Brad330l

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Well guys I think I am far enough through the deal to let you know I have a new Spitfire on it's way.
I have purchased through Jose at Fliteskin the wonderful Spitfire he offers for sale http://www.fliteskin.com/Spitfire.html
This is the Spitfire fuselage that Vic from vicrc makes and sells. http://www.vicrc.com/product_spitfire.htm but does not seem to like sending overseas so I got mine through Fliteskin.
Now we will go back a step further and see that Vic must have liked the Brian Taylor Spitfire kit so much he decided to make a fiberglass version of it. Brian I think has retired and has sold his kits to Traplet Publications who now offer them in the UK and the rest of the world. http://shop.traplet.com/product.aspx?c=2513

So, this is how I understand the story but it is by no means set in stone so if someone has a different spin on things or knows some actual history of the process then please post here.
The Spitfire I am talking about and the subject of this thread is the 83" version that most of you may have seen as the Mk IX or Mk VIII but I have ordered mine as the earlier version that Vic does, being the Mk V. This is an earlier Spitfire that used the non supercharged Merlin engine and so was a bit shorter in the nose/cowl just like the Mk I etc.
I will be doing the model as a Mk Vc that the RAAF used in the defence of Australia in the mid war years (1942/43) or so. These Spitfires were fitted with the Vokes air filter to further improve engine life. These filters were an extension of the cowl, described as 'ugly' and robbed the fighter of a few good knots of top end speed and no doubt climb but it just so happens that it is perfect on the model to help hide an engine head and spark plug lead.
I have not picked an actual aircraft as yet and will be doing more research but I have gone away from an 85 Squadron machine as used in Perth Western Australia as the only way to do it justice would be to cover it in Flitemetal or the like and I dont want to do this. I will be choosing from 452, 457 or 79 Squadrons RAAF based in Australia and the northern islands fighting the Japanese.

So I was going to make the intro short so more details to follow. Hopefully my kit is on it's way. I have ordered Shinden Machine retracts with the kit http://www.shindinmachine.com/SPITFIRE/SPITFIRE.html that I got through Jose as well on Vics advice.
In the pictures you will see how the cowl swallows up the MVVS 50 engine. Cool. I want to swing a 22 x 8 prop that is not TOOOO far from scale size. Engine selection is however still to be made.
OK so any one else got one?? (Casey). If so, post here and help me build another Spitfire.

Cheers,

Brad

tfarmer96

These Birds fly great! A DA50 or DLE55 are also good motors for this plane. I love mine!

http://www.wyliewarbirds.com/project...kix/index.html

http://www.wyliewarbirds.com/comproj...pit/index.html

glazier808

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Hehe! Nice Brad!... Yes, I've got the Mk IX version. I'm gonna do my best to try to have my second work table cleared enough to start with you. If I may ask, why not the Sierra gear? Something I don't know?

Casey

DaddySam

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Good for you Brad. I have Vic's fuse for the Mk IX and the wood wing kit from Bob Holman. I also have the cowl, etc., from Brian Taylor (before he sold to Traplett) and a full wood kit from Bob Holman. I will get started on mine after the Hurricanes are done. I have one set of Shindin retracts and will be picking up another this year.
I look forward to your progress.
Sam

Brad330l

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Hi guys and thanks for your great start to the thread. Tfarmer those are some very nice and informative pictures you have there. I will study them more closely I am sure as I start gluing ribs. Those in flight pictures are very nice.
Casey, retracts, mate to put it simply,,, price. After paying $450 postage I had to compromise. Heck, all of these units have great reviews so price was it. Man I would have put Yellow's U/C in the model if it come to it. They are all great. Sierria,,,,,,,,, very great
Hey Daddy Sam I might just be calling on you for some advice. Good to know there are others out there.

Cheers,

Brad (Who has just become a 'Spitfire Brotherhood Bro)

glazier808

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Brad, I can understand. Dennis from Glennis Aircraft stopped by and dropped my wheels off for the Fliteskin 109F, truely works of art. He did mention that you had inquired about a set for the Spitfire, and I told him I would be interested as well. He saw the Mk IX fuse out in the garage when he was here. I spent 3 or 4 hours last night, working to finish up the 109F.

