Jase77

Hi all I've built the new spitfire from seagull running a DLE55RA , the manual says the center of gravity is 122mm from leading edge, that means I need to add 1.3kg of lead is that correct or has anyone built one yet and found the cg to be very conservative? Please help thanks

kmeyers

If you put a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine in:
it will balance fine haha.

That cg sounds about right to me. Move everything you can as forward as possible (not the fuel tank though).

Jase77

Hi there thanks for reply, you say don't put the fuel tank forward? I have it right forward and the batteries right behind it, I do remember now I had a seagull fouka wulf and I needed about 1kg of lead straped to the engine mounts to get the correct cg it did fly well tho,

kmeyers

The carbs built-in fuel pump, can easily pull fuel from up to 3 feet away So mounting the tank as close as possible to the cg makes changes due to fuel weight small to zero.

Jase77

Hi there yes makes sense about the cg not changing much, it actually says the starting point is 122mm and can move it back to 135mm so I got it balanced, dry weight is 10kg so not to bad, I've got a DLE55RA in front so I'm just hoping will have enough power,

kmeyers

That 55 will make more than 30 lbs of thrust ( 14 fig newtons, it is a cookie reference, yum). I love being silly, point being that 40% more than 1:1 weight to thrust is a huge amount of more than enough power..
Keep us all up to date on this plane, please. It is winter here in Chicago.

Jase77

Haha yea yum, yes I will I do like a fast war bird I'll post some pics of it tonight but it's got DLE55RA with 20x12 xroar prop alloy 4 inch spinner, it's mid summer hear in new Zealand so hot and bit windy, I really appreciate your advice I can fly no issues at all just have a bot of trouble understanding the technical side of things, but please keep giving me advice and knowledge cheers

Jase77

I'm not sure how to add photos?? Sorry as I was saying not very good with tech

Jase77

Flew the spitfire at cg 135 mm was so nose heavy I'm lucky I had enough elevator, to get it back, anyway motor runs like a dream without the cowl then put cowl on and it runs for few mins then stops so cowl off look and seems to be either hot or starving for fuel??? So flew without cowl engine was perfect please help

Jase77

Update on spitty have redone the cg got the cooling and or vapor lock or cooling issue sorted and have just done another madien and flew beautiful slightly bit nose heavy took few clicks of elevator but so much nicer then the first madien will still take a little bit of lead off, flaps work well doesn't pitch up it actually slightly pitches down so bit of power on lands on mains then tail settles think its goin to be quite fast once engine broken in, couple of take offs and lands so I'm finally a happy man was no wind either

kmeyers

That is great news and reporting.
Is this model a recommend then?
Have you taken pics of cowl, cooling mods and engine setup?
I think there are restrictions on brand new members posting pics until thread count and time. You may have reached that now.

Jase77

Yes I would recommend it is pricey tho well it was $2300 nzd not sure what it is over there, you guys have so many different hobby shops I'm so jealous, it did go together very well everything lined up well, however the 122cg mark will make it a lawn dart, I do have have lots of photos to put up of the heat sheld mod etc once I can put pics up hopefully soon

kmeyers

I could walk about three blocks and pic one up for 709 USD. Not sure of exchange rates or shipping and customs down where you are. I know that Seagulls in Vietnam. You could throw a stone there, it is 12000 miles from me.
For sure I will wait to see your pics.

Jase77

Nice we are very limited hear in nz, soon as I can up load pics I will like you say I may need a bit more time as I'm new, it does look very nice I think I'm goin to fly this evening as I'm hoping it will be a nice evening for it I am lucky the field is only 10 minutes from where I live I guess thats the bonus of small towns I'm still trying to find out how to upload pics anyway hopefully have some soon for you cheers

Jase77

Hi if you have an email address I can send all the photos that way? Cheers

kmeyers

I always want to make new friends, but, I can wait until you can share your pics with the community.
The place I can walk to is GatorRC. Mike (owner of Gator) is a great Rcer and local flyer.
Have a great flight.

Jase77

Ah yes gator rc I've looked at there web site I wonder if they would send to new Zealand? Looks like I can send pics but I need to edit or take smaller photos as it says max is 6mb or something I use my phone samsung s 23 ultra as I don't own a computer

Jase77

Sorry think I'm wrong still won't let me up load photos or I'm doin it wrong I'm guessing I'm doin it worng I think on rc giants it was easy to put photos up of my old focke wulf but I'm struggling on this site