Tim Wall's 70% Scale Spitfire

A look at Tim Wall's 70% scale Spitfire, details, specs, background.

[@rc-fannl7364]

This one looks quite convincing. Sometimes these reduced size warbird replicas look a bit odd, like someone shrunk the plane, except the cockpit, but on this Spitfire it still looks normal

[@rc-fannl7364]

Yeah, my first thoughts too, it doesn't look as cropped as most scaled down warbirds. This one still looks "right".

[@titikalagan3024]

Exactly. Best 70% replica ive seen.

[@stuartcambell-frazer8863]

The best replica Spitfire I have ever seen for this scale. Well done to the restoration team, excellent job, you must be really proud.

[@MJPilote]

The best scale Spitfire out there, have not seen other with looks correct and truly scale. Sounds ok for V8, way better than some 4 pot counterparts out there. Respect on the build!

[@nickaxe771]

It sounds and looks so right.....STUNNING.

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Wow, I started watching this thinking it was a large r/c Spitfire. This is amazing, as you say, the attention to detail is incredible. When it came in to land with the sun going down behind it looked beautiful. Only thing missing is the Merlin sound. But I'm English and have been spoilt for seeing Spitfires in our skies over the years.

[@robotsonmars1989]

Yep as ex service I've seen and heard the BOBMF many a time .This is a great job but the sound of the merlin is just magic.

[@Biggles-gm6tm]

Has to be one of the best 70% replicas Ive seen, brilliant job. Looks like the full size (but with big wheels!). Well done. And well done for the Mk2 spit, so many Mk9's around.

[@1teamski]

Now THAT is a great replica! Wow.

[@rv6ejguy]

Guys, I clipped the video at the end of each pass because it was too jerky and it would look like crap. You'd understand if you've ever tried to follow a plane going by fast at 20-30X zoom. I cut a lot of other passes out completely because it was really not good. This was filmed pre-dawn, the light was very low, making acquisition and tracking very difficult. Best I could do under the circumstances. Will try a monopod next time maybe.

[@txkflier]

It would have been nice to hear the sound of it after it passed by, regardless of the video quality.

[@dudleysmith5111]

Appreciate the video. It captured the aircraft very well. Better than Hollywood to me!

[@electricaviationchannelvid7863]

How did it get the 419 squadron sticker? Any common history there? I see the company is in Calgary?

[@rv6ejguy]

@@electricaviationchannelvid7863 Maybe the owner, Tim, will pipe in here. Not sure, probably scanned and reproduced. Yes the aircraft is in Calgary.

[@electricaviationchannelvid7863]

@@rv6ejguy I used to fly in the 419 Squadron once upon a time...that is why I got excited to see that!

[@simonbaxter8001]

Absolutely stunning aircraft.

[@dodge2047]

What a fantastic job, one of the few to have a true scale profile and she really sits beautifully in the air. Congratulations.

[@eriklapparent4662]

Superb plane well handled.Superb video at dusk.Congrats and cheers from France !

[@lessainsbury8508]

Beautiful replica ! Love the sound of the V8 !

[@terryboehler5752]

Wow!!!!! Three point landing!!!!! So refreshing to see these days.

[@robertmorey4104]

Beautiful! Looks the part from every angle. The Buick engine sounds good. Awesome replica.

[@peterbiesbroek]

Absolutely amazing piece of craftmanship...

[@larrynitso3597]

Looks great 👍

[@ianjohnston2361]

Excellent piece of work.... 👍 🇬🇧

[@PDZ1122]

Hmmmm - and certain people on a certain airplane forum were telling how foolish it would be to use a Buick V8 for my design!

[@rv6ejguy]

For some reason I can't reply to comments here. This is a Mk 1 replica as captioned in the video. Sorry I had to edit the end of each pass. It's hard to follow a plane in low light, zoomed out without a lot of jerkiness. You pivot on your feet panning as it goes by. This is a one-off build, started 52 years ago, the builder is long passed and there are no drawings to duplicate this as far as I know.

[@StevenSmith-pt8rz]

Shame.

