Hello! Long time member, First post though.

I am building a Kyosho .40 size spitfire and have a proble with the covering. when it gets into the sun the covering gets all dimpled and sags. The covering isnt heat shrink covering but a stickey paper type covering. So if you have one, what did you do about it? Also, Do i really need the wheel wells wheni use retracts? they dont fit the recommended landing gear so im just gonna leave them out. Thanks!

Colin C

A good buddy of mine has the exact model. Keep is as light as you can...sans retracts too. You do not need them on this model and you really do need to keep it as light as you can. If you do...it will fly ok. My buddy added retracts to his Spitfire latter after flying it for seveal months. He wished he kept it light and did not use the retracts...for it did not fly as well heavyer.

I've had models...(still do)...that use that heavy covering as on the Spitfire. I do use a heating iron to shrink it tighter...but never does it come out perfect...just better then before. My Twin Star has had the covering re-shrunk several times...and after nearly two years...I still have the covering on the model it came with. The covering is not perfect...but neither am I....

I pray that I've helped you a little with your model.

Soft landings always,
Bobby of Maui

Hey thanks! Im putting a O.S. .46 in it to give it a little more power. Right now its comming out around 6-7 pounds whith everything installed. Thanks for your help!

Colin C

Use a heat gun on the covering before bringing the plane into colder temperatures. The best way to tackle this problem is to let the plane sit in the sun for an hour, then bring it inside the house and immediately use a heat gun on any sagging areas.

I use the wheel wells on mine with Hobbico mechanical retracts, and the landing gear fit fine. I'm not a big fan of warbirds with fixed gear and wheels hanging down on fly by (they look like crap). This plane is already light, so I don't see any problem with using retracts. My Kyosho Corsair weighs 9 lbs (yep, nine pounds on a postal scale) with air retracts, yet it's one of my best flying warbirds. Warbirds are supposed to be heavy anyway.

wow thats a beautiful plane. I also use the hobbico retracts and they just crimp up when the wheels go up so i left them out. Ill try that next time.

Colin C

Maybe your tires are too wide. When your wheels go up, you don't want the tires to be pressing against the wheel wells. I use narrow Kavan tires, and I glued the wheel wells in.

Richard,

There is always an alternative, I have had this spit and nothing looks worse than sagging covering on a warbird, strip the model and put your own covering on it, you will be surprised at how it looks when it is finished. not sure let me know.

Todd