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Top Flite Models SPITFIRE Mk IX - User Manual

Top Flite Models SPITFIRE Mk IX
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WARRANTY.....Top Flite Models guarantees this kit to be free of defects in both
material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component parts
damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Top Flite‘s liability exceed the original cost of the
purchased kit. Further, Top Flite reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
In that Top Flite has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no
liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final
user-assembled product. By the act of using the user-assembled product the user accepts all
resulting liability.
If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the
buyer is advised to immediately return this kit in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.
Top Flite Models
P.O. Box 788
Urbana, Il 61803
Technical Assistance - Call (217)398-8970
SPF6P03 V1.0
READ THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION BOOK FIRST. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.
Entire Contents © Copyright 1997
USA
MADE IN

Table of Contents

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Summary

MODEL SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL PRECAUTIONS

GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

General safety instructions for assembling and operating the model.

SEEKING EXPERIENCED ASSISTANCE

Advice on getting help from experienced modelers and joining AMA.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPITFIRE MODEL

SPITFIRE MODEL OVERVIEW

Information about the Spitfire Mk IX and the kit's construction.

CRITICAL BUILDING PRECAUTIONS

BUILDING SAFETY GUIDELINES

Key instructions for safe and correct assembly and operation of the model.

DECISIONS BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION

ENGINE SELECTION GUIDANCE

Guidance on choosing the appropriate engine size and type for the model.

ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS

EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Details on headers and mufflers for engine exhaust.

LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS OPTIONS

RETRACTABLE LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION

Information and parts needed for installing retractable landing gear.

OPTIONAL FLAPS INSTALLATION

Details on building and installing optional flaps for improved flight characteristics.

OPTIONAL SCALE ACCESSORIES

SCALE COCKPIT INTERIOR KIT

Information about the optional scale cockpit kit.

SCALE APPEARANCE ACCESSORIES

SCALE PROPELLER AND SPINNER MODIFICATION

Modifying a propeller and choosing a spinner for scale appearance.

COMPETITION AND DOCUMENTATION

SCALE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

Information on scale competition classes and requirements.

SCALE DOCUMENTATION SOURCES

Where to obtain scale documentation and photos.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED BUILDING ITEMS

REQUIRED ITEMS NOT INCLUDED

A list of necessary components not included in the kit.

ESSENTIAL BUILDING SUPPLIES

RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES AND SUPPLIES

A list of glues, fillers, and other building supplies needed.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND SANDING EQUIPMENT

TOOLS FOR MODEL CONSTRUCTION

A comprehensive list of tools required for building the model.

EASY-TOUCH SANDING SYSTEM

Information on recommended sanding tools and sandpaper.

KEY BUILDING GUIDELINES

SCREW IDENTIFICATION

How to identify and use the different types of screws in the kit.

TEST FITTING AND GLUING ADVICE

Guidance on test fitting parts and selecting appropriate glues.

BUILDING TERMINOLOGY AND ORIENTATION

Explanation of terms like "test fit", "glue", and orientation references.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND MATERIALS

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

A list of abbreviations used in the manual.

TYPES OF WOOD USED

Identification of the different wood types used in the kit.

GET READY TO BUILD

INITIAL ASSEMBLY PREPARATION

Initial steps for preparing the workspace and parts before construction.

BUILDING THE TAIL SURFACES

BUILDING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER

Step-by-step instructions for constructing the horizontal stabilizer.

BUILDING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER

COMPLETING STABILIZER CONSTRUCTION

Final steps for assembling the stabilizer, including hinge blocks.

BUILDING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER

FINAL ELEVATOR ASSEMBLY

Steps for fitting and mounting elevator control horns and making adjustments.

BUILDING THE ELEVATORS

ELEVATOR BASE CONSTRUCTION

Steps for assembling elevator bases, tip blocks, and root blocks.

BUILDING THE ELEVATORS

ELEVATOR HINGE ASSEMBLY

Instructions for cutting and fitting hinges for the elevators and stab.

CA HINGE INSTALLATION NOTES

CA HINGE MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE

Information on using the provided CA hinge material and common mistakes.

BUILDING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER

FINAL ELEVATOR ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENTS

Steps for final fitting, control horn mounting, and elevator throw adjustments.

BUILDING THE FIN

FIN RIB AND LEADING EDGE PREPARATION

Steps for cutting fin ribs and attaching the leading edge core.

