60" 43% Increased FliteTest Spitfire

[Andre]

(Having some issues posting the photos for the build so I'm doing this in sections.)

I've only flown the FT Spitfire once before. It was built by my Dad and he wanted me to test it out.

Felt nice, slightly more sluggish then the FT Racer but fun.

Then the itch to fly something bigger grew. Initially the plan had been to use the gear to build a FunCub type plane. I order big 5" wheels and all but so glad I followed my heart and built this monster.

60" wing with a big powerful motor.

Gear:

Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 3536-1050kv Brushless Outrunner Motor
H-KING 50A Fixed Wing Brushless Speed Controller
ZIPPY Compact 2200mAh 3S 25C Lipo Pack
APC Style Propeller 12x6
Spinner 40diam / 5mm shaft

HXT900 9g / 1.6kg / .12sec Micro Servo (x4)
Flite Test Control Horns (x 4)
Linkage Stopper M3x2xL11.2mm (10pcs/set)
Turnigy 9X 2.4GHz 8Ch Receiver (V2)
60CM Servo Lead Extention (JR) with hook 26AWG (x4 Servos)
45CM Servo Lead Extention (JR) with hook 26AWG (x1 ESC)

Spec:

FT Spitfire
42” Wing Span
9.5” Wing Cord
29” Fuse Length
2” Fuse Width
3.5” Fuse Height
5.25” x 13” Elevator
6.5” x 6.5” Rudder

43% Spitfire
60” Wing Span
13.5” Wing Cord (Under Fold 6.5" + extra piece)
41.5” Fuse Length
2.75” Fuse Width
5” Fuse Height
7.5” x 18.5” Elevator
9.25” x 9.25” Rudder

The math in case you wanted to know...
60-42 =18
18/42= .429 43%

- The 60" after a few flights.

- Sitting beside my FT Racer which has a 40" wing span.

 

[Andre]

 

[Andre]

 

[Andre]

 

[marc60]

You made a very strong powerpod Andre.
What did you do with the red wingspar? It's straight isn't it. How does it fit into de dihedral of the wing?

 

[Andre]

Marc it is a fibreglass rod so it curved inside the wing.

From Walmart. They use it for snow signs.

It rained here all day so no new video to show the performace.

Andre

 

[Andre]

Post Maiden Flight Changes

I decided the ESC needed more air flow. So I moved the ESC to the lower area.
I could actually run x2 2200's but opted to just fly with 1.

1 3S 2200 gives me 5mins of flight which is enough with this big plane but I may try with 2 to see if the load is lower on the battery.



And then I decided the pop bottle top was nice but not nearly as charming as NAV Dog flying.

 

[Andre]

The POWER Pod

There is a fantastic build (Big, Beefy 1000 Watt (1.34HP) Spitfire Build) which inspired me to create a solid box for the Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 3536-1050kv.

The wood is the same 1/2" dowel stock I use on the tricopter.
I provides a strong mount for the motor, protection for the gear/battery and lots of nose weight for this plane.

The pod is 2.25" wide x 2.25" tall and 9" long.
I did have to round the inner pieces to allow the battery to slide in.
More a case I have Velcro all over my batteries and it was a touch tight.

The motor mount is a piece of aluminium. I laid over the stock X mount and drilled away till it worked.

 

[Andre]

I'm going to run this plane on x2 3S 2200's.

3 good reasons
#1 I can. The plane can handle the weight easily.
#2 Battery load. With 1 pack I was pushing them pretty hard. With 2 packs the load will be spread better
#3 Run times. Why not fly for longer.

That said I predict I'll be looking for some 4000's in the future. This is a bad hobby

 

[Andre]

Got some painting done this evening.

 

[marc60]

I like it a lot, nice plane Andre

 

[Andre]

If the weather works out this weekend I'll get some nice footage of it in action.

I'd had that bottle of acrylic silver sitting around for a while...

I took the scheme idea from the Sea-Fury/Sea-Fire.

Something a little different

 

[Andre]

I guess I should rig this big for some FPV flying

A.

 

[Andre]

I pushed my luck on a loop and caught the tall grass.
Quick repair job.

 

[Andre]

Pilot being a nob and pushing the envelop a little to much.

 

[Surdos]

Post Maiden Flight Changes

I decided the ESC needed more air flow. So I moved the ESC to the lower area.
I could actually run x2 2200's but opted to just fly with 1.

1 3S 2200 gives me 5mins of flight which is enough with this big plane but I may try with 2 to see if the load is lower on the battery.

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And then I decided the pop bottle top was nice but not nearly as charming as NAV Dog flying.

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that's cool, how did you get propellers that have an offset?
i need something like that but i dont want them locked in a metal thing (spinner) i want them to have variable pitch

 

[Surdos]

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what material is the frame made out of?

 

[Andre]

Well can't help on the variable pitch but I off set the mounting bracket when I was building the frame.

The frame is made out of 1/2" dowels. Used them on my tricopter. Check out Lowes.

 

[Surdos]

Well can't help on the variable pitch but I off set the mounting bracket when I was building the frame.

The frame is made out of 1/2" dowels. Used them on my tricopter. Check out Lowes.

im confused now, i thought the propeller blades are offset from the centre like _o‾ to stop the aircraft spinning from the torque of the motor which you give significant change in throttle or do you compensate using the ailerons?

 

[Andre]

Depends on the power.

But yes you can and often have to off set the motor so it points to the right.
This helps reduce the torque and steers the plane straight.

Variable pitch props from what I understand allow you to set the speed of the motor and the pitch of the props can then be varied to the desired speed.

At least that is how it works on the real planes.