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Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

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Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Old 06-25-2006, 12:47 AM
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Veltro
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Default Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

It looks like Ace/Thunder Tiger is planning on releasing a Navy version of their Rare Bear ARF Bearcat. How was their Rare Bear? I recall mixed reviews.

http://www.acehobby.com/ace/sport.htm

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Old 06-25-2006, 01:12 AM
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Richard L.
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

There was a thread on this plane several months ago. Do a search for it. The general consensus was the plane looked like crap.
Old 10-04-2006, 03:10 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

I received my Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat last week. I'm nearly done assembling it. It looks pretty much the same as the Rare Bear with a few modifications. The horizontal stab seems to be identical to the Rare Bear so I'm going to be alert for flutter. If I get flutter, I'm going to counterbalance the elevators.

I don't think the kit looks like crap;-) It's at least as scale as most other ARFs out there.

I'll be converting this model to electric. No fuss, no muss:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576476

Here's the kit contents:

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Old 10-04-2006, 05:30 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Cool, looking forward to a gas or glow review on it!
Old 10-04-2006, 08:25 PM
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Veltro
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Thanks, Thunder21. Who did you buy it from and what did it cost?
Old 10-05-2006, 05:30 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Why not counter balance the elevators before you fly it.
It does look very nice I must admit.

Regards Phil G.
Old 10-05-2006, 10:37 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

I got the model from my LHS. It was around $310 shipped. You can look on Ace Hobby's web site to find a local dealer.
http://www.acehobby.com/ace/dealerslist.asp

Phil, Once I get the motor and batts installed, I'll see how much weight I can afford to put in the tail. The nose is so short, a couple ounces in the tail will equate to many ounces in the nose. The weight is at 10.5 lbs without having balanced it. I hope to be able to achieve balance with my batteries all the way forward in the cowl. But we'll see. It may need even more weight to balance.
Old 10-06-2006, 07:49 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

very good price. $304.99(free shipping)

http://www.thundertiger4u.com/thunde...e-p-12709.html
Old 10-07-2006, 06:25 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Dear All
Why do manufactures always quote the wrong scale.
It is more like 1/7th rather than 1/6th.
I know it makes no difference but it bugs me.

Having said that the Naval version does look very nice.

Regards Phil G.
Old 10-12-2006, 09:58 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Hey, I 'm interested in a Bearcat. This one in particular caught my eye. Was is it crap or not ? I needs to know..............
Old 10-18-2006, 12:52 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

I've completed assembling mine. It's powered by an electric outrunner motor and 9s3p 6300 batteries. Hopefully the maiden will be this weekend. The only issue I have with the model is the fact that it's way over 9.9 lbs. I used standard servos, etc and it ended up taking a lot of weight in the nose to balance. It's a shade under 11 lbs RTF now. I don't think you could get it any lighter.

Since it was designed for glow, I guess the designers figured that the extra weight of fuel in the tank (it's in front of the CG point) would make it fly well enough. I'd hate to dead stick this one at the recommended weight. Not only would you not have an engine, you'd be massively tail heavy to boot.

I don't know if the elevator flutter problem prevalent in the Rare Bear version is going to rear it's ugly head. I don't see any obvious changes in the design.

Here's a picture:
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Old 10-18-2006, 03:25 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Hey Thunder,
The Bearcat looks great! The fuel version is balanced with a empty tank, no fuel wouldn't cause a CG issue. Hope your E version fly's OK.

Brian
Old 10-19-2006, 09:14 AM
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randy1985
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Do you think the cowling will conseal the little zenoa gas engine? Also, is there enough room to put in air retracts? I can't wait to hear the flight report. Your bearcat looks awesome!
Old 10-19-2006, 09:58 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Thunder21,

Looks good.

Does the kit come with retracts? If so, pneumatic or mechanical and how do they look with regard to reliability.

Thank you,

Oriole
Old 10-19-2006, 10:02 AM
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Richard L.
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

The plane looks "acceptable" except for the long aardvark nose. The cowl is around 2 inches longer than what it should be (to help balance the plane?)
Old 11-04-2006, 01:05 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

I think the front of the cowl is too small, it tapers down too much. It may also be a little long, but not by two inches. The vertical fin may also be a little small.

