Testors Spitfire

NEW222 Wed Dec 02, 2015 6:55 pm

Hi all. Finally got this thing all cleaned up, freed the engine, and now have the needle and all back together. Ready for flight next spring, 2016. It was given to me by a friend in very ugly shape, engine locked up solid. So, I took it apart and gave it a good cleaning inside and out. The only problems were the following:
Missing needle
Cracked canopy
Broken elevators
Missing Spinner
So, as stated earlier, I took it apart and gave it a thorough cleaning. I carefully glued the elevators back together, still missing a small chunk inboard by the rudder, but functions fine, and as I said, it was small. I CAREFULLY cleaned the cracked canopy, but still all there and complete. Got a needle from a member, thank you, and installed it tonight. Just took a picture and am posting now. Anyways, I can't wait till spring to put this thing back in the air where it belongs. All I am missing is the spinner, but will probably make one if I can find what it looks like, although it is no big deal as I am going to fly it, and not shelve it. Anyways, here it is!

Testors Spitfire Testor12

NEW222 Wed Dec 02, 2015 6:56 pm

Forgot to add that it is marked Testors Fly Em', 1976 if it makes a difference.

Ken Cook Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:19 am

These planes have very small wingspans. They do fly, but they do better on shorter lines opposed to Cox stuff. Landings are not impressive typically resulting in a cartwheel. The needle is very weird on these models. Not a lot of adjustment. The gear can also be pretty fragile and I'm sure age doesn't help. Don't let fuel get on the decals as it will more than likely melt them or loosen the adhesive.

akjgardner Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:24 am

Looks good New.

getback Thu Dec 03, 2015 8:53 am

Cool!! Be looking forward to the flight report / hope it flys well for you . getback Snowman

1/2A Nut Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:00 am

Looks great!!! Post a flight vid if you can.
I have one of these new in the box curious how the lil guy will do.

This Site Rocks!

Oldenginerod Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:59 pm

Ken Cook wrote: These planes have very small wingspans. They do fly, but they do better on shorter lines opposed to Cox stuff. Landings are not impressive typically resulting in a cartwheel. The needle is very weird on these models. Not a lot of adjustment. The gear can also be pretty fragile and I'm sure age doesn't help. Don't let fuel get on the decals as it will more than likely melt them or loosen the adhesive.

The needle in this model will work just fine. There were a limited number of Testors planes produced with a stepped "speed adjuster" giving only 4 or 5 adjustment positions. Testors admitted defeat on that one. Big mistake!
I would suggest hand launch over grass with the undercarriage removed. It was the first thing to break on my P-40. No, actually the first thing to break was the spring starter before I even got it outside. Cartwheel was the only way mine ever lander and it never broke anything else. Forget adjusting to a rich 4-2 break. Get every rpm out of this puppy that you can. It may be a good idea to try a different prop. These weren't very efficient. Having said all that, it looks just fine & I hope you get some fun out of it.
I do have a spare spinner off a Fly'em Mustang to suit the 4 blade. It's bright yellow so would look a little odd on the Spit. Probably cheaper to adapt something than send one from Australia.

Rod.

NEW222 Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:54 pm

Thanks all for the tips and tricks for this guy. Thanks for the spinner offer, but you are probably right about the shipping. It will be fun to try and make the spinner. How would one mount the spinner anyways? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

NEW222 Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:56 pm

@1/2A Nut - Would you happen to know how long the lines are on your model? Thank you.

getback Thu Dec 03, 2015 6:22 pm

you need the prop hub like this and then press the spinner on to the center.... Testors Spitfire Wp_20112

If you need a hub/stud assy. let me know and what color of spinner and how many blades I'll look and see what I got /? Eric Cold

NEW222 Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:37 pm

I am not sure of the thread. It came to me with just a standard hex nut on the four blade prop. I appreciate your offer, but will probably try to make something for this 4 blade propeller. The picture you provided, however is a great help. I think a 'prop hub' would be all I would need as I know that a homemade spinner would be easily attachable. Thank you. If I may ask though, what would be the height of the spinner as well as the base diameter? Thanks again.

Oldenginerod Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:09 am

You will need to drill & tap the spinner hub as the Testors crank is larger diameter than a Cox stud.. I can't say what the thread is. We don't use the same system of thread identification that you folks do over there.

getback Fri Dec 04, 2015 8:46 am

New222 the 3 blade spinner base is 1.25 and the height is the same 1.25" , for the attachment is recessed back the size of the blade about a quarter of an inch . Hope this helps will bee interesting to see what you come up with never tried to make a spinner . getback Cold

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