RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Well, I looked at the photo you posted, then went to the garage to look at my setup. I sawa couple of problems with turning the arm around. The arm is crimped on to the barrel, and I didn't see any way of rotating it around. Maybe the whole barrel can be rotated, but I didn't look too far into that because it looks like there wouldn't be enough clearance with the fins for the arm to move. It was at that point I realized thatyou might be able torotate the whole carb180 degrees. I haven't tried yet. and if it can be done, I would have to re-work my entire throttle linkage and servo setup. I may re-visit the idea in the future. For you, now would be the time to see if rotatingthe carbwould resolve any fit issues, and to see if it can be done at all.

Scott

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

I will try that for sure, it solve a lot of issues, and for the needle you can put (glue) a screw on the top on it and use a screwdriver to adjust the needle, that way you will only have to drill a small hole in the cowl fo the screwdriver and you can take out the cowl without removing the needle

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi there, I finished enlarging the engine mount for the rcv and with some luck tomorrow I will glass it to give it more strength. I was very lucky in a way because I miss the part in the instructions to glue the bottom part of the mount (oops!) so I was able to made it from a single piece :D.
I had rotated the carb of the engine and made some tests to see if it will fit more or less. I am very happy with the results, it looks like all the problems with the throttle linkage are gone! of course I cant be sure untill I reach the part of building the cowl.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Finally back from my winter vacations!!
after spending some really nice days skying with my family and friends, I got back to the workbench!, on the spit build I ve finished the fuse and come to the part of fitting the wing in the fuselage. I had to enlarge the holes of the F1 for the wing to fit well, at first I thought the wing has twist somehow until I realize the wing sticks were below the normal aligment, I almost began to sand the wing crutches [X(]!
I will post some pictures soon with the progress.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

here are some pics of the last work, the 4th picture shows how the wing didnt fit before I enlarge the holes.
Right now I am waiting for the fillet bases to cure before fitting the plastic parts

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi, after 2 weeks without life after the university exams [:'(], I am finally back to my work table and gess what, I am still working on the fillets :D.
after the plastic peaces were glued I tryed to make a close join to the wing with epoxy and microballons, the pictures shows the progress and I am very happy with the resaults, I had to cut the fillet bases in the front because they twist out of the wing and made a huge gap.
also added a pair of blind nuts for the wing bolts, the just enter to tight before.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

a couple of shots showing the wing mounted to the fuselage...

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Your wing fairings are looking good

Scott

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi, here are some pictures of the progress in the spit.
The wing fillets are done and also the wing bottom at the front. I had some issues when I try to fit the cowl, the engine mount was too large and there was a huge gap between the spinner and the cowl. I had to reduce it to 1-1/4" aprox.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Here are some pictures of the last progress. the cowl is built but I have to get more 30 min epoxy for the fiberglass, yestreday I discovered that it dryed up [:@]. the good news is that the engine fits perfectly in the cowl, really tight but enough. I also put the fuel tank ussing the foam that comes in the engine box, for some reason I dont like to glue the fuel tanks, that way I can remove them if its nescesary. also one picture show the holes in the exausts for the engine cooling.
right know I am working in the intake at the bottom of the cowl, I plan to glue the cowl to the fuse and make a bottom hatch along the section of the cowl that covers the engine at the bottom, just like the real plane.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi, I just got back from my vacations in the beach, a little moved because of the earthquake but fortunately no one got hurt just glasses and some things brocken.
Yesterday I begun working with the intake at the bottom of the cowl, I have now the mold ready for glassing. soon more pictures with the intake finished.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial">Hi Cvial;
I have the TF Spitfire kit as my next buildproject as soon as I finish with the TF giant P-51D, which is95% finished to date. I don't want to sound negative concerning all the hard work you have put into your Spitfirebuild andyour buildlooksimpressive so far, except for what I see inone of the photos.The photoshows the prop shaft sticking through the front of the cowl. Is it just me or the way the photo was taken?The prop shaft does not look centered in the cowl? The prop shaft, to me viewing the picture, looks as if it is down and to the right. Even with right and down thrust built into the model the prop shaft should still be centered in the cowl.
Hopefully it's just the angle the photo was taken ator maybe it&rsquo;s just mypoor oldeyesight that&rsquo;s giving me the incorrect profile?</span></p>
Roger

