Ripmax EP Bf109 ARTF

[Kelly]

Hello all,

After my return to R/C after a short interlude(30 years) I discovered to my delight electric power  and the ever popular so called ARTF.

I love scale so wasted no time in purchasing a Ripmax Spitfire ARTF which I have flown with some success.

A few weeks ago I purchased the Bf109 at  the  Giant scale aircraft show,Rufforth  near York.

I would like to share my experience of assembling the 'Emile'.

The Box of goodies

 Contents.

All the bits and pieces are included, although if you look closely the Canopy is damaged but hey got the 109 for £75 no big deal to repair.

The not included bits.

The spinner  is to replace the one included in the box ,more on this later.

Last but not least 'Herman the German', (as yet unpainted .

To be continued

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Very Nice, thanks kelvin

'scuse my ignorance but what is the item to the left of the battery? Can't seem to make it out.

David.  

  

[Kelly]

Hi david,

The propeller, click to restore the photo to its original size,much sharper image .

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Ah yes, silly me, really nice model that one, very tempted to blow a few moths off the wallett..

[Tim Mackey]

tut tut David....surelty the words "electric only" and that "propellery shaped thingy" in the packet was a clue

[Rick Brayford]

Hi Kelvin

I have been looking for the Ripmax Spit here in Perth western Australia it seems they don't import that model here.

maybe i will have more luck with thebf-109 , as she looks beautiful. What is her wing span and motor wattage?

rick

[Kelly]

Hi Rick

Have you seen the build thread here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=620608

A Ripmax clone may be available in Australia?

Back to the 109, it is 1/9 scale same as the  Spitfire so slightly shorter wingpan than the 48" of the Spitfire.

I will be fitting a Hacker A-30-14L series  brushless motor.

Kelvin 

[Kelly]

I was hoping to start the assembly tonight  not had the time .

The instructions are very clear with photo's  

  

Hope to start tomorrow

Kelvin

[Rick Brayford]

Kelvin

Many thanks for info on Ripmax Spit clone. By the way, how does yours perform?

Please Keep me informed on the progress of of the 109. I shall try and get a look a at one in shops here.

rick

[Kelly]

Hi Rick

My Spit perfoms well easy to fly and aerobatic, tends to float on landing so needs a bit of space .

Good video(not mine) on you tube

I have some more and will post them if you are interested.

Here is a picture of mine.

Sorry about lack of build on the 109, it may be hit and miss.

I am a 24/7 carer for my eldest Son so time is at a premium.

Hope to have a go over the weekend.

Kelvin 

[Rick Brayford]

kelvin

Yes, just as beautiful in the air. Thanks for link.

I love that spitfire and I want one

I have a 5yo son (although two of us share the load) so I understand about time.

I have scammed half a day flying time tomorrow, weather is looking good so I plan to blow the cobwebs off my models for the first time in 5 weeks. yeehaa.

rick

[Kelly]

After a hard day having my photo taken in the cockpit of a Spitfire Mk5 ,  I have started work on the 109 by painting the all important pilot 'Herman the German'

Hope to start putting the snapper together tomorrow

Kelvin

[Kelly]

Sorry for the delay, just not had the time(or energy) this week to start.

Maybe tomorrow  all being well.

Cheers

Kelvin

[Peter Gallivan]

Kelvin, keep this going!! purley selfish request, I have the same model sitting in the box waiting for completion so I am really interested in how you get on. Quick question, can you advise details of the motor, esc, lipo, prop, combination you are intending to use and possibly the other bits as well i.e RX etc. Thanks 

[Kelly]

Hi Peter

Sorry for the stop/ start with this blog, I am one of the forgotten  army of 24/7 carers in the UK had a rough week with my son ,he is the one I am caring for.

Back to the snapper (Emile).

I have decided to assemble as per the instructions, so page one aileron servos and extension leads.

1/   Coated the rear of the servo mount/hatch with a thin layer of epoxy to give the sero tape I am using a better surface to stick on. I did consider making small servo bearers to give more support but decided the tape was firm enough.

 

2/  Fitted the extension leads as per the instructions and used the string  pre-installed in the wing to pull through. I did need to add a extra length to the string,not quite long enough for me anyway.

