tiggerinmk

OK, I couldn't resist the temptation, I just had to rush out to the local WH Smiths and get a copy!
Well, I've now perused the mag and watched the video; here are some thoughts....

It looks like it goes together almost like a jigsaw puzzle and it looks like no full sized plans will be provided. Some parts, like the tail pieces will be built over a 'template' i.e. small plan for the part. A jig is provided to line up the ribs for the wings. All in all, it looks like the build is designed to be almost foolproof!

The prop supplied with the 1st issue is 10", I haven't taken it out of the packet for a closer look, but it looks similar to the black MAS props.

The engine on offer is a Leo .46, which you need to pay £24.99 or £29.99 depending on whether you subscribe. A (cheap looking) transmitter is also on offer and is free if you subscribe. The flight pack is included at some point with the magazines.

The covering is also supplied but I'm not sure what type it is. The video briefly shows the elevator covering being heat shrunk, but a lot of the covering appears to have pre printed panel lines....

So, the total cost (if you subscribe) is probably £1.99 + (59 * £5.99) + £24.99 = £380.39 for a plane complete with radio and engine.

So, what do you all think?

I haven't seen much in the way of 40 sized spitfire kits in the UK, are there any alternatives.....

PS. The summer of 2006 could be a real laugh, when all these beginners show up at the flying fields with their shiny new Spitfires...

P-51B

My Feedback: (5)

What, do they send you a part each month in the magazine or what?

tiggerinmk

Yup, I'd fogotton all about these mags (I was over on your side of the pond for 4 years, but now I'm back over here).... It seems that they've upped the ante, they used to be just specialist mags that ran for 60-70 issues..

There's one for an RC monster truck, for the first issue you got a wheel..

This one for the Spitfire runs for 60 weekly issues. On the first issue you get an introductory video tape, a prop and spinner, the firewall, another bulkhead and the forward part of a fuselage side....

tiggerinmk

Here's the link to the site: http://www.deagostini.co.uk/spitfire/

BTW, the engie is 6.47cc; that's .40 isn't it, not .46.... oops..

3D-kid330

My Feedback: (1)

They really do that? Where's the Monster truck one?

tiggerinmk

The Thunder Tiger monster truck mag started around a month ago..... these mags are advertised in the UK and are probably also available in Europe. They are not available in the USA. Besides, it's a lot cheaper just to buy a truck....

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

Sounds like it would also be a lot cheaper to simply buy a Top Flite or Great Planes Spitfire kit, separate engine and radio equipment. You also don't need to wait 60 months to finish it.
Dennis-

tiggerinmk

Dave,
You would probably be right, all things being equal. But we're talking UK prices here which are a bit more expensive than good ol' US prices.

Yup, I'm back in the UK now... maybe I need to change the handle...

The Top Flite spit is available but is almost the same in £ as you'd pay in $. Also, as far as I've heard, it's a complex build that also comes out heavy. I don't think the GP kit has been available for some time....

If you think the choice of kits over there is bad, you should try and find some decent kits over here.....

It looks like my main option is Skyshark. It looks like they can ship their short kits out worldwide. Of course they don't do a Spitfire, but I do like their Tempest....

Unless you know of anyone else that produces a decent (light) 40-60 Spit kit that is available for shipping to the UK...

Of course, the original intent of this thread was to canvass the opinion of other UK people in this magazine knowing the state of the UK market....

(BTW, the magazine is weekly)

ric_lamb

Hi - I had a look at the magazine in WH Smith's yeterday and was unimpressed with the quality of the wood parts. They ply firewall was badly cut and the prop appeared to be brittle to the touch. (One mag had had the covering film removed so you could toch the bits.

RCM & E have expressed reservations about the wisdom of making this available to, shall we say, the less knowledgeable, model maker. The publisher apparently responded, saying that they took the reservations on board, but were going to publish anyway. I believe they will include some 'guidance' regarding who and wher these should be flown.

The transmitter looks very cheap and nasty and so far there's been no mention of a receiver or servos.

Only time will tell. I wonder if anyone will really have the patience to wait five years before they get to put it in the air?

Cheers

Ric

tiggerinmk

Thanks Ric, can you tell me which issues of RCM&E mention the mag? I just got back from the colonies last year, so I've only got the last few issues....

The magazine is weekly! (bangs head on desk!)

I just opened the parts pack to take a look: The parts looked like balsa to me and the blurb only refers to balsa and makes no mention of ply parts. But, as you say, the parts are ply. They appear to consist of a central balsa core laminated whith two outer slimmer balsa sheets. This appears to give the stiffness of ply but it is also still light. I'm still not entirely sure about the firewall not being 'proper' ply though.

