Rogue Eagle

What kind of flight time are you getting with this set up? What brand props are you using?

ysolomon

Thanks. I used them when I tried 16x12x3 on my P-40. I like them.

ysolomon

Two comments:

1. Try and consider an alternative to the power 160 motors. Such as the tacon Bigfoot 160. They were introduced to me by someone else who is flying this tcat on them.

2. Another reason for the braking system (for me, at least) is that I'm also building a 1:10 yellow F-18, which would land very fast. That one has brakes by default, but I need a plane to practice braking...

Ron McGrath

My Feedback: (10)

We have had some issues with off brand big out runners. I was test flying a 1/3 scale cub for someone and kept losing power I landed and started walking out to get the cub off the runway and was asked why don’t you taxi back I said you’ll see the prop was sized after 2 inexpensive motors went bad he ended up with a AXI 5345. I would stick with a brand AXI, E-FLITE, HACKER, RIM FIRE the last thing you want on a twin is the bell to come loose and jam. The same thing with speed controllers why take a chance? A Tigercat is not a simple model try to keep it as simple as possible.

Rogue Eagle

ysolomon,
Thanks for the tip to the Tacon Bigfoot 160s. What a difference in price. Its too bad noone seems to have them in stock. Have you had any issues with them?

Ron McGrath

My Feedback: (10)

There are so many different mfg. of brushless motors I have no experience with most of them.

stoat

As a general rule you can tell quality be who sells a motor. Horrizon or tower etc tend to stay away from the cheaper chinese gear. If its from places like banana or hobby king then it may not be suitable for this type of use.

I always use Hyperion/Scorpion. Both made in the same factory from the same parts, but often Hyperion is better value.

ysolomon

So I considered many motors (see below from what I posted on a parallel thread on RC Groups). I didn't even know about the Tacon/Bigfoot brand. In reply to my post, someone who is using the bigfoot motor on this plane for a while now recommended it. I learned that even the best brands fail. I had issues with E-Flite batteries, Parkzone motors, Castle Creations ESC (one caught fire and almost took my P-40 with it...). So, these days I rely more on people's actual experience than on brand. That's my story and I'm sticking to it... I had great experiences with equipment that was cheap, and I had bad experiences with expensive brand names...





Motor Name, kV, LiPos, Current, Power, Shaft, Size, Wt, Price, Link

Eflite power 160, 245kV, 9S-10S, 60A/78A, 2300W/2700W, 8mm, 63x64mm, 650g, $150, http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...60A#quickSpecs
Rimfire 160, 250kV, 9S-12S, 45A/72A, 2500W/3200W, 8mm, 63x62mm, 634g, $180, http://www.electrifly.com/motors/gpmg4505.html
Monster power 160, 245kV, 9S-10S, 60A/78A, 2700W, 10mm, 63x64mm, 645g, $50, http://www.hobbypartz.com/mo1602brmo.html
Hacker A60-24S, 195kV, 10S, 40A/50A, 2500W, 8mm, 60x60mm, 596g, $160, http://www.aero-model.com/Hacker-Bru...60-24S-V2.aspx
Turnigy rotomax 160, 231kV, 10S, 80A, 2960W, 10mm, 80x58mm, 849g, $122, https://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...ner_Motor.html
Turnigy Aerodrive SK, 170kV, 6S-10S, 3250W, 10mm, 63X74mm, 840g, $60, https://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...0Kv_3250W.html
Scorpion S-4025-14, 390kV, 7S, 80A, 2000W, 6mm, 49x51mm, 562g, $180, http://www.scorpionsystem.com/catalo...s40/S-4025-14/

ysolomon

You know, I buy a lot from HK. I use the Turnigy brand name a lot. Not everything they have is of equal quality. I bought a $230 jet from them, and was disappointed at the quality. Then I bought a $54 mini-jet, which is one of my best fliers... Their 6S 5000mAh 35C has a very bad reputation, while their 6S 5000mAh 40C has great reputation, and I use it a lot. We now live in a world of public opinion and reviews. I read them carefully...

stoat

Dont get me wrong, I buy a lot of gear from HK. Most has been great value and am very happy (hell, I keep going back dont i?). However sometimes I find that it just not worth trying to save $100 on a $5k model. I have had a couple of big turnigy outrunners and both died after 3 or 4 flights. However this was early days. As stated, the best thing is to take note of peoples comments about a specific product - very easy to do on HK.

