zipman

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Hi JL Layton,

Could you tell me what plans you are using for the Bobcat (UC-78) and the Skyrocket ? I am curently starting a UC-78 using 1964 RCM plans. Specs are 65 inch span .35 - .40 engines. about 1/8th scale. I want to work my way up to Don Smith's 1/5 version in the future.
I like the Skyrocket, Are you doing the short nose or long one?

Thanks

Stan

rcalfred

Stan: If I may horn in....the October 1975 issue of Flying Models featured a Nick Ziroli designed stand-off scale, short nose, Skyrocket. The prototype used Wankels. Mine has ASP 32s. If you are interested I can snail mail you the article. I, too, have the RCM Bamboo Bomber plans and will start it this winter. Have the mold made for laying up the fiberglass cowls. Are you going to try using retracts instead of the fixed gear shown on the plans? Regards.

JL1

My Feedback: (93)

Zipman,
The UC 78 is a small one(55" I think) powered by a pair of K&B 28's. I have been flying the thing for years & I don't remember what plans they are. I think I still have them somewhere and if you are really interested I will see if I can find them. It is a good flying little bird But it is a long way from true scale. The fuselage is pretty close but the wing is constant chord with no taper which the original had.
The F5F is From A Fred Coulson plan via Bob Holman. He has canopy, cowls and ,maybe, some laser cut parts for it.
Jon L

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

AL (RCALFRED)
Thanks for the response. I just wanted you to know a foam wing core is available for the RCM Pan of the UC-78 (65 inch span). You can get it at Dynamic Balsa. (I beleive they cut Wings former line of Foam Cores. I may build a glow and electric version of the Bobcat. Possible 2 choices for retracts. 1. A manual retract that Fred Coulson used in his 70 inch Grumman Skyrocket or 2. Use a Jackscrew servo like manufactured by Janaco. This would make an electric retract. Both methods would require building the struts. Hope that gives you some options.

Stan

zipman

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Hi JL.

Thanks for the reply. I was supposed to reply to you on the other thread but I hit new thread instead. Anyway, yes I have Fred's Skyrocket plan. I like both the short and later modified long version of the aircraft. Makes a very unique model. Great plans by Fred Coulson. A fellow near me scaledup from 3 views an 84 inch span version and flys it on 2 Ryobi 31cc engines. The plan handles great. Good luck with your current models.

Stan

JL1

My Feedback: (93)

Zipman, I am going for the short nose version. I have quite a bit of documentation on the F5F, if you need any info I might be able to help you out.

rcalfred

For those interested in finding info on this plane I suggest the Naval Fighters publication number thirty-one titled: Grumann XF5F-1 & XP-50 Skyrocket. Authored by David Lucabaugh and Bob Martin. Also, there is a 1/48th scale plastic model of the short nose by Minicraft Model Kits. Got both from :www.historicaviation.com. Regards.

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

JL,
Sorry for the late response I have been sick all week finally got some antibiotics in me. I like both versions of the Skyrocket (short and long nose ) I think the long nose version would be easier to balance allowing you to move the battery/servos more forward. although the fuse is pretty short. I have some different 3 views I purchased from Scale Model Research. I think I bought every version he had. As I said I am going to build the 70 inch span version from Fred Coulson's plan then see if I can blow it up to mabe 85-90 inches for weedwacker engines.
I have pair of homelite 25cc ready to convert.

Stan

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

rcalfred,

Hey, thanks for the name of the book and where to purchase it. The book and model will be on my christmas list to Santa. If I can find a similar book on the Cessna Bobcat/Uc78/t-50/aAT-17 t would be great. Most modelers must think we are nuts liking what is preceived to be 2 ungly airplanes. Personally I like the unusual in scale aircraft. The UC-78 qualifies for a warbird and has to be rather easy to build in most any scale. All the surfaces are very well proportioned and a true scale outline can fly very well. Just my opinion.

thanks again

Stan

JL1

My Feedback: (93)

Zipman,
I too have thought about balance on the short nose version. I have not fully worked it out but I am going to try and put everything I can in the engine nacelles and in the wing forward of the cg.
With regard to documentation, I have some stuff I got directly from Grumman. They are kind of poor quality xerox copies and I don't recall everything that was in the package. I will look it over and if there is anything of real value I will let you know.