BUILDING THE FIN

FIN ASSEMBLY AND SKINNING

Instructions for attaching the fin TE, skinning, and shaping the leading edge.

BUILDING THE RUDDER

RUDDER BASE AND RIB ASSEMBLY

Steps for preparing the rudder base, attaching rudder blocks and ribs.

BUILDING THE RUDDER

RUDDER HINGE SLOTS AND CONTROL HORN

Installing hinge slots, control horn block, and shaping the rudder.

BUILDING THE WING

WING CONSTRUCTION PREPARATIONS

Initial steps for wing construction, including flap bellcrank assembly.

BUILDING THE WING

BUILDING OUTER WING PANELS

Instructions for constructing the left and right outer wing panels.

BUILDING OUTER WING PANELS

WING RIBS AND SPARS ASSEMBLY

Steps for attaching ribs, spars, and leading/trailing edges.

BUILDING OUTER WING PANELS

WING JOINERS AND CENTER SECTION SHEETING

Instructions for installing wing joiners and applying top sheeting to the center section.

BUILDING THE CENTER WING SECTION

CENTER WING SECTION ASSEMBLY

Steps for joining wing bolt plates, ribs, spars, and leading edges.

BUILDING THE CENTER WING SECTION

FLAP MECHANISMS AND WING HARDWARE

Instructions for mounting flap servos, pushrods, and wing bolt plates.

JOINING WING SECTIONS

CONNECTING OUTER TO CENTER WING PANELS

Detailed steps for joining the outer wing panels to the center section using epoxy.

FITTING THE LANDING GEAR

INSTALLING FIXED LANDING GEAR

Steps for fitting and securing fixed landing gear components.

INSTALLING RETRACTABLE LANDING GEAR

Detailed instructions for installing pneumatic retracts, including wheel and axle placement.

FITTING THE LANDING GEAR

MOUNTING RETRACTS AND TESTING

Steps for mounting retract units, testing their operation, and fitting wheel covers.

PREPARING WING PANELS FOR SHEETING

FLAP AND AILERON HARDWARE INSTALLATION

Instructions for installing flap bellcranks, hinge blocks, and aileron servo hatches.

MAKING THE WING SKINS

PREPARING Balsa SHEETS FOR WING SKINS

Steps for joining and preparing balsa sheets for wing skin construction.

MAKING THE WING SKINS

APPLYING BOTTOM WING SHEETING

Instructions for cutting, fitting, and gluing the bottom wing skins.

APPLYING BOTTOM WING SHEETING

ACCOMMODATING LANDING GEAR AND SHEETING

Cutting bottom sheeting for landing gear and fitting wheel covers.

PREPARING TOP WING FOR SHEETING

AILERON SERVO HATCH CUTTING AND FITTING

Instructions for cutting the wing for aileron servo hatches and mounting servo blocks.

PREPARING TOP WING FOR SHEETING

FLAP MECHANISMS AND FUELPROOFING

Steps for installing flap pushrods, Y-harness, and fuelproofing the wing interior.

APPLYING TOP WING SHEETING

TOP WING SKIN FITTING AND GLUING

Instructions for fitting, gluing, and trimming the top wing skins.

BUILDING THE FLAPS

FLAP SKIN CONSTRUCTION AND HINGE LOCATIONS

Steps for cutting flap skins, fitting them to the wing, and marking hinge locations.

BUILDING THE FLAPS

FLAP HINGE INSTALLATION AND CONTROL HORN

Instructions for drilling hinge holes, installing hinges, and mounting flap control horns.

BUILDING THE AILERONS

AILERON BASE AND RIB ASSEMBLY

Steps for attaching the aileron base, leading edge, and ribs.

BUILDING THE AILERONS

AILERON HINGE INSTALLATION AND CONTROL HORN

Instructions for fitting hinges, mounting aileron control horns, and shaping the aileron.

FINISHING THE WING ASSEMBLY

WING LEADING EDGES AND TIPS ATTACHMENT

Steps for gluing and shaping the wing leading edges and attaching wing tips.

FINISHING THE WING ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR INSTALLATION AND SHAPING

Instructions for building radiators and gluing them to the wing.

BUILDING THE FUSELAGE

FRAMING THE FUSELAGE TOP

Steps for preparing the fuselage plan and gluing formers and stringers for the top structure.

BUILDING THE FUSELAGE

FUSELAGE FORMERS AND CRUTCHES ASSEMBLY

Steps for gluing formers, crutches, and the servo tray to form the fuselage structure.

