Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
#602
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Ok guys get those Hellcats ready for the WBOTX event and make Tom proud
http://www.warbirdsovertexas.com/
http://www.warbirdsovertexas.com/
#605
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Got the choke mechanism worked out with a 4-40 rod bent to shape and wire-tied to a 2-56 wire across the mounting bolts. I use simple and cheap steering arms for the throttle and choke as opposed to the rather expensive custom jobs from Valley View RC at $20 a pair. Also, I did the little improvement on the diaphragm cover by soldering a brass tube to it which keeps the air pressure from pulsing it with a fuel tube to the inside of the fuselage.
Now, with those details completed, I can pretty much proceed to finish her out. The engine spark unit will go inside the engine tube ahead of the gas tank and the battery close by or maybe on the outside of the firewall for more forward CG. Next, install the horizontal tails and neaten up the retract rat's nest, and she's about ready. I also have to figure out how I'm gonna mount the pilot. It's kind of a shame to put too nice a pilot in there and doll-up the cockpit since it's hard to see inside. Might use a $10 pilot from the hobby shop.
Now, with those details completed, I can pretty much proceed to finish her out. The engine spark unit will go inside the engine tube ahead of the gas tank and the battery close by or maybe on the outside of the firewall for more forward CG. Next, install the horizontal tails and neaten up the retract rat's nest, and she's about ready. I also have to figure out how I'm gonna mount the pilot. It's kind of a shame to put too nice a pilot in there and doll-up the cockpit since it's hard to see inside. Might use a $10 pilot from the hobby shop.
#606
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Lane, reference the cockpit. I had the same problem deciding what to do. Really is no reason to get carried away with that tinted canopy. I painted all the light colored inside an aircraft green you see on a lot of planes. I also printed off an instrument panel to approx scale and glued to dash panel. I used an Aces of Iron WWII bust all painted up nice and pretty. Up close it looks quit fetching and you can actually see the pilot farely well when up close; but anything but the pilot is a waste of time.
PS: and I am so happy with the way this plane flies and looks I went ahead and blew $140 on the scale aluminum Robart wheels and another $100 on a 22x10x3 WWII Xoar prop.
PS2: I painted all those yellow control horns to match the covering. made a huge difference in appearance, they almost disappear compared to those bright yellow things hanging down. Painted the elevator and rudder to match the dark blue and the aileron and flaps to match the light grey.
PS: and I am so happy with the way this plane flies and looks I went ahead and blew $140 on the scale aluminum Robart wheels and another $100 on a 22x10x3 WWII Xoar prop.
PS2: I painted all those yellow control horns to match the covering. made a huge difference in appearance, they almost disappear compared to those bright yellow things hanging down. Painted the elevator and rudder to match the dark blue and the aileron and flaps to match the light grey.
#607
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Splais, I agree, too many other things to work on to detail stuff that cannot be seen or make it fly better. I have a 74 Inch ESM Corsair to do after this one. I admit, the extra work for the Orange SolarTex has greatly slowed me down getting it flying, but it's one of the things I do from time to time to be different.
#612
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
All,
Don't loose faith, I asked Tom straight up what is the status of the F6F and the answer is The Economy must turn around before he can invest in more planes. If you call Tom he will beat the bushes for parts for you. The last time I was over to his shop I did not see any cowlings stacked up for the F6F but that doesnt mean anything. Wildhare has many nooks and crannies to hide stuff. Landing gear may be a problem as those were never in abbundance in the first place. DLE motors are not a problem to procure, ignitions, batteries, Smart Fly's and servos are not a problem either.
Thanks
JDS
Don't loose faith, I asked Tom straight up what is the status of the F6F and the answer is The Economy must turn around before he can invest in more planes. If you call Tom he will beat the bushes for parts for you. The last time I was over to his shop I did not see any cowlings stacked up for the F6F but that doesnt mean anything. Wildhare has many nooks and crannies to hide stuff. Landing gear may be a problem as those were never in abbundance in the first place. DLE motors are not a problem to procure, ignitions, batteries, Smart Fly's and servos are not a problem either.
Thanks
JDS
#613
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Got about 2 things left to finish out.
1. Place stars and Bars on wings. DONE!
2. Paint pilot, make a seat back, and paint cockpit up a bit.
CG seems to need about 2 pounds lead on the nose. Not bad and the plane can handle it easy. Haven't gotten the scales out yet as it's bait cramped in my bedroom workshop. DONE! 20 pounds-even, before lead.
