RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Thank you Christer and Gianluca for the compliments.

I wanted to share with you the dummy radial engine kit and static propellor that I received for the Hellcat. These items are made by Dave Schwirian's Scale Specialties and distributed by Aerotech Models at the link below. They carry a very wide range of static props and dummy radials so if you're looking for these items for your current project this is a good place to start.

http://www.aerotechmodels.com/

The parts are absolutely first rate. The pics below show the prop and engine as they come straight out of the box. The prop will require very little clean up, and I mean very little, and it will be ready to paint. It is designed to come apart for storage and the blades are molded with a stub that snugly fits into the hub without any work on the modeler's part whatsoever. The radial comes pre-painted in the basic colors and is ready to assemble and detail. My only regret is that most of the beautifully rendered crankcase will probably have to be cut away to fit around the model powerplant. Very impressive stuff so kudos and a big thank you to Dave for making it available.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ATICPROP_A.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ATICPROP_B.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...YRADIALKIT.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...YCRANKCASE.jpg

Here is a close up of the hub after a quick coat of primer. The raw bright white casting material is very difficult to get a good photo of so hopefully this shows the detail a bit better.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ATICPROP_C.jpg

Last, but not least, I would like to report that I have begun the break-in on the RCV .90SP and thus far am very pleased. The engine has the ability to swing a very nearly scale diameter 3-blader so to say I am excited at the prospect of putting it on the Hellcat would be an understatement. However, it has to prove itself to be completely dependable before I will consider it. The instructions with the motor say at least 2 hours of break-in before the engine will really start to perform to expectations and most of what I've read by people using this engine is that 2 hours is conservative! I'll let you know how it goes.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Chad, there are a couple old threads on the TF P-39 where the guys run their RCV SP's without a muffler. Apparently, the noise level doesn't change noticably, there are no fuel draw issues without muffler pressure, and no ugly muffler hanging out. You maybe already know about this, and have tested this during your break-in runs. If so, please let us know what you think. I would like to put one in a P-39 if I can figure out how to deal w/ the cooling air in/out issue of the Airacobra's pointed nose. The cooling situation looks like no problema w/ the Hellcat. Thx. much 'buff

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

'buff,

I've only got about 25 minutes of run time on it at this point but I will update with more information as the break-in process continues. Fortunately the RCV fits in the Hellcat cowl nearly perfectly and the stock muffler will go right out one of the scale exhaust exits underneath. No issues I can see with cooling at this point either. I too would love to do a P-39 but, like yourself, am not sure how to handle getting the cooling air in and out of the engine compartment. I even considered going electric but you still have to have a certain amount of cooling air for the motor. A tough nut to crack but what a fantastic model it would make.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

hi chad
been watching this from the start as i,ve fancyed doing one in the drone colours (orange thats if its orange & not red with a coloured tail) or like yours it really is the dogs dangles (fav uk saying with you young ones ), bought a part built bates one with all the retract gear at a very good price & although my building & finshing wont be a patch on yours its given me the insperation to get by backlog sorted & get it built . look foreward to the flying pics

andy

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Andy,

Thanks for the compliment and I'm glad my Hellcat has served as some inspiration to you. I have a Don Lien Hellcat kit waiting on the shelf which is the same scale as the Bates airplane. Not sure when I will get to it but I very well may finish it in a drone scheme as well as I am very happy with the finish on the smaller one. Most of what I have found thus far would indicate that the vast majority of drone Hellcats were painted with Insignia Red or something very close to it as the first three pics below would indicate. However, there are always exceptions to every rule!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wI-DdPSXym...Dronec1950.jpg

http://www.chinalakealumni.org/IMAGE...mano%20(2).jpg

http://www.palba.cz/forumfoto/albums...078/f6f_17.jpg

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

I noticed the lower fairing on the tailwheel is missing on those last pics. Wonder if that was a common thing to do or maybe easily damaged in service. Have not noticed that before.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

hey i,ve got quite a few nodels that look like the middle pic :D
andy

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Randy, the tailwheel was extended and fixed down on most of the drone Hellcats and the fairing removed. I think the fairing was mostly to prevent the arresting wire from fouling the tail wheel during carrier ops. Not an issue with the drones. I think the extended strut improved ground handling and made remote take offs and landings a bit easier. I left the fairing off of my model but could not bring myself to do the extended strut and, of course, mine is still retractable. Did I mention mine is sport scale! :)

They all end up like that sooner or later don't they Andy? I vote for later!

