Tally-Ho Enterprises Inc.

Tally-Ho Enterprises Inc. Design and building of a airworthy 80% scaled replica of the WWII Spitfire.

To replicate the look, feel, exterior and interior of the Spitfire as a categorized amateur built/experimental aircraft.

We will start with the completion/construction of the Spitfire MKI rudder structure. The last item to be added to the ru...
06/05/2026

We will start with the completion/construction of the Spitfire MKI rudder structure. The last item to be added to the rudder was the tail nav light structure. These spruce blocks were roughly shaped to size, glued in place with T88 epoxy. Once cured, final sanding to shape and drilling the hole to size to insert/mount the tail nav light component. You will also note in the same photos the trim tab hinge installation and the lamination of the rudder trailing edge, giving the structure increased strength and durability. With this necessary work completed we can now move forward with initiating the fabric work on the Spitfire rudder. Enjoy!

So its time to move out of the Spitfire cockpit section and head to the tail for our next series of updates. The goal is...
05/01/2026

So its time to move out of the Spitfire cockpit section and head to the tail for our next series of updates. The goal is to get the fabric on the control surfaces, elevator and rudder, documenting that process in the next series of photos and descriptions coming. Here are some top view photos of Prototype #2's elevator structure, the early mark Spitfire, showing off its ribs, newly installed cross braces and hinge points to the horizontal stabilizer. Next will be the removal of the elevator (its all one piece) from the tail section, surface cleanup (needs to be a very smooth surface otherwise it will show through the fabric work) and the trim tab nut plates to be installed permanently, tough to do with the fabric in place. Enjoy the photos!

Rudder Pedal box being fitted in Prototype #2. Requires a few minor adjustments and details, but other than that it is ...
03/30/2026

Rudder Pedal box being fitted in Prototype #2. Requires a few minor adjustments and details, but other than that it is ready for placement. View is from the pilot seat looking down and forward in the cockpit.
It's been awhile since my last post, but wanted to finish up with the previous series/posts of the construction of the rudder box before moving onto other items. Enjoy!
Oh...and check out that fully functional scaled Spitfire MKI-V throttle quadrant now mounted into its permanent position!

In the following photos you will see additional crush plates being glued into position on the Spitfire's rudder pedal bo...
08/30/2025

In the following photos you will see additional crush plates being glued into position on the Spitfire's rudder pedal box. These are strategically placed for the mounting brackets, which will secure the rudder box into its proper position within the forward fuselage cockpit section. These brackets will carry the load and stresses placed on the rudder pedals during movement, which is far superior to the original design of just screwing the box to the underside of the lower longerons. It was found the weight of the box itself ripped the screws from the longerons in the original design. Thanks Les for the improvement!

As we near the completion of the Spitfire's rudder pedal box structure, the brackets and pulleys are lined up and instal...
07/20/2025

As we near the completion of the Spitfire's rudder pedal box structure, the brackets and pulleys are lined up and installed on the underside top deck of the box. The rudder cables will run through from the pedals through the cable slot, and over the pulleys continuing into the fuselage. Stainless steel aircraft hardware is used throughout to avoid the metal corrosion experienced previously, and resulting wood rot with the now unacceptable older design. Multiple coats of epoxy sealer is also being used on every hole drilled and aircraft grade wood surfaces, providing maximum protection from excessive moisture exposure, prolonged life expectancy of the component and providing that nice wood grain shinny look! More to come!

Moving on with the installation of components for the Tally-Ho Spitfire's rudder pedal box are the rudder cables. The po...
07/11/2025

Moving on with the installation of components for the Tally-Ho Spitfire's rudder pedal box are the rudder cables. The port and starboard rudder cables, which are connected to the pedals, run rearward over pullies through the fuselage to the rudder horn. As a result and as per the drawings, the first of the pully mounting points must be cut out on the upper portion of the rudder pedal box, using the drawings for reference, for proper placement and install. More to come as we get closer to finishing the rudder pedal box!

The next stage of the Spitfire's rudder pedal box was the proper placement and mounting of all the parts and hardware. A...
07/04/2025

The next stage of the Spitfire's rudder pedal box was the proper placement and mounting of all the parts and hardware. Alignment is key with the pedals/linkage/brackets/brake cylinders, lines and cable runs along with the fitting of both heel kick plates. At this point these are not yet permanently affixed but the mounting points are drilled out, sealed, checked for freedom of movement and alignment. More parts to install so more to come!

Progressing with the replica Spitfire's "Rudder Pedal Box" you can now see the installation of the right side rudder ped...
06/27/2025

Progressing with the replica Spitfire's "Rudder Pedal Box" you can now see the installation of the right side rudder pedal, hydraulic brake cylinder, associated hydraulic line, heel/kick plate and additional parts, bolts, washers and nuts. It's important to note that the bolts/nuts are not heavily torqued, so as to not damage the wood structure, but they are torqued and very secure. Only aircraft hardware is being used as per spec. Much more to follow, stay tuned!

Moving forward with the Spitfire's "Rudder Pedal Box"! Hardware and rudder pedal mounts are being dry fitted prior to fi...
06/20/2025

Moving forward with the Spitfire's "Rudder Pedal Box"! Hardware and rudder pedal mounts are being dry fitted prior to final position. Once determined and aligned, bolt holes are drilled and sealed with S-1 (metal attracts moisture which will cause wood rot if not sealed) to preserve the wood structure and strength. Heel/kick plates are created to size and primed along with other rudder pedal mounts and parts, as per the Spitfire drawings. Last picture also shows the fuel selector valve in its final position on the forward crush plate mount of the pedal box section. Stay tuned!!!

Continuing with the Spitfire's "Rudder Pedal Box" build, here are a few more photos starting with the underside of the b...
06/14/2025

Continuing with the Spitfire's "Rudder Pedal Box" build, here are a few more photos starting with the underside of the box, starboard profile sitting on its front, receiving addition S-1 Sealer.
You can see more views of the underside crush plates, with the starboard side crush plate having been drilled out for its hardware and fittings.
On the next photos you get a view of the rear top side looking forward. These two photos give you a great perspective of the two foot channels, showing some of the rudder pedal mounting hardware in position and the fuel selector box in the center portion of the rudder pedal box. The fuel selector can easily be reached by the pilot in the seated position within the Spitfire cockpit.
Lots more to come, stay tuned!

Address

18799 Airport Way
Pitt Meadows, BC
V3Y2B4

Telephone

+16047904472

Website

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