2005      2006

Written & Built by Stuart.

This pictorial review is a personal one for your entertainment and general information it is not the opinion of any other party regarding this product. Comments and any reference techniques made are of my personal findings pertaining to this original kit. I hope it may of some use to those of you wishing to build this type of model etc. should you have any comments feel free to contact me through the contact us page. I will add to this page as and when each stage is approached along with pictures.

The time taken to build this model bears no reflection on the kit in any way, just my lack of time running business!

This is an original DB kit supplied with foam wings and typical balsa construction.

The wings are supplied in three parts with the centre section being fully sheeted and outer wings sheeted on the bottom only with 3/16 balsa, the tops to be completed and profiled by builder.

There's a lot of work to be done with the wings just think yourself lucky the new kits are only available with a built up wing from DB Sport and Scale - website  www.dbsportandscale.com 

The planned specifications are wingspan 81", weight 18-20lb, Engine: 20-40cc 2st. or 30-60cc 4st. Scale is approx.1/5.

It is worth pointing out that this kit and the new kits come with an original sloping sided canopy.

Essential Item - Good mask, as there's a lot of sanding to be done.

This is a good 'builders' kit, the good design and step by step assembly make for a straight forward build. With the trickiest part of the build being the fuselage lamination to maintaining symmetry, yet with a good building board this will be no problem. The foam wings are something else but as mentioned discontinued so if your fairly new to building or want to give a larger build a go you won't go far wrong with the DB Spitfire, and there's always a helpful voice at the other end of the DB Kits telephone!

Two flights in yellow Primer!		Opposite the model is ready for a test flight in primer yellow,  with retracts and split flaps. The box said weight 20lb and 30cc engine 2c. Mine came out at 25lb so fitted a Zenoah 38cc. As a rule of thumb to fly you need 25% of the weight in static thrust i.e.. 25% of 25lb = 6.25lb of static thrust required. With static checks made the Zenoah with a 20 x 8 (Classic Prop) give me 11.lb at 7K RPM - 20 x 6 (Wood) 15 lb. static thrust at 7K RPM. So without further ado my first test flight attempted with the 20x8 and playing safe I dropped about 30% flap. Full throttle - knees knocking the model took of perfectly. Only small trimming required. I was surprised how stable and responsive - too responsive for my liking, though in fairness flying on full control movements!
The power from the Zenoah was perfect, I guess a Zenoah 45cc would make it ballistic. I had only put a 16oz tank in the front (so playing very safe) after 12 minutes should attempt some dummy landings with flaps engaged. Unfortunately when I hit the smallest flap setting she nosed dived. I hadn't set enough up elevator in the mix, this meant a faster landing on the rough grass -ok. For the second flight I set the spectrum up for dual rate switches to operate Expo on Ail. & Elev. (32%) and flew with 'adjust mode' on flap/elev. mix. Thus making it easy to switch flap in & out - adjusting elevator accordingly. Such that my second flight went perfectly with a full flap landing - smooth. At last I can now paint. I hope you like the paint scheme, opted for desert colours (hence yellow matt primer- keep weight down)  Panel lines stencilled in and sealed with a light dusting of polyurethane satin.

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