For visitors to my website, my “Build of the Month” (BOTM) Series was created to help those who are trying to get started in building their own Radio Controlled (RC) Model Aircraft.
"Aerofred.com" and "Outerzone.co.uk" are two of my favorite web sites to obtain free RC model airplane plans for my new builds. Additionally, they like to post images of Builder's models, and both sites have posted my RC model images and build descriptions under the heading of the associated aircraft model. Other good sources for free plans are: "Hip Pocket Aeronautics Builders' Plan Gallery", "Vintage & Old-Timer RCM Free Plans", "James Hatton Blog Free Plans and Articles", "Hlsat Blog RCModeler Free Plans and Articles", and "Don Dewey Memorial RCM Plans Collection."
If you are currently not an active builder, and you would like to be, my BOTM Series is a great place to start. If you have an RC model aircraft that you would like to see featured in this section or feel others may find interesting, please let me know and I will make every attempt to find scratch build plans, photos, and maybe even a published build article, which I will then post in one of my future BOTM editions. Just send me an email @: Build of the Month.
All prior “BOTM” Editions are now available for you viewing pleasure @: BOTM Series Archive I, or BOTM Series Archive II.
NOTE - You can view all images in a “Spotlight Box” by simply clicking on any image.
Build of the Month WW-II Mini-Series - February 2025 Edition
I hope you enjoyed last months BOTM WW-II Mini-Series 4th Edition on the Ilyushin IL-2 Stormovik model. If you have an RC model that you would like to see featured in this section or feel others may find interesting, please let me know and I will make every attempt to find scratch build plans, photos, and maybe even a published build article, which will then post in a future edition. Just send me an email @: Build of the Month.
Ok, now lets see what I have for the month of February 2025. Continuing with the “BOTM WW-II Mini-Series,” for the 5th Edition we will look again at the European Theater but this time on the Western Front. How about a fighter that was the best-known British airplane of WW-II. So given these requirements, this 5th Edition of my BOTM WW-II Mini-Series features the Supermarine Spitfire, a fighter manufactured by Great Britain.
Images Source: Wikipedia Spitfire Webpage.
Image Source: An Illustrated Anatomy Of the World’s Fighters.
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. It was the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war. The Spitfire remains popular among enthusiasts.
The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works, which operated as a subsidiary of Vickers-Armstrong from 1928. Mitchell developed the Spitfire's distinctive elliptical wing (designed by Beverley Shenstone) with innovative sunken rivets to have the thinnest possible cross-section, achieving a potential top speed greater than that of several contemporary fighter aircraft, including the Hawker Hurricane. Mitchell continued to refine the design until his death in 1937, whereupon his colleague Joseph Smith took over as chief designer.
The Spitfire is notable for its sleek, slender body, which allowed a maximum speed of 580 km/h. It’s also famous because its design and aerodynamic capabilities allowed it to sustain damage and remain in the air. This allowed pilots to withstand a beating during combat and keep on fighting, much to the enemy’s frustration.
Developed in 1938, the Spitfire was kept under wraps during the start of WW-II, with the Hawker Hurricane doing most of Britain’s aerial bidding. Soon, it became clear that the Hurricane was no match for German air superiority, forcing them to try the Spitfire. It did not disappoint!
In addition to its design, the power of the Spitfire was unmatched during WW-II. It had 8 machine guns mounted to deliver a rain of fire to bombers and ground targets alike. It was among the only airplanes that could seriously challenge the aerial superiority of the German juggernaut, the Messerschmitt Bf-109.
During the Battle of Britain, the more numerous Hurricane flew more sorties resisting the Luftwaffe, but the Spitfire captured the public's imagination as the main RAF fighter, in part because the Spitfire was generally a better fighter aircraft than the Hurricane. Spitfire units had a lower attrition rate and a higher victory-to-loss ratio than Hurricanes, most likely due to Spitfire’s higher performance. During the battle, Spitfires generally engaged Luftwaffe fighters, mainly Messerschmitt Bf 109E–series aircraft, which were a close match for them.
The Spitfire reigned the skies during the Battle of Britain as it shot down 529 enemy aircraft, effectively regaining allied control of the air and keeping Britain in the war. It went on to succeed further afield from Europe to the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters of war. In all, over 20,000 Spitfires were built in different variants.
Owing to its wide usage in WW-II and iconic status, many Spitfires have survived into preservation. Some 240 Spitfires are preserved as of 2023; this includes around 60 which are airworthy. Many air museums have Spitfires on static display, for example, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry has paired a static Spitfire with a static Ju 87 R-2/Trop Stuka dive bomber.
