Thanks for your compliments! A real Hellcat flyer! Wow! I hope I'm still flying RC at 85 years old! Good job!
Don't get your dandruff up to much about the quick link or whatever it is on my elevator pushrod (it came with the ARF), I used that early in the set up to just get everything in it's proper spot. That's one of the problems with showing work as you go, everything you do must be explained. Although I've not flown full scale Hellcats I've found that doing so would not really help you fly a model of one nor will it make you a better builder, so I have to rely on my experience. I've been working with balsa since about 1974. This is a 1/8 scale model and I've been using Z bends and metal clevises on 1/8 scale models since the 70's and I've never had one fail. Again thanks for your concern and good luck on your quest, whatever that may be...
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Well, wrt to time building-I began in 1938 with rubber powered models, and RC with single tube Ace in 1957. I have assembled and flown the model that you are detailing, as well as numerous others. Time in the ' full scale Hellcats' sure doesn't hurt.
My 'quest', as you noted, is simply to help my fellow modelers. I was afraid that my suggestions would ruffle your feathers-not my intent.
hookem