RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Sbaugz, I am using an O.S. BX-1 1.08 - which is a bored out .91- and needed to open the side of the cowl for the head. It BARELY protrudes, which made me sick, because I wanted a completely hidden
( possibly a 3/8" in hole for a glow driver) installation without slicing the nice cowl.
I maidened her 2 weekends ago, and was amazed at the sweet flying charactistics. Flew mostly at half throttle, and she would loop and roll from level flight. Full throttle and and it really moved out. I found the flaps a bit inneffective though, and had to adjust my landing pattern to keep from floating past the runway

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

cool, thanks for the info. I may use the magnum 108 and mount inverted so I don't have to cut cowl. I would have to get a pitts muffler too.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Looks like they have a new lower price on them. $167.00 check it out.:)

http://www.raidentech.com/f6fhe70arfni.html

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

That's a great deal. I got mine from them at $181, and I thought that was good. The one I received was a true CMP kit, and had excellent quality.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

How did you guys run your rudder pushrod? I was going to use a pull pull but discoverd that there's no hard point in the rudder high enough to make it work. I don't really know how much I like their system of multiple bends to get teh pushrod up to the fin, at least that's where the molded lines indicate to make the hole.

TIA,

Andy

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Rats, you're making me use my memory. I used the hardware supplied (the long wooden dowel with metal pushrods at each end). I located the rudder pushrod on the side of the fuse opposite the exit slot (at the tail). This provided for the most advantageous angle and the least bending. As I recall, I did have to make a slight bend at the exit slot, but that's all. Using a standard ball bearing servo (Hitec Hs-325HB), the installation is very rigid (no slop) and smooth operating.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Would this plane be a good candidate for a 25cc (1.5 cu.in) gas engine?

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Don't think so unless you want to try and locate all your radio equipment in the tail. A 1.20 FS glow engine with all the radio equipment behind the tank balanced perfectly for me. Any gas engone is goning to force you to add weight I think.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Possibly. I agree with what gehr2box says, but that doesn't mean the gas engine wouldn't work too. At just under 12 lbs, I think my Hellcat is on the lighter side compared to some on here. Mine balances without adding weight by placing the radio battery close to the firewall. My ASP 1.20 with a 16 x 6 prop seems barely powerful enough. Even loops entered into from a dive are most often pinched at the top to complete. The extra power won't hurt. Mine slows very well for landing. I keep 50% throttle until nearly over the threshold, then settle and come to complete stop before using half the runway. I think there's probably enough wing area to have a bit more weight and still retain mild landing characteristics. I think if you were going to add weight... smoke system or whatever... you'd definitely want more power too. Do it and let us know!

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Hardware supplied is a question I had for the flyers of this arf: did you guys use the supplied horns etc.. or did you see a need to upgrade anything? I'm waiting for my Century Jet retracts to come back from CJ(after being checked out by CJ) so I can get them in my wing and get going on this puppy!! :) Whats the largest wheels you see that will go into the wing (after having to cut the wheel well to size? Seems like RichardL said 3 & 1/2 to 3 &3/4 inch wheels- RichardL, you mind chiming in againwith what all you had to do with the spar to get the CJ's to fit?
Thanks!!! John

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

You will need to trim the spar a little for the air cylinders to fit. Once you have the retracts in front of you, you can trial fit them and will know exactly what to do. Largest wheels that will fit are 4", but you will need to special order retracts with slightly shorter struts. Otherwise, 4" wheels will sit too far back in the wing and will touch the wing trailing edge.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

I used some of the included hardware and not others. I can tell you from having built several chineese models that the little bits and pieces are mostly junk.... the clevises are weak, the speed connectors will not remain fastened, the collets are aluminum and prone to fail, even the threads on the metal portion of the push rods are shallow and poorly cut. I've had metal clevises break apart in my hand as I was mearly holding them, and I've had clevises slip off the threaded end of the push rod from being a poor fit. If you are building this model to have for a long time, definitely replace the little bits and pieces with parts you have 100% confidense in.

Now... if fixing my dumb thumbs were as simple....

