Im thinking of buying this plane and was wondering if anyone has bought ,built,or flown this model?
What engine would best suit it and what additional things do I have to buy to complete the kit.
Any bad or not mentioned items in the instructions I should look for or do differently?
Thanks...

I ma in the process of building the very plane you speak of. Much has been said in praise of this model in the Warbird forum. I am going to try to fly mine with a TT .91 FS. There is one reviewed here in RCU that flew great with a YS .91. Reviewer suggest any .91 FS will do just fine. Some will always try to convince you to go bigger and it is probably safer to do so, since the weight is welcomed in the nose anyhow.

It is a very nice plane and the hardware is adequate. You will need pneumatic retracts. I have a set of Spring Air 103 HD to go in mine. There is a CJ set that will drop right in, can't remember the model $230. You will retrofit the servo tray to accommodate air retracts, as the model is set up for mechanicals. No mechanicals that I have seen will support this plane...

In short, the plane is very very nice, though...

There is a build in the Warbird forum on this plane. Also do a search for "Flair" Spitfire (the search function can be your best friend). The plane flies pretty nice, but the elelvator can be touchy.

Is it possible to build the aircraft with the supplied fixed gear and fit retracts later ? Would this mean that I would have to seperate the wing joints at a later stage to fit the retracts ?

Reason I'm asking is because I'm not too confident about fitting the retracts correctly yet (can't make my mind up what type to get either) and I'd like to get on and build the aircraft in the meantime.

regards, Tony

It would be a pain in the butt to tear out the fixed landing gear blocks later. If you plan to use retracts, you might as well do it right and put them in at the beginning. Many standard types of air retracts will fit, just don't go with mechanicals. It's pretty simple to install air retracts.

Its funny you should say that Richard L, ive had over 100 flights using standard mechanical retracts flying with a 120 Fourstroke and have never had a problem

Guess im lucky

What is a good price for this Spits. I found one for $205 shipped to my door. Should I just go for that or shop around.

I would say go for that over here in the uk thier £249.00 = around $450 dollars

Would appreciate your advising brand/type of retracts you have used. I installed the GSP retracts in my P47 (simular size) and they are not strong enough. Struts bend easily.

TIA

Ok thanks, I have my order in for one GSP/Flair Spitfire.

DragonHeart, what kind of mechanical retracts are you using? Do you fly off grass or pavement? The reason I ask is I may decide to go with mechanicals as I am missing some pieces on my retracts (filler valve) and I don't have any experience setting up/using pneumatics. Mechanicals seem so much easier to install...

RCAIR....where did you find it at that price?

Ebay!!

Jim

Hi,

Im using Standard Irvine Retracts, not sure if thier avalible in the USA..... and i fly off a bumpy grass feild

Ebay, egrandbuy is the merchant -- currently $170 +$35 shipping... He's got some of the other CMPro Warbirds also, Zero, Thunderbolt, etc...

How about a Zenoah G26 for this plane..thinks it's to much or will it work OK?

G-26, eh? I haven't any gas experience, but don't see why it would not work. My initial impression it is more power than you need... wouldn't the G-26 replace a Saito 180? Maybe the physical dimensions would be a concern. Nose weight probably would not be a concern.

i couldve sworn that some one here in RCU posted saying he was using a ryobi 30/33cc? in the GSP Spitty and also in the Zero...hmm perhaps it is posted in the Warbirds section...wonder about the size of the ryobi...ie how much actuallyhangs out and how fast is it>and how much weight????

Ryobi has a rear carb, so likely would require modification (lengthwise) to get it to fit into the cowl...

DragonHeart, what struts, if any, are u using with the Irvine retracts. Were they easy enough to fit in the Spit? Can you post any pics of them fitted ? Can you recommend a servo for these or will any retract servo do?

I've ordered them anyhow from Galaxy models. If they do the job, at 20 quid I'll be more than happy.

regards, Tony

Hi, I have put together a CMpro Spitfire ( same as GSP ) with 31cc ryobi conversion. Flys great at just over half throttle. Probably equivalent to a G-23. I'm running a 16*10 3 blade MA taching at 7600. This gives about 13-14 lbs on a fish scale. Plane in this form weights about 13 lbs. Ryobi with the rear carb fits totally in the cowl. Carby fits through the firewall. These planes require nose weight anyway so the ryobi works well. And nice and cheap to run. Engine weights about 3 1/2 lbs running on the magneto. One thing you need to look at is the retract rails in the wing. There's just no glue holding them in. Reinforce them with some epoxy or similar. Both mine broke out on initial flights with reasonable landings. They weren't perfect but I wouldn't have expected to see the complete retract break out. The other thing is the push rods to the elevator and rudder. They need to be encapsulated somewhere in the centre section of the rear fuselage to stop the rods from being able to move sideways. The CM pro Spitfire ended up with flutter on the elevator due to the sideways movement, which broke the servo arm, the plane ending up in a screaming heap. Not pretty. Anyway here's some pics.

Cheers from the Land Down Under. Tim.

Hi

Im not using any struts with the irvine retracts as the grass i fly off is a bit bumpy, as for the servo i use a Supertec Low Profile Retract Servo which is about £23.00 which is ideal for the job i have these retracts on my Spit and my Zero and as you said for £20 if they bugger up its much cheaper to just replace them than fit air retracts, but soo far mine have been fine

Good Luck

Katana, you are a Mad Man! You've got both the Zero and the Spitfire with the Ryobi 31cc! That is awesome! Now I got to do it! I always wanted gas and everone tells me the TT91FS I bought for my spit is going to be too small. God knows I got access to plenty of Ryobi 31s.

Where do you buy your conversion parts for the Ryobi?

Functional oleo struts work great on bumpy grass. That's what they are designed to do - absorb bumps on bumpy grass and smooth out rough landings. Plus they are very easy to install.

How about the US Engines 25cc insted of the Zenoah G26 or the Ryobi?
The US Engines seems to be a little smaller.