AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

My Feedback: (180)

I have an old Top Flite Bearcat kit that I'm getting ready to start. I can't find any information on the build or flight qualities. - probably since it's been out of production for so long. Anyone built this kit? Suggestions? Or should I just unload it on Ebay?

scale dail

My Feedback: (8)

If you like Bearcats I would say build it! I have had two T.F. Bearcats and I have had a lot of fun with them. the Royal Bearcat is more scale but the Top Flite one is pretty close. it has a nasty stall though! ole 98 is still flying after 15 years.

scale dail

My Feedback: (8)

www.rcscalebuilder.com has a build thread on this plane.

TexasAirBoss

My Feedback: (22)

Many of these older scale kits had flyability issues. But I think many of these kits can be built much lighter nowadays. With more glues to choose from, ( not jut Ambroid ), more powerful engines, good in-cowl mufflers with good back pressure, and lighter radio gear, many older kits can be built much lighter than was possible when they were in production.
In thier day these kits were not only heavy, but the strap on mufflers people had to use didn't provide adequate tank pressure. So, they had heavy planes with poor throttle response and poor idle qualities. Not a good combination. Many older scale kits had bad reputations because of this.
I collect old OOP scale kits. And I build and fly them. Just lay some 2005 technology on these kits and they fly just fine.
I haven't built this particular kit. But this is my attitude toward older kits. I love them. And you probably won't run into someone at the field with another TF Bearcat !

js3

My Feedback: (3)

I think you should put it on eBay. That way I can bid on it!

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

I built one a couple of years ago....way overbuilt - tank is locked in place....but it came out LIGHT! I'd say build it and add some up to each of the ailerons to offset the stall/snap.

Jerry

PS Ya gotta love it - four pages of instructions!!!! That's all folks - 4 pages (and not even 8.5"x11") with drawings!!!!!

Blue_Moon_

when was this kit produced? i really want one as well

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Back in the 80's I believe. The fuselage has such a high degree of overbuild - and in so doing has produced a large fuse without any room in it to put anything

Jerry

hattend

My Feedback: (20)

I had a friend build one in '79. I started R/C in '73 and there was always one sitting on the shelf of the local hobby shop after about '75 that I wanted but was too poor to afford. So it was out before the 80's. TF definitely assumed you knew how to build back then. I have two of these kits NIB now. I might build them someday.

Don

hattend

My Feedback: (20)

Go to ebay and make an alert for "Bearcat"...they'll email you when anything with Bearcat in it's title becomes available.

That's how I found one of mine. I found the other one in a hobby shop in 1992...believe it or not!! The owner had a whole bunch of red top Top Flite kits in his closet and I snatched up a Zero, a Bearcat and a Headmaster.

Don

AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

My Feedback: (180)

Thanks everyone. The thread on http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/ was most enlightening. Poor fella crashed on maiden. - oh well, but his build documentation is worth reading.
So far the advice I've received has been to
a) Keep it light.
b) build the flaps.
c) use the flaps.
d) learn to land with power/ rudder and flaps.

Seems that low speed tip stalling can be the death of this otherwise fine bird.

I wish Top Flite would re-introduce the Bearcat in Giant Scale. Or a Hellcat, Zero, B-17 - I'm getting tired of Mustands and Spitfires.

I'm thinking a Saito .100 for this baby. Too much motor ya think?

scale dail

My Feedback: (8)

That should be OK. might run out of rudder on take off.

MP3_tilaco

Hi, I have a question, I bought tonight a Top Flite Bearcat, the box has all woods, cowling, canopy and plans but I can't find the manual for building, this kit has it?, someone have it?

Regards and good flight.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Don't have mine but I remember it was one 8.5" x 11" piece of paper folded in half! Just a couple of drawings and very few words.

Spad_man

My Feedback: (8)

Here is a nice forum for the T/F Bearcat


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2851602/tm.htm

AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

My Feedback: (180)

I'll email you a copy.

PLANE JIM

My Feedback: (109)

I have this kit but I have lost the plans, I sure wish I could buy a copy from someone-thanks jim

MP3_tilaco

Thanks to Jeff for the manual, you are very nice.
Jim, my Bearcat has the plan, I'll ask for the copy.
Send me mp for details.

Regards

AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

My Feedback: (180)

I'll take mine to Kinkos and make a couple of copies since my original set is looking a bit like the Dead Sea Scrolls.

PlaneJim, If you like I'll send you a copy.

Let me know.

Jeff

AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

My Feedback: (180)

Copies made. Anyone else need a set?

fred985

build it,,but it is not a beginers build or flyer,,,these late wwll ddesigns were really close couppled aircraft,,,and they dont like stalls as one guy noted,,,,really, more men were killed in corsairs stalling them then gt killed in combat. and th models carry a lot ov these nasty flight problems through t u modelers. as a many hour stearman pilot,,i knw about this first hand,,,i took all my flight training in a 450 stearman in 1970 and the better gint scale models fly just like the real ones. big scale cubs fly just like the real thing.

RickMunn

If your interested, have some very nice vintage Top Flite Kits and others never started for sale on eBay:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/111611329552?...84.m1558.l2649
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/111611332772?...84.m1558.l2649
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/111611335520?...84.m1558.l2649

Newer P-40 http://www.ebay.ca/itm/111611338530?...84.m1558.l2649

Best Regards,
Rick