Mods for the Parkzone Spitfire

[DetroitHawk]

Here are a few mods i have done to the parkzone spitfire




this is a wing clip mod i did to allow the spitfire roll faster then the stock one, this is something the brits did in WWII to make it a better fighter plane.




This is the motor mount and the hacker A30-22s and a 40amp ESC that i put into this plane. I am running 3 cell lipos and change between a 8x6 prop and a 7x9 prop. These props push the motor to the max but the performance makes it worth it, i must admit it is not wise to run WOT for very long with this set up.



These are the two CF rods i added to the plane to help with the forces exerted on this plane from my highpowered setup.



I also added a balsa mid wing spar to aid in helping the CF rods. I didn't do this mod and flew quite a few flight however because of the number of people at the park where i fly (and lack of anything better to do) i felt adding this mod was just the safe thing to do.



this is the last mod for only the really serious parkzone spitfire fanatics, if you want to turns heads this is the way to do it. i am sure you can figure out this mod, it works on the rudder port.

http://media.putfile.com/mod-for-PKZ-spitfire-RC-plane


If you have any mods you have done for this plane please feel free to post them here, or discuss other mods that might be in mind for the near future.

[DetroitHawk]

ok this is my rudder mod that i tied into a pilot mod. I also removed the french flag really really easy. That would of been the first mod i would of done if i would of known it would come off so easy.


The cigar is made of piratinera guianensis and was a well added touch IMO.

[DetroitHawk]

I can report that with the wing tips cut this plane DOES fly better. It seems to cut the air faster and i have noticed a higher top speed along with a much better roll rate.

I must admit i was nervious at first with both the rudder and the wing clip mods being done at the same time, but they both worked just fine.

[DetroitHawk]

This was my first flight with my spitfire:

http://media.putfile.com/spitfire-maiden


I am going to attack my 5in1 camera to my spitfire this weekend and hopefully get some good first person point of view.

i kinda want to put the camera in where the pilot goes, but i am still thinking where it would be best to have it. I should have some videos to post in the near future.

[DetroitHawk]

these are the stats on my setup. I run a 8x6 most of the time but this prop goes fast and is such a rush. I don't like the thrust it gives at low rpms but when you open it up it screams.

The one area i notice is the prop pitch speed, the main reason i look at this numbers is once you reach that speed anything over that speed the prop can't spin as fast and it acts like a break. So basically to get the highest speed you would go down wind at a slight dive wide open and you really can't go any faster then:

wind speed + prop pitch speed

using this logic i came across this 7x9 prop that produces insane pitch speed on this motor with relatively low amps. Mind you it still pushes this motor to the max but running with this setup for almost a year not it has shown the ability to weather this load on this fine motor.

[max2112]

D Hawk,
Those mods are awesome! Thanks for posting your videos, too!
How did you attach the pilot's head to the servo arm? That really adds style to your plane!

[DetroitHawk]

Originally Posted by max2112

D Hawk,
Those mods are awesome! Thanks for posting your videos, too!
How did you attach the pilot's head to the servo arm? That really adds style to your plane!

The pilot's head was attached by cutting the servo arm just a little wider then the hollow pilots head then i slip the head over the servo arm. There is no clue required. If you look in the rudder mod pics you will see that the servo arm actually sticks out of the pilots left ear and is where i attached the control rod for the rudder control.

Some people were telling me that at the speeds which i fly that you can't see the pilot turn his head anyways. My reply is "You just have to fly closer" lol

[K CLOSE]

DH,
I love the pilots head. Gonna steal that one from you, appologies in advance.

[DetroitHawk]

Originally Posted by K CLOSE

DH,
I love the pilots head. Gonna steal that one from you, appologies in advance.

no problem man, that is why i posted them here.

[DetroitHawk]

feel free to post your results with any of these mods or any mods you have accomplished with this plane.

[BobaFrett2799]

Here are the mods I have done on My Spitfire. I have also strengthened the airframe by using Expanding insulation Foam, it stops the 'firewall' from shattering on unexpected landings. the antenna mast is made from a straw and electrical tape. The Squadron crest is the real crest from the squadron identified by the XT on the fuse.

