New Giant Top Flite F6F Hellcat coming soon?
12-01-2018, 01:36 PM
#226
Anyone making any progress on their Hellcat?
Iironed out all the covering on all surfaces, only took about 45 minutes to do . I have the outer panels about finished up with servos and linkages setup and installed .The retracts and gear doors are also fitted to the center section . I think I will fabricate the rectangular door that is located at the forward top of the gear at the LE area . I will copy this door from my Byron and it should be fairly easy to make up . Next up will be the horizontal stabs and fuselage .
Iironed out all the covering on all surfaces, only took about 45 minutes to do . I have the outer panels about finished up with servos and linkages setup and installed .The retracts and gear doors are also fitted to the center section . I think I will fabricate the rectangular door that is located at the forward top of the gear at the LE area . I will copy this door from my Byron and it should be fairly easy to make up . Next up will be the horizontal stabs and fuselage .
12-01-2018, 03:41 PM
#228
My Feedback: (13)
Hi Guys,
I ended up purchasing an EME 60 cc gas engine with electric start, for my T.F. F6F. I went over to the Gas Engine thread and I was told this is a very good engine...so I purchased it today. I'm still considering my Landing gear...has any one used Robart gear ? What was your opinion of the Robart gear ?
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
I ended up purchasing an EME 60 cc gas engine with electric start, for my T.F. F6F. I went over to the Gas Engine thread and I was told this is a very good engine...so I purchased it today. I'm still considering my Landing gear...has any one used Robart gear ? What was your opinion of the Robart gear ?
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
12-01-2018, 03:41 PM
#229
Yup! Working on that .. My phone takes pics that the files are too large for rcsb. I have tried a couple resizing apps but I'm not thrilled with them so I will dig out the old digital camera and get some pics to load in . I will try and work on that tomorrow. Anything specific anyone wants to see ???
12-01-2018, 04:11 PM
#230
Bobby I've used Robart gear in everything I own that uses retracts for many years and I am using them in this plane too. . Robarts do the job just fine albeit they may not be as scale or as destruction proof as some desire. I prefer the electrics over pnuematics now , so I don't have to worry about air leaks and pumping them up before every flight . If you treat the Robarts well they will last you a long time . Now if you have problems landing planes correctly you can expect to straighten or replace struts . They are not indestructible but I don't know of any brand that is !!
12-02-2018, 01:28 PM
#231
My Feedback: (13)
Hay CK1,
I've used Robart mechanical retracts with good luck in past years...then discovered "Lado" retracts. I must admit...that I have had really good luck with "Lado's for over six years, on four WWII fighters...all Top Flight models (.60~.90 size). I have also used Sierra Giant Scale pneumatics on several larger models and flew them on a ESM F6F and I was amazed at the robust build of the gear and how well they worked for me. As far as I know, Lado does not make landing gear that will fit this model and Sierra does. The price is almost the same, with Sierra's at a little over $600.00 to include a scale tail wheel assy.
Our field usually has trade winds that kick in by 9:00 am and can be gusty, considering we fly off of a WWII training base (Ba Ba Black Sheep Sq. trained at our field prior to being sent to the Pacific war) and the old resentments are on two sides of our field...creating lots of rough air depending on the wind direction. So I am tough on landing gear because of the cross winds we can get and I've bent Robart struts before on landing. I usually just bend them back and fly again, but the Chinese knock-off type Robart struts are not up to the job at all (Hobby king sells them). So I only use Robart struts.
I'm still up in the air on landing gear right now, but I did purchase an EME 60 w/electric start (with Rx module) for the model, from Mile High Models.
Thanks for the input...
Bobby of Maui
I've used Robart mechanical retracts with good luck in past years...then discovered "Lado" retracts. I must admit...that I have had really good luck with "Lado's for over six years, on four WWII fighters...all Top Flight models (.60~.90 size). I have also used Sierra Giant Scale pneumatics on several larger models and flew them on a ESM F6F and I was amazed at the robust build of the gear and how well they worked for me. As far as I know, Lado does not make landing gear that will fit this model and Sierra does. The price is almost the same, with Sierra's at a little over $600.00 to include a scale tail wheel assy.
Our field usually has trade winds that kick in by 9:00 am and can be gusty, considering we fly off of a WWII training base (Ba Ba Black Sheep Sq. trained at our field prior to being sent to the Pacific war) and the old resentments are on two sides of our field...creating lots of rough air depending on the wind direction. So I am tough on landing gear because of the cross winds we can get and I've bent Robart struts before on landing. I usually just bend them back and fly again, but the Chinese knock-off type Robart struts are not up to the job at all (Hobby king sells them). So I only use Robart struts.
I'm still up in the air on landing gear right now, but I did purchase an EME 60 w/electric start (with Rx module) for the model, from Mile High Models.
Thanks for the input...
Bobby of Maui
12-02-2018, 01:35 PM
#232
I have nothing against Sierra gear except that the wait time to get them sometimes is a little long . I've heard claims that the Sierra are more robust than the Robarts but then again I havent had any problems with Robarts holding up well under normal use.
12-02-2018, 02:08 PM
#233
Bobby if you can get the Sierra full set for 600.00 the price is competitive with Robart . I have one set of Sierra gear for Nosen Mustang that I haven't got around to building yet . I can say they look good .
12-03-2018, 07:24 PM
#234
My Feedback: (13)
Hay CK1,
Sierra gear cost $550.00 for the 100 deg. main gear (80' to 95" wing) for their F6F main gear. The tail wheel retract for this size F6F cost (TRW-3) cost $150.00. So your looking at $700.00 for the gear and you will need all assorted gear for the pnuematic set up. I have this already on hand, and I have the, "low pressure/gear down switch" too.
