RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Great news... you are sure enjoying that plane.... Starting to paint again next week... should be done this year at least. I don't "forecast" any more Cheers Len
Posted on: 4/3/2012 7:02 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11027376

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Hey Flyfast.. nice work... I think Brad means post 456/7 because it's not 356/7. and Yes the landing gear reinforcement plate stops at the center joiner... the mark on your blue tape. In my case a simple butt joint with lots of epoxy Cheers Len
Posted on: 1/9/2012 11:09 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10900001

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Brad you are right. I am at 5000ft in our "Summer place" unfortunately it's becoming winter fast here... BUT it's where the Spit is and my main workshop and before I go down to sea level and a balmy 80F I have sworn to get most of the paint job done!!! My spinner "seemed" fine as i didn't have any excessive vibration. At leastI didn't think so BUT I bought a balancer capable of balancing the back plate etc which has been delivered to my Scottsdale house... so in a few days when I go down there I will balance it and find out whether i have anything to worry about. Cheers Len
Posted on: 11/14/2011 4:19 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10812157

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Chad, We met at the Sun Valley Fliers club at a meet a couple of years ago. You were very helpful. On that particular day you didn't have your Spit and mine was going to be ready......... in September.. good job I didn't say what year!! General question to the group.. What does your Spitfire wing weigh? Mine with two coats of paint still to go BUT including all sevos and landing gear is at 7lbs 14 oz. Not sure whether I've built a wing or a surfboard... had a lot of trouble "filling the weave" Cheers Len
Posted on: 11/14/2011 4:12 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10812142

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Progress report: Fuselage, wing and various bits now complete with undercoat/primer. Still a little woodgrain showing through which I have to fix. weather is turning cold now so I have to heat up the garage for an hour before doing any painting which slows things down. Used Warbird primer on wings and Rustoleum primer on fuse. Hopefully there wont be any problems when i put on the next layer of paint! Time will tell. Also included a shot of spinner painted "Sky" showing location of mounting holes vis-a-vis the prop cut outs. trying to order stencils from getstencils but so far no reply to my email. Probably because I told them that identical roundels had been ordered by "Brad" in Western Australia and they are still searching in their files!!! Cheers for now len
Posted on: 11/5/2011 3:39 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10798348

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
I am using the same screws as Brad with absolutely no problems during the run-in period. (At least two gallons of gas!!!) In fact I don't think I will loctite them when the Spit is finished. make sure you place scewholes in the spinner close as feasible underneath the prop blades. Otherwise the "tail" of the spinner The narrow wedge shape formed by cutting the prop slots will lift at high rpm. Cheers Len
Posted on: 11/4/2011 11:25 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10796732

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Interesting to say the least! I will certainly check lubrication of the assembly. On mine the V shaped retainer pieces opened different amounts causing one leg to be 1/8 longer than the other. I solved this by sawing off 1/8th from the main leg. Not an optimum solution. Quality of these retracts is a bit suspicious!!!! Brad, welcome back I will be back in November len
Posted on: 10/7/2011 11:03 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10753266

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Brad... Glad everything turned out Okay...(sorta Ok) Don't break it before I get mine finished..Mine should be finished by now but i ran into a snag spraying the Warbirds Primer/Filler. My wing outer sections are covered with 1/2 ounce fiberglass and i put the epoxy on real thin. The diluted (15% with water) filler appears to soak thru and raise the wood grain....Ugh! So I may have to put some filler on "neat" over that section. On the upper wing which i haven't attemted to fill/prime yet i am going to put a filler coat of epoxy and fix this problem for good!! But I'm off on vacation for three weeks so i will get to it when I return. Still trying to be airborn before Christmas!!! Len
Posted on: 9/18/2011 11:28 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10722667

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Great Save Brad Maybe if I ever finish painting this bird I should just hang it on the wall!!! Just kidding Len
Posted on: 9/5/2011 10:33 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10702631

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Congratulations!!1 A lot of these planes have been built "per the plan" however if you beef up the wing joint you wont have to use 5oz cloth to cover the wing as the instructions call for.. 5oz is pretty difficult (for me) to get around curves. Do use a hard wood at the front of the flap opening or there is only soft balsa to hinge the flaps to! Cheers Len
Posted on: 8/25/2011 10:00 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10686724

