Guillow Spitfire RC Conversion

Guillow Spitfire RC Conversion
In this video I will discuss the building of the Guillow Spitfire RC conversion step by step. The Spitfire is an iconic fighter aircraft of World War II, and makes for an excellent Guillow's model airplanes RC conversion project.
As with any Guillow's RC conversion step by step, the first task is to look over the plans and think through the conversion. I usually build the wing first, adding ailerons, then the fuselage and covering. The electric motor is listed below. I use three channels for control, with elevator, throttle and ailerons.
Like all Guillows kits, the Spitfire is based on stick and tissue construction. I made a few deviations, to include the use of heat shrink covering. Other than that, the Guillows build is quite straightforward.
An important part, of course, is the Guillows model airplanes flying. I had several good test flights. Plenty of aileron throw, as well as the elevator, made for a nimble flyer.
Best of luck with your future Guillows model planes and conversion to RC flight!
Thanks to viewer John H. from Michigan for supplying me with this kit for review.
Regards, Tim McKay
Guillow Spitfire components:
Suppo A1504 brushless motor (www.AltitudeHobbies.com)
Hitec HS40 servos
Castle Talon 15 ESC
Spektrum AR410 receiver
ThunderPower 2 cell lipo 325 battery
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Zero lessons learned
02:00 - Unbox
09:44 - Motor and electronics
10:57 - Wing construction
15:55 - Fuselage
20:32 - Covering
23:20 - Test flight

Пікірлер: 89

  • @spaceshuttle8332
    @spaceshuttle83323 жыл бұрын

    These conversions are awesome, thank you for sharing them, Tim. I’m working on converting the Piper Cherokee and your videos have been very helpful

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Juan: Best of luck with the Cherokee . . . keep as light as possible! Tim

  • @JamesRCPlaneTech
    @JamesRCPlaneTech4 ай бұрын

    Very nice! It’s so nice that Guillows is still around.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    4 ай бұрын

    😊👍🏻 Tim

  • @steverudd5745
    @steverudd57453 жыл бұрын

    Really nice, Tim. I appreciate your thorough explanations.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Steve: Appreciate it! Tim

  • @PhilHenzig
    @PhilHenzig Жыл бұрын

    BEAUTIFUL! What a great job!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    Phil: Glad you like it! Tim

  • @downwindchecklist6567
    @downwindchecklist65672 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your experience in these conversions. All very interesting and your thoughts are good points for other conversions!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    DC: Thanks for watching! Tim

  • @muzaffarmehmoodyahya6817
    @muzaffarmehmoodyahya68173 жыл бұрын

    Hello Tim, whole conversion videos has been awesome. The experience Tim you have in this field is really appreciatable . I always wait your conversion videos. Tim you are authority in this field. May God bless you with health and harmony.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    MM: Many thanks! Tim

  • @funscalemodels9782
    @funscalemodels97823 жыл бұрын

    Congrats on another successful Guillow’s conversion! Enjoyed the video 😁

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    FSM: Many thanks! Tim

  • @matthewr6572
    @matthewr65724 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much! Great job!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    4 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful! Tim

  • @Holliethedog
    @Holliethedog9 ай бұрын

    Great video, thanks!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    9 ай бұрын

    😊👍🏻 Tim

  • @peskybobcat
    @peskybobcat Жыл бұрын

    Your Chanel is grate your really helping with converting the guillows kits

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    PB: Thanks for checking in! Tim

  • @robert43g
    @robert43g3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video and great information on conversion etc I always like your videos and in these day s things like the wing servos are so cheap compared when I was doing it in 80 / 90s

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Robert: Yes, the cost of the RC components is incredibly low. Nice time to be flying! Tim

  • @skipchernoff2487
    @skipchernoff24873 жыл бұрын

    Nice job with this project.Many years ago when Cannon came out with their micro radio systems I converted Guillows “ Giant Scale” Hellcat powered by a Gmark 061 . I used 4 channels. The plane flew ok but needed more power .A Norvel .074 would have been perfect. Small planes can be a blast.Keep up the videos,Cheers, Skip

