BVM Kingcat Help Needed (Rebuild Photos added)
 

I am helping a friend on a rebuild project for the nose on a BVM Kingcat.
I was wondering if anybody had the nose gear former drawings or detailed photos and some dimensions as the formers are missing from the project aircraft.
I was able to draw up new formers for the nose cone attachment based on a replacement nose cone.
Also does anyone have a PDF copy of the Kingcat manual that they could e-mail to me?

Thanks
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1964902

You can get those parts from BVM

BVM sells a "Crash Kit" to replace the KingCat nose formers, consisting of both formers, blind nuts, bolts and the balsa spacer blocks.
Give Patty a call at 407-327-6333 for availability and pricing. I'm sure the parts are in stock.

Thanks for the reply
However I don't need the nose formers, I already drew those up, see my post.

What I need is photos or drawing of the nose gear mounting formers/rails etc.

I also need a manual if anyone has a pdf copy.

Thanks

Wow, I thought the Kingcat was a popular jet, no one has photos of the nose gear mounting bulkheads????

Rich, sent you a PM.

Jerry Crow, CD, RT 66 Jets

I did see your post, and read that you had drawn the frames, but offered the information as another way to help.
The BVM parts are laser cut for a perfect fit, and made from the correct materials, and ready to go.
BVM sells the nose gear flex plates as a spare part, and they probably will sell a set of the machine cut 1/4" plywood mounting formers too. Manuals are also available.
BVM is the best source of spare parts for any of their jets.
The flex plates are P/N BVM 5455, price is $20.95/set.

Manuals are hardcopy and $25.00 a pop IIRC.

I would like to thank the gentlemen who took the time to send photos of the drawings and a pdf copy of the manual. It was a great help as I was able to re-produce the wood parts that I needed.


The following is a quick photo view of the progress that I made on the rebuild.


The project started a couple of years ago when my Buddy Jack and I were given parts from a crashed King Cat; so we started looking for more parts. Last fall Jack found some more broken parts on RCU, wings booms etc, he was still missing a canopy and a nose cone. We located gentlemen who had made molds for replacement parts, so Jack was able to procure the replacement nose, canopy and a lower belly pan. Now it was time to turn this basket case into a great airframe again. This is where I volunteered to put "Humpty Dumpty" back together again.

"Humpty Dumpty" missing a section of the forward fuselage, the left side section cut from the original crashed King Cat, this is why it is important to save all parts, no matter how small of piece....

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975026

New nose cone, canopy and belly pan fitted up
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975027

1/64" Plywood to create a mold for the missing section
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975028

Ready to apply glass from the inside

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975029

After the glass cured, wood form removed
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975030


Belly pan has been tacked in up to this point, removed belly pan to gain clear access to upper fuselage section, carbon fiber and glass reinforcement applied to canopy rails.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975033

Now it was time to join the belly pan to the upper fuselage section, belly pan prepped

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975035

Pan tacked in with CA, then fiberglass tape used to join the two sections
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975038
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975040


Carbon fiber added to areas where the nose wheel formers will be placed
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975042


Next step was to glass the outside seams

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975046
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975042

The next step was to apply the filler, then sand, sand, sand...did I mention sanding.
I forgot my camera so I will need to get the photos from my sons phone to post later.

Then it was time for Primer
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975043

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975044http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975045


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975069

More later :cool:

Here are some photos of the new wood parts I created from the photos that were sent to me

New battery holder
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975053

Bulkhead parts
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975054

Working out details for direct drive steering, new retract rail positions
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975055

Canopy latches
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975056

great job!

Looks awesome Rich. Can you tell us about the laser cutter you use?

I see you have done a great rebuild job.
The nose gear formers are supposed to be 1/4" instead of 3/16". Just sayin'.

Wow! you make it look so easy..Nice work man.. Now looking at some of your pictures..I see where I could have done my T-33 repairs differently:)

40 W Co2 (American Built)
I would recommend more power through, it takes a few passes on the 3/16" material

That's why I have two of each ;)


Also I had to extend the rails for a Dreamworks / Robart style retract, so I am designing an upper former to straddle in between the two original formers

This is the draft version

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975178

The rails will be a composite design, i.e. plywood with .090" carbon fiber sheet.

That's why I like posting photo's, and seeing other peoples photo's, it helps generate new ideas on how to solve a problem. ;)

Here is the photo taken directly before the primer was applied.... very little filler required;)

You can see through the fiberglass

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1975646

Hey, I think I recognize that 'Cat...Glad to see you bringing it back to life! I still have the radio tray and a few small pieces like the landing gear covers, PM me your address and you can have 'em.

Tell Jack I said hello :)

Some more progress
Retracts mounted, was able to adapt a set of Robart 635's and straight struts for the mains with Intairco 3 1/2" wheels and brakes

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980562

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980563


Nose wheel with direct steering

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980564



http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980565

Fitting up the wings and booms

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980566

New former designed and installed for nose wheel reinforcement

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980567

Battery box installed

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980568


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1980569

Looks AWESOME!!

I want one of those laser cutters!

Thanks for the complement

I won't mind owning a laser cutter either, just lucky to have limited access to one :cool:

You and me both. The 40W mystery meat units from eBay look workable but when you go up in power the price doubles and I don't think 40W will cut it (no pun).

You are correct, the one I used is made in the US of A, but also cost $12k

Very nice work Rich, almost as good as I am:)
Rcpete