ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
#76
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
I agree Casey, I got a set but found them to stiff so I put back the rubber bands for now until I found the right springs.
This morning I looked at the flaps horn location and realised that the hatches are off by 3/8" creating a bind with the flap horns, That's what happen when you work late with one glass of wine to many! I proceed to remove them then glued the little doors back in the proper location.
This morning I looked at the flaps horn location and realised that the hatches are off by 3/8" creating a bind with the flap horns, That's what happen when you work late with one glass of wine to many! I proceed to remove them then glued the little doors back in the proper location.
#77
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More progress!
The intake scoop which provide air to the 3W85i carburator is installed. The inside of the flaps is painted, the color looks dark on the picture but it is lighter in real life. All need to be done is to finish and insall the inner flaps then connect the rod to the servo installed by the wheel-well were it is accessible from.
The intake scoop which provide air to the 3W85i carburator is installed. The inside of the flaps is painted, the color looks dark on the picture but it is lighter in real life. All need to be done is to finish and insall the inner flaps then connect the rod to the servo installed by the wheel-well were it is accessible from.
#80
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Getting closer and closer!
Taking advantage of the warm month of March, today was almost 80F and 84F for tomorrow, love it!
The flaps are finally detailed and installed, the connection between the large and small sections took a while to setup but it is done now and working like a charm!
Casey, I found some small soft springs at Ace that work great for the flaps indicator doors.
I took advantage of the weather to assemble the plane outside!
Next step is to finish the canon blisters plug then vacuum-form two for the top wing and another larger two for the bottom.
Taking advantage of the warm month of March, today was almost 80F and 84F for tomorrow, love it!
The flaps are finally detailed and installed, the connection between the large and small sections took a while to setup but it is done now and working like a charm!
Casey, I found some small soft springs at Ace that work great for the flaps indicator doors.
I took advantage of the weather to assemble the plane outside!
Next step is to finish the canon blisters plug then vacuum-form two for the top wing and another larger two for the bottom.
#81
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
The 20mm Hispano canon are ready to install and paint. The shrouds are turned out of poplar and attached to the base with a 1/4-20 nylon bolt, I needed them removable for transport. The canon barrel is machined out of aluminum, I used this very nice book (British Aircraft Gun of WWII Volume 9) which has some very nice detailed pictures of the Hispano MKI.
I plan to install the guns in the next couple of days then vacuum form the blisters from the plugs I made.
I plan to install the guns in the next couple of days then vacuum form the blisters from the plugs I made.
#83
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Awesome spitfire. I especially like your tail wheel setup since it operates like the full scale. Wondering why you didn't use an adjustable oil damped shock from the RC car guys instead of the rubber plug? Your setup looks like it would be a drop in fit. Those car shocks are incredible and seem to come in all sizes and are very adjustable. I would think a coil over shock would be more responsive during taxi-ing (to rid the silly tail bounce you see on so many taildragger models), but still give the stiff dampening needed for landing. I'm curious if you considered it. Perhaps they travel too far?
Anyway awesome work...I bought the Yellow Aircraft spit...but someday will get one of these Comp Arf Spits. Your thread will be my assembly manual.
Rick
Anyway awesome work...I bought the Yellow Aircraft spit...but someday will get one of these Comp Arf Spits. Your thread will be my assembly manual.
Rick
#85
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Finally I started to paint the beast, I sprayed the bottom fuselage with the RAF medium sea grey early this afternoon since the weather was perfect at just above 70F. Tomorrow I plan to spray the top fuselage with the ocean grey and dark green than finish the markings mid next week. I have been using latex with success on most of my models but for this one I selected Klass-Kote, more expensive but worth it.
#89
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Scuffed the Spitfire today with a lot of wear, looks better now. I started to cut the masking on my vinyl-cutter but ran out of material so will have to wait about a week until I get more to proceed painting all the roundels and other markings.
