Guillow's Spitfire (403) RC Conversion

I've decided to bring my Guillow's Spitfire out of semi-retirement and convert it to radio control, I'm hoping just rudder and elevator will be enough to control it, we'll see, subscribe while you wait for the maiden flight. Specs are: auw 209g (7.35oz) with flight battery, 2900kv motor, 12 amp esc, two micro servos and a 450mah 2s battery.
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[@danielzarwell9318]

Very happy to know you. I come from a family of craftsmen. I am 84 years old now and getting ready to die. I wish i had gotten into this craft long ago. Thank you very much.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Daniel, very happy to know you too. Thank you for your comment. I come from a family of bodgers 😁 but I'm doing my best to correct that unfortunate state. You're only 22 years older than me and ten years younger than my father-in-law, I wish you blue skies and light winds for your years ahead (I am certain) 👍

[@samtrimble1612]

Would love for all your information, ideas and such to be in a book or two. Like the good old days, didn't need power and Wi fi to access.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

The good old days indeed Sam, never to return I'm afraid! A lot of what I know I gained through books and experience but the internet has changed things a thousand fold ... as long as you've got power! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rcnitrorestore3559]

Hi Cliff. I got the same kit that I am trying to put together. On this particular video I cant see that there are functional ailerons? Did you modify these later on and is there a video of it? Thanks

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Indeed there is, one of my Playlists link to all the videos relating to this model, you may find interesting information in there including the video on how I retro fitted the ailerons, here's a direct link to the video you've asked about, cheers kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXKlqGqXh92AqLssi=cdc-whnQWtusTrCZ

[@rcnitrorestore3559]

Thank you very much for replying and for linking the relevant video. Much appreciated!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@rcnitrorestore3559 No problem, it's a great flyer, have fun 👍

[@angelreading5098]

Cliff use the minimum throw on rudder,she will turn but gently does it.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

I've programmed in lots of expo so it'll be controllable but I'll leave it at full throw for now, thanks for the advice Angel 👍

[@jasonstarnes3838]

The latest generations will never know how to have such good times without electronics. To build and fly in its simplest forms.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Well said Jason 🤔👍

[@garygullikson6349]

Low wing RC models need ailerons, can fly without rudder. Some motor down and right thrust angle helps control torque roll..

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

How right you are Gary 👍🙂

[@michaelgardner8688]

I may try to build it as an electric rc from the outset rather than the rubber powered model it is. Might be easier. I am not allowed to look at it until Christmas day.😂

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Definately easier Mike, you could sneak the contents out of the box and rewrap the prezzie, who'se to know 😁

[@wyatt2om474]

U are amazing I just got one and am using u as a reference to help me build it

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Wyatt, have fun 👍

[@RCSoaringDiaries]

Nice one Cliff 👍 Hope you have an opportunity to maiden soon. I have 2 new glider builds to maiden (Hawk and Gypsy), 1 existing e-glider converted to pure glider to maiden (EZIO 800) and a new DLG ARF almost ready to maiden, but they are all for calmer conditions. The week ahead is a strong southerly all week. Looks like we'll both have to be patient.....

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Looks like it'll be a race to see who can maiden first, depends on the wind direction 🙂

[@robert43g]

well done on the right hand side is that a bullet hole between the AF lettering ?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

No Rob, there's one each side, it's where the dowel fits for the end of the rubber motor, easy to patch but I wanted to leave it as a nod to it's ancestry 👍

[@snigbrorod]

Did you get a chance to test fly this one yet Cliff?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Not yet Rod, it's really frustrating, we had a bad spell of weather, then just as things looked promising we're plunged back into lock down, I'm really itching to get her into the air under power this time 😷

[@andretrishrousselle711]

Very cool Man i like your style

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Glad you like it Andre

[@Flybrei]

Nice work and paint👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thank you Flybrei 🙂

[@tonysmith7564]

What battery did you use?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

It's an Overlander 450mah 2s Tony, if you need noseweight it may as well be useful 👍

[@bryanmadewell8896]

Nice job. Very nice paint job, could hardly tell the line on the side decal was wider. Very very awesome.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thank you Bryan, it'll look the bees knees with a blue sky and fluffy white clouds behind her 😁

[@JeffinLowerAlabama]

That's great Cliff, with the dihederal in the wings rudder and elevator should work well, maybe just a little more weight in the nose, remember the Moth. Jeff in LA USA forgot to say painting the roundels looks great.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Yes, I did think that too Jeff, maybe a little more just to be on the safe side 👍😉

[@RcAircraft]

I like the wing banding solution you came up with. Hope the maiden goes well .🤞

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Stephen, I've double up on the band as it's about 50g heavier than it was, it's not rubber bands of course but hat elastic, it's a little smaller diameter for the same sort of strength plus you can tie it to any size you want 👍🙂

[@BrianRamseysg01]

So glad to see this bird get some rc/tlc was dissappointed in the drive train from rubber to that chain link set up sure you lost 25% power from that. But now we shall see how well it will fly gonna look awsome no pressure and Good Luck!!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Brian, it's going to be fun. I never considered a loss of power due to the link, do you really think so?

