New Giant Top Flite F6F Hellcat coming soon?
10-27-2020, 06:54 PM
#528
I almost lost the Hellcat two weeks ago. Take off was ok, then doing a circuit turning from down wind, the plane jerked. I didn't thank there were enough wind to cause that. Then while turning at the up wind end, it went out of control. I thought for sure it was going to be a big pile of blue wreckage. I was able to level out, chopped throttle and belly landed in grass. Broke prop and did minor damage to cowl. Turned out the prior owned had fitted it with multi plugs on the wings. Every thing was in the plugs, ailerons, flaps, lights etc. I though this is great, makes assembly much easier. However, just a very little flexing of wing caused connection problems affecting the ailerons. Now individual plugs for flaps and ailerons. So survived that ordeal.
Now I have about 12 flights on the Hellcat. I tried the 21-10 three blade on the DLE 61. There is a noticeable reduction in thrust, less vertical. I put the 22-10 two blade back on. Next flight was fine. The Robert tail wheel had malfunctioned. I had to fabricate new flanges that hold the motor. That is fixed and tail wheel retract is working now. Plan on taking it to the field tomorrow.
Now I have about 12 flights on the Hellcat. I tried the 21-10 three blade on the DLE 61. There is a noticeable reduction in thrust, less vertical. I put the 22-10 two blade back on. Next flight was fine. The Robert tail wheel had malfunctioned. I had to fabricate new flanges that hold the motor. That is fixed and tail wheel retract is working now. Plan on taking it to the field tomorrow.
10-27-2020, 07:16 PM
#529
Good save! That’ll get you’re attention!
Im not a fan of single connectors to gang up multiple servos either. In all my experience I’ve never had a plug failure because mine are separated and secured with plug locks.
The DLE 61 is very different from the 55RA. I used the Xoar 22x10 on the 55RA in the Corsair and it ripped, great performance. The 61 in the Corsair is just not the same, it’s much slower and harder to tune than the 55RA. I’m using a carbon Mejzlik 24x10 on it right now and it’s able to climb pretty well but level speed is much lower. I’m thinking of going to a smaller prop like you and see how it goes, maybe more pitch like a 12 or 14 to make up for the lack of revs.
Im not a fan of single connectors to gang up multiple servos either. In all my experience I’ve never had a plug failure because mine are separated and secured with plug locks.
The DLE 61 is very different from the 55RA. I used the Xoar 22x10 on the 55RA in the Corsair and it ripped, great performance. The 61 in the Corsair is just not the same, it’s much slower and harder to tune than the 55RA. I’m using a carbon Mejzlik 24x10 on it right now and it’s able to climb pretty well but level speed is much lower. I’m thinking of going to a smaller prop like you and see how it goes, maybe more pitch like a 12 or 14 to make up for the lack of revs.
10-28-2020, 05:56 AM
#530
The plane flies good with the DLE 61 with the 22-10 two blade. Enough speed and good vertical. No complaints. It tunes out ok. I don't have a DLE 55RA so can't compare. I do have a DLE 55 with a pits muffler. The 55 is in a Hanger 9 Mustang and is enough power for that plane. It turns the 22-10 two blade 6,000 rpm. The 61 turns the same prop 7,250 rpm. The 21-10 three blade turned 6,150 rpm on the DLE 61.
