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Old 01-21-2010 | 11:32 PM
  #5  
rsteffen42
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Monterey, CA
Default RE: Phoenix Spitfire 40 ARF

I built one of these a little over a year ago. I'll post some pics as soon as I can find them. Unfortunately, I didn't document the build, just the finished product.

Mine has a Saito .80 upfront with a 13x6 prop.

This is what I remember from the build -

[ul][*] The included push rods and other hardware were junk. Before I decided to scrap the hardware I actually had one pushrod shatter when I tried to bend it. The only bit of the original hardware that I used was the split-elevator joiner, everything else went in the trash. Including the nylon wing bolts.[*] The skin of the wing section around the holes for the wing bolts was very weak. I thought the bolts would just pull right through the wing under load. I made a little plate from light plywood to help spread the load over a bigger area. I also used better nylon bolts (the 1/4" socket head cap screws from RTL Fasteners with large nylon washers.)[*] I used the included engine mount at first. However, after about 6 flights I noticed it was starting to crack. It was replaced with a Saito aluminum mount.
[/ul]

I really do like this plane. I flys great, with only one bad habit - on takeoff it gets airborne without enough airspeed to really fly, then it wants to stall. Most of my takeoffs have been a quick jump to 20ft, a stalling dive to just inches off the ground, and then a real climb out.
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