Mick Reeves 1/4 Scale Spitfire 2008 Wooden Version Model

[Alex Mack]

Hello Folks,
I'm very new to this hobby so if ever ask stupid questions please forgive me. I'm about to embark on building this model aircraft, there are quite a few questions I do want to ask, but, 1 that is in mind is how do you go about getting a registration for the aircraft ie:- a military one as it's a WW2 aircraft, when I've seen videos with people flying them have they just chosen them at random? Also as the build goes forward do I need it inspecting by someone of authority? As time goes by I will have other questions from you more experienced builders. Thank you for attention, and I'm hoping someone will be kind enough to give me an answer.
Regards,
Al........

[Arthur Fielding]

Hello Alex
Having checked that it was not 1st April i have put a few points down to help you.
A 1/4 scale Spitfire is a big heavy complicated model that will cost you thousands of £ to get to a flying state. many skills will be needed. Then you have to lean to fly it
If you really must do it join the LMA .and have a chat before you start .you will also have to join the CAA to get a reg number Before you fly it (or anything else)
There are one or two Spitfires shown on this site showing how to build.
As for the reg number most people who build scale models get the number from a reference book .But you could use you car registration if you so wish.
Join a model club.
The CAA number which is issued can not be change.
I wish you good luck with your project
Arthur

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Talk about going in the deep end,

[Alex Mack]

Hello Arthur,
Thank you for your reply, can I just say I know about the CAA I've spent a long time doing research into what requirements are needed, I accept what your saying about registration of the aircraft but, an important question about having it inspected on the build no one seems to answer it.
I'm puzzled with what the next comment is by Alan Cantwell?????

[sean smith]

Hi Alex,
I think what people are saying is learn to fly first see how you get on and build a few different models to get some building skills under your belt. If you have a look on rcscalebuilder you will see some MR kit builds this will give you an idea of whats required for the build of a large scale model.
Try building something like a Sky 120 and learn to fly while you are building it. Find a local club on the BMFA site and have some flying lessons, they will also advise about registering with the CAA.
By all means buy your MR Spitfire kit and leave it until you feel you are ready to have ago at building it.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Sorry Alex, I didn’t have time to explain, Basically,what your doing is jumping straight into an F1 racing car, without going the tedious route of learning to drive, you will not succeed, I do not know what building skills you have, but they would have to be considerable, but that’s not all, you have to have knowledge of radio systems, installations, battery’s, all this is learned over the years, through many mishaps, usually, the learner wants a Spitfire& he is steered toward a trainer, then a high wing aerobatic,m then to a low wing model, then, when he can do most things with that, perhaps the Spitfire he has been patiently building while learning, then after a few years, perhaps his eyes will settle on a 1/4 scale Spitfire, but for a 1 st plane? No, sorry, the 1/4 scalecSpitfire is the deep end I am referring to,

[Alex Mack]

Hello Alan,
Thank you for all that, appreciate it but, 1 thing is I have no intention personally to fly the aircraft, I admit I'm not skilled enough for that, that will be left to someone else, if I can get anyone interested to fly it.
I did have a plan of taking my time to build this project ie:- 10-12 years, after me building a real aircraft over a period of 10 years, I thought I might try this project. All I just want to know is as it's being built in stages does it have to be inspected? by someone from LMA or BMFA or by any other specialised body?

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

It would pay to get it looked at at various stages, more for advice than the upper weight limit, which is 25 KG, as I mentioned, radio systems, servo choice, all have to be thought about, it helps having an experienced eye, also, seeing as this is a long project, systems now may be obsolete mid build, so few things to think about,

[Peter Smedley]

Think very carefully about what radio system you buy, ( if you’ve not got one already). Get one that will be suitable for the Spitfire and will have enough mixes and channels for the future.
When joining a club, see what system/ manufacturer they use as it will make training easier with buddy box training.