#91
RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Total super thumbs up for this... it's a beauty!
Please, for gods sake make sure the cooling works.
I have seen this method used before on a similar Spit in germany, using an inline twin with a tight fitting baffle splitting the engine bay down the center line, top to bottom (a really nice engineering job BTW).
Large bore vacume cleaner hose used to bring in cool air to one side of the cowl (very much the same as you), then a similar hose on the other side for escape... routed back and exiting to the other wings cooler.
It worked... some. They ended having to cut openings in the cowl and using both tubes for heat exit.
Really hope yours works... just mentally build in a plan B.
Please, for gods sake make sure the cooling works.
I have seen this method used before on a similar Spit in germany, using an inline twin with a tight fitting baffle splitting the engine bay down the center line, top to bottom (a really nice engineering job BTW).
Large bore vacume cleaner hose used to bring in cool air to one side of the cowl (very much the same as you), then a similar hose on the other side for escape... routed back and exiting to the other wings cooler.
It worked... some. They ended having to cut openings in the cowl and using both tubes for heat exit.
Really hope yours works... just mentally build in a plan B.
#92
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
I hope the system works as well, theoretically looks good but always a chance that some need to changed. I have only one ducting going to the engine and only one cylinder to cool, the exits are the opening for the exhaust, rear of the cowl and by the static stacks. I have the Hitec Aurora 9 with telemetry installed, temperature sensor on the engine's head to keep track on the temp. I plan to run the engine this weekend which is broken in with 8GL through it, will try first without the cowl for setup then with cowl. Hope all goes well!
#93
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Hi Bruno
my hat is off to you.......a beautiful Spit !
Just a thought..........if you have room........ why not install an EDF in the oil cooler to force feed the cool air .........I have in 60mm EDF installed directly behind the cylinder head in my 96"Spitfire that draws air past the fins and this works perfectly (the speed controller is on a slide so I can adjust the fan speed)
cheers
Al.
my hat is off to you.......a beautiful Spit !
Just a thought..........if you have room........ why not install an EDF in the oil cooler to force feed the cool air .........I have in 60mm EDF installed directly behind the cylinder head in my 96"Spitfire that draws air past the fins and this works perfectly (the speed controller is on a slide so I can adjust the fan speed)
cheers
Al.
#94
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Thanks Al, I keep this in mind since I have few used electric setups I could use.
I took the plane on the patio yesterday and messed up with the engine for couple of hours but no success into starting this 3W85XI. All the batteries are properly charged, good fuel flow and spark but no luck. I then remember about issue with plug cap arcing when the silicone is damaged and since I bought this engine second hand over a year ago and never ran it. I was not surprised to observe that in fact the cap was arcing inside as I rotated the prop (ing. V4.4) concluding the need for a replacement. So until I get a new cap from 3W, better order few, I'll clean the shop for the next project.
I took the plane on the patio yesterday and messed up with the engine for couple of hours but no success into starting this 3W85XI. All the batteries are properly charged, good fuel flow and spark but no luck. I then remember about issue with plug cap arcing when the silicone is damaged and since I bought this engine second hand over a year ago and never ran it. I was not surprised to observe that in fact the cap was arcing inside as I rotated the prop (ing. V4.4) concluding the need for a replacement. So until I get a new cap from 3W, better order few, I'll clean the shop for the next project.
#95
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Received the roll of vinyl this afternoon proceeded to cut the roundel masks so it's ready to go for tomorrow.
I scaled down the roundel sizes from this book:[hr] "British Aviation Color of World War Two Volume 3"
All the measurements are indicated for the British roundels.
I scaled down the roundel sizes from this book:[hr] "British Aviation Color of World War Two Volume 3"
All the measurements are indicated for the British roundels.
#96
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Mission accomplished, 1.5 year of work on and off.
The plane is 42lb.