Casey

DaddySam

My Feedback: (9)

Brad,
I've subscribed and look forward to everybody's progress. I have not built from a BT plan before so I will be looking closely at this and other BT Spit builds. Terry's is a good one at www.wyliewarbirds.com , as is Sean McHales build [link=http://www.strictlyscale.com/StrictlyScale/SpitfireBuild.html]Sean McHale Spitfire Build[/link].
Tally Ho!
Sam

tfarmer96

By the way guys i still have the mold for that hatch where i put my switches if you need one let me know i will be glad to fix you up. I am planning on putting my switches in the same place on my comp arf spit so i will be makeing a mold of that one aswell

Brad330l

My Feedback: (1)

Just ordered my wheels from Dennis,,,,,, talking of prices this thing is starting to add up not to worry though,,,,, I don't drink through the week
I am in the same boat as you Daddysam, I have not built from BT plans before,,, and not off any plans for a good few years now so I will be asking lots of questions and farmer thanks for the offer. I will keep it in mind.

Cheers guys and happy new year,,,, again.

Brad

glazier808

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"I don't drink through the week" LOL...I hear ya, I just purchased the AXI 5345-14 for this Spit...ouch

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/axi_5345_...35050_prd1.htm

I still need the ESC yet, but at least I have the batteries!
At this point I'm still I'm still undecided on using a sound system on this one like the one in the 109F

Casey

glazier808

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I also ordered the spinner from Traplet

http://shop.traplet.com/product.aspx?c=2614

Casey

I really am looking forward to building this bird, as the Spitfire has always been my favorite of all WWII fighters...just behind the 109F LOL....

glazier808

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I have yet to choose, but I'm leaning towards the MKIII actually as I love the pointed fin, but I do like the idea on not having a retractible tailwheel....what to do...


Casey

Brad330l

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Mk IX's had the pointy rudder too mate but not sure if you would find one in the scheme you posted. The Mk IX the US guys would have flown would have been over main land Europe and been in the green/grey colour scheme. The Mk VIII was the one sent to the desert and beyond.

I am going to have to machine up my own spinner back plate and try to make a spinner cone from the static one I am getting with my Spitfire. With my Yellow Aircraft spinner I laminated the inside with carbon fiber but this is untested as yet so I am not committing to any thing That motor you show mate what prop will you swing with it?

Cheers,

Brad

glazier808

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A 21" or 22" should work for this motor...I could probably spin a 4 blade 18" with no problem, we'll see as this is a new and bigger combo than I'm use too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZrQ...e_gdata_player

Here's John R's with I believe the same set up...

Casey

glazier808

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I would definitely go for Mk IX with pointed tail, and with no retractable tail wheel( not only saving weight, but also time)do you have any pics of any?

Casey

DaddySam

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How about this one? It's a MK XVI painted up to represent what you're after (I think).

glazier808

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That seems to be the one...
Thanks!!!

Casey

glazier808

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Jeesh, that looks like about 85 degrees of flaps!

Casey

BobH

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Thats about right.. nearly 90degrees of flaps with no in between. They are either full up or full down.

glazier808

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Well in that case, I'd say those are fully down lol!

Casey

Brad330l

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Yeah mate sorry forgot to mention that the Mk XVI is basically a MK IX with an American built Merlin engine (Packard) in it.

How come you are still up????? Should you not be sleeping by now??

Brad

glazier808

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Thanks for the information Brad, although the spitfire has always been 1 of my favorites... I'm far far from an expert on them.

Yeah I was up late working on the 109...


as far as paint schemes, I'm still open to suggestions...
Of course I could always do the captured mark 9 the germans had...



Casey

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

I will hunt you down and kill you! [:@]

Chad Veich

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PS - Regarding the tail wheel, in my opinion it is just as easy (maybe easier) to fit a retract as it is to make a decent looking fixed tail wheel. The fixed unit on the real Spit is castoring and only the fork and wheel actually rotates. The tail wheel post itself does not swivel. Making a steerable unit on a model that looks right and is durable enough to get the job done is pretty tough. My .02 cents anyway.

t_burley

My Feedback: (59)

LMAO, Even I wouldnt do a Spitty captured scheme (I did however do a P47 one though)

the fuse and glasswork that Vic makes for these are awsume. have built two myself
and is a very favorite of mine. would like to build a third................one day