3/ Installed the servos in the wing using the four small screws for each hatch. One fitted perfect the other was a bit proud of the wing surface so a few minutes(very) careful use of the dremel  resulted in a perfect fit.

 

I did install the servo the wrong way round(see photo) have now installed the right way Doh. 

It is 11pm so just before I go, Peter

Hacker A30-14L  brushless motor.

Hacker X-40  speed controller.

Flight power Li-poly  3300Ah 3s 1p  11.1v

12x7 Prop.( may be a bit big)? and a commercial spinner see photos at the start of this blog. 

I am new to EP so I trust my local model shop to advise and supply my lecky bits. 

My RC is the new 2.4 Futaba ,ideal for EP

Now I have started I hope to continue tommorrow.

Regards

Kelvin  

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Good stuff Kelvin, good decision with the 2.4 you wont look back there.  

David.

[Peter Gallivan]

Cheers Kelvin, will be following the build with interest.

 Peter

[Kelly]

Back again burning the midnight oil.

Finished the aileron assembly tonight, again I followed the instructions, finished with bang on 15mm throw with no binding .

4/ Attached the ailerons as per the instructions couple of drops of cyano on each hinge  (same method  as the Spitfire).

5/  Fitted the two wire push rods z bends to the servo arms.

 

6/ Fitted the control horns and linkages.

7/ Tested for full and free movement, trimmed the bolts and pushrods

Viewed from a distance the control horns look like the balance horns on the full size Emile, very clever Ripmax . 

Hope to fit the tail feathers tommorrow

Nite- nite

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Like the pilot, if you get bored I'll send some of mine over for you to paint..

[Kelly]

Hi Dave ,bet we all know who won't like my Pilot

Back to the 109.

Planned on finishing the tail assembly only part done.

8/  Trimming the covering prior to fitting

9/  Two halves of the elevator ready to be joined with piano wire.

Keeping the elevator straight and true while the epoxy sets.

10/ Elevator attached to the horizontal tailplane.

 

The piano wire joiner is much stronger than the thin wood used on the spitfire. 

I have been reading reports of this failing on the spitfire .

Thats all folks.

Hope to do a bit more tomorrow.

[Kelly]

11/  Horizontal tailplane fitted taped to keep it nice and square( the spitfire's tailplane fitted perfect, the 109's was slightly out of true) 

12/  Fitted the rudder and elevator servos

 the rudder fitted  and  the pushrods installed.

13/  The control horns and connectors all fitted and connected. 

Control surface throws almost spot on .

Just a point of interest, are  the  colour scheme and markings based on a actual Bf109E

If so who's aircraft was it???

[Kelly]

Back again.

First problem, the  motor is a bit of a tight fit in the engine mount

So to give it a bit more space I marked out sections on each side of the motor mount and cut them out increasing the clearance by several millimeters.

 

The structure was still solid but to be sure I reinforced the sections with ply over the holes.

The motor now has plenty of room to rotate.

Those of you who have the Spitfire will have noticed by now that the motor mount in the 109 is identical to the Spity.

Goodnight all.

[Kelly]

Hello

Tonight I finished installing the speedcontroller and receiver.  wired all up to check the rotation of the prop. I discovered the prop adapter shaft is not long enough to fit  the prop plus spinner, a good excuse to visit my local model shop tommorow .

Some pictures of the completed installation.

 Two more evenings work should complete the snapper.

Nite all .

[Kelly]

Back again.doing well this week.

Prop adaptor was long enough me just not with it last night doh.

Fitted the canopy after first installing the Pilot or should I say head and shoulders,the instrument panel c/o IL2 sturmovik and a gun sight.

 Holding the canopy in place prior to drilling for the retaining screws(used 6 screws as opposed to four)

 

Instument panel

Assembled cockpit area

I have modified a commercial spinner it is slightly longer than the one supplied in the kit but it is after all a semi-scale model, I think it looks okay?

The almost completed fuselage, just needs the tail struts fitting.

One more night should see it completed?

Bye for now.

[David Ashby - Moderator]

OOh, very nice Kelvin It's gonna be a good 'un, and if it looks right...