AK Models Spitfire Build

[Morb]

Well, I'm still waiting for the call that the hospital is ready to deal with me tonight, so I started working on the lighting scheme.

I found a picture of a fully lighted Spit, but I'm not going to go that route, as I don't want to cut that many holes in the leading edge. I'm going to see if this is possible, so don't hold your breathe on a lighted Spit..going to see what I can do with it.

[Morb]

Figured I'd put these pictures here as well to show off the quality of the Spit.

More later as I gotta go. No building tonight.

Geof.

[Morb]

I hummed and hawed over the lights quite a bit yesterday, but decided to take the plunge. As I said, kept it simple, and it ended up being easier than I thought.

[Morb]

You may be asking why lights.....cause the Curtek Lighting system is very cool, and fall is starting to approach us up here in the Great White North.

I will not be installing the ugly landing gear, but making this a belly flopper, so I had to make sure that the lights would not get ripped out by a tip landing. This is more trial and error than anything.

The wing was hollow all the way through until just at the end where I had to dremel a hole out, hence removing the covering. I'm using Black Rubberized CA throughout the build as it's as tough as Epoxy, but much lighter.

[Morb]

The next step was to put the wings on. I must admit, I really screwed this part up due to the HORRIBLE instructions, and ended up dremeling out the ply spar in the middle, and refitting everything.

It won't say it in the instructions, but glue the centre piece between the wings in. Make sure you fit everything to the fuse before you glue!!!!!!!!!

I suggest slipping the wing halves on, screwing them in from the bottom before gluing, just so you know what you're working with.

[Morb]

I forgot to add at the beginning, before I installed the lights, I did CA hinge the ailerons. It does say in the instructions to do this Paste the ailerons to make it nimble.

Yeah, that's the type of instructions to expect in the 6 page manual, but if you've built an ARF before, you should be ok, even though I screwed up myself on the wing as mentioned previously.

Anyway, the hinges on the ailerons may appear to be glued in, but after pulling them apart abit, they aren't. Use thin CA, just a drop will do, and they'll be strong as heck.

After the wing was put together and permanent, installing the servo is very simple. All the hardware for the servo linkages are included, and high high quality, and VERY strong. You'll be very impressed by the included carbon and metal system, including all linkages.

I have to say, the hardware set really impressed me, even though no spinner was included.

[DougC]

Paste the ailerons to make it nimble !?!?

I suggest you immediately burn the instructions and go with your gut.

Looking good. Interested to see how the lighting works out.

[Morb]

LOL.....I'm tempted....

Oh, and the landing lights are 3 inches from the center of the wings....

Geof.

[Tommy D]

Morb

Tell the Doc's to fix you up right quick. Us recon spits sure could use the help with the War Effort!

Tally Ho!

[Morb]

Hey Tommy, I'm just about to make my way back to "building"

Any hints or tips?

Oh wait...what Spit is that, I just noticed the bottom.....

Geof.

[Tommy D]

Sorry for the confusion Morb, it's a lowly GWS Spitty.

Great idea on the lights!!!!

Tommy

[Gonzo007]

Cool looking lights Geof.

Colin

[Morb]

Thanks Guys,

Okies, did I already say the instructions suck...I'll show you again what I mean below...

To secure everything I used thick CA which did the typical "Make the covering white" even with a little amount.

[Morb]

I decided that I'm going to use a 2200 mah 3s1p Tanic Pack, and this was for simplicity sake. I hate taking the wings on and off, I don't really relish taking my prop off everytime I want to do a battery change, so my only option was to go in through the cockpit, hence using magnets to hold the canopy on.

There is just enough space to slip the pack in comfortably with no wiggle, only problem is (as you'll see below) I'm going to be dealing with a lot of weight.

You'll also see my servo placement is the 2nd servo tray, so I can slip the pack in. I'm using Pico BB +..

[Morb]

I caught myself before I did another dumb move and made a big butted hole in the bottom of the Spit......since it's going to be a belly lander.....

I got the top light installed though, last of the bunch. I have it solid here for the picture, but it is going to be a blinky light.

[Morb]

I have all the equipment installed, and decided to chuck the 2200 pack in. It balances out PERFECTLY with the pack where it is up front, but, I sorta gasped at the AUW I have....

Anyone else want to share their weights? This is going to be a speedy plane now, also going to have to give it a REALLY good toss.....

Anyone try to handlaunch yet?

I haven't built my mount yet for the Axi (started to get really tired) but used a Himax that's approximatly the same weight in a ply gearbox...it'll be approximatly the same weight.

[Morb]

Ok,

Ok, I used this handy dandy program.... (http://www.smoothair.ca/remository/Itemid,76/func,fileinfo/filecatid,23/parent,category/)

And I'm really at 18.22 Ounces *wipes brow*

Geof.

[slammin]

Initially I was less than pleased with my AUW of about 17oz, since that was the listed weight, and I thought that I could do better.
But, have no fear. After flying mine I believe that it has plenty of wing area, and a nice fat airfoil, that could support a few more ounces easily. I was easily keeping mine within the confines of a little league field this morning. The low speed handling on this plane is very good.

Chris

[Morb]

Good to know Chris, thanks....I'm not horribly over, and I didn't use epoxy anywhere, so I'm not sure where they're getting the 17 oz from.

I'm just waiting for my spinners to come in so I can finish this build and get her out for Maiden I'm now in the process of the building the AK Models P51 Marie. Nothing fancy on her, except to make a functional rudder.

Geof.

[Morb]

Spinners arrived, and I went for the maiden today.

Word of caution: Turn your rates really down! I went to 60% on the ailerons, 59% on the elevator, and about 40% on the rudder.

This plane is FAST, flying at just over half throttle, she really zips around the sky and looks great. Even though, I had my centre of gravity correct as per the instructions, I was a little nose heavy in the air, might be because of the 2200 pack.

Landings are long, so judge carefully where your are going to land.

The AK Spitfire is NOT a beginners warbird, as she is so responsive. I tried a loop, and that's where I got into trouble, she did a roll halfway through the loop, and I couldn't pull out of it. Crunch into the ground, easily repairable though....I'll be reenforcing with Carbon Fibre, and getting some video when I take her back in the air.

Definatly a knee knocking flight. I may grab another one, since she is so good looking in the air.

Geof.

[Gonzo007]

LOL I am glad you were able to get it into the air Geof. Sorry to hear about the crunch up

Colin

[SammyB]

so it snapped through the loops? The rudder didn't let you recover from the assumed death spiral?

[Morb]

Hey Sammy,

Yeah, it would of, as the rudder is VERY effective on the model, I just didn't think fast enough to deal with it.

It wasn't a death spiral, I was to low when I did recover, and didn't open up the throttle enough to pull myself out. I could of recovered, but ......

I'm blaming it on shaky maiden hands....

Geof.

[SammyB]

I'm blaming it on shaky maiden hands....

Geof.


I know that feeling all too well