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Skip: Thanks for the recap, more videos to follow! The newer RC electronics and motors really help. Regards, Tim

  • @thatwontwork9046
    @thatwontwork9046 Жыл бұрын

    Tim, I appreciate you posting what you learned about the process of converting these planes since it helps us all in the long run! I am attempting to do the same and upload what I learned converting my kits on the off chance that anyone can learn a thing or two! I have learned a lot from your videos and am now feeling confident to try putting plastic covering on my guillows! Thanks for the inspiration

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    TWW: Thanks so much for checking in and best of luck with your RC conversions! Tim

  • @thatwontwork9046

    @thatwontwork9046

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 oh, I have a follow up question! What do you recommend for detailing over the plastic covering? For example on my spitfire I’d like to add the camo as well as the black and white stripes over the mid wing and fuselage. Is it a good idea to cut out more Parklite and bond it over the base covering? Or should I instead tape it up and paint those colors on?

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    @@thatwontwork9046 Paint is probably the best option. Cover the model with the lighter color iron on covering (tan, in this case). The dark green should cover this OK with paint, or ecven the green iron-on covering. Monokote trim might work well for the black and white invasion stripes. Tim

  • @Terribleguitarist89
    @Terribleguitarist892 жыл бұрын

    I've built a few of their free flights over the years, but never thought to convert them for r/c use. May be a future project with my boys.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    Mykal: Thanks for checking in and best of luck! Tim

  • @MrBrianms
    @MrBrianms2 жыл бұрын

    Realistic superstructure wood build. The colour is mat Olive originally for camouflage purposes. A fond memory for the Spitfire. Thanks.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    Brian: Thanks for checking in! Had to use a brown lite iron-onn covering, all I could find on the internet. Olive Drag for next version! Tim

  • @ghoward6797
    @ghoward67972 жыл бұрын

    Just found and subscribed to your channel thanks, long time since I've built but it's time to start again. Thinking about U- control electric ⚡. I am a current rc flyer and thought how much fun it was when I was a child... course grandkids will be the ones spinning in a circle lol 😆 this time

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    GH: Thanks for checking in, and welcome back to the hobby! Tim

  • @davidquerry8869
    @davidquerry88693 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoy these Guillows builds you do Tim.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Davide: Many thanks! Tim

  • @altamirofaria5741
    @altamirofaria57413 жыл бұрын

    Muito bom. 👍🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Tim

  • @timgodin2114
    @timgodin2114 Жыл бұрын

    Guillows should have a Mosquito kit. "Wooden Wonder" ,similar size to the P38 Lighting. And a Lancaster for dam busting.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    Tim: Works for me! Tim

  • @nicholasdisabatino1697
    @nicholasdisabatino16972 жыл бұрын

    Hello thank you for your videos I am just getting started in all of this. I have been trying to cut out the stabilizer and tail surfaces what is the best tool and method to be cutting through 1/16" stock so that the cuts come out clean and not jagged plus unseemngly? My exacto tools proved unwieldy. Thanks again!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nicholas: I use a light grade (weight) of 1/16" balsa for the tail surfaces. I use an Xacto #11 blade. Buy a pack of the #11 blades, be sure to throw away older ones as they become dull. Tim

  • @gvet47
    @gvet473 ай бұрын

    Look like it worked out well for the electric conversion. Not sure about all the popsikle motor mounting. I think I missed the hing system used.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 ай бұрын

    I used clear Scotch tape for the hinges, works great. Tim

  • @e11allen
    @e11allen2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve got this model to build for RC conversion as well. I originally planned on running this on 3s with aileron, rudder, elevator, and retractable landing gear. I’ve got some pretty small retracts but it will increase the all up weight a decent amount. I guess I’m looking for a little more weight and it should fly at some higher speeds. How are you attaching the wing to the fuselage?

