Spitfire Build Quality

[peterbmst]

Reading other reviews, it's comforting to hear I'm not the only one with a few Parkzone Spitfire issues. The looks and size really sell this model, but I too have a few concerns about its durability. I've flown mine about 5 times, and found, even on smooth flights with relatively gentle landings, there is a new piece of damage to repair (eg a piece of grass through the fuselage, a crack in the tail section). The fuselage foam is too thin, with a real weakness where the vertical stabiliser joins the fuselage in front of the tailplane, so I took mine apart and lined it all with duct tape (as was already present in the engine section). As the model was originally slightly nose heavy, I didn't need to add too much lead to the nose to re-balance the C of G, and overall weight change didn't seem great.

Flight wise, she's a racehorse; even out of the box she tends to drop her nose quickly when aileron is applied, meaning plenty of elevator on the turns. She is no beginner's model, that is for certain, and a huge step up from any high-winged trainer. I'm actually experimenting with my Spitfire by adding rudder as the 4th channel to try for flatter turns. Too windy yet to test her out, but I'll let you know what happens.

[GSS]

I found a simple solution to this - use heavy duty fibreglass packaging tape around the fuselarge of the plane, across the wings and even the cowl - it may not look as good as the 'out of the box' paint job but believe me your plane will last so many more crashes. :D

I reckon my first Spit is more tape than foam now, but she still flies despite being crashed so many times when i learnt to fly.

[peterbmst]

Sounds like you've taken a similar approach to me, though mine is on the inside of the plane. Guess I'm into "looks" as well as practicality. I did leave the clear plastic tip protector packaging on the tips (clear taped them on) and this has saved the wingtips. I also added silver duct tape "invasion stripes" on the wings, partly for visibility purposes and partly to strengthen the wings and the ailerons.

[FADEC]

Try a thin strip of gaffer tape along the leading edges. This will help strengthen them against cracking and it will stop the outer skin seperating. I have done this all the way around to the outboard edge of the ailerons, do it neatly and there should be hardly any weight/ drag penalty. This will also protect the tips as well.

peterbmst

I would not recommend leaving the packaging on the end of the wing tips, you are likely to increase the aerofoils drag therefore decreasing your Spits overall performance.

I would suggest that any strengthening measures should be kept to a minimum and done in an efficient manner. With a stock battery and engine, coupled to an airframe with increased mass and drag, you could begin to encounter problems such as an increased stall speed.

[stumpy]

I agree the spit dose require a stronger air frame,especially the frontal area, I'm experimenting with my spit.
I've filled the front compartment with crazy foam, then hollowed out the relevant areas, ie battery compartment ect, as well as part of the tail section, to make her stronger, I've taken pictures as work progresses, if any one wants to see, im hoping that this will not affect the stability and c of g to much.
Has anyone else tried this yet? if so would appreciate your findings.
Happy flying to you all:D

[FADEC]

I have noticed that when the Spit goes nose in, you can damage the battery quite badly due to the gear box and engine impacting it. I have just damaged my second battery due to a crash, I think I may get some polystyrene next time and butt it in between the batt and gear box to prevent this from occuring again.

[GSS]

I found that the combination of fibre packing tape on the outside of the fuselarge and foam/sponge pieces packed around the internal skeleton and infront of the battery has greatly increased the life of my Spit and its battery. Since I made this mod, the battery has never made it through the front of the plane :)

You have to be careful not to increase the weight too much though. If you go to Li-Po you should have no problems with the extra weight of the tape and foam. I will try and add some pictures sometime as it really does work ;)