RCU Forums

RCU Forums (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/)
-   Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/twin-multi-engine-rc-aircraft-192/)
-   -   KMP F-7F Tigercat (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/twin-multi-engine-rc-aircraft-192/4814227-kmp-f-7f-tigercat.html)

Rogue Eagle 02-13-2012 10:53 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 


ORIGINAL: Ron McGrath

The set up for the batteries is 10 s 2 p I have 2 5 cell packs 5+5=10(one set). And 2 3 cell and one 4 cell packs 3+3+4=10 cells(the other set) the hard part about this setup is how to connect the packs together in the confined space with keeping it as simple as possible. I have made some mistakes along the way and am happy with the configuration that I have now. Charging is a hole other issue! But I can now charge all 5 packs in under 15 minutes. If you count the 2 1350 mah packs for the rx I guess that's 7 packs in 15 min. My son and I will have 7 planes this season that will take a 10s 5000mah pack. And 2 of those will take 2 10s packs(the tigercat and a Stinson 108)
What kind of flight time are you getting with this set up? What brand props are you using?

ysolomon 02-14-2012 04:09 AM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
Thanks. I used them when I tried 16x12x3 on my P-40. I like them.

ysolomon 02-14-2012 04:13 AM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 07:35 AM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 10:46 AM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 12:07 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
There are so many different mfg. of brushless motors I have no experience with most of them.

stoat 02-14-2012 12:21 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 05:14 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 05:17 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 06:03 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 06:54 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-14-2012 08:22 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
1 Attachment(s)
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 02-15-2012 02:40 AM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
Do you know what your setup weighs?

stoat 02-15-2012 10:52 AM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-15-2012 05:03 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
Gear doors are going to be one of my summer projects. I'm around 25 lbs. RTF weight.
Bob

Ron McGrath 02-15-2012 06:01 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
how was the balance?

bruff 02-15-2012 07:50 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
Per plans.
Bob

airraptor 02-16-2012 09:45 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
everyone running gas engines on this plane has there been any stress cracks or failures from the vibration?

CHARLES WINTER 02-16-2012 10:16 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
1 Attachment(s)
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 02-17-2012 02:17 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 


Hi guys, </p>

 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?</p>

Thanks! Joe</p>

airraptor 02-17-2012 02:35 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-17-2012 02:58 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 


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.</p>

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 :)</p>

Thanks again.</p>

bruff 02-17-2012 03:16 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-17-2012 05:19 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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 02-17-2012 07:04 PM

RE: KMP F-7F Tigercat
 
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!


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:50 AM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.