[@lowandslow3939]

That smile says it all. Absolutely beautiful machine! Well done to all involved.

[@KyleCowden]

Greased that landing.

[@nigelsnell9770]

Absolutely spot on. The only points, other than the size, are the tail wheel leg, and no door on the left for the cockpit entrance, otherwise though, when I first saw it I thought it was an original Mark 1a. Even the sound of it is not that far off from a Merlin. Hopefully we will see more videos of this plane in the future.

[@andrewbranch4075]

If you didn't know, you'd think it was the real thing. Lovely 👍✌️☮️

[@OneThirtyTwoScale]

This is a beautiful replica, everytime im coming back from Banff i always stop in to springbank to see if its out of the hanger, id love to see this replica in person!

[@alexandremarcelino7360]

Lindo demais!!! Essa versão do Spitfire é mais clássica. Sou fã dessa versão!😍

[@dagger4146]

Beautiful. I remember Clark Watson's Spitfire being built at Field aviation. Such a tragic loss for for everybody.

[@jiyushugi1085]

Beautiful. Now that even cars are fitted with rear-view cameras, maybe fit one looking forward on single engine fighters for use when taxiing?

[@thephilpott2194]

Indeed. The silver spitfire has one that views from underneath, just behind the undercart.

[@DazDaMan]

Fantastic machine. I remember seeing photos of it years ago, when Tim had just acquired it and was starting to work on it.

[@richardgreen7811]

You did an awesome job. I've been watching quite some time. Your build experiences put me in direct touch with building my 427 AC Cobra MKIII. Fortunately the VODKA consumption has negated many of those memories. I have noted that ... with 29 gallons and that Ford Engine, your PUB stops are going to be pretty close together.

[@coolcol06]

One of the best replicas I`ve seen

[@Cuccos19]

Very pretty, beautiful little warbird! 😍

[@mannythelimodriver6003]

If only you could replicate the sound of the RR Merlín!!! Beautiful little plane. Well done

[@bradgray8064]

Absolutely beautiful. Very scale outlines and speed. Best replica I have seen.

[@alexanderreimer387]

Awesome scaled perfectly…!!!

[@normmcrae1140]

SWEET! Might have to come out to Springbank and see it sometime!

[@spitfiremark1a768]

What a beautiful Spitfire.

[@bmused55]

As replicas go, it certainly looks the part. Doesn't sound too bad either. Going for that V8 has lent it a nice throaty sound. Unlike the replicas that go for regular aviation engines and sound like a cessna which just destroys the effort of making it look right. I'm sure R. J. Mitchell would be pleased as punch that so many years after he design the Spitfire, people are still making and flying replicas of it. But nothing beat the real thing with a merlin throbbing away up front. I just watched a genuine Battle or Britain Spitfire at an airshow and just... wow.

[@Craig52-zq1bt]

Love it!

[@jjt1093]

Very impressive build !

[@StevenSmith-pt8rz]

Saw a vid. Where someone used a bmw v12 and the sound of it was so so close to that of a Merlin.

[@mattmichael6792]

The Jim O’Hara 2/3 scale P-38 will soon be revealed in Sport Aviation.

[@woooster17]

That’s just great.. what a thing to build, pursue your passions and anything is possible 👏🏼 Coming into land, it’s genuinely hard to tell it’s a 70% scale kit.. I’m sure the engine is reliable.. but maybe add some oil streaks beneath the fuselage and wings 😉

[@richardbreisch8049]

Nailed it!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

What a stunning machine 👍

[@edstoro3883]

VERY nice job! Excellent panel, nice how you kept the nose the correct length and relation to the fuselage. Curious why no door? Having built Marcels first 75% Spit I know the trials and tribulations you went through. That wing is soooo sweet. Lots of safe and happy flying.

[@Tjoppy]

To quote Peli from The Mandalorian: she's purring!

[@alangood8190]

Simply superb. Well done.

[@garnetgourlay3988]

Was this scale model originally built in Australia by Super Marine ,transferred to U S A 2011

[@alangood8190]

@@garnetgourlay3988 Sorry, I have no idea. You might get a quicker reply if you post your question on the main thread as opposed to here.