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Makes sense Chad I guess ground handling really wasn't a worry on a Carrier.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Just a quick update. The break-in on the RCV continues and the thing has run great thus far. I've got about an hour and twenty minutes on it now and am very satisfied with it. It runs within about 100 rpm both high and low end of what the books says it should turn, starts easily, and has shown outstanding fuel economy. Having said that, I am still a bit leary to stick it on my Hellcat without getting some air time on it. So I went looking for a cheap beater plane to hang it on and guess what just happenend to show up in my neck of the woods for a great price? A Hangar 9 Hellcat! So right now I'm doing some minor re-working of the H9 airframe and will be using it as a test bed for learning all the nuances of the RCV. Should have it up and flying in a week or two I imagine. In the mean time I've stuck the .91FX back in my Hellcat simply because I needed something to hang the static prop on! Anybody know where to get 1/8 scale Ham-Standard logos?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../PAINTED_M.jpg

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Chad,

Come on man....


Have you ever done anything sportscale!????!

Not by me or several others I suspect sir!

Casey

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

LOL - your right Casey! Don't be surprised to see Chad's "Sport Scale" with panel lines, rivets, sliding canopy, retractable tail wheel, tail hook, drop tank, nav lights and a horn!:D

Great work Chad - Hey want type prop are you suing on your RCV and size/pitch! I don't care for the APC recommended!

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Thanks guys but, trust me, there is still plenty of "sport" left in this sport scale model. I will grant that I went a bit further with the details than first intended. That's the part I like best though, so it can be hard to say "when".

Michael, I have been breaking in the motor with the recommended APC 3-blader which is 10.75" in diameter and, I think, a 10 or 12 pitch. Whatever they recommend in the book. The prop came brand new with the motor and I did not have anything else to run on it. I will fly the 3-blader on the Hangar 9 "test mule" just for grins but I would also like to try the recommended two blader which, as I recall, is an 18x12 APC. My hope is that I will be able to turn an 18 inch 3-blader once I get the engine fully broke in and familiarise myself with its operation. That is getting very close to the scale diameter for a 1/8 scale Hellcat. Hope I got enough rudder to keep it on the centerline! :)

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

hey thats a nice looking Hellcat there. I like all the little detail work you did to her.
makes it stand out in the crowd.. you don't see that scheme everyday.. nice!

too bad you felt the need to harp on me un the other TG thread becouse I'm trying
equally hard to do the same to my cmp 109.

again, very nice!

Greg M.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

I think you may have mis-construed my post in that thread Greg. My post was not aimed at you in any way, simply posted in fun. I believe there is a reason that Tiano has decided to let bashed ARFs compete in the lower levels at TG and I wish you nothing but the best with your 109. I have several ARFs of my own waiting on the shelves for their turn to be bashed.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Chad two places I can think of for the Prop decals are these below. I think that getstencils has more of what you want on the sheet. Both also make nomanclature sets in white or black for warbirds at a decent price.

http://www.getstencils.com/Home.html

http://www.pro-mark.com/

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Thanks Randy, I will check out both sources. I also found that Tower carries a water slide decal sheet of Ham Standard logos made by Major Decal. There are three different sizes on the sheet. Now I just need to figure out about how big they need to be at 1/8 scale.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Chad,

These are 1" wide. The stenciling is the tricky part. I have been emailing Vikie at getstencils.
Maybe we can put in a group order for some dry transfers and see what she charges for the decals.