The three parts consist of the firewall, the front right fuse side and a fuse bottom piece that mates to the firewall. The pieces fit perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle and the bottom piece is keyed so that you can't assemble it the wrong way around.

From what is shown on the video, it also looks like the wings are bolted on with blind nuts secured into one of these balsa ply sheets. That looks like one area that will need beefing up a bit for a start (in addition to possible reinforcing of the firewall).

The prop is described as being made from polyamide 6 and fibreglass. It feels okay to me and doesn't have any sharp edges (unlike the MA props), but as it is unmarked I'd rather use an APC.

In the words of the magazine you get the folllowing:
All the balsa wood parts for the complete assembly of the fuselage, wings, tailplane and landing gear.
The exterior covering of the whole aircraft structure and engine cowling
Stickers for the aircraft markings not printed on the exterior coverings
A complete set of steering and internal control mechanisms
Wheels and undercarriage
Four servos - each capable of generating 2.5kg of torque
Fuel tank
Battery switch
Propeller and spinner

In addition to the above, there are two offers for which you need to collect tokens printed in the magazine issues: One is for the cheap looking transmitter, and the other is for a Leo .40 engine.
If you subscribe, you get the transmitter free, along with an A4 print and a winsock Oh, and you won't need to save the tokens and you get a extra fiver off the engine, making it £24.99

Unless I've missed something, the only items not specifically mentioned appear to be a receiver and battery pack (pictured in the video) and possibly a harger for the radio.

ric_lamb

Hiya,

Sorry, my error, it wasn't RCM&E, it was a little bit in the BFMA News of February 2005. Manny Williams, Development Officer, writes:

'De Agostini, Spitfire Magazine

'Some of you will have heard of the above company or seen their advertisements on national television.

'They run magazine based build projects for such things as radio control cars over a 60 week period, whereby a part of the model is acquired each week along with the magazine containing the instructions and other information.

'De Agostini have approached the BFMA to discuss their proposed launch of a model Spitfire project for a .40 size engines and four function radio control.

'We have pointed out the many pitfalls of this project and stated that we certainly would not endorse the building and flying of a Spitfire as a first model aircraft.

'We have also made De Agostini aware of the legal and safety implications of flying model aircraft.

'Whilst De Agostini noted our concerns they have decided to proceed with the launch in mid-February, this will include a degree of television advertising and media coverage.

'With the forecast take up figures for this publication there is the potential for a number of these aircraft to arrive at your club flying field built by non aeromodellers, this is obviously cause for concern.

'Every effort should be made to help these individuals by steering them in the direction of a trainer type aircraft and supervised flying tuition and saving the Spitfire for later on in their modelling career.

'Remember, these people have committed to a long term model aviation project, with a little help and guidance we may gain enthusiastic new members.'

With acknowledgments to the BFMA. Hopefully they won't mind me quoting the whole article verbatim

tiggerinmk

Hi,

Thanks for supplying that info. I'm not a member of the BFMA so I wouldn't have seen that report....

cstevec

My Feedback: (1)

Tiggerinva, I wondered where you went. I hadn't seen you in quite a while and wondered where you had got off to. Keep in touch.

tiggerinmk

Steve,
Sent a PM, glad you found me....

nut driver

The latest update from the BMFA following their highlight in February, Aprils edition as follows:

' The building and attemting to fly a model such as the Spitfire as an introduction to aeromodelling is definately not something we would endorse, however, it may entice people into the hobby that can be educated and steered down the trainer and club tuition route.

Several comments have centred around safety, but in fairness to De Agostini they have taken this aspect on board, the first issue does contain safety advice and they have assured us that future issues will expand on this theme.

Remember, the avenue for individuals to purchase a completely unsuitable model and attempt to fly it has long been the case via the ARTF (almost ready to fly) route, also through such outlets as E Bay with no commitment or effort on the individuals part at all.'

ARDV8

Not far off finishing my build of this plane. It might be more expensive than buying one ready built, but the magazine has been a wealth of information for a newbie like me, and the build quality is good.

dr_wogz

My Feedback: (3)

Iv'e seen a few mags ike this.

i guess we get them from France.. (Quebec has a large french population, in case you didn't know!!) and we have a slew of French magazines. Most European mags seem to offer 'free stuff' taped / bagged to the mag..

Recent 'building' magazines offered:
R/C 1/10 Subaru - Each issue came with a few parts.
Robot - Not sure what it did, but a robot none teh less, blinky lights, assuming a photo sensor or two, wheels & motor & directional control, etc.. Each issue had another peice
Titanic - Parts to make about a 3' long model of the Titanic. Each issue had a few peices
Steam Engine - parts for about a 'G' scale steam locomotive. I think it was a static model, but could be powered
Human skeleton - yep, a few bones in each issue