit, which is a special version of the normal MVVS ICU, is mounted behind the firewall in the fuselage.
Be warned the MVVS instructions need very careful reading and following to the letter to get everything right with the starter wiring and set up (not one of the best written set of instructions to come my way), but once you have got it all worked out it works nicely and makes sense. You need a spare receiver channel to operate the starter from your transmitter, connecting via the ICU. I did not bother with the auto choke option (common MVVS ICU feature) but I did programme my radio so that the starter could not be operated accidently with the choke closed or the choke closed when the engine is running.
I also was supplied initially with a faulty ESC (that is another story) which took a while and some strong e-mails before it was sorted. If your ESC does not “sing” when the power is connected and/or has a permanent red light then you may have a software problem like I did and he starter motor will not run under any circumstances.
As is the norm, it helps cooling to baffle the cowl so that incoming air is directed onto the cylinder head.
This is a good option for this model with little or no weight penalty and the Spitfire cowl shape accommodates the MVVS system almost as it it were custommade for it.
Ed
As is the norm, it helps cooling to baffle the cowl so that incoming air is directed onto the cylinder head.
This is a good option for this model with little or no weight penalty and the Spitfire cowl shape accommodates the MVVS system almost as it it were custommade for it.
Ed
#237
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
Thanks 2walla. Yes I really like it . The Zen62 did agreat job of flying the CARF Spit as I reported earlier but you needed 80-100% throttle most of the time and nothing much in reserve.The 80 is a great engine, low vibration on a par with 3Ws and plenty of power. I have a 3W 80 in my CARF Mustang which has to fly several extra pounds compared to the Spit now (BTW I do not think there is enough room in the narrow Mustang nose to fit the autostart and the extra weight would not be welcome in this case).
I did not realise that Evolutions came with a different ignition. Perhaps not a bad idea as I guess most people do not want to bother with the MVVS autochoke if that is one of the differences.
We can buy both from Horizon and MVVS agents in the UK. I am not sure if MVVS are offerring the autostart as a retrofit, but I have heard of some people fitting the starters to their standard MMVS engines without the special ignition unit and ESC and controlling the starter from the transmitter manually (the special ESC/PS-ICU supplied will automatically reverse then stop the starter motor when the engine fires so it disengages cleanly). Also it is not 100% clear to me if the MVVS80 engine that is supplied with this system is in any way different to a standard MVVS80 or the Evolution80, so check with MVVS technical support first.
I did not realise that Evolutions came with a different ignition. Perhaps not a bad idea as I guess most people do not want to bother with the MVVS autochoke if that is one of the differences.
We can buy both from Horizon and MVVS agents in the UK. I am not sure if MVVS are offerring the autostart as a retrofit, but I have heard of some people fitting the starters to their standard MMVS engines without the special ignition unit and ESC and controlling the starter from the transmitter manually (the special ESC/PS-ICU supplied will automatically reverse then stop the starter motor when the engine fires so it disengages cleanly). Also it is not 100% clear to me if the MVVS80 engine that is supplied with this system is in any way different to a standard MVVS80 or the Evolution80, so check with MVVS technical support first.
ORIGINAL: 2walla
Nice job! How do you like the extra power of the 80? Over here horizon hobbies uses their own ignitions on their rebadged mvvs engines. I dont know it they will stock it here. Looks like a nice product!
Nice job! How do you like the extra power of the 80? Over here horizon hobbies uses their own ignitions on their rebadged mvvs engines. I dont know it they will stock it here. Looks like a nice product!
#240
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RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
I ended up buying Pauls spitfire with the zdz 80 on it and it is not overpowered. I am somewhat torn to mess with it as it is ready to fly but it really needs more hp. Especially if you are flying off of grass that isnt cut golf green short. I am looking at replacing it with my da 85 as the overall length is nearly the same and I wont have to mess with the firewall (plus I have it already) The 80 is turning a 26x10 at just 6k. Any of the current 80-90 class motors will spin a 28X10 prop at about the same rpm. That is a lot more power. The spits wing is thick and it doesnt seem to be that fast with the old 80. It will never be blisteringly fast with the surfboad thick wing but it would be nice to not get passed by a a 40 glow trainer. I know I wouldn't be happy with a da60.
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RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
I am running the DA60 in my spit. It has only hat 1 flight so far and it flew beautifully until a dead stick. I hav a 3B 22x12 prop which may be a bit over proped. The DA60 spaced 60mm forward of the firewall fits inside the cowel very well.
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
#242
RE: Comp ARF Spitfire build
Make sure your dead stick was not due to poor cooling and overheating. I had the same with my zenoah 62 version which was still running in and had to work hard in this model until I enlarged the air inlet and improved baffling(see deacription and pics earlier in this thread). One thing though the Carf spit is a floater when it comes to getting out of trouble.
Cheers
Ed
Cheers
Ed