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    E11: Sounds like you have a plan. If your Spitfire is a bit heavier, just ensure you have a bit more power, as it will fly faster. For my model, I glued the wing on, no rubber bands, etc. I figured it was a light enough plane to have minimal damage during landings. Tim

  • @LoboUtube
    @LoboUtube10 ай бұрын

    If you add a gyro it will be much more stable, will feel like a larger and heavier airplane. Today there are gyros integrated with the receiver,making installing it feasible. There are separate gyros from RX but the space available is restricted

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    10 ай бұрын

    Great points, thanks! Tim

  • @mountaingoat8788
    @mountaingoat87882 жыл бұрын

    what would it be Like building one up Light weight. as in using tissue to cover and More Light weight components Like 1.5g Linear servos and a little brushed motor..?

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    MG: This is a good approach, but you will have to keep the weight as low as possible. Tim

  • @CT--os4dy
    @CT--os4dy Жыл бұрын

    Very nice video and beautiful aircraft, im searching a good and light model to make an Rc conversion, i need a stable model, i love the fw 190 but i dont know if it is a good option.Wich did you reccomend? Thanks!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    Either the Spitfire or the FW-190 are nice models. I would lean a bit to the FW-190. Consider extending the nose a bit to help with center of gravity, as the WW2 models will come out tail heavy. Tim

  • @CT--os4dy

    @CT--os4dy

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 Thanks!

  • @johnberry8882
    @johnberry88822 жыл бұрын

    Tim, As always a great build. can you show video / pictures of the plan you mention for foam wing fairing? thank you!! keep them coming

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    John: Not sure ref the foam wing fairing, will check. Tim

  • @johnberry8882

    @johnberry8882

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 You mentioned it briefly as you were giving your pre build overview for the spitfire. Discussion of the difficult cardboard fairings included. And then you mentioned a foam board treatment.

  • @johnberry8882

    @johnberry8882

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 This winter I have had My first building experiences Began with the guillows models. Enjoying it. But your videos have been an immeasurable aid. Thank you

  • @vitosanto3874
    @vitosanto38742 жыл бұрын

    He does a great job converting these models to r.c. I fly radio control models and over the years have made all the Guillows war birds , unfortunately no matter what is done to them they are to fragile and relatively unstable to fly ,all it takes is one poor landing and it’s damaged beyond repair, so goes all the time and effort, However if building is enjoyable then they are great models to build, A company called Flitest sells a Spitefire, with almost 4 foot wing space it’s foam board and takes a little skill to make but a fraction of the the time ,great looking when finished ,hand launched flies right out of your hand steady as a rock,and very surviveable .

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    Vito: Fully agree with Guillows analysis, and Flite Test does make some very nice models. Tim

  • @georgerojas59
    @georgerojas592 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tim. Thank you for your videos. Question? Used exact same electronic set up you used for spitfire and zero models, since balsa plane I’m building is about same weight. When set all up to transmitter , servos work, but motor just sputters? Replaced motor with same motor and still same? All works but motor not spin. Any idea what I am doing wrong? Is there some fine tuning I have to do with my nx transmitter and castle esc? Any info would be appreciated and helpful. Thank you

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    George: Motor is a simple brushed motor, should work. Sounds like a problem somewhere in the ESC portion of the brick. Maybe return to be repaired or replaced. Tim

  • @georgerojas59

    @georgerojas59

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 thank you , Tim. Motor is brushless: Suppo motor you used

  • @georgerojas59

    @georgerojas59

    2 жыл бұрын

    No brick. Regular rc set up

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like a loose wire perhaps in the motor. Tim

  • @christophercastaneda917
    @christophercastaneda9173 жыл бұрын

    I live in AK and therefore have plenty of water around to launch from (sometimes easier to fly off water than land). Have you considered the Guillow’s Nakajima A6M2-N “RUFE” (kit# 507). Wondering if you think it would be possible to make this floatplane fly off water?

