Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

I ordered the Skyshark RC TBM Avenger today. I plan to install the Spring Air retracts with 3/8" oleo struts. The kit calls for the robart #121 tail wheel but I am thinking about installing the Spring Air retractable tailwheel. I would like to power this plane with a YS 91 swinging a graupner 14x7 three bladed prop and installing the Tru-Turn prop hub. I would appreciate any comments from previous builders of this plane on any tips,setups and recommendations you could suggest.Thanks.

mwunsworth

My Feedback: (13)

I picked up one of these kits for my dad a couple years ago as a retirement gift. He's on the 3 year plan to get it done but very nice kit and goes together very nicely. He also has the Spring air main but with the Robart tail retract. He doesn't have much building experience so he has struggled a little since it's not a beginers kit like Top Flight. The 91 4c is definately enough power as all the SS kits build light.

Harigo

Build mine last year using a OS 120 engine. YS 91 should be enough, my 120 flew scale at just over half throttle. Finished with fiberglass and weighed 14 pounds. Had to put about a pound of weight in the nose to balance. The spring air retracts are a bit soft for the plane. You have to have perfect landings each time.
Lost the plane about a month ago. Using the 120 engine with the recommended tank gave only short flights and one day I ran out of juice 10 feet off the runway and about 50 feet from the runway thrashold. Problem was I had used soft mounts and could not hear the engine so when it quit I did not realise. The plane was also headon so I could not make out the prop. Anyway, at the moment I realised it, and before I could dip the nose to gain speed, it tip stalled from 6 feet and broke the fuse in two.
I think I can repair it but have had other projects on the table. Will want to repair it as it was a stable and a beauty in the air. The batteries and servo installation in the fuse is abit tight though.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

After three months of building I am getting ready to do the final sanding so I can start covering the plane. Putting a YS 91 with an graupner 14x7 three bladed prop, Spring Air retracts with the Robart retractable tailwheel. Using Robart 3 1/2 inch scale wheels. Anyone know where I can get a dummy radial engine for a cowl opening of 4 1/4 inches in diameter?

Razguel

beautiful job will be quite a pleaser at the field. give us a flight report when you completed the maiden.

270win

My Feedback: (14)

The YS91AC will be a good powerplant for this plane. It's stonger than the OS120.... mine was anyway. Great looking build! I just bought a Skyshark FW190D9. Mine will have the Springairs and an OS91FX 2 stroke... i've seen those dummy radial engines somewhere but I don't recall right now, when it comes to me I'll post it here....

270

HalH

My Feedback: (12)

Wing manufacturing has a 7 cyl that would fit.

Hellcat716

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Thanks for the info. I will order one.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

try Frank Tiano, he has the resin cast radial engines in multiple sizes. If you need som eweight up front, these work great.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Finally getting the canopy and gun turret painted. Takes a lot of patience to get these pieces painted and trimmed to fit. Have also got the dummy radial engine and cowl mounted along with the three bladed prop. Still waiting for the custom gear legs to be finished then I can finish up the wing.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

I am sold on Skyshark kits. Everyone that I have seen built here on RCU has been a work of art. I just need to buy one. Hellcat, your doing a beautiful job. Which radial engine did you buy?

Canuck1

I love the Avenger. Great aircraft. I would love one in 1/5th scale. Great looking planes guys. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming.

Craig.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

It is the one from Wing Manufacturing 4 1/4" diameter.

butlern

My Feedback: (15)

Hellcat716,

I am building this plane as well. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

First, what kind of paint did you use for the cockpit? Did you apply it directly to the balsa, or did you seal the balsa first?

Second, How did you go about notching the rear wing spar to accomodate the flap pushrod exits? Do you have a photo of your flap set-up?

Your plane looks great. I wish I were that far along in the process, but I suppose that I have all winter to get there.

Noah

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

I used acrylic paint from a local craft store. I applied it with out any primer. Took several coats. I am installing my flaps a different way then they recommended. I have a servo hatch that my servo attaches to with the arm extending out the bottom of the wing. I will attach that servo to the inboard flap and will pin the inboard and outboard flap together. I have a Top-Flite sea fury that I built a few years ago and works very well with this setup. I have not finished the setup on the avenger because I am having trouble with the flaps being warped. Trying to straighten them out first. I will give you some pictures when I get the setup done.

butlern

My Feedback: (15)

I appreciate your feedback, Hellcat716.

By the way, who is making your custom struts, and will they be functioning oleos?

Also, are you using the Spring Air retracts? Is so, does your air control valve stick out of the top of the wing? I set up the servo, valve and air canister according to the plans, but it looks like there could potentially be a problem with the control valve lever coming into contact with the bottom of the cockpit (although I say this without knowing for sure, as I have yet to start building the fuse... need that zinc chromate!).

I like your idea about making the flap hookups external. I have been dreading trying to get the flaps hooked up and properly adjusted if installed as per the plans.

Thanks again.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Lenny Sarbin is making the struts with functioning oleos. Yes I am using Spring Air retracts. The valve is about 1/4" above the top of the wing skin. It fits under the cockpit without any problem.

nemesis4u

My Feedback: (77)

HELLCAT716..
NICE man...Real Nice... Dont you have a matching Hellcat in this color scheme?? Be neat to have a matching pair in your hangar...
Did you Monokote the TBM? or is it fiberglassed and pained?? either way it is gorgeous!!

sedrick

I am just about to set up the flap throws on my TBM I have not sheeted the wing bottom yet but have made the control rods. I have made the flaps and have set up the radio and flap slider (evo 12 radio) so that the flaps will be in the correct retracted position. I do intend to make rather large servo access hatches so that the control arms are accessible.
My current worry is correctly bending the landing gear wire. I am hoping to find adequate struts for the springair retracts

butlern

My Feedback: (15)

Sedrick,

I too have left the bottom of the wing unsheeted, as this was strongly recommended in a build thread that appeared in rcscalebuilder.com. There's no way I'm sheeting it until I'm certain that everything is operating and adjusted well.

Sounds like Hellcat is having Lenny Sarbin make him some custom struts. Maybe he'll make more than one set if he gets enough requests. I think that I'll call and ask him about this pretty soon.

Do you have a picture showing where you made the exit holes in the rear wing spar for the flap pushrods, or are your linkages all external?

Any input is appreciated.

Noah

sedrick

The flap control rods go through the trailing edge plate. Make the control rods per the plans and carve or drill and carve a hole where the rods will exit. No real finesse here as they will be covered by the leading edge of the flap. I hinged the flap as shown using the teflon hinge material. I suppose you could use robart hinges and drill at an angle such as the topflight kits do, but you would have to cut the wing side flange very short so it would not interfer with the control rods. The flap is hinged at 1/8th inch from the bottom of the wing edge as that is where the hing attaches to the plywood flap (1/8th inch ply) It looked sort of flimsey but seems to be very tight even befor CA is applied

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

I am using Century 21 fabric on the Avenger. I do have a Hellcat in matching colors. They show up real nice in flight.

Hellcat716

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If anyone would like the website for Lenny Sarbin it is www.Shindinmachine.com. He can make most struts for any plane on the market. He is doing my gear for the Skyshark RC TBM Avenger. He has some photo's on his site.

ramcfarland

My Feedback: (44)

The build is nice I look forward as others,to the flight report. Congratulations on a CLEAN build.
interesting about the power compare between an OS120 and a YS91 4/c,with the YS being more powerful? The have the 120 W/P[8D]

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Here are a few pictures of the gear I had Lenny make for the Avenger. They look real good and fit perfect.