- Supermarine MK 24 Spitfire Aircraft Specifications:
- Crew: One
- Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
- Height: 11 ft 5 in (3.48 m)
- Wing area: 242.1 sq ft (22.49 m2)
- Empty weight: 5,065 lb (2,297 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,700 lb (3,039 kg)
- Power plant: 1 – Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,470 hp (1,100 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Rotol constant-speed propeller
- Maximum speed: 370 mph (600 km/h, 320 kn)
- Range: 479 mi (771 km, 416 nmi)
- Combat range: 248 mi (399 km, 216 nmi)
- Ferry range: 1,100 mi (1,800 km, 960 nmi) with fuel tank
- Service ceiling: 36,500 ft (11,100 m)
- Rate of Climb: 2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)
- Guns: 2 – 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannon (120 rounds per gun)
- 2 – .50 in M2 Browning machine guns (250 rounds per gun)
- Rockets: 2 RP-3 rockets (1 under each wing)
Images Source: RC Universe Webpage.
Plan Images are extracts from Top Flite Plans.
RC MODEL CONSTRUCTION: The Top Flite Gold Edition Spitfire model was chosen to replicate the Mk IX — the second most popular Spitfire ever, reaching a total production of 5,665 aircraft. Considered to be the finest Spitfire of all, the Mk IX went into operational service in July, 1942. The RC model was designed and plans drawn by Craig A. Golema, and the instructions are by Tim Lampe.
Craig's plans are full-size, clearly laid out, and give part locations and descriptions. The plans are used in conjunction with a well-illustrated assembly manual into which Tim has obviously put a lot of work into. Included are not only pictures and step-by-step text, but helpful building tips to make the job easier. Everything you need to know is in it. Just to name a few other items needed to complete the model like hardware, building supplies, tools, and a layout of the die-cut parts. Then there are also sections on engine types, retracts, flaps, and even some tips on scale detailing! What more could you ask for!
Recommended engine sizes include .61-.75 cu. in. 2-stroke, or .70-.91 cu. in. 4-stroke. The Spitfire will fly well with any of the recommended engines. The 4-stroke engines and most .75 cu. in. 2-stroke engines will turn a larger prop at lower RPM. This is often desirable for scale realism. Many .61 cu. in. 2-stroke engines produce about as much horsepower as the popular .75 2-stroke engines and will fly the Spitfire extremely well. If you use a .61 2-stroke, a ball bearing, Schnuerle-ported engine is recommended. The prototype Spitfire weighs 9-1/2 pounds with all of the options, including flaps and the scale cockpit interior and was flown with an O.S. .61 cu. in. engine. This engine provided excellent performance and more than enough power. Although larger engines can be used to power this model, the extra horsepower is not needed.
You can build your Spitfire either with fixed or retractable landing gear. Of course, fixed landing gear will be easier to install than retracts; but Top Flite provides detailed instructions on retract installation so you should have no trouble. The Gold Edition Spitfire is designed to accept the Robart #605 90 degree HD (Heavy Duty with 3/16" struts) pneumatic retracts. You may use other retractable landing gear systems but it is up to you to make any modifications that may be necessary. The Spitfire's fuselage is large enough for straight forward radio gear installation and it still allows plenty of room for the optional scale cockpit kit and retract air tank.
The Top Flite Spitfire is designed to incorporate scale split flaps; however, flaps are optional and not necessary for an excellent flying experience. Without flaps, the takeoff roll is longer and the landing speed is faster. The flaps are not difficult to build, but they do require good craftsmanship to fit well. Flaps add nicely to the model's flight characteristics and scale appearance. Only slight trim correction is needed when flaps are used with the recommended throws. Flaps are highly recommended for those who wish to install them.
- RC Model Specifications:
- Aircraft Type: 1/7th Sport Scale Warbird
- Wing Span: 63″
- Total Wing Area: 687 square inches
- Wing loading: 25-28.5 oz/sq. in.
- Wing Location: Low Wing
- Wing Platform: Double Taper
- Fuselage Length: 53″
- Center of Gravity: 4-1/8″ from the leading edge of the wing
- Number of Channels: 4-6 - Throttle, Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator, Flaps, and Retract Gear
- Ready to Fly Weight: 7.5-8.5 lbs. depending on power system selection
- Glow Fuel Engines: .61-.75 cu. in. 2-stroke, or .70-.91 cu. in. 4-stroke
- Electric Powered: Output of 1,200-1,500 Watts, 80 Amp ESC, 6 cell 45C LiPo pack of 5,000mah, and APC 11x7 - 14x7 E-series prop.
The Spitfire Mk IX RC model in this months edition can be built using a set of full-size plans, assembly manual, and review article available @: “Outerzone.”
Outerzone Spitfire Mk IX Webpage.
I hope you have enjoyed this months selection, and just maybe, I have spurred some interest in trying your hand at building an RC model airplane.
Until next month - Keep the Balsa Dust Flying!!
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