[@BrianRamseysg01]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes Im afraid I do but didnt want to say anything at the time.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@BrianRamseysg01 I don't mind anybody suggesting anything, next time laddy speak up 😁😁😁📣

[@BrianRamseysg01]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes Cheers good buddy, I may do if the oppertunity arises and its helpfull.

[@RCTaildraggin]

I love you conversions, they are always inspirational! I really enjoy your thought processes, very nice job Cliff!!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Jerry , but they're getting slower by the day, I hope that kit arrives soon or I won't be able to work out how to open it 😁😁

[@Nico-9138]

Hi Cliff ! I've built the Guillows ME 109 and failed at fliying it in the 1st attempt. Thought it was too heavy. It's now around 160g and knowing yours is over 200g makes me think it should fly great. Good luck with yours !

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

It'll be faster, not looking forward to that 😮

[@DazDaMan]

Fingers crossed! I quite fancy doing something like this at some point, as I have some cheap 3ch RC gear kicking about.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

That's why I did this one Daren, a plane, some gear in a drawer ... it had to be done 👍

[@bobflyman]

Semi-retirement? Nice work Cliff, that'll look great in the air.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Yes, too many planes too little time, thanks 🤔👍

[@thomasderidder7677]

Nice conversion Cliff. Good luck on the maiden flight.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Thomas, looking forward to it 🙂

[@michealohalloran4128]

Look forward to seeing this little beuty fly thanks cliff

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Me too Mike, not too long I hope 👍

[@IansRCExploits]

Great conversion Cliff!! Always hoped you would RC the Spitfire up👍😄

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Ian, I'm looking forward to the re-maiden, she should look spectacular in the air (it's any young lads dream to fly a Spitfire ... even rubber powered) 🙂

[@IansRCExploits]

Oh yes it was definitely one of the things on my list👍😄

[@snigbrorod]

Hi Cliff - how did you decide which motor, ESC, and battery to use for this? Is it all based on the finished weight? I'm trying to select components to buy, but going round in circles with the decisions on motor KV, ESC amperage, etc.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Rod, I draw on two things, firstly what others have done already, have you seen this list of past conversations on RC Groups? Here's the link: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?827861-Guillow-s-Conversions-The-list-of-conversion-threads, and secondly just my experience on what I've used in the past. Whatever you build at this size it needs to be kept as light as possible 👍

[@snigbrorod]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes Thanks Cliff - this will really help.

[@terryblackman6217]

This one is am looking forward to. Good luck. 🎄👍

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hope we're not all too disappointed Terry 😁

[@michaelgardner8688]

Thanks, this could be useful, I have a Lysander for Christmas which I hope to adapt from rubber to electric.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Thanks Mike, I always fancied a Lysander, perhaps one day 👍

[@BenPortmanlewes]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes Building a Tony Ray Camel I asked for for Christmas, it's tiny, 380mm wingspan, they say it will take RC, on an 1104 motor and some micro rx board I don't have, and don't have a radio for, so I'm going nano f4 flight controller, 3 1.7 gram servos and I have a few 1104 motors from project F.A.F 2" quadcopter project, so I'll be running that, as it's all small quad electronics, it's very light. i weighed the 8'5mm coreless motor with gear drive from another brought RC plane and the 1104 was lighter, ESC brings it to the same weight but at least treble the power. Receiver is a couple if grams, and the F4 FC... wait for it, it will give me stabilised flight, stabilised flight but it will ignore what it thinks are daft stick inputs and let you crash mode, and just full pass through mode. weighs 2 grams. it all needs at least 2 cells though, so my all up weight of the electronics including the large 2 cell lipo is 58grams, me thinks it will not work, will have to use various toy quad batteries in series to get the 7.2v required. The game has started, the fuz is built. It's way smaller than the vintage models Sop. Tripe I just built for free flight! I know quadcopters are very controversial right now which is why I just want some good old honest balsa fun, but the technology that's been developed for them is cheap, very powerful ( I could fit GPS return to home on the Camel if it were light enough) and you can get down to a couple of grams for a flight controller that will do all that, and cost £20, tops. it's worth knowing so now you know ;-)

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@@BenPortmanlewes I have a quad to butcher and was wondering if the electronics could be used, keep us updated Ben, a video on your Channel perhaps?

[@snigbrorod]

This is so timely. I am building the same kit and wanted to make it RC from the get go. This will be very helpful.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

I expect you're planning on ailerons, I'll let you know if it'll fly on rudder only 🙂👍

[@snigbrorod]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes I hadn't planned on the ailerons actually. I was going to try rudder and elevator combo. The instructions in the kit talk about only the rudder for RC, and the elevator for U-line but thought both might work together.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

@Rod Reilly I'll try and get the maiden done asap 👍

[@michaelgardner8688]

😂😂😂