[BobaFrett2799]

Just took out the spitz at lunch and was shot down by a lamp post! I'm usually pretty good at weaving around them like pylons but misjudged this one today. now I need a new Spinner (again), gearbox, fuselage, and maybe a wing if I can't fix this one.

[DetroitHawk]

Originally Posted by BobaFrett2799

Just took out the spitz at lunch and was shot down by a lamp post! I'm usually pretty good at weaving around them like pylons but misjudged this one today. now I need a new Spinner (again), gearbox, fuselage, and maybe a wing if I can't fix this one.

thats a bummer, those damn light poles need to be stopped!


BTW i really like the invasion stripes you have on your plane, looks great. I am sure with a little work you will have it good as new and flying missions in no time.

[BobaFrett2799]

Thanks, The Stripes make it way easier to see. Solves any Orientation issues. I swiped the wing clip from you (much better). Might be a bit before I get her up again. Need a new Motor and definitely a new wing. (Pisses me off too cuz I only got 4 flights with the Stripes). It busted the plastic bit that sticks out the front of the leading edge and one of the front screw holes is busted half way up so the wing only has 2 points of connection. Any Ideas how I can salvage?? I could probably use a new Fuselage too. Its seen better days. I need a second job to pay for all this cuz my girlfriend is not sympathetic at all.

[DetroitHawk]

Originally Posted by BobaFrett2799

Thanks, The Stripes make it way easier to see. Solves any Orientation issues. I swiped the wing clip from you (much better). I need a second job to pay for all this cuz my girlfriend is not sympathetic at all.

Roll rate will make or brak a plane for me, if it doesn't roll fast i dont like it. After i clipped the spitfire's wingtips my plane was alot more enjoyable to fly.

[pvtzemerak]

those mods are amazing, i have to send my friend this link!

[Larry G]

I just equipped my PZ Spit with a Turnigy 35-30A 1700 KV motor. Don't have a wattmeter yet, so have a fairly conservative 8x4 APC prop on it untill I can do some testing.

The first time I flew it, the pop-on nose cone came off the stock spinner in flight. I installed a brand new one, and this time I saw it come off when I made a full throttle pass. Did anyone else have this problem?

I picked up a Great Planes 2-1/4" spinner w/ aluminum back plate. All the shop had was red or blue, went with red. Would have prefered black or white.

[E Roc]

Hi all,

I like the idea of the wing clip, then I took it one step farther. I added wing fences to the tips to see what that would do. Haven't really had time to try it yet but I think it at least looks cool. Might look even better if I color matched, but can't win 'em all.

[DetroitHawk]

Interesting, what do you expect these wing fences to do to the plane when it's in flight?

[E Roc]

I'm thinking it might keep airflow from slipping over the tip of the wing and directing it over the ailerons. I basically got the idea from the fences on a King Air 100, although they were mounted more mid-wing. On the other hand, maybe it'll have no effect at all!

[E Roc]

It seems like my spit's roll rate really sucks. I'm wondering if anyone else has tinkered with the aileron servo to get better deflection.

[DetroitHawk]

Originally Posted by E Roc

It seems like my spit's roll rate really sucks. I'm wondering if anyone else has tinkered with the aileron servo to get better deflection.

What kind of servo are you using now?

[E Roc]

I just have the stock one that comes with it.

[DetroitHawk]

Originally Posted by E Roc

I just have the stock one that comes with it.

i used a HS-81 servo and it has all the torque you need to move the ailerons. While i am not sure if it will work as a replacement for the servo you have, i know i had to cut away a little more foam to fit the servo in place. I have never found the aileron cables to stick in my PKZ spitfire but maybe it is beacuse of the servo i used in the first place. The HS-81 servo is the same servo i used in my FW190 wing too.

[JohnMcGowan]

Hi Detroit, great mods you have done to your bird!!
May I ask , have you ever installed dual aileron servos on one of these planes? Ive just picked up a FW190 and am wanting to go brushless ( see my question(s) thread in the motor forum and feel free to have a go at all my questions about brushless over there please. I want SPEED on the 190 !!!!!
Thanks very much,
John