Rate of Roll

[ebutterw]

Hi - I'm on my second Spit now using standard build with the battery upgrade (1400mAh) and loving it. I've been getting more adventurous recently and finding the one issue with the performance during aerobatics is the rather slow rate of role. Because of the slow rate of role - trying to a role in level flight results in significant heigh loss - equally Cuban 8's and Immelmann's get a little messy as the pitch control is pretty good but the overall look when she rolls is lost as its sluggish.

I've looked at adjusting servo horns etc. but there doesnt seem an obvious way of increasing aileron movement - does anyone have any suggestions on how to crank the rate of roll up - or is it just me experiencing this?

Thanks, Ed

[JuZ]

Rolling to the right is usually quicker than rolling to the left (I think it's that way round!)

[Radweld]

You need to make sure the model is pro mode and that the aileron horns are using the inner hole and this maximises the throw. To improve it from here, you need to ditch the Nimh and use lighter Lipo batteries. By using lighter Lipos you moving the CofG backwards and this is turn makes the model more maneuverable (easier to crash)

What im doing to further this even more is to add dual aileron servos so I can maximise the throw, it should work well in theory.

However, if you want something super maneuverable that will scare you ever time you fly it, get a Styker 27C (b is slow unless you upgrade to brushless) the stryker will turn on a six pence lol.

Also be advised that because the Spitfire has no rudder, when the wings are vertical then it will lose a lot of height because there is nothing to keep it up, adding rudder at this point in a roll (knife edge flight) enables you to keep the model flying straight.

Also, one final tip. When you want to perform a barrel roll, pitch up slightly before you roll, add some up elevator when inverted and by the time you exit the roll you won't have lost much height.

[JuZ]

You need to make sure that the aileron horns are using the inner hole and this maximises the throw

Is that the holes nearest the wing or the ones further away?
I'm guessing the inner ones.
I'd like my Spitfire to roll a bit quicker too, but I'm already using LiPos :(

[Radweld]

If you can handle it, then add 10-20 grams of weight to the back to shift the CG rearwards, doing so will make the model much more responsive but also make it much more unstable and liable to stall. But as usual its a balance, the new Eurofighter is so unstable it needs a series of computers to fly it, but this plane is super maneuverable. The same applies in RC but we cant use multi million pound computers to keep it skywards :D

I find the roll rate to be fine, just do what I suggested and pitch up before you start the roll, if it can't manage it then maybe there is another problem. You can clip the wings though, back in WW2 it was discovered that clipping the wings of a Spitfire improved the roll rate of a plane that had a poor roll rate to start with, it didn't make any real difference to a plane with a good rate of roll.

[denali]

You can upgrade your aileron servo.The stock one is a little slow.

[ebutterw]

ok - thanks, was thinking about LiPo but didnt want to invest too much further without getting max out of the standard build. I've always flown on pro mode but Will check the aileron horns but.

Someone mentioned "dual Aileron servo's" - does this mean a servo in each wing? any further explanation of this possible?

safe landings....Ed

[Roady]

Brother replaced the Parkzone receiver with his 35Mhz kit. On the controller he was able to increase the throw rate by 30% which resulted in his Spitfire being extremely responsive. I would say it's on par with my Raptor F-22!

On my Spitfire, I'm just in the process of replacing my receiver with a Spektrum one so I can have one controller for my planes.

A little tip. Lupe the wing tube with WD40 to reduce friction on the wire :)

[bullittrob]

spektrum DX6i allows up to 125% travel on the controls,.ive had one of my spits on 100% & its very snappy to say the least!..but be carefull you dont strip the gears in the servo,an upgrade here would be the best way..

[Radweld]

Yeah, the single servo in my airworthy spit has started to click so it's been grounded pending investigation lol. Im working on a spare wing and will fit a servo in each wing, when they arrive that is.