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Kevin 220oz torque is probably overkill!!! I am using JR 9411's (82oz) and 8411's (155 oz) and the latter are probably more than I need even on the elevator. The DA50 will work fine and there is an example of it's installation early in the thread using a shaft extension to move the engine rearward and it is rotated 10-15degrees in order to better cowl the engine and muffler. My installation is "in the breeze" which is OK by me but the muffler installation is very tight (pics in the thread) Cheers Len PS "Pink Spit" is terrific.. great work..
Posted on: 8/24/2011 9:52 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10686050

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Kevin Welcome... afew of us are still building personally I am in the painting stage and waiting for the winds to drop here in Northern Arizona!!! Most of the "advice" can be found by reading thru the thread from the beginning... a long read. Personally i used the retracts supplied by YA with no installation or operational problems. Modifying the fuse depends on whether you want to build the standard or "Bubble canopy" version. The rear retract is a little "high" to clear the elevator push rod but it can be done... other rear retracts are "lower" and easier for the push rod install Engine is up to you but having installed a DA50 my opinion is that the 3W would be a better choice as the exhaust installation is a tad easier due to the angled flange on the 3W... enough... just my opinion.. have a good read and welcome to the thread Len
Posted on: 8/23/2011 10:31 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10683535

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Great Flights Brad and I loved the construction video too.. very nice touch. Why did the canopy let go.. any ideas... and did you ever cover the whole model with any kind of clear coat? The very idea scares me as I can see ruining the whole paint job at the very end!!! Right after you buy a new canopy you will find the old one... works for me!!1 Cheers Len
Posted on: 6/22/2011 4:48 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10587392

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Wow Brad, I knew something momentous had happened when I got 12 emails from RC universe about new postings. Terrific mate.. really glad to hear the maiden flight was a success. Well done Len
Posted on: 6/9/2011 12:40 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10565269

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Brad Right now its just one screw BUT when I reassemble everything after painting I am sure I will adopt a better safe than sorry approach and glue it as well. At least with the screws I can reassemble the painted flaps without getting epoxy all over the paint job !! Len
Posted on: 6/2/2011 11:27 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10553423

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
top view
Posted on: 6/1/2011 1:14 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10552025

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Finally figured out an attachment technique for the flaps!!! By cutting a deeper slot than required in the leading edge of the flap bay and inserting a ply shim this allowed the hinge to be secured with a 3/8 button head woodscrew. Not too difficult but could have been eliminated altogether had the leading edge of the flap bay been a hardwood spar to begin with. You live and learn. Len
Posted on: 6/1/2011 1:11 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10552021

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Brad Fantastic...just got back and your taxi trials were just the thing to get me in the mood agin... Cheers Len
Posted on: 5/11/2011 10:14 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10513815

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Nice work Brad. Not much here... got the wing sanded but no primer yet and now i will be gone for 5 weeks When I get back you will probably be airborne!!! Cheers len
Posted on: 4/4/2011 11:53 AM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10442498

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Brad and Moggy, Just so you know I am not dead!!! All is on hold until the weather warms up enough to start painting outside. It's unusually cold here in Northern Arizona (snow actually on the ground!!!) for this time of year. Plus I'm going on a cruise in April! (Life's tough when you are retired!!!) Anyway should at least get the final version of my exhaust done. I'm brazing out of thin sheet brass. A little too thin for most TIG welders unless they have the magic touch! Bought a cheap HVLP sprayer so there will be a learning curve with that! Any recommendations for initial pressure and paint dilution and did you guys use the "catalyst" on every coat or just the final one. In particular the first "fill" coat on the wings. Cheers Len
Posted on: 2/27/2011 1:53 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10367865

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
........sliced bread!!!!!
Posted on: 12/2/2010 7:55 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10173020

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Just a thought.... after you upload pictures and the preview your post THE PICTURES do NOT appear in the preview..... its in the small type somewhere... when you submit or send the post the pictures magically reappear Cheers Len PS Brad.. Welcome back
Posted on: 12/2/2010 5:08 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10172650

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Oops AOL quit on me so here's a picture of the wheel blocks. First I tapped the retracts vertically...Drilled holes in the block to find the tapped hole and inserted a bolt. Then cut a big hole to accomodate the dowel and filled it all with epoxy.. looks fine after it's all sanded down1 Len
Posted on: 11/3/2010 10:09 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10114088