BUILDING THE FUSELAGE

COCKPIT RAILS AND STRINGERS INSTALLATION

Steps for trimming cockpit floor, installing rails, and gluing stringers to the fuselage.

BUILDING THE FUSELAGE

SHEETING THE TOP OF THE FUSELAGE

Instructions for cutting, fitting, and gluing balsa sheets to form the top fuselage skin.

MOUNTING THE FIN AND STAB

STABILIZER PREPARATION AND POSITIONING

Steps for preparing the fuse sheeting, positioning the stab, and checking alignment.

MOUNTING THE FIN AND STAB

FIN GLUING AND ALIGNMENT

Instructions for gluing the fin to the stab and fuselage, and final shaping.

FINISHING FUSELAGE FRAMING

FIREWALL ASSEMBLY AND FORMER ATTACHMENT

Steps for assembling the firewall and attaching it to the fuselage structure.

FINISHING FUSELAGE FRAMING

FUSELAGE CRUTCHES AND STRINGERS INSTALLATION

Gluing lower crutches, stringers, and formers to complete the fuselage frame.

MOUNTING THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY

TAIL GEAR BRACKET AND PLATE ASSEMBLY

Steps for assembling the tail gear bracket, plate, and steering arm.

MOUNTING THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY

TAIL GEAR PUSHROD GUIDE AND STEERING INSTALLATION

Installing the tail gear pushrod guide tube and connecting the steering.

PREPARING FUSELAGE FOR SHEETING

LOWER CRUTCH DOUBLERS AND WING BOLT BLOCKS ATTACHMENT

Gluing doublers and wing bolt blocks to the fuselage crutches.

PREPARING FUSELAGE FOR SHEETING

SHAPING FORMERS AND STRINGERS FOR SHEETING

Sanding formers and stringers to prepare for fuselage sheeting.

SHEETING THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE

BOTTOM FUSELAGE SKIN CUTTING AND GLUING

Instructions for cutting and applying the bottom fuselage skins.

SHEETING THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE

FITTING AND GLUING FUSELAGE BOTTOM SHEETING

Steps for fitting, gluing, and trimming the bottom fuselage sheeting.

FINAL CONSTRUCTION STEPS

MOUNTING THE WING TO THE FUSELAGE

Detailed procedure for attaching the assembled wing to the fuselage.

FINAL CONSTRUCTION STEPS

INSTALLING THE WING FILLET

Steps for fitting and gluing the wing fillets to blend the wing and fuselage.

FINAL CONSTRUCTION STEPS

BUILDING THE BOTTOM WING FAIRING

Instructions for shaping and attaching the bottom wing fairing.

MOUNTING THE ENGINE AND COWL

Steps for installing the engine mount, engine, and cowl components.

MOUNTING THE ENGINE AND COWL

FITTING AND SECURING THE COWL

Detailed steps for fitting the cowl halves, trimming, and marking mounting points.

MOUNTING THE ENGINE AND COWL

COWL FINISHING AND DETAIL ADDITION

Instructions for reinforcing cowl seams, filling, sanding, and cutting air holes.

HOOKING UP THE CONTROLS

THROTTLE SERVO AND FUEL TANK INSTALLATION

Steps for mounting the throttle servo and temporarily installing the fuel tank.

HOOKING UP THE CONTROLS

PUSHROD MAKING AND INSTALLATION

Instructions for making throttle, elevator, and rudder pushrods and connecting them.

HOOKING UP THE CONTROLS

RUDDER AND ELEVATOR SERVO CONNECTION

Steps for connecting rudder and elevator servos and setting up controls.

INSTALLING THE RADIO SYSTEM

RECEIVER AND SERVO TRAY MOUNTING

Instructions for mounting the receiver, battery, and servos on the bottom servo tray.

INSTALLING THE RADIO SYSTEM

BATTERY PACK AND RADIO SWITCH MOUNTING

Steps for securing the battery pack and mounting the on/off switch.

INSTALLING THE COCKPIT AND CANOPY

COCKPIT INTERIOR PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION

Instructions for cutting, fitting, and installing cockpit components.

INSTALLING THE COCKPIT AND CANOPY

CANOPY ATTACHMENT AND FUSELAGE TRIMS

Steps for fitting, marking, and trimming the canopy and fuselage.

MODEL FINISHING AND PREPARATION

FUELPROOFING CRITICAL AREAS

Applying fuelproof paint to areas exposed to fuel or exhaust.

