Daz's FT Spitfire build Part 2 - the sequel!

[DazDaMan]

I started doing a scratch-built FT Spitfire using foam board acquired from Hobbycraft and Amazon.

The fuselage is made up from 5mm Westfoam for the sides, and 3mm for the formers, with thin card covering the upper sections. Wings are 3mm, with 5mm for the spars. The tail parts are 3mm. I'll install the servos etc later on this week, with any luck.

 

[DazDaMan]

Building pretty much complete - just got to finish fitting out and installing the electrics before a maiden can be had!

 

[DazDaMan]

Simple canopy fitted.....

 

[DazDaMan]

I haven't done much to the Spitfire recently, for one reason or another, but I've got some paint on it at least.

Rough as a badger's behind, but it's getting there....!

 

[DazDaMan]

Here's the finished paint job. I still need to put on the fin flashes. Like I keep telling myself, this one is meant to be practical, not pretty....

 

[DazDaMan]

The Spit now has its motor installed. Chelsea had to inspect....

 

[Mr NCT]

The Spit now has its motor installed. Chelsea had to inspect....

The Spit looks great, the cat.... eh. Domestic cats are subsidized predators. Sorry Chelsea, you are what you are.

 

[DazDaMan]

But they do have good taste in aircraft....

 

[DazDaMan]

Flite Test Spitfires breed like rabbits around here.....

 

[Mr NCT]

Flite Test Spitfires breed like rabbits around here.....

LOL, you need to put a barrier between them or sit them down for a VERY serious talk! You are to spits as I am to DR1s.

 

[DazDaMan]

LOL, you need to put a barrier between them or sit them down for a VERY serious talk! You are to spits as I am to DR1s.

I think it might be too late for that - there's another one getting done at the weekend!

 

[Mr NCT]

I think it might be too late for that - there's another one getting done at the weekend!

Hurray! You can't stand between a builder and his obsessions!

 

[danskis]

@DazDaMan - Have you flown one yet? That might reduce the pile. Also, where did you get the 3mm foam?

 

[DazDaMan]

@danskis I built one from the speed-build kit last year, but it wasn't great for various reasons (which may or may not have been to do with how I built it). I decided to keep trying and build another from plans and see how it goes.

I changed the wings and tail from the 5mm of the plans to 3mm to save a bit of weight. I think I got it from Amazon, but that was a couple of years ago!

 

[DazDaMan]

She flew!


Our club chairman did the honours of flying her, while I launched. Turns out that I didn't build in any down-thrust, so will need to sort that before the next flight. But fly, she did, and pretty well.

 

[Ratcheeroo]

Awesome job my friend! You need to build the Racer as well, you won't regret it I guarantee.

 

[DazDaMan]

A few screen grabs from the video (which is being uploaded).....

 

[danskis]

Congrats and great pics. Sometimes I think not building in downthrust is good for the maiden. At least the plane goes up instead of down.

 

[DazDaMan]

Had my first flight with the Spitfire tonight....

 

[danskis]

Excellent!!! Congrats.