Since I've recently bought the Guillows Spitfire free flight kit and there's this nice contest going on i thought I might throw it in here, too.

I plan to do a lightweight build and hope to keep the AUW next to 200 grams so there will no landing gear or flaps, just throttle, rudder, elevator and scale sized ailerons.

I already started the build - pictures will be posted as soon as I'm back on my computer.

Addition:
This is part of the "Free Flight to RC Flight Kitbash Contest", see: http://http://www.rcgroups.com/forum....php?t=1755366

First the obligatory pack shots and the contents.
Note: this is the new laser-cut version not the dreaded old die-crush one. So the balsa sheets look very nice and clean.

I started building with the tail surfaces. I think that's always a nice and easy way to get into a new build.

The laser cut parts for the tail look way too thick though. On my Herr Engineering builds the tail was always much lighter (and slimmer). I attached pictures of my Herr Fokker D.VII as comparison. This is how i want the Spitfire tail to look like after slimming it down.

One more note: I won't be reinventing the wheel here. I'll take close looks at the various excellent conversions other builders have done at RCG. Look here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827861

Nice, I am sure this will turn out amazing. Subbed in.

Mark

I'm watching! Mine was a great flyer.

Steve

Watching, too!

Originally Posted by gupi

...The laser cut parts for the tail look way too thick though...I attached pictures of my Herr Fokker D.VII as comparison. This is how i want the Spitfire tail to look like after slimming it down.

Slimming it would have been much easier prior to assembly.

You're probably right but i didn't give in to the idea of slimming down until i had the keel and formers together for the fuse. First i thought i'd build it according to the plan.

Started building the fuse. When i got keels and formers joined i decided that the build needs to be slimmed. It's way overbuilt in my opinion.

14 grams for just keels and formers? The parts must be cut out of Guillows special select oak! Interested to see how much weight you can shed in your 'slimming down'.

Glenn

You could probably actually use the parts as assembled for lamination forms..

Robyn

Hi Gupi – good luck with this build, have you chosen a motor and prop combination yet? I am going to attempt to get the main landing gear to retract in the scale position on my build, which is certainly giving me plenty to think about. This is a very good quality kit and should fly well.
Best
Charles

Here's the RC equipment i plan to use:

Motor: Schnurzz 20GS - 1.900 KV (brushless, 20 grams)
BEC: Pichler XQ 12 (12A, 8 grams)
RX: Spektrum AR6115e - DSM X - 2,4 GHz (4 grams)
Servos Aileron: two of Master S308 (2.5 grams)
Servos Rudder, Elevator: two of Hitec HS-35 HD (4.5 grams)

I'll probably use a 7x6 prop.

The above weight aren't measured. All adds up to about 54 grams (measured).

Gupi,

What size battery will you be using? Its placement will be critical to achieving balance without extra nose weight. My Spitfire has a 30 gram motor, and even with the battery right behind the firewall required some extra nose weight to balance.

Steve