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi roger, you are right but I took that picture with the firewall no yet glued so probably with the engine weight it slipped away, anyway I will take a close look before I glue it, thanks and hope to hear of that spit soon!
The reason I didnt glue it yet its because I will be running in the engine tomorrow and the engine bolts directly to a metal plate just behind the firewall, wich I am using with the stand. after that I wil assemble everithing.

Here are a couple of photos of the finished intake. The glassing didnt work so I left it in wood, just remove all the extra weight I could.
The cowl was cutted too, that will be the hatch for the engine and the intake will be glued on it.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Well today I run in the rcv. I am really really happy with it!, it runs smooth and the sound is great! (unfortunately my neighbours werent of the same opinion :))
Now I just need to install it and continue with the cowl.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi I checked the engine position and its ok, it looks like the cowl its uncentered (a little up) so its going to be a sanding afternoon.
I checked the weel covers and they turned upwards because of the wood so I had to make them again, this time just fiberglass and with more coats. I will post some pictures with the resaults.
cheers!:D

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi cvial; I like your engine test stand, nice,simple and functional, specially the manual throttle set up. Thats exactly what I need to build to test my Saito FG36. Do you expect to maiden your Spitfire this flying season? Will you be flying from a grass or hardtop runway?

Roger

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Thanks Roger!, the stand worked great and was very easy and cheap to build (less than uss 10 :D), I used wasted pieces of wood from a place just like the home depot and 2 metal squares to hold everythin in place with some screws, very easy so go ahead!
I plan to fly the spit this summer (december-january in here) but I dont want to rush things, I have to talk to a friend to help me with the covering and I dont know when he will be free. I definitely want to do the maiden in a hardtop runway so I can see how she behaves on takeoffs and landings.
good luck with your Saito!

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Here are some pictures with the weel cover problems, they were completely deformed, so I did them again and I just come out with the first.
Definitely much beter than the other ones!

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

nice work Cristian.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Great job on the build!
I have always loved the look of the Spitfire.

Thank you

Graeme

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Thanks for all your coments :D!
The landing gear doors are ready, working and looking great! I resume working with the cowl wich is now glued to the fuse and with the hatch ready.
Yesterday I started with the cowl blisters, I decided to make them miself instead of using the plastic ones to get a better fit. Got the first one glued and only needing a little filler.

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

two more pics with the blisters...

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi again Cristian; are you planning on covering your Spitfire with Ultrakote or Monokote covering?
       If you are planning on using either of the two coverings just mentioned it was not a good idea to glue the upper Cowl to the fuselage at this point in the build. The reason I say this is; you will have the forward fuselage covered as far as the cowl, this will leave the forward fuselage covering seam exposed to the airstream at the rear of the cowl. The covering should at least be folded down over the engine firewall bulkhead by a minimum of 1/16 inch. This will prevent an exposed seam from being in the airstream.
       I sure do like your modification of the cowl though, I assume you will be using screws to attach and remove the bottom part of the cowl from the upper cowl? Also you have done a great job on the landing gear doors. You have given me several good ideas to use when it comes time for me to begin my TF Spitfire build.

Roger

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

ooops!.. thats a big one[:@]
I will think about that, perhaps a little plastic filler so the seam will not be exposed directly in the airsteam. In the worst case I would have to unglue the cowl...
Thanks a lot for the warning!;)

RE: top flite spitfire build
 

Hi the cowl blisters are done and now the intake is glued to the hatch in the cowl, the last 2 pictres shows the instalation of the engine (tight but fitting good!) and the tube for the airflow in the bottom of the cowl. I am deciding were and how to open new air intakes for the engine cooling without affecting very much the scale appearance of the plane.