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

JL

Thanks for looking into the Grumman documentation. If you find anthing interesting let me know, No problem though as I have some good 3 views and I am going to purchase the book rcalfred mentioned. I was just looking at Fred Coulson's plan. He shows a ply box under each motor mount to be used for ballast. I really hate to add dead weight to a model. His plan shows OS .25 engines. The cowls are 7 inches in diameter. Doesn't leave much prop hanging out. I don't want to go too big with the engines cause the tank won't fit in the nacelle.
Thanks again for the offer.

Stan (Zipman)

rcalfred

Zipman(Stan): It is guaranteed that you will need ballast in the cowls. Mine has 8 ounces under each engine to bring it to the proper CG. Regards.

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

The Bobcat is going to be my first twin, I've got a good set of 3-views and a 3 pack of SKYKING videos.

Rich Border

PS The XF5F, is that Larry Cressman's?

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Al,

One pound of ballast to balance the bird. Thanks for the info.
I still think I am going with the second model of the Skyrocket which had the long nose. This was still a tail dragger.
Regards

Stan

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Hi Rich Border,

First off, yes the Ryobi powered Skyrocket I was talking about was Larry Cressman's. He is quite the modeler. After talking to him and learning that he scratch builds almost everything on his models (except mabe engines and wheels) you come away really engerized to want to build something. His Skyrocket flew very good.
Second, so you are building the UC-78 Bobcat. What size ?
As stated before I am starting with the RCM plans about 65 inch span, twin .40s. I might try an electric version using 500-600
motors and gear reduction so I can spin 11 inch props. I want to paint it the colors of Sky King's original Songbird (UC78). Colors were Cream and Red. Do the videos you have show good shots of the Songbird ?

Regards
Stan

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

I haven't decided yet, either 2 x .15s or 2 x .40s. 50 to 60" wingspan. I have 2 Wankels and 2 .49 VT engines also, I'm still in the first stage of designing it, i.e. got the video and found a good 3 view, I think it will have a foam wing, ply body.

Yea, me too.

Surprizingly few shots of the Songbird, but there is one good clip with the N number, trim, and the Sky King logo though.

Rich

redtail

My Feedback: (15)

Hello, check with Don Smith Plans for a set of large scale plans. I have just started construction. Had a kit cut from his plans. Wingspan is about 100 inches.

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Redtail

Welcome to this Topic. What size engines are suggested for the 100 inch Bobcat ? What type of fuselage construction ?
Built-up, liteply sides etc ? I heard there were lots of ribs in the wing ala full scale. Who cut your kit ? Est weight.

Sorry for all the questions. I have not seen the plans yet.

Stan

aeroscale

For you Skyrocket fans, here's my new one. The silver/red version is electric, the black/red powered by a pair of old O.S. 35FP's. Both are retract equipped and fly extremely well at 7 1/2 lbs.
60" span. More info on my web site www.richuravitch.com
AEROSCALE

aeroscale

One more.....
AEROSCALE

soarrich

My Feedback: (98)

The second picture makes a great Desktop background. Nice plane!

scoobiedoo

i know iam a bit late on this thread,
But in ref to the boxs in the front one was for the retract battery and the other was for the Rx battery and not for ballest you can tape any lead nessacery on the out side of the box i had 1/4 of a pound taped on one of the boxs. photo of the MK1 and Mk2
the master of the skyrocket regards Fred Coulson

Avaiojet

About the Bamboo Bomber.

I've had the RCM plans for some time, but feel they may not be that accurate. Not sure.

I'm looking for a 3-view of the Bamboo Bomber. I will pay.

Anyone got one or know where one can be had?

Charles

soarrich

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OK, that will be $1,000,000.00, you can make it in three easy payments, no interest for 30 days. I also have a 3 view line drawing I'll throw in for an extra $250,000.00

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Hi Rich,

Glad to see you still on this forum. Did you get to build a Bobcat yet? I have the 1964 RCM plans and I am starting it soon. Not quite scale to Paul Matts drawings but it is supposed to be a great flyer. Have you guys seen Mike James' 3D Bobcat here

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8058372/tm.htm Truly a work of art. I wish I had that talent.

Wow after 2 years maybe we can get this subject going again.