Richard L.

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My buddy Mark S. is currently building two Top Flite Bearcats simultaneously, one for me and one for himself. These kits were produced back in 1979 and were discontinued a long time ago. I was lucky enough to get a hold of three kits. We had to replace most of the sheeting and stringers, but the formers were still good. We plan to maiden fly both Bearcats in May of this year.

Richard L.

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Some more pictures:

Richard L.

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More pics:

Richard L.

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Most people built this kit with short landing gear struts. Our Bearcats will have long struts that are scale in length, so the planes will sit nose high just like the full size. Currently, the tail wheel wire is too long and will be shortened.

Richard L.

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Retracts are Robart 551RS 85° pneumatics, struts are Robart 7/16" offset oleos, and wheels are Robart 3.25" diameter diamond tread.

Richard L.

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Luke (dionysusbacchus) was kind enough to make me three new clear canopies to replace the aging yellow ones that came with the kits:

Connery

Those Bears are looking good. Luke is a good guy, I miss following his building threads, wish he'd start posting again. I wonder if he ever finished that F4G Corsair.

JohnVH

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VERY nice Richard, my Ziroli is going to be a while in between my other projects BUT, let me know when you guys fire them up, love to come take pics of them in flight!
JV

Richard L.

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Yes, Luke is an extremely talented individual. Now if only he could make me three scale Bearcat cowls

Richard L.

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Thanks John. We are shooting for the first week of May. I have a feeling one will be completely done before the other though.

hattend

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Nice pics. Looks like it builds very similar to the Maratuka/Royal B'cat (plank, and then plank some more). The building over the horizontal crutch looks a lot easier though. the Maratuka is essentially built in your hands, yet came out straight. I have two of those old TF B'Cats in storage, you make me want to take them out and get busy. But I am on a propjet kick right now so they'll have to wait.

I still have to finish up the graphics on my Pardue B'Cat racer anyway, it's only been waiting 4 years now LOL.

Good Work, Guys!

Don

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

Well thank you so much for the compliments Richard and Connery. I'm glad I could help with your project Richard, I want to see how that cockpit I made fits as well, so please more pictures!

As far as the cowl goes, I was thinking the same thing! Ha! If I remember correctly though, the TF Bear has a round fuselage at the firewall, but anything would look better than a Corsair cowl!

Keep up the great work, those gear look great too!

Dion

Richard L.

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Luke, I don't think I will be able to force the cockpit kit in there. There is not much room, and the air tank might end up in the same place.

dionysusbacchus

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Richard I can send you some extra Bearcat cockpit parts that you can cut up and make a partial cockpit. I know you probably don't want to do this to your good one. Just cut the sides to whatever depth you need, same with the back and instrument panel. After checking my plans it does look like the TF Bearcat has a very small fuselage as compared to the Royal.

Luke

52jaws

My Feedback: (65)

Luke
I am about to partake in this exact project and would happily pay for a canopy as I have the same problem as the boys above.
Can you help?
Thanks
Paul

Richard L.

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Luke, I'm going to see if I can get the cockpit kit to fit first before having you send me the extra cockpit parts. Thanks.

Richard L.

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Paul, Luke also makes dummy radial engine for this plane, so you might want to consider getting one also. You will need to add nose weight to the plane.

SBR_RV

wow, never knew TF made bearcats, i reakon they would sell if they make them again.

oriole

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Hey Richard L,

How are the Bearcats coming?

Oriole

Richard L.

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Hi Oriole,

We are still working on both of them. They are almost at glassing stage.

DMehalko

My Feedback: (42)

Very cool, a new "old" plane, they look great, are you guys going to do them in the same scheme's?

Richard L.

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They will be done in different color schemes because we will fly them in formation.

chrisn

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HELLO RICHARD,

Which color schemes will they be in ?

Chris

Richard L.

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Hello Chris,

Mine will be in the color scheme you see in my avatar. Another word, the plane will be in overall glossy sea blue with an orange band around the rear of the fuselage. My buddy's will be done in the Royal Thai Air Force (silver with charging bull on the side of the fuse and black/yellow chevrons on the vertical tail).

Richard L.

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To Bearcat fanatics, do you know if the Bearcat depicted in the picture below an authentic Bearcat or is it a color scheme that the artist made up?