[@thephilpott2194]

I'm English but i'm not going to a snob about this; it's totally worthwhile. We have a saying here for things that move fast- 'Goes like shit off a shovel'. That thing goes like hell with a little 3.6 litre engine, so that's a compliment both to the builder and to the ORIGINAL design. Forget those nasty Cessnas, this is the way to travel on a budget. Might actually be a fine engine choice, you want weight in the nose but not so much that it's prone to nose over. Good job. Economical. You know the guy's happy with his horse when he dismounts with a grin and can't even find the words to describe it.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

3.65 L engine 219 cu in disp

[@bernie2108]

A beauty, congratulations, and many safe and happy hours in her. One question, did you 'acquire' the tail wheel from a Cessna 140? so out of character.

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

Absolutely brilliant

[@c.morees9698]

It isn't a Merlin..but it is for sure one of the most beautifull Spitfires ever built!!!!!!!!!

[@stuartgarfatth1448]

Superb!.

[@robertmarsh3588]

Nice job!! Looks gorgeous though I miss the Merlin sound. Must be hugely cheaper to run though!

[@rachidluildha2676]

I may be spoiled but I think fitting the Dodge V-10 of the Viper or the Ram on a 85% sized replica would grant you the power and the sound of the Merlin.

[@StevenSmith-pt8rz]

Never thought of that.Interesting idea.

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

45mph stall is spectacular, you could land on a road with that. It could probably be made to STOL... I have some ideas... CF FTW

[@MillieSadie1]

perfection achieved ! are plans available ?

[@rv6ejguy]

It's a one-off. No plans available.

[@johnny5stickswilliams696]

That is so cool 😎

[@marthakrumboltz2710]

Those Buick aluminum V8s are getting rare, no? Excellent job. It appears to be a fairly early model. Again, good job and best of luck.

[@rkirschner7175]

OUTSTANDING. 🦅

[@shanethepain2009]

Looks very accurate

[@TheJustinJ]

Impressive design. Interesting and rather obscure engine choice. Seems to work very well. Most spitfire replicas and many scale models don't get the wing right. This one is not to scale also, but its exceptionally well done and the difference is difficult to notice.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

jj4791 The engine a small all aluminum V8 was one of GM successful aluminum engines, lightweight and enough power !! !

[@ShockeWulf190]

Amazing!

[@josephgunnett7715]

Yep,spot on.

[@alexanderreimer387]

I have an 80% scaled Spad 13 with a Rover 4.2 ( British Buick 258 CID) but it has never flown because I am over weight…,!!😱

[@StevenSmith-pt8rz]

Ouch ! ☹️

[@haroldmclean3755]

Very Good 😊👍

[@vidal536]

Magnífico trabajo!!!!!!!

[@Glicksman1]

Except for the too large canopy and wheels, it looks very convincing. In the air it really looks like the real thing. Wonderful replica and economical to operate and maintain, unlike a full scale one. Of course it requires constant attention in the air. The real one did as well, especially regarding pitch. It's a matter of the design. It was not made for touring and relaxing. It was made for fighting to the death.

[@TheJustinJ]

Spot On comment. The Spitfire was balanced less than 1% MAC ahead of the Neutral Point. The original neutral/relaxed static stability fighter. An abrupt pitch-up or turn would continue to tighten unless the stick was returned forward and a minimum radius turn could be sustained even with slight forward pressure on the stick. It wanted to diverge and turn harder. I will say, on this model they got the airfoil thickness distribution very wrong. If the origional (re)designer had rejected conventional wisdom about and utilized the spitfires very unconventional distribution that model would be stellar.