-John

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RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

I have used the Get Stencils ones before but it was with the original owner. Came with the spec transfer and the logos. Very nice and easily applied. Do need to clear over them for protection is best but for static maybe not so much. Good luck Chad the Hellcat looks really good.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

John, I'd be more than happy to split the cost with you assuming it is somewhat reasonable. The Ham-Standard logos from Major Decals come 12 per sheet, 4 each at 1 1/8", 1", and 3/4". The sheets run $7 each. Unfortunately there is no stenciling inlcuded, just the logos.

Thanks for the info and the kind words Randy. I am REALLY hoping to make it out to Chino with the Hellcat in June. My wife has given me the go ahead but it just depends on if the bank account agrees! I will be Chino for the Planes of Fame airshow just a couple of weeks prior so that puts a dent in the expendable funds. My brother-in-law flies all the way out here from Georgia just to go to Chino with us and it has become something of a yearly tradition. Can't say no to him! Anyway, if I do make it out I hope to see you there. (And bring that big Hellcat with you!) :)

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

If you guys need graphics for these Hellcats we have them anything you need unit markings, branch service markings, stars & bars, kill markings, serial and flight numbers you name it. Anything custom you can find from old historic photos I can make vinyl decals of it for your Hellcat. Simply PM me for more information.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Just wanted to provide a quick update on the web site for anyone who may still be building. I am currently working on the fuselage construction gallery and will be uploading at least a portion of it in the next day or two. I will work dilligently to make regular updates to the web site now that the prototype Hellcat is all but finished. I have also made a number of minor changes to the site that, I hope, will make it more user friendly. Namely, I've added a date next to items on the main menu and also on the construction gallery menu that show when those particular pages were updated. This should make it easy for anyone interested to find out if there is any new content on the site. For example, if you go to the main page, www.hellcat.cwvmodels.com , and look at the menu you will now see a date next to the "Construction Galleries" link. Click on the link to go to the gallery menu and you will see that the "Tech Notices" page was updated on that date (3/31/2011 in this case) with new information. Dates will appear next to the other links as they too are updated. Stay tuned...

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Hello gents, a quick update. I am getting close to having the Hangar 9 "test mule" ready to fly and the prototype airplane is on hold until I have flown the RCV in the H9 airplane and am satisfied with its performance. In the mean time I have begun work on the construction gallery for the fuselage and, to that end, have started to build a second fuselage. I will use this fuselage to finish the development of the full cockpit kit so that I can make it available to those who have expressed an interest. I will also be expiramenting a bit with airplane #2 with a few ideas for saving some weight. The first of which will be sheeting the fuse with 1/16" balsa rather than 3/32". I have a couple of other ideas I will try on the tail feathers in an attempt to save some weight back there since I am moving some of the radio gear rearward to make room for a full cockpit. Airplane #2 will also have some other details, such as flaps, that were left off of the prototype and I hope to keep #2 as light as the prototype despite the additional detail. Time will tell! A link to the fuse gallery is provided below for anyone interested in having a look. Stay tuned...

http://www.hellcat.cwvmodels.com/fuse.html

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Great Chad,
You can sign me up for the cockpit kit as soon as you have it ready. I also will be watching closely at you methods to reduce weight.

RE: The RCFW Hellcat Group Build
 

Not much to report as some other "distractions" related to real life have come along to derail my progress. However, I have taken a few small steps forward on the second prototype build and have updated the fuselage gallery on the web site. Still have yet to get the RCV powered Hangar 9 Hellcat into the air but it is getting very, very close to being ready.

http://www.hellcat.cwvmodels.com/fuse.html

I'm also happy to report that it seems as if a few more guys are actively working on their Hellcats or will be very soon. This includes folks in Australia, England, and Germany! Not sure if anyone will be participating here but I will be happy to post on behalf of the builders any photos that get sent my way. If you have not seen it there is a good build thread going on at RC ScaleBuilder by a customer in Australia who is making steady progress.

http://www.rcscalebuilder.com/forum/...TID=14672&PN=1

I will be heading to Chino, California for the annual Planes of Fame airshow this coming weekend (May 13-15) and if anyone else is going to be at the show I would love to meet up and put faces to names. Onward and upward! [8D]