Spitfire Trainer Build (Complete)

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Well, it's that time of month again. Time to build another spitfire! I know many don't think "Spitfire" and "trainer" belong in the same sentence, but from experience, the people I train love Spitty's. For a little context, I am the president of my school's aviation club, and every weekend, I teach members the properties of aerodynamics with RC planes (hehe, shameless plug)! This build will by my 3rd Spitfire that will currently be in service.

When I first got into RC flying, I had no one to teach me how to fly, and the Spit was my first successful plane. I taught myself to land and how to do more than just left turns. So as I retire my Old Fogey for training, I am building a Spit as its successor.

Thanks to my awesome engineering teacher and a great engineering course, I have access to a laser cutter, which saves a lot of time.

 

[OliverW]

Well, it's that time of month again. Time to build another spitfire! I know many don't think "Spitfire" and "trainer" belong in the same sentence, but from experience, the people I train love Spitty's. For a little context, I am the president of my school's aviation club, and every weekend, I teach members the properties of aerodynamics with RC planes (hehe, shameless plug)! This build will by my 3rd Spitfire that will currently be in service.

When I first got into RC flying, I had no one to teach me how to fly, and the Spit was my first successful plane. I taught myself to land and how to do more than just left turns. So as I retire my Old Fogey for training, I am building a Spit as its successor.

Thanks to my awesome engineering teacher and a great engineering course, I have access to a laser cutter, which saves a lot of time. View attachment 194717 View attachment 194717

Love it! I have one next in my build queue after I finish my grunjet

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

tail surfaces connected

Wing halves done. I use elmer's blue-gel in the score cuts that form the airfoil. Takes a while to dry, but is much lighter and stronger than hot glue.
Also hot glued down the front undercamber wingtips.

Tail attached to fuselage, and formers in. We're basically a third the way there!

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Love it! I have one next in my build queue after I finish my grunjet

I'm 100% sure you'll enjoy it. Haven't built a Grunjet but they look like fun! Good luck with those mate.

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Holes cut in top to make getting those pesky servo wires out of the wing.

And the wings in! This plane goes together quick! Such a therapeutic and stress free build.

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Powerpod done, along with all the servos which are now installed and trimmed!

 

[Matthewdupreez]

are you gonna make it removable wing?

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

are you gonna make it removable wing?

No, I have plenty of space in my car . Personally I'm not a fan of removable wings. It's just another point of failure.

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

She's done! Just gotta add a canopy and decal it for orientation.

 

[OliverW]

She's done! Just gotta add a canopy and decal it for orientation.

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Beautiful! Do you have a template for your canopy? I'm a little confused on how to make a decent looking one

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Beautiful! Do you have a template for your canopy? I'm a little confused on how to make a decent looking one

Thanks! Yeah I do but it's not mine. I use one from @Flynn. Here's the link. https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/ft-spitfire-canopy.6136/

Here's how mine turn out.

 

[OliverW]

Thanks! Yeah I do but it's not mine. I use one from @Flynn. Here's the link. https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/ft-spitfire-canopy.6136/

Here's how mine turn out.

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Perfect, thank you very much!

 

[Taildragger]

No, I have plenty of space in my car . Personally I'm not a fan of removable wings. It's just another point of failure.

On low wings, I agree with you. With high wings, they just don't fit in places like a low wing.

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

On low wings, I agree with you. With high wings, they just don't fit in places like a low wing.

Hehe not an issue when you only build warbirds

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

She's done! Decaled in 1938-39 markings as to make orientation easier for the trainees. No paint job though, because it's probably going to become a lawn dart sooner or later.

 

[DazDaMan]

Nice. I still haven't got around to building one of these yet!

 

[ThatPolishHotdog]

Nice. I still haven't got around to building one of these yet!

I highly recommend building one. Probably one of the best, if not the best FT plane to date.

 

[DazDaMan]

Well, here's mine....

 

[Brian B]

Agreed. Fantastic flyer for beginner. Done mine up like McQueen's Gulf Porsche from "Lemans".

 

[Matthewdupreez]

Agreed. Fantastic flyer for beginner. Done mine up like McQueen's Gulf Porsche from "Lemans". View attachment 203073 View attachment 203074 View attachment 203075

wow dude... is that paint or vinyl..... i'm jealous