Electric Robarts are $589.95 and the tail wheel cost 199.95.
Robart also has a deal...that if you purchase the gear as a group...you get a special price to include all the wheels too. I have no idea what this costs...
I've not decided yet how to go...with my landing gear...
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
Sierra gear cost $550.00 for the 100 deg. main gear (80' to 95" wing) for their F6F main gear. The tail wheel retract for this size F6F cost (TRW-3) cost $150.00. So your looking at $700.00 for the gear and you will need all assorted gear for the pnuematic set up. I have this already on hand, and I have the, "low pressure/gear down switch" too.
Electric Robarts are $589.95 and the tail wheel cost 199.95.
Robart also has a deal...that if you purchase the gear as a group...you get a special price to include all the wheels too. I have no idea what this costs...
I've not decided yet how to go...with my landing gear...
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
12-07-2018, 04:17 AM
#236
Not a big problem but still an issue . Last night while assembling the outer panels to the center, the wire wouldn't meet up .The way the wire lead strings are laid in the center section and outer panels doesn't work out . The wires pull through well enough but don't come out in the same location on the center and outer panels . Looks like I will have to make some changes to the plane . The servo wires run in front of the spar on the center section and run behind the spar on the outer panels with no factory provision to relocate them . I will need to drill a hole in the spar under the aluminum blades to pass the wires through so they will come through in the same areas. I will add pics this afternoon.
Last edited by CK1; 12-07-2018 at 04:20 AM.
12-10-2018, 09:20 PM
#237
My Feedback: (13)
Hi Guys,
I purchased Sierra Retracts and called Darrell on the phone and he had a set for the T.F. F6F main landing gear in stock. I purchased a set of main gear from him and a Robert tail wheel retract Cassy. from him also. He told me the Robart fits better and his F6F tail wheel assy. doen't fit into the T.F. model well. The Robarts are a direct drop in...and I followed his advise and purchased the Robart Tail wheel Cassy. I also purchased wheels to fit all three gear...and I already revived a shipping order number from him.
Now to remain my model...or just simply recover it, to USS Bunker hill colors.
Has anyone flown the model yet...?
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
I purchased Sierra Retracts and called Darrell on the phone and he had a set for the T.F. F6F main landing gear in stock. I purchased a set of main gear from him and a Robert tail wheel retract Cassy. from him also. He told me the Robart fits better and his F6F tail wheel assy. doen't fit into the T.F. model well. The Robarts are a direct drop in...and I followed his advise and purchased the Robart Tail wheel Cassy. I also purchased wheels to fit all three gear...and I already revived a shipping order number from him.
Now to remain my model...or just simply recover it, to USS Bunker hill colors.
Has anyone flown the model yet...?
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
12-11-2018, 04:22 AM
#238
I haven't made it to the workshop in a couple days .I've been snowed in with a few of my grandkids here , which has been a lot of fun . The grandkids are so excited to have so much snow to play in , which is not exactly a normal event for December here in North Carolina .
12-15-2018, 11:39 AM
#241
My Feedback: (13)
Hay Karl,
I'm not home right now...but when I get home I will let you know how the Sierra gear fits. Darrall told me they are a direct drop in fit for the main gear retracts....and to use the Robart T.F. F6F retract tail gear, for his retract tail gear does not fit well. He told me the T.F. Robart tail wheel retract, is a drop in fit.
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
I'm not home right now...but when I get home I will let you know how the Sierra gear fits. Darrall told me they are a direct drop in fit for the main gear retracts....and to use the Robart T.F. F6F retract tail gear, for his retract tail gear does not fit well. He told me the T.F. Robart tail wheel retract, is a drop in fit.
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui
Last edited by Bob Paris; 12-15-2018 at 11:41 AM.
12-17-2018, 05:35 AM
#243
Test flew one yesterday. What a sweet flying plane!!
Typical Top Flight. The short coupling needs some technique to take off on paved runways, a little up elevator to hold the tail wheel down till some speed is built, smooth power application and it built speed and took off nicely. Needed some down trim and some right trim. Once in trim it grooved nicely, the DLE61 is a good match power wise and the recommended rates are right on.
Flaps required no elevator comp!
Final needs some power, the large frontal area, big gear and flaps and thick wing add up to a lot of drag, With the flaps and gear down find a power setting that gives you the proper glide slope and it comes right down the rail to a main wheel landing, chopping power over the numbers and it lands fairly slowly.
I re-made the numbers in vinyl for him, the clear decal backing drove me nuts every time I saw it in his shop so if anyone needs a set PM me.
Typical Top Flight. The short coupling needs some technique to take off on paved runways, a little up elevator to hold the tail wheel down till some speed is built, smooth power application and it built speed and took off nicely. Needed some down trim and some right trim. Once in trim it grooved nicely, the DLE61 is a good match power wise and the recommended rates are right on.
Flaps required no elevator comp!
Final needs some power, the large frontal area, big gear and flaps and thick wing add up to a lot of drag, With the flaps and gear down find a power setting that gives you the proper glide slope and it comes right down the rail to a main wheel landing, chopping power over the numbers and it lands fairly slowly.
I re-made the numbers in vinyl for him, the clear decal backing drove me nuts every time I saw it in his shop so if anyone needs a set PM me.
12-18-2018, 01:20 AM
#248
Anyone have issues with the rudder pushrod guide tube alignment being significantly off . The long 4-40 rod binds inside the guide tube when you attach it to the rudder and you can see a serious curvature in the rod from where it exits the fuselage to the rudder attachment point . I will rework this but it binds so much that the rudder require serious force to make it move with only the rod attached , no servo attached yet . Shouldn't have to do this kind of rework on a model this pricey ! Thanks TF. I will be calling you ....