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Chad your quite the artist...nice job1 Here's a few "Bits and pieces" showing 1.Securing the air scoop with two screws PRIOR to gluing 2.Gluing with wing trailing edge held slighlty up (with a protractor.. apiece of 1/16 would have worked just as well. 3. Cannon mount 4.Wheel cover construction.. It was easier to use a laminate to gain clearance than trying to warp the supplied plywood. 5. Constucting and positioning hard points in wheel blocks. Hopefully pictures will load. So now the wing is ready for sanding and painting but that will have to wait for a few weeks Cheers len
Posted on: 11/3/2010 10:02 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10114065

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Well finally back home. Sorry to hear about your wife, Brad, you'd better take good care of her! Mounted the guns, blisters, air scoop and retract cover blocks so except for some sand ing the wing is ready for paint! Eureka! ( I turned 70 last week and I got this kit for my 60th birthday!!!) A word to those who have not mounted the air scoop... it needs to be done with the wing attached to the fuse and slightly pulled out but with the front dowels still hooked up. Otherwise the front will foul the fuse whenever you take the wing off or put it on.. Hopefully a few pics Well pics are too large to send..One last point on the gear cover blocks..I found it easier to drill and tap the holes vertically in the Al gear and angle the dowel thru the block rather than have the dowel vertical and angle the tap!! Cheers Len Cheers Len
Posted on: 10/24/2010 10:54 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10092018

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Rick, Thanks for the input.. short cuts just do not work on this plane!!! So I will buy some new files, some sanding drum covers (for want of a better word), maybe a forstner bit and just sit down and patiently "Whittle away!! How long can it take?.... and I don't have anything else to do!!! Once I get back! You are quite right a smooth curve in hard end grain with a saw.... just ain't gonna happen!! Cheers Len Brad Glue looks fine (though you could use thin CA but with potential for a more disasterous screw up! I sand with 200grit very lightly when using the canopy glue... still get a boo-boo or two. Your exhaust looks good... try a test run with just some baffling (maybe wire-wool) in the exhaust port (so you can pull it out again) and see what happens. With mine I can virtually block off one pipe 75% without any rpm loss. Cheers Len
Posted on: 8/22/2010 6:05 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9952425

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
WOW! What else can I say? If I evr show up at a meet and one of the Spits on this thread are there...I'm going to pack up and go home... the competition and the modelling skills here are simply awesome...great work! Brad looks like you will be in the air soon with a superb aircraft congratulations on the paint job. Incidentally make sure you have a top anchor of some sort on that exhaust... it will work great but on the last one I built I got a fracture toawds the base due to a little excessive 4 cycling while tuning the bottom end . It had about anhour om it at the time. I shouldn't have been lazy about putting on a top clamp. Some progres... Fuse is complete and ready for sanding and paint. Wing is complete except for cannons etc. How did you carve (cut) the cannon fairing piece. I tried using a 7/8 dowel and a jig saw and the result sucked. (Bad tools or dummy usimg them) Thinking about using balsa for fairing with a 1/4 ply face to mount the fastening screw. Any ideas? Job is on hold again for 6 weeks while my wife and I go on a tour around Cal and the Western States. This being retired is hard work Keep up the great work Len
Posted on: 8/20/2010 11:22 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9948807

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Thanks Brad, In the interest of moving forward I will plan on the same idea... if I have a brainwave I will let you know... Cheers len
Posted on: 7/9/2010 2:18 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9854354

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
Brad fantastic.. glad you're doing the pioneering here! Read the "Paint thread" excellent.. now for us still labouring in the trenches... but getting closer... how did you fasten your auxilliary switch hatch.. the one with your fancy piano hinge! I've built one, hinged it, but before I cut the fuse how did you make the bottom latch? Cheers Len
Posted on: 7/8/2010 5:29 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9852697

RE: The complete YELLOW AIRCRAFT SPITFIRE thread.
The DA50 or the 3W55 work fine although I think there are less problems hiding the exhaust on the 3w for if I remember correctly the outlet on the 3W angles down out of the cylinder head instead of coming straight out as the DA 50. The Fuji 43 looks good BUT from rear mount to propeller backplate is 171mm per their drawing. The Spifire is only about 155mm from the firewall to the front so the Fuji will stick out too far. So Brad you have cost me money again!!! After reading your post I will soon be the proud owner of an electronic "ignition kill switch" it will make life a lot easier than trying to hook up a mechanical servo driven one! (Which of course wont work if the radio fails!!!) While waiting I have managed to get my elevator push rod perfectly straight.. so thats one thing fixed. There are a few more items that neeed to be revisited too .... like the flap hinges!!! Cheers Len
Posted on: 6/8/2010 7:05 PM by Author "lbscottsdale" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9790406