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

50% power on final! I'm usually at 25% or less. My 1/3 GP Pitts only needs 25-30% at it is a lead sled.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

After X-Mass im buying either the hellcat or new p-47,i have a new G-26 in the box,i think it would be the perfect match for these planes,the balance should be close by moving the reciever,battery,and retract equipment to the rear of the fuse,even if i have to add a little weight,i dont think it would hurt that much,from listening to what others have said,this plane could use a little more power,hopefully ill have mine under my tree for x-mass,if not shortly there after,the only thing that bothers me is i hear the plane doesnt slow well with the flaps,ive also heard mixed results on flight characteristics,so im wondering if the 120size jug would be a better choice,the flaps look much longer on the jug and they usually fly well.If anyone has any comments on either plane im open ears,id like to get as much feedback as possible before commiting.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

I find that a 1.20 gives plenty of power and more than scale speed. Flight is very predictable and smooth. Knife edges pretty well for a warbird. Flaps work well when the maximum recommended throw is used. No complaints at all.

As far as adding a G26 to the nose you might want to consider the following:

A G26 weights 59 oz. My Magnum 1.20 weighs 32 oz. That's 1lb 11oz difference. My F6F balanced right in the middle of the recommended range with the 1.20.

3 Futaba 3004 servos weight 3.93oz

1 7 channel Futaba receiver weighs 1.43oz

1 600ma receiver battery weighs 3.3oz or a bigger 1000ma is 4.2oz

1 radio switch maybe .5oz

That gives you 10 oz that can be moved toward the tail to balance the extra 27 oz you added to the nose. Don't know if you can move the stuff far enough back to balance the plane or not. The added weight might turn a nice handling plane into a lead sled. It's surely go vertical, but it will not be the most forgiving plane at slow speeds.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

I can't recall if I saw anybody mention moving the servos aft.... has anybody done it? I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea, shorten up the pushrods and give me someplace to mount the retract valve and servo.....

Andy

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Yeah man... 50% power on final with flaps down. That plane has a LOT of drag. It might work more reasonably with a 15 x8 prop? And I have yet to fit a false radial in the cowl. Doing that might reduce drag. Not too worried about it until the weather warms up again.

Gehr2box, good analysis. I had no idea that motor weighs so much more than a 1.20. With that much weight up front it would be a good idea to move the fuel tank back over the CG too huh? This model is a bit undersized for such a motor. It would be cool if it would work though.

A621, again it's not a problem to get these planes to balance. Might pose a prob though if you move heavy servos seriously aft. There's plenty room in the fuse for retract gear with the servos mounted in the tray. I think there are more than one photo of servo installations in this thread?

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Guys there is one on sale for $168 plus $30 shipping, does this look like a real CMP ??? The seller said it is .

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Richard L.,

Thank you for your knowledgible contributions to this, and other threads on this airplane.

Do the CJ Retracts come with these shorter struts? As I recall you used CJ Retracts and Robart wheels (spokes on both sides)?

Sometimes these threads get so long that it becomes dificult to retrive information. Thanks again for your input!

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

The CJ retracts made for this plane are for stock 3" wheels, so they would not come with shorter struts. If you wish to use 4" wheels, then you must ask CJ to supply the retracts with struts that are either 3/4" or 1" shorter than stock.

The left picture below shows a retract with 3" wheel. Note that there is around an inch of clearance between the top of the tire and the air nipple at the end of the piston. The right picture shows the retract with 4" wheel. I believe I asked for struts that were only 3/8" shorter, and so my wheel well openings ended up touching the spar at the wing trailing edge.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Never flew mine with anything less than a 16x6. My experience with going to smaller props on other planes is that they take longer to get off the ground, but once the prop unloads in the air you get more speed.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

Is anyone using the air up spring down Robarts's?If so,how are they?I have my engine,hardware and all HS645's for servos,i also have my air tank,hose,and deluxe 4way valve that CJ sells,just need the arf and retracts.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

I'm gonna try the g-26,if neccessary i'll move all the servos to the rear,whatever it takes,its not that big of a deal to locate them aft,i see theres plenty of work area with this plane.If theres a problem i'll go with the 1.20,i just dont like to use glow,ive had many dependability problems over the years,never had that with gas.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

When i start mine i'll be sure to let you guys know my outcome.

RE: CMP Hellcat
 

I like those 4"weels Richard,very nice,who makes those,are they from glennis or cj?