[ralphp]

I think I must be the only "sidate" 1400 flyer hear? where's me coat?:D

[bailmeout]

Hi, having had a couple of years with (should i say it Ni*ro) power planes, ive always liked the idea of electric flight in the local park, ive bought many planes without success, they've always been under powered or not full chanelled.............. till now!, now descovered Parkzone, after watchin the vids bought my Spit' threw the Standard batt in and hit the blue ceiling a couple of times with fair success (still in one peice!). Thought the std Spit battery is a bit sluggish to hit the air after launch and the flight time max is only in the region of about 6 to 7 mins, Does the upgrade 1400ah batt improve performance ie take off and last longer or should i go brushless/ lipo?, and does it create any torque roll after leaving the hand of faith?, id rather not as want to keep it between my local hedges!. Also i havent had enough air time to get my 'Rate B' wings yet, i can loop with rate A, but for victory rolls she'll want the switch flickin!, does it need a lot of up and height or does she swing her hips over at will?.

Thanks for your time and response.. much appreciated.

[JuZ]

Get yourself a LiPo battery, that perks them up no end and doubles your flight time :D
Neither my Spitfire or Mustang seem to suffer torque roll, maybe I have a good throw?

[Anthony]

Haha I did a few rolls with mine this morning at York racecourse! They were slower that I had expected even after reading about it on here. I have to say though that the prop sound when diving down out of a fast loop was brilliant! :D

[bullittrob]

i got the same clicking in my desert spit,im gong to fit a hitec one.,.,same size just better quality!

[Radweld]

You have to pitch up to barrel role the Spit, but then you had to do that with the real planes. Whats cool is a shallow dive, mock strafe run then pull up and vicory roll lol.

[Anthony]

Yeah you can't beat a good low pass with the Spitfire, it just looks so British! :D

I am yet to try rolling at low altitude... I save that kind of thing for when I'm up higher! Haha

[Radweld]

It's best to apply some down elevator (up on the stick) when inverted to prevent it losing too much height.

[bailmeout]

Hi Thanks for the response, ive bought the 1400ah upgrade now, doesent seem to have any more power but does clock the 10min + air time!, as per previous quote a shallow dive then up into the roll works ok ,(although slow turn... but impressive). When its flying straight and at max speed i get what i call 'Tail waggle' does anyone no what causes this??, or is it just the nerves of my fingertips!. As for going Lipo! i expect this has been asked but does the receiver/ Esc need to be upgrade or just the reprograming of the Transmitter. Thanks again..... invaluable knowledge.

[JuZ]

"Tail wiggle" can be caused if during manufacture the tail is slightly out of line, look down the nose of your Spit and see if the tail is straight.

To use LiPo all you need to do is program the reciever as per the instruction in the manual to set teh low power cut off voltage.

[bailmeout]

Hi, the tail was very slightly left, ive warmed up whole tail section with hair dryer, put tail under tension and allowed to cool, just checked it seems to of helped now as good as straight to the naked eye, probably not to the micrometers amoung us!. Will try LiPo i presume i can obtain from Godsquad?. Just waitin for the wind window now to open will let you know if she's lost her sexy wiggle!.

Cheers,.. keep it between the hedges!

[Radweld]

They will wiggle in wind also, it's just pushing through the thermals, because it's so light, it gets bounced around a lot.

[ralphp]

Yeh....not exactly a bulsa beast! Te he.....LOL

[Anthony]

I quite like the look of my Spitfire getting blown a bit sideways on low passes by a crosswind... a bit like im using rudder to keep a german convoy in line for strafing! :D

[Radweld]

I've modified one of my airframes to take a rudder, it works really well.

[bailmeout]

Hi, thats ok then, thought id lost my nerve for a minute!!.

Cheers.

[Radweld]

I can also fly my spitfire like a kite in moderate wind, with minimal throttle and nose up it will sit there like a kite, all you have to do is prevent the stall and keep it into the wind. Then when your bored, split-s and dive out to fill throttle.

I can also do this with my Styker and T28 although the T28 is like a foam brick so not so easy to do lo.

[ralphp]

owe.....get you:rolleyes:

I thunder about a bit, crash and go home with mine in a small plastic bag! normally to the wife saying oh I didn't expect to see you back for ages yet?:D

Oh well back to the ground crew......