Top Flite Spitfire MkIX video

[FlinVR]

I just got this plane flying in the last week.
It's a keeper!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmpaROieHck

[skywarp1]

Very Nice! I can't wait to get mine finished and flying! I am still in the construction phase (fitting retracts into the wing). Very beautiful model and very nice control in flight. Would love to see more flight video. Job well done!

[FlinVR]

Thanks Skywarp,
The only advice I can give you if you are interested is keep the tail and aft fuselage light.

I am using that YS 1.10 up front and squeezed a 16 oz Hayes tank to feed it and the plane stall came out a bit tail heavy. It took about 8 oz of lead in the front of the cowl to balance the plane, and it's still about 1/4 inch aft of where the planes call out the CG.

This one weighs 10.5 lbs dry and you saw how well it flew.

One more item.. FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED CONTROL THROWS.
I had to cut my throws in half to make the throws as indicated in the plans.
Anything more than what is suggested will make the plane too sensitive!
DO this mechanically first at the servo arms and horns. Then fine tune with the radio.

If you would like to see how I made that tank fit let me know and I'll try to post a pic.

[skywarp1]

I have decided on using a Super Tigre G75 and 14 oz tank. Are you using LiPo for ships batteries or NiMH? I figure if I use a bit larger NiMH pack than what came with my radio flight back that may add weight. Plus I do not rememer where I saw that some one added a few extra lightening holes through the tail during construction to cut down on tail weight. May I ask your thoughts on fiber glassing? I am thinking of using the lightest weight cloth I can for all over glassing.

[FlinVR]

Hey again SW,
The previous owner of the Spit I am flying used a Super Tigre 90 (91?) in it before he gave the plane to me. I know he did not add any extra weight to the tail in build up and with the Super Tigre he had about 32 oz of lead on the engine mount box to make it balance. Using the YS 1.10 I needed considerably less ballast up front to achieve a proper CG.

As for the finish I would suggest .5oz cloth and something like the Bob Smith Industries Finish Cure resin. When done properly the weight gain over iron on mylar is not worth worrying about.

I got to fly my spit off a grass field yesterday and the best part was the landings, as the plane would bounce gently in the grass and looked similar to the videos of a real spit running across a grass field in England.

[skywarp1]

Just hearing about a graceful flight is inspiring enough. I am going to make the time to get some work done on the Spit. She might not make a flight this season, but I am going to try. Thanks for the motivation and I will always enjoy seening more flight vids.

[vax6335]

Could you tell me what the names of the colors on this plane are? I just got the TF Spit kit and would like to do a scheme like that one.

[w824gb3]

You can see some aerial video taken from my spit on youtube if you search using key words "topfile spitfire rvc"

I also needed a lot of nose weight to get the balance. Mines glassed & has retracts & flaps & weighs 10.8lb with an RVC 91CD up front.

I've been flying this for 3 years and the guys at the field still stop everything to watch it.

I tried moving the CG aft a little & although it still flew well, landings became very difficult. The plane would porpoise up & down at approach speed.