I've had a few flights now and I think the model flys really well. I may have it a little too nose heavy now so I'll start to move the CG back by shifting the batteries back a little. I'm using a four blade APC 15.5x12 prop cut down to 15". Top speed is around 70 MPH and it climbs rapidly.

The kit comes with mechanical retracts. The housing is plastic but they seem fairly sturdy. Air retracts would probably fit without a whole lot of modification. The model bounces so much on the grass trip at my field that oleos would be nice. But I'd worry about breaking them as I've hit a couple dead spots on the field that have flipped the model over (one at takeoff speed) The stock gear flex a lot so they seem to be holding up well. The kit wheels were a joke so I substituted some H9 Pro Lite wheels.

The cowl area is pretty big. I don't do glow/gas motors so I can't comment on what will fit. It measures approxiamtely 7" diameter at the back, 7" long and tapers to about 6" at the front.
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Old 11-04-2006, 09:11 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Hey guys..I just got mine about 2 weeks ago...and i must say its awesome,,just like the BEAR,,i built that for a freind last year....The thing i displeased with it that it doesnt come with a dummy engine,,at least the bear came with a sexy' spinner,,but i ordered one from tower and it looks great..i guess they put gear into replace the spinner..hehehehe...other than that...i have bashed this kit something feirce..just like i did the BEAR,,so cant wait to see what happens..nice kit other than that,,as far as the gear...im putting in KMP spring airs..think thell be better than stock...but i did do something to mine you should think about,,,If you look at the gear blocks,,it looks like they used wood glue,,get a small bottle of Gorilla glue,,and put some behind all the ply that comes together,,just a little sqeeze and spray with a bit of water to activate it...i think if my gear goes,,,the whole wing is going with it..lol..if you notice the 1 gone,,,i had to make mine just a tad differant than everone elts's...lol
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Old 11-04-2006, 09:43 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version


ORIGINAL: cublover

The thing i displeased with it that it doesnt come with a dummy engine
You can order a 1/8 scale dummy radial from Tower. I will be using that on my TF Bearcat.
Old 11-04-2006, 10:12 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

ORIGINAL: thunder21

I think the front of the cowl is too small, it tapers down too much. It may also be a little long, but not by two inches. The vertical fin may also be a little small.
You are right. The way the cowl tapers down made it look too long, maybe by 1" - 1.5". The vertical fin is definitely a little small. Overall, the plane doesn't look too bad.

Old 11-04-2006, 12:21 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Here is the 1/8 scale dummy radial I'm painting for my Bearcat: [link]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHY67&P=0[/link]
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Old 11-20-2006, 03:34 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Here's a video of my electric powered F8F Bearcat taken yesterday:
http://www.glue.umd.edu/~markt/TT_F8F_Bearcat.wmv
Old 11-20-2006, 04:37 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Very nice vid indeed!
Old 11-20-2006, 04:38 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

great vid! Im getting one one of these days
Old 11-20-2006, 05:19 PM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Very Nice Video! Looks good!
*thunder21*- So how do you like this Bearcat??
Is it a nice ARF?? Anything you would do or change if you were to build another one??
Does it need a lot of nose weight to get the CG right??
Thanks.
Old 11-22-2006, 02:02 AM
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Default RE: Thunder Tiger F8F Bearcat ARF - Navy Version

Thanks for the compliments. The day was pretty drab and I'm surprised the video turned out as well as it did.

I built the model stock except for the motor mount and cowl hatch. I also shimmed the gear forward to reduce nose overs. That's a required mod for my grass field.

It flys great. The high speed passes in the video are approximately 100 MPH. I used the stock throws and it handles great. My CG is at 5" from the leading edge (manual called for 5-1/4") and it seems pretty well balanced. If I move it back the elevator gets a little sensitve.

The only problem I've encountered is the HS-75 retract servo is marginal with the gear leg pants on. I have to raise the gear immediately after take off or they won't always come up. I guess that's scale. Using a retract servo with more torque (like the JR 791) would fix that problem.

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