Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

Cool plane, I like them finished in glass and paint. What’s your final weight dry?
Im curious if you will find that the extra weight of the finish will require you to fly with more power. In other words is it just a wash? That 70cc twin should give you very good performance in this plane when it’s stock and light. I’m looking forward to your results!

CAPT John

My Feedback: (15)

My Hellcat came out heavy at 29 lbs but I believe it will still fly well.

Sonofasailor

Very nice looking plane

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

It should handle the weight ok. The Hellcat floats pretty well and it’s fun to fly in the wind so yours will penetrate on windy days a little better than normal I believe.

CAPT John

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks Chris.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Mine is 28 pounds with the drop tank on, handles wind extremely well, is well behaved on landing and feels like it weighs 10 pounds less than it does. Just a great airplane. Such a shame they discontinued it.
Dom

RBean

MaJ. Woody and others here who have flown this plane, our field is open and I am getting the Hellcat ready for a maiden. Charged up all the batteries and changed out the prop to a two blade 22-10, tested the retracts and all the controls. I've got the control throws set as per the instructions. CG is mid range according to instructions with tank empty and gear up. How much up elevator mix do you recommend with gear down? I've guessed and put in 7%. I've read that there is very little change with flaps. Is that correct?

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

Yes little to no change for me, I just paid close attention to the elevator to feel for any change and it was fine as is.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

No change at all. This has to be the most easy to fly, honest warbird I have ever flown. Looks like a beast but flys like a ***** cat. Just dont spread that around as we dont want to squelch the admiration from the locals LOL.

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

LOL your cat got filtered.

Yea, it flys great, it's a very tame cat

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

It’s a very Hip Cat...

cgcrc

Hi Chris:

Was wondering if you could advise the approx. clearance of the Saito 60 R3 valve cover and the inside of the cowl where it would be the closest.
(i.e. on the cowl sides where it curves toward the front).

Best regards
Randy

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

Hey Randy,
It’s a tight fit and I’ll have to look at it and get back to you. I know one of the valve covers has just about zero clearance but I added thin foam pads to the inner skin of the cowl.
Remember what I said about the cowl mounting locations and the engine covering them.

I’ll check and get back to you

cgcrc

Hi Chris:

Thank you for your reply and info.
Your info re the valve cover having minimal clearance pretty well answers my question/suspicion.

I do remember your previous post re the cowl mounting locations... thanks.

Best regards
Randy

PS Forgot to ask one further question.
You previously posted that the Hellcat likes to be flown at a faster speed setting which makes sense.
Under reasonable wind conditions for scale flight ..(8-10 knots winds) is your throttle setting on the radio at 2/3 or 3/4 with the Saito engine...or more?.

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

As I recall the Hellcat can cruise around at about 60-70% power and play around in the wind. It handles the wind very well so you can use the planes energy to do some maneuvers as well as jockeying the throttle to get over the top of a loop or to reposition into the wind, etc. The field wind sock was a 15 knot sock and I have flown it in this wind with no problems, lots of fun actually.

I have the throttle set up on a curve so it’s not linear because the carb is very sensitive. If you want more info on this I can take a photo of the screen to show it. If it’s run linear the carb makes it too abrupt so when you need fine power changes like on approach to land it’s just not there.

cgcrc

Hi Chris:

Thanks for the reply that's the info I was looking for.

If you could take a pic of the screen at your convenience re your throttle curve that would be very helpful.

Thank you again for your assistance.

Best regards
Randy

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

Here’s the cowl and engine clearance, not the best pics but you can see the left is closer than the right. I put the pad on the top cylinder only.

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

Here’s my radio, DX18. The trim and engine cut off are set up to shut the engine down.

cgcrc

Hi Chris:

Thank you for posting the pics, they answer my questions re valve cover clearance. Sure is close without alot (if any)...lol....of "wiggle room".
But will fit when the engine is accurately placed on the firewall.

I see what you are referring to re your throttle curve. I use a similar curve for other gas models.
I will use yours as reference when setting up the engine throttle response,

Thanks again for answering my questions and posting the pics for clarification.

Best regards
Randy

Chris Nicastro

My Feedback: (3)

You’re welcome Randy,
I’m looking forward to reading about your experiences with the Hellcat!

cgcrc

Hi Chris:

I will certainly keep you posted re the build/assembly of the Hellcat and progress as I move forward.

Talk soon.

Randy

RBean

Finally got the Hellcat out to the flying field. Started ok then on take off the engine quit just off the ground. Landed three point. Turns out the clunk line had come off. I got this used and checked everything but didn't take the tank apart. Should have. Ok, I re-plumbed the tank. Then next time at the field the engine seemed to be running slightly rich on the ground. Thought it would probably lean out in the air. It didn't, got more rich, barely flying. I was able to get on the ground. Never retracted gear. Removed cowl and checked out. Ran on ground, leaned out.

Next flight was ok. Take off fine, enough power, loops rolls etc. Gear up and down ok. My mix for gear about right. Gear and flaps down, landed a little long but made good landing on the mains. Next flight was better as I got use to the plane. Did a stall series. Stalls are almost a non-event. I agree that once I got my technical issues resolved the plane flies great. So success in spite of myself.

CAPT John

My Feedback: (15)

Does anyone have a copy of the drop tank and release installation instructions?
Thanks,
John

LtMash1A

I have two TF Hellcats for sale. One new in shipping carton never opened, one fiberglassed and repacked in shipping carton if anyone is interested. PM me if interested. will sell at cost.

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

Where are you located?