The scheme is from the full scale that flew in the battle of Britain till 1942 piloted by the free France pilot Francois de Labouchere of le groupe de chasse "ILE DE FRANCE", 340 Sqn of the RAF.
This Spitfire is a MK Vb GW-Y/EN908, top is dark green and Ocean grey, bottom is medium sea grey. The all plane was painted using Klass-Kote even for the markings and nose art with some Testor enamel for some of the fine details. Both side of the fuselage, by the from windshield adorn the Cross of Loraine wich is one of the symbol of France. A black cat is painted on the port side bellow the last exhaust stack, this insignia represent a toy that was given by a girl friend. Francois de Labouchere was killed in action September 5th 1942 in a dog fight against German fighters where his squadron was well outnumbered.
He is an example of many courageous men and women from many countries that fought for the right of independence and freedom.
Next stop Mike Reeves 1/4 scale Mk IX Spitfire beer hauler.
The plane is 42lb.
The scheme is from the full scale that flew in the battle of Britain till 1942 piloted by the free France pilot Francois de Labouchere of le groupe de chasse "ILE DE FRANCE", 340 Sqn of the RAF.
This Spitfire is a MK Vb GW-Y/EN908, top is dark green and Ocean grey, bottom is medium sea grey. The all plane was painted using Klass-Kote even for the markings and nose art with some Testor enamel for some of the fine details. Both side of the fuselage, by the from windshield adorn the Cross of Loraine wich is one of the symbol of France. A black cat is painted on the port side bellow the last exhaust stack, this insignia represent a toy that was given by a girl friend. Francois de Labouchere was killed in action September 5th 1942 in a dog fight against German fighters where his squadron was well outnumbered.
He is an example of many courageous men and women from many countries that fought for the right of independence and freedom.
Next stop Mike Reeves 1/4 scale Mk IX Spitfire beer hauler.
#98
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Al,<div>
</div><div>Stunning plane, pls keep us informed about the maiden. Video!!</div><div>
</div><div>The published specs on this are in the 30 lb range, any idea why yours is 12 over? Just curious, with all that wing she will fly fine I'm sure.</div><div>
</div><div>Whit</div>
</div><div>Stunning plane, pls keep us informed about the maiden. Video!!</div><div>
</div><div>The published specs on this are in the 30 lb range, any idea why yours is 12 over? Just curious, with all that wing she will fly fine I'm sure.</div><div>
</div><div>Whit</div>
#99
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RE: ANOTHER COMP ARF SPITFIRE
Flyingchef,
Thank you for posting your thread on our Spitfire Brotherhood thread. I have had a CARF Spitfire sitting in my shop for over a year now virtually untouched. My original plan was to scale it as much as I possibly could as a Mk IX, then after much research discovered that without many exterior modifications (Panel Lines, Rivet Rows, a lot of mods) as you have completed it would not be as scale as I might be possible of having, so I have selected a Mk II.
I too discovered the short strut length, and after some three view and full scale photos I opted for strut extensions CNCed by a friend. Now my gear will retract into the proper location and not throw off the gear down static lines of the gear being in the proper location as compared to the under wing scoops. After viewing this thread I have some questions for you on my build. I hope you have time for some calls and e-mails.
Good looking Spitfire #41
Thank you for posting your thread on our Spitfire Brotherhood thread. I have had a CARF Spitfire sitting in my shop for over a year now virtually untouched. My original plan was to scale it as much as I possibly could as a Mk IX, then after much research discovered that without many exterior modifications (Panel Lines, Rivet Rows, a lot of mods) as you have completed it would not be as scale as I might be possible of having, so I have selected a Mk II.
I too discovered the short strut length, and after some three view and full scale photos I opted for strut extensions CNCed by a friend. Now my gear will retract into the proper location and not throw off the gear down static lines of the gear being in the proper location as compared to the under wing scoops. After viewing this thread I have some questions for you on my build. I hope you have time for some calls and e-mails.
Good looking Spitfire #41