TGA TopCats?
 

JohnVH commented in another thread ...
"Cool, another topcat guy, I wonder how many there are on this board?"

I think, from what I've seen, there are 4 or 5 of us not including lurkers - among those 4 or 5 I know of only 2 flying right now.

Mike

TGA TopCats?
 

Right on, reading my mind here, and lets see some pics!! Mine is still in pieces.....

TGA TopCats?
 

I am in the process of glassing mine so not to much longer. I am very impressed how simple this kit is to build. Rick

TGA TopCats?
 

What turbine are you using? Ive got the JetcatP80.

Topcat
 

Hi Guys,
I have been flying my Topcat since the Superman event in October of last year. I'm using a Ram 500. (When I can get it to start) I must have gotten some contaminated fuel, as it seems it keeps clogging up the nozzles in the turbine. Or so we think until I send it in again. Sigh.......

Terry Holston

Topcat
 

I scooped one up a few weeks ago. I just got the landing gear/struts yesterday too. And, I've been bugging Terry and George for some suggestions - thanks guys! Mine will have a RAM500. I may do a MiG color scheme (Kommicat?), with some big red stars. Da! Or, maybe not... I'm just starting the sheeting on the VFBs...

Does anyone have a need for 10 cubic feet of foam packing peanuts!!! :-D

TGA TopCats?
 

Send 'em back to Steve at TGA. Hee, Hee

Terry Holston

TGA TopCats?
 

Hey Terry, How does it fly? any bad habbits? Rick

TGA TopCats?
 

Rick,
It flys great. It will slow to a crawl with a nose up attitude on approach as long as you keep a little power on after it's set up on final.

All that with out a speed brake!!!

A word of caution though. Build it with all the up elevator you can get. TGA recommends at least 1.25" of up elevator, to have enough for that enevitable dead stick your gonna have.

I didn't have enough on the third flight at Superman, when the engine quit. I only had about 1" up and it wasn't enough to flare on a down wind landing. Damaged one wing and bent the springair mains.

On the fifth flight at our field, the engine quit again. Only on approach this time, wound up in the plowed field short of the runway. Bent the Springairs again.

All the other flight have been picture perfect! I love it, now if I can only get that 500 unclogged........sigh........

Also, I highly recommend TGA's reinforcment blocks for the Springair mains, thy work!!!

SA reinforcement
 

>>>
On the fifth flight at our field, the engine quit again. Only on approach this time, wound up in the plowed field short of the runway. Bent the Springairs again.

I also highly recommend the TGA reinforcement blocks for the Springairs, They work!!!
<<<

Terry is right on wrt the TGA reinforcement "blocks" - see attached photo. This mod works for just about any SA retract and you can make your own without the need for a Birdgeport mill in your shop.

Mike

TGA TopCats?
 

For TGA's price of 39 bucks including an aluminium nose gear steering arm, I couldn't scare up the materials and make the parts. And did I mention I'm cheeeaaap?? Er, I mean frugal!

delete
 

Thanks
Ray

TGA TopCats?
 

Well, newbie question. What are the TGA reinforcements made of and what thickness. I'll make some for my plane.

Thanx

Frank M

Info.
 

Frank, I don't actually have a bought set but am making mine. I believe TGA is using aluminum. What type? (I don't know.) Mine will be between .200-.275 thick. I bet TGA's are closer to the .275 mark.

George

TGA TopCats?
 

The TGA blocks are 5/16" aluminum. Rick

TGA TopCats?
 

Thanks for the info guys.

Frank M

Sheeting?
 

Hello,

Someone mentioned sheeting the VBS? Does that mean that the Topcat doesn't come sheeted? What's the skinny on this?

TGA TopCats?
 

You can buy the kit sheeted or unsheeted. Check out the website for prices. Rick

TGA TopCats?
 

I got the sheeted version, but you can get it unsheeted, thats the skinny ;)

Sheeted vs. Unsheeted
 

I got the unsheeted version 'cause I thought it would be easier to locate/cutout the AL ALY spar slots in the foam cores. Sheeting it was a no-brainer (I use vacuum bags) and allowed me to incorporate 2 oz. 'glass cloth (on a 45 deg. bias) between the cores and balsa skins - VERY strong - just for grins.

Mike

TGA TopCats?
 

I got the unsheeted version also. But only cuz I'm a cheepskate! Plus, I like edge-gluing and sanding 1/16" balsa. :rolleyes:

Topcat
 

I opted for the sheeted version, thinking about getting another for this summer. Good Turbine jet and the first one I did not try to build light, came out great!!