Traditional MOC: Technic Spitfire WIP

[apemax]

Hey all. This is the beginning of my latest LEGO project, A motorised Supermarine Spitfire. I'm going to try and pack as many functions into it as possible such as the rudder, elevator and ailerons all controlled from the cockpit, motorised engine (Also controlled from the cockpit) and working landing gear (Hopefully   ). Here's my progress so far:

 

 

As you can see I've done the very front section which also includes the engine. I still need to figure out how to attach the wings as well as how to do the landing gear. If anyone as any suggestions I'm all ears. I'll leave you with a few more pictures:

 

[Jimbob]

Wow, this is an awesome idea! I have very little experience building Technic (well, LEGO in general for that matter) so can't offer advice, but you certainly have my support in this project. I love the Spitfire and it was my first and only Airfix kit that actually holds some dear memories, so your recreation of it in LEGO is rather exciting.

 

I'm particularly keen on seeing the electronic features of the model. Count me in for a follow of this topic.

[apemax]

Wow, this is an awesome idea! I have very little experience building Technic (well, LEGO in general for that matter) so can't offer advice, but you certainly have my support in this project. I love the Spitfire and it was my first and only Airfix kit that actually holds some dear memories, so your recreation of it in LEGO is rather exciting.

 

I'm particularly keen on seeing the electronic features of the model. Count me in for a follow of this topic.

 

Thanks Jimbob. 

 

The Spitfire is one of my favourite aircraft as well. I've been wanting to build one for a while now but hadn't had enough pieces until now (Hopefully).

[apemax]

Hey again.   Got around to adding a bit more to this. I've added the main part of the control system in and strengthened the body a bit as well. The control system is a slightly modified version of the one I used in my >Fully controllable Aeroplane. It works well enough so should be ok.




And here is a picture of my overall progress.

[apemax]

Another update today. Been working on it quite a bit the past couple of days so I've got quite a bit done. First I added the main section of the tail and started work on the elevator and rudder section.
 

 
I've also changed the engine section quite a bit as well. With the M motor powering the engine and propeller it wasn't going as fast as I would have liked so I decided to swap out the M motor with a XL motor and gear it up a bit more. The speed is much better now.   

 

Also because of the extra power it has now I'm going to have to control it via the variable speed IR controller.
 

 
Finally a overall shot of my progress. Not sure where I'm going to put this when I've got the wings on.   
 

[apemax]

Just a small update today. I've worked a bit more on the rear section where the elevators and rudder are going to go and I've added the tail wheel as well.



I've also done the landing gear. Hopefully It will stand up to the weight.




And finally the overall progress so far.

[apemax]

Another update. Finally... 

Yes it's been over a month since my last update but I now should have all the pieces to finish it. Progress should hopefully be a bit quicker now.   

I've replaced the wheels to a slightly bigger pair as the other ones where a bit to small. I quite like the look of these.



I've improved the tail a bit as well so it's now a bit stronger.



I've also added a bit more to the rear elevators.



The cockpit windscreen has finally been added.



And finally an overall picture of my progress. I'm also planning on motorising the landing gear if I can fit the M motor in which I should be able to do.

[apemax]

Well after another month I finally have another update to this build. (Which is taking way longer than I planned.) I've gotten quite a bit of progress done since last time but there's still a bit more to do.

First up I've done quite a bit of the tail section since last time. I've added the tail fin as well as the rudder control surface although the elevators are proving to be a bit tricky. The current way I have to control them isn't really working at all so I need to come up with a better way to do that. If anyone has any ideas feel free to suggest them.  
 

Looking a bit more like it should now isn't it?

The wings have also been worked on and are now pretty much at there full wingspan which at the moment is about 89cm or about 35 inches. The ailerons have also been added and they actually work quite well.
 

The entire left or right wing depending on which way you look at it.

Both of the mechanisms for the landing gear and ailerons.
 

I've also built and added the propeller which I think turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.  
 

Also looks quite good when spinning but you'll have to wait for the video to see that.  
 

Finally a view of the overall progress I've made. Really starting to look like a Spitfire now isn't it? One last thing is that I've also put in the M motor for the landing gear just in front of the IR receiver. Forgot to take a close up picture of that.

[coffins]

Wow, it's really nice. Keep building.

[STUDZ]

All I've gotta say is "LOOK AT ALL THE DUST!"

 

That and this is looking really great. All the Technic beams with System tops... MAN.

[apemax]

Wow, it's really nice. Keep building.

 

Thanks. 

 

All I've gotta say is "LOOK AT ALL THE DUST!"

 

That and this is looking really great. All the Technic beams with System tops... MAN.

 

Thanks. 

 

Yeah I really need to get around to giving my LEGO collection a proper clean. Granted it has been sat there for three months now and everything in my house gets dusty really quickly. It's really quite annoying.