Hi there
Has any body built one of the hacker supermarine spitfires, as i am in the process of building one, and have come to a stumbling block with the tail, and how it should sit, also the throws which are req,
As the instructions are all in chez and very little in english every little bit of info would be appreciated, so i can get this baby in the air.


Thanks

Paul, sorry mate have not built one of these but had plenty of experience building 1/3 scale spits what is wrong about the tail, let me know and I WILL HELP YOU.

Todd

Hi Todd

Thanks for getting back to me.
I bought the kit a couple of weeks ago and have a few problems with it, this is due to the the intructions and my building experience.

The kit has a fibreglass fuz, and the tail is balsa covered in a white gell coat.
All of this should be pretty simple emmmmmmm.
I sanded the balsa insert as required and attached tail, and i dry fitted it as per instructions.
In the diagram the tail is recessed into the fuz slightly, but when trying to move the tail is binds in either side of the fuz's tail section, the length of the tail is curved shaped so it should rotate equally either side, i could sand down the fuz slightly but this won't solve the problem, i could pull the tail out slightly, but it does not look that nice.
I have included a couple of pic's to show you my problem.

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Thanks again

Paul

Paul is it the rudder movement you are talking about, and lack of, if so I have a few ideas.

Todd

It's a bit of each really.
The tail has to sit in the fuz, but as the tail is tappered and rounded at the face the part that would attach to the balsa plate,the movement is so restricted.
As you can see from the photo i have to pull the rudder out so far to get any movment it looks crazy,
I am unable to sand down any more of the balsa that the rudder would fix to, as it would then be to thin.
All that i am after is the tail to sit correcly and have the correct movement which i am told from another club member should be approx 2.5 inches either way.

Thanks Paul

Paul, gothcha, no what you mean I will have a look at my spit and get back to you,2.5 inches is to much all the rudder is used for is in flight with the ailerons and if a tail wheel is working in sequence with the rudder for on the ground 1.5 inches is sufficent if you can get that when the tail is sitting properly then no problems, I am trying to avoid doing any alterations at this stage, see how you go let me know how much movement you get when the tail is pushed in.

Todd

I built one of these for a UK magazine review, some 3 years back. I know the problem you have well. There is a manufacturing problem, and to my knowledge it's never been sorted.

First off, you have to accept that you are never going to get much rudder movement. It will be controllable on the ground, but never as much as you would really like. Next you are going to need to remove a small part of the fuz, at the back, under the tail to help gain so extra movement.

I'll see if I can dig out an old construction shot and post, to show you what I did.

One other small point, she can be a bit-of-a-pig! on the ground [&o] but in the air..a dream leave it with me for a couple of days and I'll get back to you.

Thanks for the reply.
The kit is good quality, just the language problem.[]
I have a Kyosho spit with retracts as well which flies beautifully, i thought of moving up a scale, an this is the kit i decided to go for.
I am glad to know that it is a manufacturing problem, rather than my building experience.
What sort of throws do you recommend, and also am i going to come across any more nasties on the way.

Thanks

It appears from the photo you supplied that part of the problem is that you did not bury the hinge deep enough into the rudder to attain the scale like movement of the rudder that is intended.

It looks like the pivot point of the hinge is even with the leading edge of the rudder. This would be fine if the leading edge of the rudder was simply beveled. Since it is a half circle, the hinge pivot point must be behind the leading edge at what would be the center of the circle.

I have tried various positions while dry fitting the hinge, and yes the hinge is better behind the center of the leading edge of the rudder.
I pulled the rudder out slightly to show the problem i was having,i don't think there is going to be a complete solution to this.
I think that if i can see how far i can expect the rudder to go with the appropriate movement i will be happy.
The Kysho spit i have the tail butts up to the fuz so it does not have this binding effect, as in the diagram the tail sits slightly into the fuz and this is what is causing all the problems.

There's always a solution and in my admittedly limited experience, it usually involves a Dremel tool.

Dremel tools can get me into or sorts of trouble, i thought before i start hacking things i would get some valuable advice.
From a previous reply there could be a design fault in which case i am open to suggestions.

Thanks

Paul

Hi guys

Any joy on those pictures

Thanks

Paul

Paul, have been reading a construction article on your hacker spit, quite a detailed article from a scale mag, do you have it if not give me a pm and I will send it to you.

Todd

Hi Todd

No i don't have the article, i would appreciate if you could send it to me, so i can see what i need to do next, i have not progressed much so i am sure this will help me on my way.

Thanks again

Paul

no probs, how do you want me to send it to you. the article is about 4 pages.

Todd

Could you scan it and send it via email, or would it be easier to send via post, what ever is easier for you.

Just let me know, and i will give you my address or mail address.

Thanks again for you help

Paul[8D]

Email address will be fine

Cheers
Todd

Hi Todd

My mail address is [email protected]

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP

Paul

HI TODD

GOT YOUR MAIL OK BUT COULD NOT RETURN IT AS THE SERVER WAS DOWN, THANKS AGAIN

PAUL

ok, its on its way paul.

Todd

hi Todd have you sent it yet

Thanks

Paul

For some reason i can not mail you as my server does not recognize your mail address

I thought email had evolved not

Paul yes i have sent it it was named spit pic 1,2,3,4 try [email protected]

Todd

Paul here it is

Todd

And another,