[@Glicksman1]

@@TheJustinJ Thank you. Stellar in what way and for what purpose? It would, for sure, be very difficult to fly. Is that a good purpose? The original Spit was intended solely to fight in aerial combat and give its pilot an edge. It did that, but at the expense of stability regarding pitch and self-correction in the roll axes, as we have said. It was also not a fast roller and overly sensitive in the yaw axis. What would be stellar about this particular civilian pleasure boat flying like that? For what purpose? To fight 70% replica Bf-109s? Yes, it uses a more benign airfoil. So? The original airfoil was created to give the aeroplane higher airspeed for its power while still allowing the eight guns to be installed within. Neither of these requirements exist for this model Spit. The original Spit's thin airfoil also prevented the carrying of fuel within, greatly limiting the Spit's range. This was a major drawback for the aeroplane throughout the war. No offense is intended. You appear to be knowledgeable on this subject. Please elabourate.

[@tinolino58]

Impressive and inspiring! But the horizontal stabilizer seams to be to small.

[@zefkosta]

Oil cooler fairing is for a Mk V.

[@discount8508]

it might be 70% in scale ..........but its certainly 100% in brilliance

[@markrobinson5109]

Beautiful, 👍👍

[@garyspencer-salt4336]

Now that's a Spitfire

[@dudleysmith5111]

Excellent! Is there a contact where we could obtain more detailed information? Thanks!

[@davebarkley8773]

nice

[@alanhodge984]

REMARKABLE!

[@jonathanwright6764]

Beautiful and the closest you will probably get to owning one unless you’ve got a couple of million pounds to spare

[@alan-sk7ky]

1:06 How very appropriate, powered by a Rover 3.5L V8 🙂

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

alan-sk7ky Its a BUICL 219 CU IN all aluminum V8 that Buick used for years then sold it to Rover, its a BUICK V8 !! ! DUUUUHH!!!!!!

[@Daaremikkel]

What an inspiring accomplishment! Although HE ignition tends to be very reliable with good parts, isn't a lack of redundancy a concern?

[@TheJustinJ]

The reason Lycoming and TCM engines have two spark plugs per cylinder is their 5" or larger bores, the flame front speed cannot consume that much fuel/air mixture in time at maximum RPM. Two plugs increase efficiency and power by a substantial amount, approximately 50-150rpm static. The reason they have two Magnetos is because its a technical challenge to drive two plugs simultaneously from one source. And because a magneto struggles to produce 10,000 volts whereas coils produce 25-50k volts easily. Magnetos also fail approximately once every 1,500 hours. Having two for redundancy is almost certainly required to make 2,000hr TBO without an inflight power failure, forced landing, and potential injury or fatality. Having two magnetos doubles the chance of a mag failure but cuts the chance of a complete engine failure to a square root type of figure due to the low statistical probability of both mags failing simultaneously. Electronic ignition fails about once every 50,000hrs and its usually plug or wire related therefore maintainence dependent. How many vehicles less than 10 years old have you seen on the side of the road because of Ignition problems? Almost none. Even Points/Distributors are 100x more reliable than the Junk which the FAA has mandated upon the world against reason and everything good and holy.

[@thephilpott2194]

Probably wouldn't get certified in the UK without 2 plugs per cyl. and two ignition systems. It's a somewhat outdated stance dating back to the time of magnetos (as the other commenter has hinted at.)

[@calvacoca]

Oooh shit, each time you cut the video too soon when the plane is passing so we can't hear the full sound of the plane 😱

[@paullanham1014]

Totally agree how frustrating

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Very nice, kudos. :o)

[@jerryclayton4616]

Where do I get plans to build???????

[@rv6ejguy]

No Plans for this. Was a one off.

[@RobotoForgoto]

Pretty thing!

[@mobius5002]

Does it overheat on the ground like the real thing?

[@rv6ejguy]

Olle Gladso: Only one carb too. Plenty of single points of failure on a single engine aircraft...

[@boss2234]

The wing loading would have been a trick

[@stevenborham1584]

In all respects an excellent take on the spitfire. I think replica aircraft at this scale sound way better with the muscle car (V-8) impression of power. Any v-12s that I've seen put in them sound outboard motor-ish, as they have to rev much higher than one is used to hearing for their power to weight justification of use. The common choice of a reliable v-8 over some rare highly strung v-12 is always appreciated here! I would love to see something really outlandish though, something with a Roots blower and a bug catcher hanging out the top of the cowl 😁🙃😉

[@TheClass56xxfan]

why not just build full size?

