Spitfire PV270 returning to the air again soon...

[steve dickey]

[quote="pnaeroneer"]I thought you Spitfire enthusiasts might like to see photos of my R/C model of Al Deere's Spitfire alongside the real thing"

"The model was scratch-built by Merv Matthews of Palmerston North, N.Z. from an enlarged plan of a Mk IX Spitfire. Its wingspan is 6 feet and weighs just under 11 lbs. It was built largely from balsa and plywood, with the spinner and engine cowling moulded from fibreglass. The cockpit canopy was vacuum-formed using a device he made from an old fridge compressor. The engine is an O.S. Engines 15cc four-stroke running on glow fuel. The scale retracting undercarriage was made to order by a specialist company in Britain and it includes sprung oleos. It is finished in the colours and markings of Al Deere's original Spitfire - "AL" serial EN568. A feature of the radio control equipment allows different elevator trim settings to be selected during flight for full throttle, cruise, and landing trims. It has had about ten flights so far, including two demonstration flights at the "Wings Over Wairarapa 2009" air show at Masterton.

Regards

Merv Matthews

[Canso42]

I'm with Michel. I like that trailer!

[steve dickey]

Another photo from Merv with a story.

"Thanks for putting the Spitfire photos up on the forum Steven.

As a matter of interest, this is the second Spitfire I have built. The first one is a 64 inch span model of OU-V serial MK280. This was Johnny Houlton's third Spitfire when he was CO of 485 (NZ) Squadron in 1944. His fourth Spitfire, also OU-V, is still flying today as you are probably aware. He used the letter 'V' for his girlfriend "Vicki", later to become Mrs Houlton.

Here's an anecdote you might find interesting:

Ten years ago (Feb 99) I was flying OU-V at a Warbirds model meeting over in Hastings. I was preparing the model for flight when an elderly gent walked up and commented "I see you've got Johnny Houlton's Spitfire there". I agreed with him. He then said "You've got the wrong serial number on it." I replied - "I don't think so - I got the number off a photo in a book about Spitfires". He insisted, "No - it should be ML407. Anyway, I've got the logbooks at home. I'll let you know".

A few days later I received a letter from him confirming that I was correct. It turns out he was a pilot in 485 Squadron and he included extracts from his logbook which showed that he had actually flown OU-V / MK280 on a patrol over the English channel in April 1944. His name was Max Collett, and he has since died.

What a coincidence that he should show up at a model meeting held once a year and that I had decided to make the trip to Hastings and attend that year.

Merv"

[TimAPNY]

Here is the trip from the workshop to the airport a couple of days back, Fielding to RNZAF Ohakea – about 20kms.

PeterA

Images:- Brendon Deere

What is with the Hole in the tree line for the power lines? I've never seen anything like that before.

AND it is great to hear that another Spit is about to take to the air!

Tim

[Bill Greenwood]

If I had that Spitfire on the truck bed, just for a few months I think I would keep it like that, less the tiedown straps and put up a big sigh next to it to the effect. "WORLD'S SHORTEST RUNWAY, SPITFIRE LANDING ON A TRUCK"., like some of the Cub guys. You could have some fun with that for awhile, until you got a few shows interested in booking you and wanting to firm up the date.

Best of luck to them on flying it. I know of a pilot, with some Spitfire Mk IX time, who has spare time and would like to visit down under.

[warbird1]

Best of luck to them on flying it. I know of a pilot, with some Spitfire Mk IX time, who has spare time and would like to visit down under.

I don't think Jim Beasley would be interested. After all he believes that real Spits are powered by Griffons, not the weaker Rolls Royces!

[DaveM2]

Umm...the Spit made its public debut at Classic Fighters back in April and flew for the first time on 18 March.

Dave

[Bill Greenwood]

As for Griffon vs Merlin, well I 'd love to fly either, but Id do more study if I was flying a Griffon.

To defend the purity of the Merlin, as brawny as the bigger guy looks, AND SOUNDS, the little jewel is still the one that rules Reno, despite all the bomber engines, Learjet wings, and plastic Toyota wonders that people throw against them.

For fighter vs. fighter, I will quote no less than ace wing commander Johnnie Johnson, " A well flown MK IX was the equal of anything. "

[C VEICH]

Umm...the Spit made its public debut at Classic Fighters back in April and flew for the first time on 18 March.

Dave

Yes, note that the initial post in this thread is from January of this year.

[Jim Beasley]

I dunno about that -- PV270 is magnificent. I've been following it and it is really amazing. Congrats on her and the great story behind the colors makes it even better. Jim

Best of luck to them on flying it. I know of a pilot, with some Spitfire Mk IX time, who has spare time and would like to visit down under.

I don't think Jim Beasley would be interested. After all he believes that real Spits are powered by Griffons, not the weaker Rolls Royces!

[Bill Greenwood]

Hey Jim, I'll trade you some flight time. I've got a plane just like that you can fly. I'll even give you a 20 to 1 margin. You can have 20 hours in mine for me getting one hour in you XVIII. And mine is pretty much just like the one down under. Well, mine is almost like that one, Instead of being RC , mine is line control and is powered by a COX .049, and if you guys like to add a little rpm for extra margin then the COX is fine with that, it turns about 20,000 rpm. It was a gift to me, is still brand new and I 've got a race P-51 also, same thing, new in the box never opened. I haven't had the courage to go out and fly them. I have a little line control time, but only with a J3 and this Spit and Mustang look like a whole other world of speed.

Take care