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Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Old 11-07-2002, 05:38 PM
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carlbecker
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Just received the plans for this and the Brewster Buffalo. The plans look very detailed and well drawn. Robart will have gear for this Wildcat next year. Bob Holman offers laser cut parts for $200 and there is a cowl available. Bates should have a canopy soon. Now where do I fit this into the assembly line

Just starting to build the Karlson 1/6 Wildcat for a warm up.
Old 11-07-2002, 05:48 PM
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k_sonn
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Carl:

Keep us informed on the Wildcat progress. I justed started building a Bates Hellcat and those plans are excellent. I have been wanting to build a Wildcat for some time but finding retracts seemed impossible. I am glad that Robart is making some. Are the Wildcat plans CAD drawn?
Old 11-07-2002, 06:01 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

I don't know if they are CAD or not. I was thinking about asking Jerry Bates about a smaller (1/6) version since these are built clam shell top and bottom and the Karlson requires a jig or crutch from the builder. I'm doing the retracts first on the Karlson wildcat and will make a one piece wing including the retracts and drive so I need to do some planning first.
Old 11-10-2002, 10:03 AM
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Jimmy Bananas
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Default Wildcat

Carl:

Who's plans did you get for the wildcat?
Old 11-11-2002, 02:12 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

I have collected the Karlson 1/6 76", Holman engish 1/6 76" and Jerry Bates 1/5 92" plans. Hope I don't get confused.

Carl
Old 11-14-2002, 09:58 PM
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Yak18
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

So...the 1/5th Wildcat plans that Robart is making gear for are from Jerry Bates?

Yak
Old 11-14-2002, 10:04 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

And Jerry Bates got the plans from Doug Imes who built the model and wrote a construction article in the defunct Scale RC model magazine. I'm looking to put a Saito 450 in the 92" Wildcat.

I have started building the LG for the Karlson 76", taking some liberties for ease of construction. Quite the project.
Old 11-15-2002, 02:29 AM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Ok, so this is not a Bates airplane but rather a Doug Imes airplane...is that correct?

Is Jerry selling these plans to the public or just you?

Yak
Old 11-15-2002, 01:35 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

My guess is Jerry Bates has developed the plans beyond the work of Doug Imes. That's just the history behind it. I'm not special by any means, the plans are available to all as are the retracts when Robart makes them available. These are all brand new items and currently the retracts and canopy are not available. Early next year I will order the cowl and laser cut parts and get the canopy and retracts when available. I just got a Saito 450 for the plane. I have next winter building time all filled up now.

Bob Walker from Robart has built a 1/3 scale Wildcat and hopefully he will send me a picture of it.

Carl
Old 11-15-2002, 03:49 PM
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Yak18
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Thanks Carl. I gotta have a Wildcat! (The most neglected airplane in the modeling world)

Keep us posted!

Yak
Old 11-15-2002, 03:54 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

I have been drooling over one for 10 years. That is what got me into the hobby. My Karlson plans are yellow with age but I'm glad I have them because MAN dropped them. Now Jerry Bates has the 92" with Robart LG I'm in heaven. I think my skills are good enough to handle all this - we'll see on the small one.
Old 11-26-2002, 01:35 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Here are some pics so far.

Carl
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Old 11-26-2002, 01:36 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

The other
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Old 11-26-2002, 05:28 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Cool
Old 11-26-2002, 05:45 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

This is the small Karlson 76". I am finally using the Sherline Mill I got a while back. I've had to redo a couple of things but its a lot of fun and not as hard as I thought. On to the oleo's and drive.
Old 12-19-2002, 02:37 PM
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Default update on retracts

now I need to do servo surgery to install electric stops. I may make an aluminum plate for the back and have it welded to the LG frame.
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Old 12-20-2002, 02:16 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

My hat's off to you carlbecker. I had the Karlson plans and it was too much for me. I couldn't even figure out how to build the fuse, much less the retracts.
I still wish I'd kept the plans though...
Old 12-20-2002, 02:25 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Its a lot to bit off and I have had to redo some things. I plan to make a one piece wing with the gear attached and use pins in the back and bolts through the firewall. Planning on a OS 120 twin inverted (carb on top) and try IRF linkage for hidden ailerons. Then I will experiment with house paint and clear coat.
We shall see how it goes. I just had to get off my lazy #$$ and do it. Just my favorite plane with such a rich history. Thank God for Grumman.

When that is done I will do the Bates 1/5 using a Saito 450. From looking at the Bates plans I think basic construction will be easier and when Robart makes the retracts it should go much quicker but cost more.

Carl
Old 12-20-2002, 05:12 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Carl,
I must say that the gear looks great! How does it feel to have about 80% of the model done!! It looks as though you did a couple of mods from the gear plan. As I recall it only used 1 servo, and I didn't think it had a chain drive. Yours is much closer to the scale photo that I have from the erection manual.
Once again, looks great!
Keep us informed.
Hans
Old 12-20-2002, 05:25 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Hans,
I have/will taken many liberties with the original Karlson design. I hope it will be easier to set the stops for left and right gear by using two servos as long as the plastic chain holds up. Should be an easier load for the servos also. Still plugging along but I don't think I'm anywhere near 80% {;-)
Kind of weird building from the LG up.

Carl
Old 06-02-2003, 03:58 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat, Bates Plans

I love this Wildcat talk! Still the most exciting plane in the air! I was at the Nall to see the Robart team fly the 1/3 scale. I don't know what plans they were based on, but the plane flew great!

To comment on Bates plans- I have had a 1/5 scale machine in operation since 1995. At the time, I drew up plans based on Detail and Scale's 3 views, and the 2415 airfoil.

I offered the "plans" for a while after the plane was featured in a magazine. They were more drawings than plans; i.e. you had to be a pretty accomplished scratch builder to build from them.

Jerry is the Master, and he took my design and turned it into his usual work of art. His plans faithfully preserved the aero design aspects of the plane I am flying, but added a wealth of construction detail.

Bob Walker (Robart) has parts in assembly, which means we will see some gear soon, I am sure in time for Chicago. I offered to mount them in my plane and test them; I think he will take me up on it.
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Old 06-02-2003, 05:19 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Great Wildcat Doug! I have a 1/6 Karlson on the board now. I will be ordering the retracts from Robart later this year. Plan to do the Bates Buffalo and Platt Zero also.



Carl
Old 06-02-2003, 05:41 PM
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Default wildcat

Carl, I have seen bob karlson's wildcat fly many times.. first time was some years back at one of the scale contests at bealton va.. Saw it later again at warbirds over delawars.. was a few years ago. he built a bigger one but never made the plans for that one..For his documentation he had access to Dupont's wildcat.. if im remembering correctly... his flies and lands very good.. BobH.
Old 06-02-2003, 05:57 PM
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Default Grumman Wildcat F4F-3 1/5 scale

Bob, I fly at the FARM near Bealton. Are you in VA?
Carl
Old 06-30-2003, 08:27 PM
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Default Re: Grumman Wildcat, Bates Plans

Originally posted by dougimes
I have had a 1/5 scale machine in operation since 1995. At the time, I drew up plans based on Detail and Scale's 3 views, and the 2415 airfoil.
So Doug, I'm really curious - how many times have you dinged up the wingtips on this plane (i. e. how is the ground handling)?

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