ysolomon

Or on the forums. The recommendation for the bigfoots are from someone who have put them on our tcat. That's why I bought it. I am pretty happy with the rimfire 160 I have in the p40, although another rimfire did die on another plane during flight. It is not about saving money... I have good hitch servos. I'm putting an ar9110 receiver ($200) on this plane (I hope we are not starting a jr vs. Futaba debate here...)... I like to test my planes on the ground A LOT before I let them leave the runway for the first time...

bruff

My Feedback: (18)

Mine is one of the original all composite. I have two Hacker A60-6SX motors , Hacker X-110 ESC (mounted in the nacelle) and 2 each 6S 6800ma XPS LiPo pack in the nose. Mine 100% box stock other than the electric conversion. Flies great! 89 AMPs on a 19 x 12 APC electric prop. I'm using three receivers for the servos. Take off is at 1/2 throttle. So far no problems with battery wire length to the ESC.
Bob

Ron McGrath

My Feedback: (10)

Do you know what your setup weighs?

stoat

Solomon, not at all. I use what ever works (both JR and Futaba!). Interesting to hear about other guys setups - that is what forums are best at providing! I had not heard of Bigfoot controllers untill they were mentioned here. Next time I need one I will certainly be looking at the Bigfoot.

Bruff, great pics. Looks like a happy cat on a good landing! Time to get those gear doors on buddy! They are a pain, but really makes the whole airframe have the correct "sit" on the ground.

bruff

My Feedback: (18)

Gear doors are going to be one of my summer projects. I'm around 25 lbs. RTF weight.
Bob

Ron McGrath

My Feedback: (10)

how was the balance?

bruff

My Feedback: (18)

Per plans.
Bob

airraptor

My Feedback: (66)

everyone running gas engines on this plane has there been any stress cracks or failures from the vibration?

CHARLES WINTER

airraptor I have been flying my Cat for over a year and put it through all basic aerobatic maneuvers and dive it from high positions to get the most speed I can. I have my Fuji 23s "Gasoline" humming and NO Cracks yet. I do believe that you must put things together correctly and insure that there is no slop in any of your control surfaces. I have extra hinges in all moving surfaces. Col. Chuck Winter

Joe Black

My Feedback: (3)

Hi guys,

 I'm looking at getting one of these Tigercats from TBM.  I'm slowly reading through this thread but since it stretches back to 2007 I'm wondering how much is relevant to the current production plane?  I'm gonna continue to read through this thread but I was wondering if I could get a "cut to the chase" update about the newer production planes,  have there been any updates, are there any persistant problems that need to be addressed? Also is there any feedback on the electric retracts?

Thanks! Joe

airraptor

My Feedback: (66)

TBM had thier shipment of ESM stuff come in to the port yesterday. It is awaiting the Homeland security to inspect the container. once that is done they will have planes ready. They had 10 ten planes I ordered my shiny one yesterday. They also have ten gear door sets for these planes and ten V2 gears but 11 are spoken for so you and I will have to wait till the next shipment comes in.

From what i heard the new planes have a built up wing thats covered and then painted.

I will power mine with DLE 30's with canister mufflers. All control surfaces will have hidden control set ups.
The flaps will have short torque rods with servos mounted in the pod. The aileron will have a carbon rod filled with bass wood dowl inside it with torque rods to actuate them. I will have a test set for the aileron to see if its stiff enough for 130mph speeds lol
The elevator will also have internal setup. The rudder might be the hardest but i dont know how wide it is in rear just under the rod but i think i can make it work.

Joe Black

My Feedback: (3)

Interesting stuff there .However I was wanting to learn more about the quality of the planes. As I'm reading through the thread it seems there was difficulties with paint, questions about the main wing spars being supported, were there any major structural defects and were the kits improved any? etc. Information like that is what I was looking for.

Being this thread started 4-5 years ago, I'm just trying to get the current info on the plane.
Still reading on page 20

Thanks again.

bruff

My Feedback: (18)

As far as I know there has never been a wing spar failure other than after the plane hit a tree. I'm flying mine stock with no mods other than electric powered. Mine is one of the 1st ones in country.
Bob

airraptor

My Feedback: (66)

Joe keep reading the whole thread and you will understand. The first kits/Arfs were all composite and had a composite wing. there were a couple of reported failures. Charles winter in here opened up the center wing on the ALL composite kits and came up with a fix. Later ESM made the wings out of wood and film covered them like I stated in my earlier post. i will have the latest version in two weeks or so once it gets shipped.

Joe Black

My Feedback: (3)

Cool, I'm gonna finish reading through the thread.

So does anybody have a recomendation on the retracts, are the electric ones offered by TBM a good way to go?

Thanks for the responses fellas!