RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Any update?

Ben in SC

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Hey Ben,

I haven't done much since the last post. I have been busy at work. I also ran out of "steam" on this project. I built a little Ace T-34 just for kicks and am now finishing up a Byron Zero. I will be back on this one in a week or so. I'll post more soon.

Thanks,
PJ

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

This is my latest Don Lein Hellcat 27 lbs, Earl Aunt Gear, Sliding cockpit, the plane flies better than I do.
Get ready to buy your rivets by the bucket load, they add a lot of charcter to the plane, wouldn't look right without them.

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

NICE!!!!!!

I'm really looking foward to getting mine complete. Right now I'm finishing up a Byron Zero to chase my buddies Corsair/Dauntless/Helcat around.

Thanks for posting the pictures.
PJ

JB Hellcat Flaps and Aileron set up
 

All out there with JB Hellcats
please share with me how you hinged the Flaps and Ailerons. Also what
control linkages did you use and where you put the servos...also any
experiance going the with suggested set up according the the JB plans would be
appreciated.

Pete

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Pete,

I am in the middle of building the Bates F6F myself, havent gotten to that point yet though :D. Post some pics if you have them!

Ben in SC

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Hi Ben,

Here are a few more pictures. Now that our newest baby is 5 weeks old. I brought the plane off the shelf and started a little more work. Here it is.

Next is finishing the panel lines in the wing, and work on the flush rivets. Paint the wing and start the detail work (smoke, chips, stars, etc.) I'm going to put a G-62 in it. That should fly it well.

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

PJ, Hellcats didn't have rib stitching. There was a channel in the rib with holes about every two inches and there was a wire with barbs bent in it that clipped into the holes. The rib tape went over that. Most restored Hellcats do have rib stitching as the wires are hard to come by. A lot of the US WW2 airplanes used a variation of this system as it didn't take near the time to do as rib stitching. Don

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Wow thanks Don.

All I did was put the tape on. So that means I'm still "scale"! I'm starting on the panel lines for the underside of the wing. After that, I'll paint and put flush rivets in.

PJ

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

very nice job !

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Thank you,

Here are some more pictures. I'm going to cover the wing control surfaces this week. After that, Paint the cowel, and paint on the markings.

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

PJ,

Thanks for posting your work! Please keep it up!

I too like Ben am building the Bates Hellcat and I am very interested in your work. Check out my progress at www.rcscale.net when you have a chance. Great Job!

David

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Some pics of the tail feathers.

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

more pics

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

still more.

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Lovetoflyguy:
Nice looking Hellcat...Re: the rib stitching. Pittsdriver is correct in that wartime speed of production required "staples" over the tape instead of thread. However, the CAF's restored Hellcat (Flakbait's photos) has rib stitching instead. I did the stabilizer during the restoration effort so I can speak with some authority. It is also a slow process and a pain in the neck to learn how to tie the knots correctly so the thread won't slip! I have since applied some additional markings to the Hellcat...victory markings on the left side of the fuse, "AGC" on the small rectangular gear doors, etc...
Hellcat models all fly as well as the real thing, which is to say they are among the most docile of all the WW II airplanes.
Old Shep

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Hi Chad et al! Just looking through this thread and saw your name. Will shortly start building 1/5 scale Hellcat gear, for Bates plans. Have first order on hand. Also building YAK-3 gear, with first order on hand. Built 5 GEORGE sets, and have 80% of parts for one more. Am specializing in Bates' plans, as 80% of last year or so have been Jerrys' plans!! Lee Robinson [email protected]

RE: Just Another Bates Hellcat Project!!
 

Guys, I have changed servers, so my new address is, temporarily, [email protected]. Will have other box set up shortly. But I've had a disaster; I have lost my entire address book, and recent emails!! I'm building a Hellcat gear, and have his address, but someone else inquired about it, and I have no idea who! Maybe it was someone on this thread! Lee Robinson West Palm Beach.