[@washburnb1]

Wonderful work! In my unprofessional opinion, the Spitfire is the most beautiful aircraft ever made (B-17 is close..👍). Regardless of scale. And the Battle of Britain was a high point of western civilization. But, hats off to the stalwart Hurricane, too.

[@gordonemery6949]

Needs some kills painting on the sides😊

[@PietroMalaguti]

I guess the cost of such a thing will be very high

[@AquaMarine1000]

Textbook takeoff and landing.

[@noremorsewoodworking2258]

I am guessing it is a Mk VII/X?

[@robertmarsh3588]

Looks like a Mk1 or Mk2 copy to me

[@johnfisher723]

@@robertmarsh3588 The oil cooler under the left wing has a fully circular opening, with would line up with the Mk Vs, and since it has 8 Browning machine gun armament (!), that would make it a Mk Va. But it looks to me to be painted up to look like a Battle of Britain era Spit Mk 1a.

[@stevebroughton4787]

Based on a Mk.I Mk.I to Mk.V had a round oil cooler on the left wing, radiator on the right wing. The Mk.IX onwards had two radiators.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Good but why not 100% scale. 70% nearly there. graceful looking back in the day high performance too

[@JosephHHHo]

The other 30% would add significant material cost and labor to an already daunting project and just result in a final product that is more expensive to operate and maintain with no real benefit. Without the need to carry guns and bullets or maneuver for life and death, scaling down is a good compromise for what these hobbiests want to accomplish.

[@balsumfractus]

The last 100% scale Spit that I know of cost north of $3 million to build......

[@GSimpsonOAM]

It is a 3 dimensional model so volume of it is 0.7x0.7x0.7= 0.34 So will be around a 1/3rd of the mass of a full scale. Not to mention the lack of armour plate and guns etc. A lot less power required.

[@dicktator3196]

dub a Merlin engine sound over this and you would not know the difference

[@airbornesoldier8104]

She’s a babe

[@alisonhamerm.i.q.a2323]

fantastic airframe , but the sound is just not there . and the sound was 50% of the planes appeal

[@alisonhamerm.i.q.a2323]

V12 car engine would have been better

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@alisonhamerm.i.q.a2323 They still do not sound right as they turn way faster than 2800 RPM of a Merlin !!! DUUUUUUHHH!!!!!!

[@alisonhamerm.i.q.a2323]

Correct as I have flown one from 1993 - 1995 (MH434) DUUUUUUUUUUHHH LOL @@wilburfinnigan2142

[@russchadwell]

Remote control?

[@rv6ejguy]

You watched the video?

[@russchadwell]

@@rv6ejguy I saw a person inside it working on it, and it did some taxi experiments, but I don't know if that same person was inside of it during taxi. I mean it is big enough to easily carry a person in flight. But, I don't recall seeing anyone controlling it from inside. Maybe it could do both. Pilot inside for flight. And, also remote control flight? Where in the video did it explain how it is controlled? I missed that part.

[@rv6ejguy]

@@russchadwell Have you ever seen an R/C plane with cockpit controls, functioning instruments, radios etc? Ever seen an R/C plane with an automotive V8 or one this big? I haven't...

[@russchadwell]

@@rv6ejguy What I saw was this: A large aircraft, apparently a scale representation of a B-29. Many times a scale representation ends up being remote controlled from what I've seen. In the video, I did see someone inside, laying down, working on a control panel. But, I didn't see what appeared to be pilot controls. I only saw a push button panel. So, I must have missed any shots showing the pilot controls. Sorry. The video is some large portion of an hour. I'm not scouring that to see if pilot controls are shown in the video. So, I merely asked if this scaled representation of a B-29 was RC To your point, though, the military took some of their first functioning jets and turned them into drones for target practice. And there have been experiments using airliners as large, remote controlled aircraft. One such airliner was used to crash test fuel burning scenarios. So, it is possible. Anyway, I can tell from the sarcasm now that this is not RC.

[@gusgone4527]

It looks good but the sound is all wrong! Once one hears a well tuned merlin running through it's rev range. Nothing else comes close.