PREPARING MODEL FOR COVERING

Steps for inspecting, filling, sanding, and cleaning the model before covering.

LATERAL BALANCE ADJUSTMENT

BALANCING THE AIRPLANE LATERALLY

Procedure for ensuring the model is balanced side-to-side for stable flight.

COVERING WITH MONOKOTE

MONOKOTE COVERING TECHNIQUES AND TIPS

General advice and techniques for applying Monokote covering material.

APPLYING DECORATIVE TRIM SCHEMES

MAKING INVASION STRIPES

A technique for applying invasion stripes using masking tape and panel liner.

COVERING SEQUENCE GUIDELINES

ORDER OF COVERING APPLICATION

Recommended sequence for applying covering to fuselage, wing, and control surfaces.

PAINTING MODEL COMPONENTS

PAINTING PLASTIC PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

Instructions for preparing, priming, and painting plastic parts and accessories.

JOINING THE CONTROL SURFACES

CONTROL SURFACE HINGING

Steps for hinging control surfaces using CA and epoxy.

ADDING SCALE DETAILS

COCKPIT INTERIOR AND PILOT INSTALLATION

Instructions for adding scale cockpit details and the pilot figure.

INSTALLING THE CANOPY

CANOPY MASKING AND PAINTING

Guidance on masking and painting the canopy frame.

SCALE PROPELLER AND SPINNER CREATION

DISPLAY PROPELLER MODIFICATION

Instructions for modifying a display propeller for scale accuracy.

SCALE PROPELLER AND SPINNER CREATION

WOOD OR PLASTIC PROPELLER CREATION

Alternative methods for creating a static display propeller and spinner.

ADDING SCALE GUNS AND ANTENNA

GUNS AND ANTENNA MAST FABRICATION

Instructions for creating and mounting scale guns and the antenna mast.

ADDING SCALE DETAILS

WHEEL COVERS, RADIATORS, GUN COVERS INSTALLATION

Steps for fitting and attaching scale wheel covers, radiators, and machine gun covers.

APPLYING PANEL LINES

Techniques for adding realistic panel lines using pens or tape.

APPLYING DECALS AND FINAL TRIM

APPLYING MODEL DECALS

Instructions for cleaning, trimming, and applying decals to the model.

PREPARING FOR FLIGHT

BALANCING THE MODEL (CG)

Determining and adjusting the model's balance point for stable flight.

PREPARING FOR FLIGHT

FINAL HOOKUPS AND CONTROL CHECKS

Ensuring all connections are secure and controls move correctly.

SETTING CONTROL SURFACE THROWS

Recommended throws for elevator, rudder, ailerons, and flaps.

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST AND PROCEDURES

MODEL IDENTIFICATION AND BATTERY CHARGING

Ensuring model identification and proper battery charging.

PROPELLER BALANCING AND GROUND CHECKS

Balancing propellers and performing essential ground checks of the model.

SELECTING A SAFE FLYING LOCATION

Guidance on choosing an appropriate and safe place to fly your model.

RADIO RANGE CHECK AND FINAL INSPECTION

Performing radio range checks and a comprehensive pre-flight inspection.

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST AND PROCEDURES

BALANCE, COMPONENT SECURITY, AND FASTENER CHECKS

Verifying CG, securing components, and checking critical fasteners with thread lock.

CONTROL SYSTEM CHECKS AND PUSHROD MANAGEMENT

Checking control direction, throws, clevises, pushrods, and servo connections.

ENGINE AND PROPELLER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Essential safety measures for operating model engines and propellers.

OPERATIONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES

AMA SAFETY CODE EXCERPTS

Key safety regulations from the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

ENGINE AND FUEL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Precautions for handling fuel and operating the model engine safely.

FLYING THE SPITFIRE

TAKEOFF PROCEDURES

Guidance on performing a safe takeoff, including using dual rates.

FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTROL RATES

Information on flying the model, recommended control rates, and handling.

FLYING THE SPITFIRE

FLUTTER WARNING AND PREVENTION

Information on identifying and preventing control surface flutter.

FLAPS USAGE AND LANDING APPROACH

Guidance on using flaps for landing and general flying advice.

LANDING PROCEDURES

Techniques for performing safe landings with the Spitfire.

Top Flite Models SPITFIRE Mk IX Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandTop Flite Models
ModelSPITFIRE Mk IX
CategoryToy
LanguageEnglish

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