Jmik

Hey gang,
Here is a 'Cat of a different color. I like to call it a hybrid Hellcat. That's because the fuse and center section are glass, and the outboard wing panels are built up from plans drawn by Dave Andersen. Yeah, you guys know who I mean. Mr. Scale Desgner himself. Sure gives me more confidence that the bird will be airthworthy! The scale is 1/5 and the span is 96 inches. All access hatches and overlapping panel lines are molded in the glass parts. Sorry, no rivits....ya gotta do those yourself. If a guy were to add those, because they are button headed, it would really add depth to the surface when applied to the overlapping panels.
Anyhow, I'm probably not doing this in the proper order, but here are a few pics of the fuse and horizontal stab.

77chickenhawk

Oh good im the first to post.. hehehe that means i got dibbs on the first kit!!!
are you thinking about adding the extra window behind the canopy the new versions had?

Jmik

Hey Chick...glad you came over!

Now did you mean the small window that the -3's had? My version is a -5, and they removed the window on them. Sure wouldn't be hard to cut out a section if you wanted to go with a -3 model. Then you would have to add the bottom two cowl flaps also, and the little scoops on the sides of the cowl just below the top cowl flaps


Jeff

77chickenhawk

ahhh i see.. my history isnt to good on the Cat.. so it was the olderone that had the window,, hmm ok nah Ill thick with what you have the 5
So exactly what is the diameter of the cowl at the half way point where the cylinders are? Need I ask why hehehe

Jmik

She's 12.5 at the 3 and 9 o'clock position, 14" at the 6 and 12 position. I think your Moki would slip right in there.

Jeff

David Jackson

My Feedback: (15)

What is the length of the fuse with cowl attached? Is this plane available and for what price?

Jmik

The length is 74.5 from the front of the cowl to the rear of the rudder. Sorry, this is still a work in progress. I can't be offering anything that I
haven't flown yet first. I do plan on having a kit available sometime after this flying season.

Jeff

77chickenhawk

the moki 250 will fit lol and Siedel 250 lol

make the firewall strong and possibly in the scale location

Jmik

She's a beefy girl...the firewall is 1/2" aircraft ply cemented to the rear of the f/g box, and then 1/8 ply sides tie the firewall into the engine compartment. If you tear this out you would have treated your model very rudely

Jeff

77chickenhawk

You are the MAN>...

making a warbird thats 1/5 scale that will hold a moki Yayy!! this baby's going to fly with the scale sized prop... OHHH YEAH

lol Solo?? .... heres another plane that requires your prop.. hehehe

STUKA BARRY

With Ziroli already marketing a 1/5 scale Cat, 96" w/s and offered with a glass fuse, Why dont you go bigger, say 100-110" w/s? I know some modelers have a transportation problem, but seems silly to offer the same size. Scale builders are copycats though. I'd be your first customer for a 110" Hellcat!!

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Jeff's will be half the price

77chickenhawk

but this plane has a composit wing section. less building it would be cool to have both to sell wow thats alot of work. im a 1/5 scale guy myself.. the cost goes up quite a bit when you go to 1/4 scale..

Jmik

I know t hat no matter what size one builds, they can always be just a bit bigger
!/5 is a nice scale, and there are retracts available in that size. I'm not too sure what gear would be available for a 110" Hellcat. For my protptype I mortgaged the farm and got a beautiful set of Darrell's gear over at Sierra. Spendy, but what a piece of machinery! They are absolute georgeous!
Also, having another 'Cat in 1/5 makes it possible to mix and match parts. I'll bet most of the glass parts could be used on either model.

Jeff

F4u5

My Feedback: (81)

I'm just coming in to let everyone know that with Jeff's superb glasswork, and Dave's wing plans...you can't go wrong with the Hellcat. Jeff does some of the best glass work I have ever seen.

Jeff

Vintauri

My Feedback: (25)

Looking forward to seeing this one. Will you be at the Owatonna flyin in Aug and if so will you have this one there?

Jmik

Wow, I would love to get this done for Owatonna....Jeff, build me some outboard panels Thanks for the sunshine old buddy, appreciate the nice words! You know you're gonna test fly this sucker, right?

Jeff

F4u5

My Feedback: (81)

[X(]Huh?......you may want to ask big Phil about that.....did you see my last flight with his Ziroli Hellcat....almost splashed her taking off with high rates[sm=50_50.gif.....of course he forgot to tell me he flipped the switch[sm=50_50.gif]

You just let me know ifyou need some work done on some outer panels. I thought you almost had them done.

Jeff

Jmik

Yeah, I have been slacking off lately on the 'Cat. I've been working on getting my P-47 on the market. Guess there was more to that than I expected! I have one wing panel on the Hellcat almost finished, and I'm working on getting the flap to operate smoothly. I have a little hang-up with the setup right now, so I have to figure out where the problem is before I move onto the other wing panel.

As far as the maiden flight goes, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have at the sticks than you, old buddy! You could fly an ironing board with the right amount of power

Jeff

Vintauri

My Feedback: (25)

I think the key here is to not let Phil set the rate's for you :P

This thread made me drag out my little 70" electric Cat and fix up the damage from last year. Couple more hours and some touch up paint and it'll be ready to sneak around the sky amongst all the gassers

Question on yours.... How long is the fuse going to be? I'm wondering if it will fit in the back of my truck.

Steve

Jmik

Hey, Steve,

The fuse is 74.5" from front of cowl to end of rudder....we can get 'er to fit in your truck!

Good idea on not letting Phil set the rates.....[sm=cry_smile.gif]

Check6

My Feedback: (427)

Hey Jeff,
Awesome looking Cat!!! When you finally get this to market will it be a one piece fuse or two??
I'm trying to decide whether I should finish up my Byron Hellcat or sell it and wait for yours. Looking very nice. When do you think it will hit the market?? Hey Jeff Q looking forward to meeting you at WOD.
Thanks,
Fred Menna Check6

Jmik

Hi Fred,
I really appreciate the kind words on the 'Cat. The fuse will be one piece, with a separate belly pan. I'm thinking I won't have it ready to market until the fall or winter. Hopefully in time for next winter's build season.

Jeff

jbdismukes

My Feedback: (2)

Jeff

Haven't heard from you in a while. How goes the 'Cat?? Not impatient, just curious.

Jack

Jmik

Hey Jack,

I actually haven't done much on the 'Cat for a while now. Still working on getting the flaps to operate correctly without binding. I have been busy trying to get my other project, the P-47, off the ground. Pun intended

I'm sure I will get back to her this fall, and I promise I will keep up with my postings.

Thanks for your interest!

Jeff