Spitfire Mk.Ia - 1/33 - Halinski - Page 9

**Erik Zwaan** · #81 10-21-2018, 07:53 AM

Ricardo, are you sure the flaps go all the way down? Usually they don't go like 45 degrees down or so.

Regards,
Erik

**Kroolo** · #82 10-21-2018, 10:35 AM

It seems to it's OK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JdwJuCe4F0

**WVA** · #83 10-21-2018, 11:16 AM

I believe the leading edge of the wing skins are butt joined. I recall having a lot of trouble with that. Your's looks wonderful! How did you handle that?

Jim

**Rata** · #84 10-21-2018, 04:10 PM

For some reason the earlier Spitfires had only two flap positions- up or down. Apparently the plane could take off and land perfectly well without using them at all. Sometimes on carrier ops they used wooden wedges to hold the flaps at 45 deg which were designed to fall away after take off and allow the flaps to retract or more accurately 'close'.

**ricleite** · #85 10-22-2018, 07:02 AM

@ Michael - good one

You got it

@ Erik - At 90º, the flaps seem to work as spoilers or airbrakes! The assembly drawings show them at almost this angle and Kroolo's link (thanks for it

) tend to prove that the angle is possible!
@ WVA - as I told, it was surprisingly easy. The upper wing skin doesn't glue to the bottom skin. They both glue to the card structure, which has to be very carefully aligned to provide the support needed at the correct place.
@ Rata - thanks for the explanation

The Spitfires had enough power to take off without flaps in a decent distance. You mention carrier operations - flaps certainly allow for a reduced approach and landing speed...

The last construction pictures show the canopy. As always, I used the plastic accessory sold separately. It doesn’t include the armored windscreen but, as this one is flat…

**lorenzomartinez07** · #86 10-22-2018, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rata

For some reason the earlier Spitfires had only two flap positions- up or down. Apparently the plane could take off and land perfectly well without using them at all. Sometimes on carrier ops they used wooden wedges to hold the flaps at 45 deg which were designed to fall away after take off and allow the flaps to retract or more accurately 'close'.

Actually, those wooden blocks were placed by ground crew between wings and flaps while the pilot raised flaps to lock them, after takeoff at a safe speed, the pilot lowered the flaps to release blocks of wood and then retract flaps again.

**birder** · #87 10-22-2018, 09:42 AM

Flawless work Ricardo, is the wing on this one still separated at the leading edge? It appears to be and you have managed it beautifully. The early version did not come with the option for flaps, but they look cool.

**Kevin WS** · #88 10-22-2018, 10:25 AM

Rata - correct - the flaps had two positions.

So Ricardo its fine to have them like that. They are often seen taking off and landing with the flaps like that. Parked as well.

Erik - I think when one actually sees the flaps and notices the extreme angle, it does look really odd!

**Rata** · #89 10-22-2018, 03:22 PM

That canopy looks near perfect Ricardo.

**MichaelS** · #90 10-23-2018, 10:38 AM

My Sweet Lard. I may need to do something like this. Is there a 1/33rd Hurricane of this quality?