Daren Cogdon

I was thinking about the size of motor I might need for this project. The Flightline Spitfire IX is roughly the same size, and weighs in at around 2.85kg. It uses a 390kv motor with an 80A ESC, and a 6S 4000-5000mAh Lipo. The original build spec for this model (with a glo engine) shows an AUW of about 5.5lbs or so (I would need to check), so I'm thinking the Flightline Spit's set up would be pretty much ideal, with a bit of surplus power if needed. Also, I was contemplating fitting retracts to the Sportfire, but I've decided against this: 1) it wasn't designed for them, and 2) it would only add weight/cost when it's not needed. Our field is not as smooth and as flat as a snooker table (though it's pretty good), so I don't want to faff about with retracts if they're not necessary.

Aaaand done! Paint scheme is based on that of Spitfire Pr.XI PL983, currently based at Duxford.

Second set of plans purchased to use for templates etc. Haven't built anything from plans in at least 25 years, so this could be interesting....!

Number 10 is nearly finished. The blue is quite light compared to the version I did before, but it looks closer to the actual aircraft it's based on, somehow....!

Just a couple of little things to do on this one, but she's almost done. Already had three test-flights (unpainted), but the winds haven't been kind up here near Edinburgh for the past couple of weeks!

So, some time back, I bought an old copy of RCM&E from a popular auction site, and it had a feature on Mike Conrad's vintage-style Spitfire lookalike, the Sportfire. https://www.sarikhobbies.com/product/rc1848-sportfire-plan/ I've just acquired a set of plans and am now giving serious contemplation to building the beast for electric power.

I saw one of those for sale on Facebook and thought about pulling the trigger for a few minutes....!

Good news is that the servos do indeed work - everything moves as it should. Now, for a new motor, since I'll be using Lipos instead of the original Nicads. 4-Max recommends https://www.4-max.co.uk/po-3541-1270.html, which states it's a 1270kv motor. I have a couple of 1300kv motors, so I'm thinking this might work?

Not gonna lie, I'm tempted to get another....!

Number 10 has had three flights so far - the first was not great due to severe trim issues, which I boiled down to either side-thrust or wing angle, or possibly both. After adding side-thrust, the second flight was better, but still needed a lot of trim. The third flight went so much better - only a slight tendency to drop the wing, but I reckon it's now just down to the angle of the wing, so I've put a coffee stirrer in the slot to see if that helps change the angle (it does), so just need to try it out in better weather! On the plus side, the third flight was a little aerobatic in nature - and it was fine! Number 11, like 10, is waiting for better weather for a maiden. I've finished building Number 12, so just need to install the bits and it'll be ready to go.

Took a chance on the weather just after lunchtime and went up to the field. Club chairman Mark was there, having some fun with his drone, so I had a couple of sorties with Spitfire No.4. Tried a few manoeuvres, and tried some low flying. Then the wind got up and the rain came down, so we hightailed it for home!

Two successful flights, and one not successful flight this evening. FT Spitfire No.10 went up for two flights. I had a lot of trim issues with it on the maiden flight - it had needed full right to get it flying remotely straight and level - but on these two, it behaved pretty much perfectly. The first flight tonight was just a shakedown to see if it was any better after some post-maiden tinkering, so I didn't do anything sketchy with it, but the second flight had some loops and a roll thrown in for good measure. The unsuccessful flight was my Spitty dogfighter. I tried to launch but the model just seemed to go down until it hit the runway, breaking the prop. I did have a spare, but the midges were out in full force, and they LOVE me, so I called it a night.

That's making me want to break out my little warbirds....!

I've got one of those, needs a new motor, though. Well, and a paintjob....!

Aww man, I had a Splatfire. OS.25 power. One of the best IC-powered models I ever flew. Honestly, you could throttle back and just enjoy the flying, or open the taps and away it went. I wish I hadn't sold mine. But yeah, if anyone manages to get hold of the drawings, I would love a copy!