I have the Flightline RC Spitfire, the new 1600mm. My first impressions of this model are, "WOW, what a great model and a really wonderful size as well". It's not too big and not too small. It's big enough to see in the sky and it presents really well in flight, but more of that later. Let's assemble the model. The model arrived packed in a styrofoam box in the same typical style we have come to expect from Flightline RC. As is with other Flightline Rc models there is not a lot of work to carry out to get this model ready for flight.
The first thing to do is to glue the front and rear fuselage parts together. Care has to be taken not to get excessive glue on the rudder and elevator pushrods. As the two parts are brought together with the glue on them make sure the horizontal stabilizer is in line with the wing and it is not canted off to one side. It's easy to get it out of alignment slightly. The horizontal stabilizer is assembled to the rear of the fuselage on a carbon fiber tube spar, each half is secured with two small screws on each side. The elevator push rod can now be connected to the servo and the elevator and the control throw adjusted to the desired amount. The rudder can also be connected to the servo and the tailwheel assembly and the control throw adjusted. Two fillet pieces have to be glued to the side of the fuselage at the rear of the wing seat to form the curve where the wing blends into the fuselage.
The fuselage can now be put to one side while the wings are assembled. Before I assemble the wings, I always test the operation of all the servos and the retracts. It's always easier to do this before the two wings are joined together. Also, check the control surfaces for free movement and the security of the control horns and the hinges. Any problems are easy to sort out and make good at this point than after the model has flown.
The ailerons and flaps can now be connected to the servos and the movement adjusted to the desired amount. I deviated from the instructions at this point and decided to add the decals to both the fuselage and the wings. I thought it would be easier than trying to do it after the model had been completed. The decals can be a little tricky and time consuming to secure in the correct location. However, a 3 View drawing is included to show the position of each decal. Two sets of decals are supplied so you can choose the model you want to represent. The decals are a mixture of both water slide and sticky back. Take great care when positioning the sticky ones, because once they are in place they can not be removed without a major issue.
After the decals have been applied the wings can be joined together using the joiner tube and the screws supplied. Included in the kit is a little "BlueBox", this is intended to connect the ailerons, flaps retracts and lights and simplify the wiring going into the receiver. It's a good idea to test the operation of this unit before it is secured and the wing fitted to the fuselage.
The four propeller blades are assembled to the spinner hub using the screws and the metal reinforcing plate provided. The prop is then fitted to the front of the motor on a square drive and secured to the motor by a single nut. The actual spinner cone is attached to the motor with a single screw through the center and is screwed into the prop retainer nut. All that is left to do now is to attach the wing and balance the model.
I flew the model on a 6s 5000mAh Admiral battery. The model balances perfectly with the battery secured to the battery tray.
I flew the model for the first time last Sunday morning. a light cross wind and 90 degrees heat. I carried out a complete pre-flight check including a full power check of all the flying controls and taxied the model to the end of the runway. Slowly opening the throttle, the model accelerated down the runway and as the tail began to rise the model lifted off. The left wing was a little low, but adding a small amount of right aileron trim brought it back level. The model flies really well and with the four blade prop, it pulls the model around in a realistic manner. Loops rolls and spins are all possible with this model and it presents really well in the sky.
I can say in all honesty the Flightline RC models that I have flown have all given excellent performance, they looks great in the air and the handle well with no bad vices.
Martin
The first thing to do is to glue the front and rear fuselage parts together. Care has to be taken not to get excessive glue on the rudder and elevator pushrods. As the two parts are brought together with the glue on them make sure the horizontal stabilizer is in line with the wing and it is not canted off to one side. It's easy to get it out of alignment slightly. The horizontal stabilizer is assembled to the rear of the fuselage on a carbon fiber tube spar, each half is secured with two small screws on each side. The elevator push rod can now be connected to the servo and the elevator and the control throw adjusted to the desired amount. The rudder can also be connected to the servo and the tailwheel assembly and the control throw adjusted. Two fillet pieces have to be glued to the side of the fuselage at the rear of the wing seat to form the curve where the wing blends into the fuselage.
The fuselage can now be put to one side while the wings are assembled. Before I assemble the wings, I always test the operation of all the servos and the retracts. It's always easier to do this before the two wings are joined together. Also, check the control surfaces for free movement and the security of the control horns and the hinges. Any problems are easy to sort out and make good at this point than after the model has flown.
The ailerons and flaps can now be connected to the servos and the movement adjusted to the desired amount. I deviated from the instructions at this point and decided to add the decals to both the fuselage and the wings. I thought it would be easier than trying to do it after the model had been completed. The decals can be a little tricky and time consuming to secure in the correct location. However, a 3 View drawing is included to show the position of each decal. Two sets of decals are supplied so you can choose the model you want to represent. The decals are a mixture of both water slide and sticky back. Take great care when positioning the sticky ones, because once they are in place they can not be removed without a major issue.
After the decals have been applied the wings can be joined together using the joiner tube and the screws supplied. Included in the kit is a little "BlueBox", this is intended to connect the ailerons, flaps retracts and lights and simplify the wiring going into the receiver. It's a good idea to test the operation of this unit before it is secured and the wing fitted to the fuselage.
The four propeller blades are assembled to the spinner hub using the screws and the metal reinforcing plate provided. The prop is then fitted to the front of the motor on a square drive and secured to the motor by a single nut. The actual spinner cone is attached to the motor with a single screw through the center and is screwed into the prop retainer nut. All that is left to do now is to attach the wing and balance the model.
I flew the model on a 6s 5000mAh Admiral battery. The model balances perfectly with the battery secured to the battery tray.
I flew the model for the first time last Sunday morning. a light cross wind and 90 degrees heat. I carried out a complete pre-flight check including a full power check of all the flying controls and taxied the model to the end of the runway. Slowly opening the throttle, the model accelerated down the runway and as the tail began to rise the model lifted off. The left wing was a little low, but adding a small amount of right aileron trim brought it back level. The model flies really well and with the four blade prop, it pulls the model around in a realistic manner. Loops rolls and spins are all possible with this model and it presents really well in the sky.
I can say in all honesty the Flightline RC models that I have flown have all given excellent performance, they looks great in the air and the handle well with no bad vices.
Martin