Tested the retracts and all work fine with no leaks. Controls all checked out and set.
Maybe have her out next week for an engine run. Weather and mood dependent. Ha
OI didn't spend too long on this pilot. He'll do since the dark tint on the canopy cuts down on the detail seen.
1. Place stars and Bars on wings. DONE!
2. Paint pilot, make a seat back, and paint cockpit up a bit.
CG seems to need about 2 pounds lead on the nose. Not bad and the plane can handle it easy. Haven't gotten the scales out yet as it's bait cramped in my bedroom workshop. DONE! 20 pounds-even, before lead.
Tested the retracts and all work fine with no leaks. Controls all checked out and set.
Maybe have her out next week for an engine run. Weather and mood dependent. Ha
OI didn't spend too long on this pilot. He'll do since the dark tint on the canopy cuts down on the detail seen.
#615
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Got out to the field today with the bird. First thing was to check CG with some help. I need yet another pound of ballast up front. That's 3 pounds total. Ran engine and had no problems with that. Prop needs a good balance job before flight. I flight tested the Rx with my Telemaster, too. No use having NEW NEW NEW stuff on the first flight. A few pics with my pocket camera which is good for stills, but not action. First time on the gear outside!
#619
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Question.
Still not flown yet. Working the CG.
Is the wing-spar tube considered the CG of the Aircraft?
That's what is used to balance the model on the cradle method (in the manual) and is usually the same as the center of gravity on most planes. It appears to be a bit too far AFT for the traditional wings-on method of CG calculation point to me. According to an online CG calculator, using a static margin of 10, the CG should be 6.67 inches aft of the LE wing. The Spar measures about 7.5 inches aft of the LE. I'm going to try the cradle method just to see how she turns out because you only get one shot if the CG is wrong! ha. thanks, LBJ
Still not flown yet. Working the CG.
Is the wing-spar tube considered the CG of the Aircraft?
That's what is used to balance the model on the cradle method (in the manual) and is usually the same as the center of gravity on most planes. It appears to be a bit too far AFT for the traditional wings-on method of CG calculation point to me. According to an online CG calculator, using a static margin of 10, the CG should be 6.67 inches aft of the LE wing. The Spar measures about 7.5 inches aft of the LE. I'm going to try the cradle method just to see how she turns out because you only get one shot if the CG is wrong! ha. thanks, LBJ
#620
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Lbj
Go with what Tom has I know it's weird. But it works. Get the plane flown and then you can change the cg later.
jds
Go with what Tom has I know it's weird. But it works. Get the plane flown and then you can change the cg later.
jds
#622
My Feedback: (49)
RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
At this angle of tilt, 8 ounces of lead on the horizontal does nothing. The nose is resting on the PVC frame.
When the tail is lowered to this position the plane is in a balanced state. Any more lowering of the tail causes it to fall all the way, tail down.
So, is this a balanced condition? I still don't really get a feeling of what position I am supposed to start from? Dead level? I hate to say it, but I would MUCH rather be given a distance AFT the leading edge of the wing, because this means absolutely nothing to me.
When the tail is lowered to this position the plane is in a balanced state. Any more lowering of the tail causes it to fall all the way, tail down.
So, is this a balanced condition? I still don't really get a feeling of what position I am supposed to start from? Dead level? I hate to say it, but I would MUCH rather be given a distance AFT the leading edge of the wing, because this means absolutely nothing to me.
#623
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
Place the fuselage level as in level flight, make sure the tube is not binding, I used 1/2" (the manual states something else, but it was too large). Place your 7 or 8 ounces on top of the horizontal stab next to the rudder and let go. If the plane stays level you are good to go. If the nose drops you got too much weight in the nose; if the tail drops you got too much weight in the tail, i.e., you got to add nose weight. PM if you need more and I'll send my phone number.
Steve
Steve
#624
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RE: Hellcat F6F Wild Hare RC - G-Pete's build and review
That makes more sense. I'll take another look see. It will take some more weight on the nose. Maybe not the full 3 lbs, but some more anyway. Thanks, Splais!
I added 6 more ounces to the nose with 7 - 3/4 ounces on the tail. Seems to be balanced.
I added 6 more ounces to the nose with 7 - 3/4 ounces on the tail. Seems to be balanced.