Spitfire arf 95" phoenix assembly
#153
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: oceanside,
CA
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So today had the first failure, tail will mounting plate broke off, don’t recall having a hard landing or 3 point landing, definitely not enough glue, hopefully not other more critical joints will fail, I did add ca and epoxy to the accessible areas during the build, this one got by me.
#157
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Join Date: Apr 2003
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Had a few more flights on the spitfire, looks good on the air.
I decided to get rid of the gloss finish on the carbon spinner,
the flat finish looks a lot better, left the back plate glossy.
I decided to get rid of the gloss finish on the carbon spinner,
the flat finish looks a lot better, left the back plate glossy.
#158
Finally had a chance to unpack mine after recovering from broken leg surgery and finally being able to get in my shop, and have some issues. First the right wing was not put together very well, joints, etc. Several cracks in some of the parts. I contacted tower, and they gave me the option of returning it, and back ordering one. Not really an option for me since I need something to work on for the next few months while I recover from my broken leg. I responded to there email, and i should hear back tomorrow. The main things I would like replaced is the right wing and cowll. We'll see what happens.
#161
Thread Starter
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Bought a Dave Brown spinner and some 5.5" tires.
Will have to enlarge wheel well.
Both items were back ordered for about a month. Just got them and the spinner is out of stock, again.
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGGUH&P=ML
Will have to enlarge wheel well.
Both items were back ordered for about a month. Just got them and the spinner is out of stock, again.
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGGUH&P=ML
#166
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: oceanside,
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Bought a Dave Brown spinner and some 5.5" tires.
Will have to enlarge wheel well.
Both items were back ordered for about a month. Just got them and the spinner is out of stock, again.
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGGUH&P=ML
Will have to enlarge wheel well.
Both items were back ordered for about a month. Just got them and the spinner is out of stock, again.
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGGUH&P=ML
#167
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kentwood,
MI
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Painting and detailing is done. All I have left is to paint the pilot figure. I'll have a long wait until spring here in Iowa. Looks like it will be decent outside Saturday, so I'll get it out for some photos in the sun.
Until then, here are a couple of detail shots to give you a clue on how it turned out.
Until then, here are a couple of detail shots to give you a clue on how it turned out.
#168
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#169
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Finally had some nice weather, got mine to the field this past weekend. The DLE-61 started right up and seemed to run perfect. After three runs it pulled the 23x8 prop at 6700 rpm. I'm hoping once it breaks in it'll handle a 23x10.
Only a couple of issues. I was afraid the small screw wouldn't stop the canopy from sliding back, so I added a rubber backed washer under it. I'd hate to see the canopy tear off and blow away. I could hear the front hatch making some noise due to vibration. I tightened it up by adding some epoxy to the front tabs and using some padding on the rear. It's really snug now. Once I get some good weather, and a my thumbs warmed up, I'll fly it and post a maiden report. Here's a couple of photos from the field.
#172
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Hornetnz, go to post 35 of this thread and you'll see how I made the wheels. I did quite a bit of weathering, but it's not extreme and tough to see from that distance. I tried to match up with the actual photos I have of the real aircraft.
Lifer, This plane is quite large, I would guess a 23x10 would pull it faster than a 22x12. A pretty good amount of thrust will be needed to pull it though the air. Never know though, I've been surprised at what prop combination works best sometimes. There's also the need to slow it down on landing, but I enlarged the stock flaps and changed the hinges so they drop pretty far down, should provide plenty of drag if I do go to a higher pitch. It's not all about speed, I want the engine to wind out and sound good, as well as have plenty of thrust to climb out with authority.
Lifer, This plane is quite large, I would guess a 23x10 would pull it faster than a 22x12. A pretty good amount of thrust will be needed to pull it though the air. Never know though, I've been surprised at what prop combination works best sometimes. There's also the need to slow it down on landing, but I enlarged the stock flaps and changed the hinges so they drop pretty far down, should provide plenty of drag if I do go to a higher pitch. It's not all about speed, I want the engine to wind out and sound good, as well as have plenty of thrust to climb out with authority.
#173
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Maiden Report
I finally got some good weather and took the Spitfire to the field for the maiden. I had ran the engine three times prior to this, and it seemed to be performing great. Once again it fired right up and sounded fine, so the moment was at hand to get it into the air. It took off smoothly, and seemed to climb out well. The gear went right up and it was tracking fine. It needed a few clicks of aileron trim and just a couple clicks on the elevator. The ailerons seemed sluggish, so I switched to a higher rate. The elevator seemed fine. I was able to do one full power pass, and I liked the way the plane performs with the 23x8 prop. I am very pleased with the power of the DLE-61. There is no way a DLE-55RA would pull it as well (I have three of them, so I know). A couple minutes into the flight the engine started to sputter a bit as it got hot, indicating it was a bit on the rich side. A touch leaner on both needles and it ran good through the entire second flight. I set up for landing and dropped some flaps. I had about a 9 mph quartering head wind, so I didn't need full, maybe a bit over half. It slowed down really well and I ended up coming in a bit slower than I would like, but the plane flies very light. I hit the runway a little early and bounced it just a bit, but for a first landing I guess it was acceptable. Check out the video of my Maiden flight below. I edited the video a bit, as you know there's a lot of boring time in a maiden as I trim out the plane and get a feel for it.
Second flight was a bit more exciting. The engine ran great, and the plane flew great. On the first circuit I thought I saw something fall off of the plane, never a good sign. A couple of passes and I didn't see anything missing. Once I dropped the gear I knew what it was. One of the wheels had fallen off. I pulled up the gear and did a belly landing. The bottom of the plane is perfect, and there's no damage. I broke the prop (should have killed the engine). I also found that the tailwheel mounting block was a bit loose. Upon inspection it's likely that would have happened anyway, not enough glue. It's all fixed now and ready for more flights. I made sure I locked down the axles better this time. Originally, I didn't use the set screws because I was afraid they'd ruin the threads. I have a lock nut between the wheel and the strut that is locked to the strut. I used a tip from a friend, and dropped a piece of lead shot into the hole before tightening the set screw. The lead stops the threads from getting damaged, but locks the screw in place. I have a video of the second flight and the belly landing. I'll get it edited and will post the link later, not so proud of that one since it was my fault the wheel fell off.
Second flight was a bit more exciting. The engine ran great, and the plane flew great. On the first circuit I thought I saw something fall off of the plane, never a good sign. A couple of passes and I didn't see anything missing. Once I dropped the gear I knew what it was. One of the wheels had fallen off. I pulled up the gear and did a belly landing. The bottom of the plane is perfect, and there's no damage. I broke the prop (should have killed the engine). I also found that the tailwheel mounting block was a bit loose. Upon inspection it's likely that would have happened anyway, not enough glue. It's all fixed now and ready for more flights. I made sure I locked down the axles better this time. Originally, I didn't use the set screws because I was afraid they'd ruin the threads. I have a lock nut between the wheel and the strut that is locked to the strut. I used a tip from a friend, and dropped a piece of lead shot into the hole before tightening the set screw. The lead stops the threads from getting damaged, but locks the screw in place. I have a video of the second flight and the belly landing. I'll get it edited and will post the link later, not so proud of that one since it was my fault the wheel fell off.
#175
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Here's a short video showing the end of the second flight. The engine ran clean through the entire flight. I didn't get the engine killed in time on the belly landing, and broke my 23x8 prop. I stuck a 23x10 on there, and I'm thinking it will have the power to pull it. We'll see which prop I like the best when I get some weather to fly again. Until then, enjoy the video that resulted from my inability to get an axle locked down.