RE: Dynaflite 81" Spitfire
Hi Richard,
In reply to your post #5, I consciously kept weight to a minimum during construction. Although the fuselage is completely sheeted, I left the wing panels open. The model is completely covered with Coverite - both fuselage and wings. The fuselage covering was applied in panels and fixed with Balsaloc and then given a coat of clear dope after shrinking. I then gave it a couple of light coats of sanding sealer to close the weave.
The wing had similar treatment without the sanding sealer. Colour is watered-down water-based cheap (acrylic) housepaint applied with my cheap little plastic Badger air gun. I let all that dry for a couple of weeks and then gave the complete model a brushed-on coat of clear polyurethane.
All that was done about three years ago and apart from becoming a little tired, it is still going well - I had it out again this past weekend. In all its flights to date, it has never tipped on its nose once.
The retracts have failed a couple of times owning to airleaks - all fixed now - but the model lands easily wheels up on the grass on the air scoops with no damage at all.
Alan W