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12-18-2015 06:30 PM

Elcorro

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Kind of sad that TF would posibly try to save a buck over tech issues /amendments in the beginning, and then loose money later on because their reputation has been comprised due to the fact of disgruntled customers finding out during their build of the errors in TF's products are well known and have not been addressed and rectified.

12-18-2015 01:24 PM

ForcesR

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elcorro

My apologies to you Roger, it's been some time since I researched your post, I didn't realize it was you that contacted TF on the discrepencies between the plans and the instructions, thank you for pointing that out!��

There is no need to apologize, I just wanted to let folks know that it was a sharp eyed Canadian who found the discrepancies between the plans and instructions manual. TF was suppose to issue a Tech Note to make builders aware of the issues but I guess they changed their minds! Maybe the Tech Note would have cost more to produce and issue than what the information was worth to builders

Roger

12-17-2015 08:44 PM

Elcorro

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

12-14-2015 06:46 AM

ForcesR

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elcorro

Haha! There it is! Good job Gary, I knew it was around somewhere, and that's more and better information than the other one I found.

Just for your info, it was me who notified TF of the discrepancy between the drawing and manual in seating the horizontal stab correctly

Roger

12-12-2015 04:18 PM

Elcorro

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Haha! There it is! Good job Gary, I knew it was around somewhere, and that's more and better information than the other one I found.

12-12-2015 12:56 PM

Cougar429

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

No toe stepping at all. Was hoping you still had the reference.

This is what I found:

Quote:

Topflite R&D has confirmed that the drawing plan shows the incorrect seating of the horizontal stab in the stab saddle. TF is as dumb founded as to why this mistake in the drawing was not brought to their attention way before now.

For all builders that seated the stab with the leading edge of the stab butting up against fuselage frame #10.The stab is seated in the wrong location in the stab saddle and more stab incidence has been induced then the required + 2 degrees.This may be a contributing factor in the reported nose overs during the takeoff run. It may also explain why more elevator up trim was needed to fly level then what was expected.

Topflite will be releasing a Technical notice to address the problem.

The photo at step #10, page 36 of the manual shows the correct seating of the stab in the saddle. To correctly seat the stab in the saddle the leading edge of the stab must rest on the small lower step of the saddle, not the upper step. When seated correctly in the saddle, the leading edge of the stab is 1/4' back from fuse frame #10.

If you are currently building the Spitfire there are 3 items in the manual that need to be corrected:

(1). Page 35, step 2, it states that the fuselage sheeting should be long enough to extend past the plywood stab saddles by 5/8". This has to be changed to 7/8".

(2). Page 36, step 1, the die-cut 1/4"balsa "Fin Spacer" must be increased in thickness to 1/2". You can make another fin spacer from scrap 1/4 balsa and glue both together to make the fin spacer 1/2" in thickness.

(3). The horizontal stab must be seated correctly in the saddle. The leading edge must rest on the lower step of the saddle. When it is seated correctly, the leading edge of the stab will be 1/4" distance from fuselage frame #10. See page 36, photo at step #10 shows seating and 1/4" spacing.

12-12-2015 11:13 AM

Elcorro

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

http://Top Flite Spitfire KIT Color ...ld thread #217 With any luck I do believe that I have found the thread on the Spitfire tail section build. Anyone interested can check it out and decide from there. Let us know how things are going, I myself will be keeping an eye out, and will also keep you updated on how the maiden of my Spitfire goes when the time comes!

The link above, didn't work for me, so here's the title, Top flite Spitfire kit color and build thread. Go to post #217.

12-12-2015 09:21 AM

Elcorro

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Hi Gary, If I remember correctly, the build thread where modelers discussed the tail discrepency is on RC Groups, I used to have it bookmarked but since I completed my build I have deleted it from my tablet. If you had mentioned it earlier on this thread, I apologize for stepping on your toes! I will have a look around the world, and see if I can find the posts and set up a link or two.

12-12-2015 06:39 AM

Cougar429

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Elcorro, I think I brought up I had heard of the tail incidence ealier, but could not remember where I had seen this info. Can you post links to specifics, or pics of the relevant page(s).

Mine is still stuffed in the box for a future build, (have the Texan and Seawind to finish this season, along with mods to Rare Bear) and would like something documented to stick with the kit so if memory fails I have it handy.

12-11-2015 09:31 PM

Shotgun06

Re: Top Flite Spitfire

Thanks for the tip. My Spitfire fuselage has very little done to it so I will pay attention to the stab position. The wing is all built and covered but frankly it's pretty roughly built. I can't complain as I only paid $10 for the kit...
I plan to remove the covering clean up/repair the wing and then glass and paint. I'll probably start a build thread when I start but will first finish a Sig Citabria that has been sitting for 4 years over the Christmas time. Anyway that's the plan...

Alain

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