Gold Edition Spitfire

Model Airplane News, Jan 1998 by Chianelli, Chris

Top Flite now add a beautiful lt-scale Spitfire Mk IX to their Gold Edition line. The Spit's airfoil was designed by Dr. Michael Selig, designer of the airfoil on the fabulous flying Gold Edition P-47 Thunderbolt. The Selig airfoil combined with the Spit's elliptical wing should make for a rock-solid performance at both high and low speeds.

The kit features precision CADengineered wooden parts and many vacuum-formed ABS parts that enhance both scale detail and ease of building. Parts like wing fairings, exhaust stacks, machine-gun blisters, Mk IX clear canopy and many other details supply impressive scale realism. The kit includes an extensive hardware package complete with wire-rod-in-tube pushrods, photo-illustrated manual and fullsize plans. A .60-size 2-stroke will fit entirely inside the aircraft's cowl and doesn't spoil the scale look of this vintage beauty. An optional scale cockpit kit is available; it's easy to install and includes seat, instrument panel and many other impressive details. Specifications: wingspan-63 inches; wing area-687 square inches; weight-7.5 to 8.5 pounds; wing loading-25 to 28.5 ounces/square foot; length-53 inches; engine required-.61 to .75 2-stroke or .70 to .91 4-stroke; 4- to 6-channel radio with five to seven servos. For more information, contact Great Planes Model Distributors, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61826; (217) 398-6300; fax (217) 398-1104.