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Chris: The Guillow 500 series kits are very small models, the Rufe being 16.5 inches. It would be quite a challenge to get this smaller size to fly with RC . . . I have enough problems with the 28 inch wing span models. Also, while the Rufe looks great, with that large centerline float, I am not sure it would ever take off from water, due to constant goune (water?) loops with the wing tip floats. Better to stick with a flying boat of the normal twin floats. Tim

  • @christophercastaneda917

    @christophercastaneda917

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 thank you for the insight! I did think more about initial stability issues with the single float. I agree; might be better worth the time to stick to two floats!

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@christophercastaneda917 Good luck! Tim

  • @phylomeno1
    @phylomeno13 жыл бұрын

    Hello, Tim... could you specify which electronics are used in the Guillows models and mainly where to buy them? Thanks (Walter from Brazil)

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Walter: Oops, I forgot to add this to the Spitfire description. Info now posted there. Tim

  • @phylomeno1

    @phylomeno1

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot!

  • @joshuahedges4882
    @joshuahedges48822 ай бұрын

    I have a question....won't mounting the servos under the wing cause the to strip when you belly land her??

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 ай бұрын

    Very good point. I do not think the servos will strip, but not the best servo location. Servo on the wing upper surface may be a better place. Tim

  • @neftalisebastian3344
    @neftalisebastian33443 жыл бұрын

    7 ounces? That is really good, I am making the Guillows No 405 P40 kit, I believe that the Guillows kits are easy to convert to RC kits, the wood is light and strong, and you can reinforce some areas with the scrap balsa, by the way, how much does your brushless motor weigh? I think my 49 gr motor is heavy :/

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Neftali: The quality of the balsa wood on the laser cut kits is a lot better than the older die cut kits. A lot better. Suppo motor weights 13 grams, see Spitfire description on details. Tim

  • @davidkenyon5444
    @davidkenyon54442 жыл бұрын

    Anyone know if people have tried fully sheeting these with 1/32nd or 1/64 for RC with success? I would love something a little more scale that flew half way decent.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    David: Yes, folks have used lightweight balsa to sheet these models. Should be a good approach, plus with the use of airbrush paint. Google Bob Benjamin Guillow models, he did some great articles in the past. Tim

  • @davidkenyon5444

    @davidkenyon5444

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TimMcKay56 Thank you Tim, your video just convinced me to pick up a kit. Bob's work is incredible thank you for the tip.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@davidkenyon5444 Good luck! Tim

  • @davidburns8662
    @davidburns86623 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tim, I just bought 4 servos now I get from the internet is I've been had. The servos I have are Tower Pro MG90s. I learned that their counter fit and are really bad. I guess I should have known by the price. I got an ESC, a motor, and 4 servos for less than 29 dollars. The Hi-Techs are 13 dollars each. I guess you get what you pay for ;(

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    David: Yes, there are a lot of scams out there for inexpensive RC gear. As a general rule, I buy all my stuff from either Horizon Hobby or StevensAero.com. If I see the same thing on Amazon (say, a Hitec HS40 servo), I can purchase from there. And for certain, do not get a cheap lipo battery, as they could start a fire. Tim

  • @jadenhuibregtse501
    @jadenhuibregtse5012 жыл бұрын

    Needs more power for a low-wing application.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    2 жыл бұрын

    Jaden: More power always better! Tim

  • @bobi2582
    @bobi25823 жыл бұрын

    Looks a little tail heavy and too much aileron movement to me. Good job though.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    3 жыл бұрын

    Bob: Roger that on the aileron throw. I did not have enough on the Zero, vowed to fix that with the Spitfire. Took out some throw on the transmitter, handles a lot better now. Tim

  • @karts-fish-Rc
    @karts-fish-Rc Жыл бұрын

    It's underpowered and tail heavy

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    Yup. Just experimenting with the WW2 fighters. Tim

  • @monami5201
    @monami5201 Жыл бұрын

    😂 theres nothing wrong with our Brit designs.

  • @TimMcKay56

    @TimMcKay56

    Жыл бұрын

    👍🏻😊 Tim