Sterling Spitfire
09-24-2008, 07:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Sterling Spitfire
Last Sunday was a lucky day for me. As I was packing up after a good flying session, an old timer stopped by and said that he had a Spitfire and wanted to get rid of it. Thinking it was a built model, I said, "Sure, let's take a look at it." Well, when we got to his car and when he opened the trunk, there was a Sterling Spitfire (the large George Harris design) kit. The kit was in great shape and he just wanted to get rid of it (or he was just going to throw it away!) after having it for over 30 years. Anyway, I offered a few dollars and took the kit home. The kit is missing the landing gear (no big deal there), but it's also missing the canopy.
Does anybody out there have one of these kits and would be willing to loan me the canopy so I could get some copies made? I have a friend that pulls plastic for a living and does fantastic work. I'd really appreciate it guys! Thanks!
FB
Does anybody out there have one of these kits and would be willing to loan me the canopy so I could get some copies made? I have a friend that pulls plastic for a living and does fantastic work. I'd really appreciate it guys! Thanks!
FB
09-24-2008, 09:56 AM
#3
RE: Sterling Spitfire
I don't have a canopy to offer, but perhaps some encouragement. In the mid-1960's I built the Sterling Spitfire and remember it as a great airplane. At first it was flown with a K&B 45 not enough power. Later it flew with a Supertigre 60 Bluehead. Then the power was sufficient. The airplane never was fast, but it flew nicely and was very stable in the air. Low passes were my favorite maneuver because I always loved the profile of the Spit.
On one occasion I fluttered the elevator on a prolonged full power dive and the nylon quick link sheared (duhh.... why did I use nylon ?). The airplane pulled out of the dive by itself and within a few seconds I realized that I didn't have any elevator control. By circling around at a low power setting I was able to fly it onto the ground with zero damage. It flipped over onto it's back and broke the prop.
Speaking of flipping over, you may want to consider moving the main gear forward a bit. Seems like I flipped it over a number of times. But remember, these were the days of reed radios and the level of sophistication in flying was pretty low.
Dick
On one occasion I fluttered the elevator on a prolonged full power dive and the nylon quick link sheared (duhh.... why did I use nylon ?). The airplane pulled out of the dive by itself and within a few seconds I realized that I didn't have any elevator control. By circling around at a low power setting I was able to fly it onto the ground with zero damage. It flipped over onto it's back and broke the prop.
Speaking of flipping over, you may want to consider moving the main gear forward a bit. Seems like I flipped it over a number of times. But remember, these were the days of reed radios and the level of sophistication in flying was pretty low.
Dick
09-24-2008, 12:10 PM
#4
Thread Starter
RE: Sterling Spitfire
There's a couple of sellers over on that auction site that have canopies available. I picked up one for a Royal Spitfire that looked close enough.
I don't have a canopy to offer, but perhaps some encouragement. In the mid-1960's I built the Sterling Spitfire and remember it as a great airplane. At first it was flown with a K&B 45 not enough power. Later it flew with a Supertigre 60 Bluehead. Then the power was sufficient. The airplane never was fast, but it flew nicely and was very stable in the air. Low passes were my favorite maneuver because I always loved the profile of the Spit.
On one occasion I fluttered the elevator on a prolonged full power dive and the nylon quick link sheared (duhh.... why did I use nylon ?). The airplane pulled out of the dive by itself and within a few seconds I realized that I didn't have any elevator control. By circling around at a low power setting I was able to fly it onto the ground with zero damage. It flipped over onto it's back and broke the prop.
Speaking of flipping over, you may want to consider moving the main gear forward a bit. Seems like I flipped it over a number of times. But remember, these were the days of reed radios and the level of sophistication in flying was pretty low.
Dick
On one occasion I fluttered the elevator on a prolonged full power dive and the nylon quick link sheared (duhh.... why did I use nylon ?). The airplane pulled out of the dive by itself and within a few seconds I realized that I didn't have any elevator control. By circling around at a low power setting I was able to fly it onto the ground with zero damage. It flipped over onto it's back and broke the prop.
Speaking of flipping over, you may want to consider moving the main gear forward a bit. Seems like I flipped it over a number of times. But remember, these were the days of reed radios and the level of sophistication in flying was pretty low.
Dick
Still looking for an orriginal canopy that I can copy. Thanks!
FB
