Just another new FT Spitfire with some personal modifications

[Flybichou]

Hi guys,
first of all, this model is the best flying plane I ever tried: precise, gentle, in fact easy to fly, very good slow flight qualities, and ...a terrific look in the sky.
Im a flying it with a 2200 mAh battery, Graupner Ultra 2812 1200 kV (Europe), 8x4 propeller (absolutely enough for a nice scale speed and so 12 min flights are common with 40% when landing
Weight 650 g. I noticed one more time that for all the FT planes, it is in fact not possible to stay within the weight limit indicated on the plan. I will partly use white glue for my next project, just to see.
I had to put 30 g lead in the very front nose.
So, my modifications:
- battery in the fuselage: much more convenient. I simply made a new hatch, fixed with 3 magnets. The powerpod is regular.
- canopy: I am very proud of the result. Thank you so much Nerdnic, it is in fact your 800mm design.
- landing skid: after breaking 2 props on landing, I developed this device,
- 1.5mm plywood protection inside the low part of the nose: light, but terribly efficient, and very useful for the landing skid
- connecting rod between the 2 elevator flaps: an absolute MUST, the original design is a joke
- Depron spinner: scale look, 8 g only. The building process is not difficult, but you need some care. I adapted a project found in a german magazine.

My next project wil be another FT Spitfire, scratch made with modifications, of the K5054 prototype.
Happy flying
Olivier

 

[FastCrash45]

Some fantastic mods!!

 

[Jaxx]

I really like the mods you have done here. I especially like the spinner. I've been trying to find a BF 109 spinner for some time, and after seeing your mods, I realized I can just make one. How do you get the front section of the spinner to stay on?

 

[Flybichou]

One more picture of the spinner :
-first prepare the plywood piece according to the choosen dimensions
-next prepare the first 2 depron layers. Very easy to trim according to the propeller dimensions
-you add 6 mm Depron layers directly to the metal piece
-my advice is to glue these layers together before fine sanding/shaping, so they stay in the correct position during the process
-do not glue with the cone the 2 first layers

The front section is fixed with 3 small magnets.
I just improved the fixing 10 minutes ago with 2 toothpicks. Any lateral movement will now be not possible.
This system makes the propelle/spinner fixing on the engine shaft a very easy game.
Just another information:
after sanding, the spinner was covered with white glue, with my finger.
Like putting cream on your face. After drying, the glue makes the surface smooth and more resistant).

Just another comment on the Spitfire: the dihedral is reduced, according to the picture.
The original plan angle is too important.
Absolutely no influence on the flying qualities of my jewel !

Thank you for your nice comments.
If necessary, do not hesitate to ask questions !

 

[Jaxx]

Thank you, that information was exactly what I needed!

 

[degriz]

Looks great! the Spit is one of my favorite FT designs.

 

[kilroy07]

Well done, I'll be building one of these soon and I hope mine comes out as nice!
I especially like the battery tray (might be copying yours.)

 

[Tronglodon]

Looks really good. How did you do your wing and fuselage markings? I've did a camo paint job on mine that I'm happy with but still haven't put on additional details.

 

[Flybichou]

Looks really good. How did you do your wing and fuselage markings? I've did a camo paint job on mine that I'm happy with but still haven't put on additional details.

Hello Tronglodon,
I simply used a thin self-adhesive foil. For the multiples colours, as many layers as the colours. German product, I am in Switzerland.
For the letters: a simple cutter.
For the circles: a circular cutter, like the one one the picture.
Cheers

Olivier

 

[Bigeard]

Hi guys,
first of all, this model is the best flying plane I ever tried: precise, gentle, in fact easy to fly, very good slow flight qualities, and ...a terrific look in the sky.
Im a flying it with a 2200 mAh battery, Graupner Ultra 2812 1200 kV (Europe), 8x4 propeller (absolutely enough for a nice scale speed and so 12 min flights are common with 40% when landing
Weight 650 g. I noticed one more time that for all the FT planes, it is in fact not possible to stay within the weight limit indicated on the plan. I will partly use white glue for my next project, just to see.
I had to put 30 g lead in the very front nose.
So, my modifications:
- battery in the fuselage: much more convenient. I simply made a new hatch, fixed with 3 magnets. The powerpod is regular.
- canopy: I am very proud of the result. Thank you so much Nerdnic, it is in fact your 800mm design.
- landing skid: after breaking 2 props on landing, I developed this device,
- 1.5mm plywood protection inside the low part of the nose: light, but terribly efficient, and very useful for the landing skid
- connecting rod between the 2 elevator flaps: an absolute MUST, the original design is a joke
- Depron spinner: scale look, 8 g only. The building process is not difficult, but you need some care. I adapted a project found in a german magazine.

My next project wil be another FT Spitfire, scratch made with modifications, of the K5054 prototype.
Happy flying
Olivier View attachment 134223 View attachment 134224 View attachment 134226 View attachment 134227 View attachment 134228 View attachment 134229 View attachment 134230 View attachment 134231 View attachment 134232 View attachment 134233

Hello , Flybichou , can you give me the finish dimensions for the spinner please , diameter , circumference , length .
Thanks