LEGEND HOBBY - SPITFIRE 50 GP/EP ARF

This winning warbird is a fast build and flies like a dream

ANDREW GRIFFITH

AT A GLANCE

Model: Spitfire 50 EP/GP ARF

Manufacturer: Legend Hobby (legendhobby.com)

Type: ARF sport scale

Wingspan: 60.6 in.

Pilot skill level: Intermediate

Assembly time: 12 hoursRadio req’d: 6-channel w/ 6 or 7 servos

Power req’d: .50 2-stroke, .70 4-stroke, or electric equivalent

Price: $159.99

The Supermarine Spitfire was a high-performance, short-range single-seat fighter plane operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during and after World War II and along with the Hawker Hurricane comprised the was a primary fighter for the RAF during WW II. The Spitfires had a higher victory to loss ratio than the Hurricane and eventually superseded the Hurricanes as the primary fighter/ interceptor of the RAF.

Many variants were built as lessons were learned and improvements were incorporated quickly into production models. When my P-3 crew toured the Battle of Britain museum in England, I struck up a conversation with a docent and found myself sitting in a beautifully restored Spitfire, wondering what it was like to fly one in combat. Legend Hobby has brought to market an array of unusual designs that are not often modeled but they could not resist the temptation of producing a gorgeous model of the legendary Spitfire. This model is constructed mainly of laser cut balsa and light plywood. The covering is an awesome looking heat shrink with the markings printed right on the covering material. The Spitfire is equipped with flaps and fixed landing gear is included. If you want retracting landing gear, a set of electric retracts with working oleo struts is available as an option from Legend Hobby for $109.99.

UNIQUE FEATURES

The ailerons and flaps come installed and hinged at the factory using CA style hinges. The elevators and rudder all require hinge installation and use CA hinges that I installed using thin Zap CA. (I used a thin tip extension on the CA bottle to avoid getting excess glue on the pretty covering.)