Mighty Mini Master Series Spitfire

[jfaleo1]

I've added the instructions to the first post!!
I also made a few changes to the plans, but if you've already printed the old ones out there is no need to print the new ones. I just added some indicators for where to bevel and a small hole in the fuse box piece, the hole is just used to route the aileron wires through...

Top tier work @Grifflyer. This looks like a very professional job.

 

[SlingShot]

I tiled the wing page together, and it looks like I can evenly divide a couple of sheets of actual Dollar Tree foamboard and fit it in my suitcase. I'm hoping to do that before I go home this time.

 

[Grifflyer]

I tiled the wing page together, and it looks like I can evenly divide a couple of sheets of actual Dollar Tree foamboard and fit it in my suitcase. I'm hoping to do that before I go home this time.

Awesome!!

 

[The Hangar]

It's really hard making these 3D shapes in a 2D program, but it's very rewarding.

I can totally get that now...

 

[Figure9]

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter plane that was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other Allied countries before, during, and after WWII. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft. The Spitfire features a unique elliptical wing shape which is aerodynamically, the most efficient, because elliptical spanwise lift distribution induces the lowest possible drag.
The elliptical wing on the Spitfire wasn’t originally incorporated into the plane to minimize drag, but rather it was made to house the landing gear along with ammunition and guns inside a wing. The ellipse was the shape that allowed for the thinnest possible wing with the most area inside, giving engineers room inside to hold the necessary things.

When I set out to design the Spitfire, I wanted to expand my horizons with designing FB planes by trying out some of the Master Series techniques developed by John Overstreet. To keep things simple, and easy to build I chose to go for a fuselage that has a frame that gets skinned in foam, rather than taking the "mold together" route that Overstreet uses. I put a lot of work into adding the scale details using just foam. Like the large wing fillets that characterize the Spitfire, and all the radiators under the wing, and even as far as adding little exhaust stacks. I've also designed 3D printed exhaust stacks, and radiators for under the wing, which will be shared on Thingiverse. Because of the small nose and large size of the Mini Power pod, this design won't have a power pod or even a standard FT Mini Firewall, but if you already have one of the Mini Firewalls, you can make a few simple cuts to make it compatible with this plane. I really liked the shape that @nerdnic was able to achieve on his Spitfire canopy, link to his plane so I took his and made a few changes to make it fit onto my bird.

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Overview-

Speed-
Top speed is very respectable, and while your at speed the plane is very smooth. It slows down very well for landing and remains very stable as your speed decreases.

Handling-
The handling of this plane is very docile, the roll rate is very scale and smooth. The tracking on this plane is outstanding while right side up and inverted!

Stalls-
The stalls on this model are very gentle, and occur at very low speeds. The ailerons aren't the most effective thing at speeds so they can get a little mushy when you are coming in for a landing, but it's not uncontrollable I've already landed this bird in a stiff crosswind without any issues.

Aerobatics-
Since the plane lacks a rudder the aerobatic ability is limited to the basics such as, Loops, Rolls, Inverted, Split S's etc.

Take offs-
I like launching this plane by holding it right behind the wing, wrapping my fingers around the wing fillets and giving it a firm toss.

Landing-
Landing this model is like any other FT design all you need to do is lower your airspeed and flare it in. Which I actually found to be a little difficult. Because this plane is quite slippery, I found myself struggling to lower my airspeed enough to land, and I've been starting my glide right before I turn into my final leg for landing when I usually chop the throttle to start the glide once I'm in my final leg.

Skill level-
If you want to put in the time to build this plane, it'd be a great first or second plane that uses ailerons, but since it's a pretty involved build it might not be the best plane for someone who is still expecting to crash.

Plans: Spitfire Plans V1.1
Instructions: Spitfire Instructions
Instructions (Coming Soon)

Well done Grifflyer! That’s what I was talk‘n about! You nailed it & I’m looking forward to the Instructions. Thanks for sharing all that even though it might be a challenge to my current skillset, I wanna push the envelope to improve my skills in this hobby.

 

[Grifflyer]

Well done Grifflyer! That’s what I was talk‘n about! You nailed it & I’m looking forward to the Instructions. Thanks for sharing all that even though it might be a challenge to my current skillset, I wanna push the envelope to improve my skills in this hobby.

Thank you sir!!
The instructions are linked at the bottom of the post.

 

[sh0sey]

I might have missed it, but what material are those canopy glass decals?

You nailed this Spitfire. Can’t wait to get building it!

 

[Grifflyer]

I might have missed it, but what material are those canopy glass decals?

You nailed this Spitfire. Can’t wait to get building it!

Thank you!! The canopy window is a vinyl sticker I got the "brushed silver" color because it's slightly reflective.

 

[jfaleo1]

I've added the instructions to the first post!!
I also made a few changes to the plans, but if you've already printed the old ones out there is no need to print the new ones. I just added some indicators for where to bevel and a small hole in the fuse box piece, the hole is just used to route the aileron wires through...

Well finished up to flyable level. Went together pretty well anything that is not quite right or not lined up is on me. @Grifflyer this is nice!

 

[Grifflyer]

Well finished up to flyable level. Went together pretty well anything that is not quite right or not lined up is on me. @Grifflyer this is nice!

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That looks really good!! Are you happy with how everything went together?

 

[jfaleo1]

That looks really good!! Are you happy with how everything went together?

Yeah it went well other than a couple missteps on my part. RTFI ( Read The Frakking Instructions). The fillets are tough but not terrible if you don’t make two lefts. Had to open up the servo slot for my servos but no big deal same issue on the wing. If I had used my smaller ones it would have been fine. Either way, once I tighten linkages, install a prop, and set the rates it is ready to fly.

 

[Maverick29201]

Try sketchup ... Is free and 3d. Very easy to use

 

[IcedStorm777]

Could i use a 2207 1700KV motor with a 30Amp ESC on this? If so what prop would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Grifflyer]

Could i use a 2207 1700KV motor with a 30Amp ESC on this? If so what prop would you recommend? Thanks!

Yeah you could use that motor, just use whatever prop the manufacturer recommends. I fly with a 6x4 prop I might need to prop down come summer time because the ESC doesn't get any airflow.

 

[IcedStorm777]

Yeah you could use that motor, just use whatever prop the manufacturer recommends. I fly with a 6x4 prop I might need to prop down come summer time because the ESC doesn't get any airflow.

Cool thanks! I am going to try to go laser cut the plans at my local library, wish me luck!

 

[Grifflyer]

Cool thanks! I am going to try to go laser cut the plans at my local library, wish me luck!

Cool! You might have to change the file to a Dxf to get it work on a laser cutter.

 

[Grifflyer]

@BATTLEAXE graciously reached out to me to help put together a nice video for this plane so go show him a some love, watch some of his vids, and toss him a sub, you can find his channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUFM8PpAbZs1F8PEJhgS2EA
You can find the video in the first post!!

 

[Wildthing]

@BATTLEAXE graciously reached out to me to help put together a nice video for this plane so go show him a some love, watch some of his vids, and toss him a sub, you can find his channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUFM8PpAbZs1F8PEJhgS2EA
You can find the video in the first post!!

I have his channel already

 

[Hondo76251]

Just curious, what is the wingspan and airframe weight of your mini spitfire?

 

[Grifflyer]

Just curious, what is the wingspan and airframe weight of your mini spitfire?

29.5 inch wingspan, 302 grams.