Official Black Horse Spitfire 2000mm ARF Discussion Thread

[marty 72]

Well, I've finally pulled the trigger on this one, been considering it for a while. It arrived today, it may be a while before I start on it, but I have done an unboxing, fit check and still have more checking of parts to do. I don't like to wait until I building/assembling, the sooner I find an issue, the better as there is a 30 "warrantee".

So far, things look very good, a few very minor cosmetic flaws on the covering. Wings fit good, wings to vertical stabilizer perpendicular. The fuse felt really like to me.

I have a 40cc SunnySky 190 KV motor, will use a 19x12e apc or 20x11e apc prop. 12s with 6000mah batteries. The motor is a bit more than needed but this plane needs nose weight, so this does add weight and gives me power options. Looks a little smaller than I expected but it's a nice manageable size for me.

[Shackhacker]

That’s awesome Marty. What size/weight spinner came with yours? I’ve noticed I am missing mine and am close to completing.

[marty 72]

Shack,

The spinner: base 116mm/ height approx 124mm. Folks have had trouble balancing these spinners. I had a lot of luck with the Phx P40 80in plane, the spinner was very similar in design but it came very much out of balance. Look back in this thread, Twisted bought and used an aluminum spinner and has a link. You could also try getting the original from Motion.

I have a question for anyone:

I was checking out the retracts, both work. I noticed that the struts are very stiff, too stiff in my opinion for an 18 lb plane. A twenty-pound weight doesn't even move one strut. My guess is it takes about 35-40 pounds to use the full travel.

Has anyone else noticed this? I'm thinking these same struts may be used in the much larger BH models, but that's just a guess. I'll look at the site later and see if that's the case. Edit: I just looked, the struts has it's own separate parts number so it appears that it's not shared. I'd replace the spring, but it uses a spring pin to hold the assembly together and that might not be easy to get back together, it's a risk.

[Shackhacker]

Thanks Marty, I haven’t made much progress on mine. Retracts are assembled but looks like I need a controller now. Mabel next week. Any photos yet of yours?

[Shackhacker]

Hay Marty, I’m a bit confused on this retract controller. The previous owner says he used a JP hobby controller. He doesn’t know if it was the er 20 or 50. When I look at their descriptions online, both say you have to plug in at least three plugs for it to work. Can you give me any input on this? I’ve had electric re-tracks before, but have never needed a controller. Any advice would sure help.

[marty 72]

I don't own any JP products, but I did browse their website. I believe the retracts supplied in my ARF kit are nearly equivalent to ER-120, not the ER-150.

The BH models come with a cheaper copy of the JP retracts and controller. It's branded Phoenix, the same retracts used in the larger Phx models. Here's the controller than came with my model (note: others have had issues with the controller and ordered the JP controller, but I have not)

Black Horse 2000mm Spitfire Electric Retract Controller [BHSF022] Motion RC

[Shackhacker]

Awesome, thanks again Marty

[marty 72]

Location of Guns:

The instructions are very vague here. Is there a hole drilled in the wing under the covering? I felt for one but didn't find. I guess you just mark a location, cut away the covering, glue gun mount to wing, drill hole, screw in gun to gun mount. Is that right?

[eaglej]

Hi all,

Great to read everyone's comments. I'm about to place an order, but wanted to check first of engine size. (Yes, I know that it is a 33cc plane)

I have a NGH 30cc Four Stroke gas engine ready to go, so I am hoping that it will be suitable for the BH136. (Yes, I know that a DLE 35cc would be great)

So just curious to know if anyone is flying this model with a 30cc either 2 stroke or 4 stroke and if they feel that it is adequate, or is everyone strongly recommending a DLE 35, etc, etc.

Thank you.

[timmybeetle]

Hi all,

Great to read everyone's comments. I'm about to place an order, but wanted to check first of engine size. (Yes, I know that it is a 33cc plane)

I have a NGH 30cc Four Stroke gas engine ready to go, so I am hoping that it will be suitable for the BH136. (Yes, I know that a DLE 35cc would be great)

So just curious to know if anyone is flying this model with a 30cc either 2 stroke or 4 stroke and if they feel that it is adequate, or is everyone strongly recommending a DLE 35, etc, etc.

Thank you.

Hi

I fly this with an OS GF40 4 stroke engine.
I had an NGH38 in my BH Typhoon, but it was just enough to get it airborne also that plane has an OS GF40 4 stroke in it.
So my advise would be the NGH30 is will not do the job and also you will have problems with getting CG right.
In my Spitfire I have around 800 grams lead in the nose to get CG right.

Grtz Hans

[nicco]

Hi

I fly this with an OS GF40 4 stroke engine.
I had an NGH38 in my BH Typhoon, but it was just enough to get it airborne also that plane has an OS GF40 4 stroke in it.
So my advise would be the NGH30 is will not do the job and also you will have problems with getting CG right.
In my Spitfire I have around 800 grams lead in the nose to get CG right.

Grtz Hans

Hi,

Do you use an GF40 and still need to add 800 grams lead? Is it possible to fit a larger engine like a GAUI 50CC?

Best Regards
Niklas

[Katniss]

I just ordered this plane. It should compliment my 81" H9 Spitfire nicely. I do have a 180kv Badass motor available to mount. Will have to see if it fits ok.

[TwistedGrin]

I had about 13flights on my Spitfire when I suffered a cracked wing at the retract mount due to soft muddy conditions as the right wheel snagged up hard in the gound during a touch-n-go. I replaced the wing which the V2 version Fiberglass plywood sandwhich ribbed construction....it's lighter than the V1 plywood construction......for some odd reason I started having nose over issues during landings after replacing the wing!. My CG was set to 100mm ....so I am ready to move it further back to 109CG and see how this works. My current battery configuration for a dual 5s 8000mAh (10s Series) only provides a CG Range from 100mm to 113mm CG. I fly with an Aura8 Stabilizer so I hope the first flight on the new DX10 Transmitter at109mm CG will not give me any surprises.....will report results 03-24-25 after the evening sorti

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

Success! Evidently the aft CG just 9mm back is all I needed to overcome the nose over bluff at landing and taxi....the tailwheel comes up way before the mains start to roll but full up elevator with throttle blips balance this dance. Three full flights tonight proved the new NX10 settings on my High rate settings are good for go....the lower settings are way too low. Anyway repairs and tweaks all Pass.....this aircraft is ready for continued service !!

TwistedGrin

[Stuk82]

Hi guys, I have my Spitfire ready for its debut. I've read the entire post, but I still have some questions. My setup is a gasoline engine, a 35cc Stinger. I have the three power batteries as far forward as possible. The manual indicates the CG at 118mm, yet the supplied adjustment kit is only at 112mm, and I see that you guys are even lowering it further. Right now, with the kit adjusted, it rolls gently back, so I think I need to put more weight on the nose.

Please, could you confirm if adjusting the CG with the kit is sufficient?

I adjusted it with the kit and added weight until it pitches gently on the nose?

Thanks.

[Stuk82]

While I was expressing my doubts, I was able to find out, and now I'm clear: I'll use the kit and let the plane roll forward.

Doubt, result.
"No need to answer me."

[Airbusdude]

Does anyone know where to get better struts or even an entire retract that is stronger for this airplane? I love flying it, but tired of the weak struts. Gone through 2 sets in the last couple years owning this bird. The struts have way too much play in them.