Maiden update-
We finally got the perfect weather on Friday in Chicago for flying. I can't say the detailing was finished because as you can see in the photos I'm missing the sliding canopy and wheel pants purchased from Luke. The hellcat actually made two flights this day. One was completely unintentional during the first full throttle push of the modified Zenoah. This thing has a ton of torque and I had a Wright brothers-like liftoff and landing. We gave it a go and the plane took off easily but was definitely out of trim. I decided not to retract the gear on the first flight and I had an in-flight issue where one wheel axel vibrated loose and I lost a tire. Its safe to say I will lock-tight those things next time. Anyway we took a vote and decided to land gear-down and attempt to slow it down as much as possible. I thought gear-up the drop tank might catch and it would start flipping etc. The landing turned out to be as bad as I thought however I did seem to me$$ up the retracts and I did break the drop tank back in two-pieces (sorry Luke)
It should all be easily fixed an back up next month.
I keep joking with my father that I though this was supposed to be a relaxing hobby. I just never is.
Hope everyone had a good weekend!
Jim-