Official FlightLine RC 1200mm F8F-1 Bearcat Thread

[jetfool]

Grossman,

Love your bearcats. Wish FL would come out with a 1600mm, articulating LG with bells and whistles. I would pull out the ole credit card for one. Wishful thinking on my part probably.

Rex

[Ks.jetflyer]

I'm using hrb 4s 4000 as far forward as possible. Balancing on the panel line just aft of his finger. Yep, upside down with gear extended.

[Grossman56]

Pilot Ryan showing the correct CG position



Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Interesting. What size battery are you using? I generally fly mine with 3600 4s's and occasionally a 4000 moved back about 1/4". I think if you feel your close to tail heavy, instead of adding weight, go a bit bigger battery. When I upgraded my power plant, I went to a 650 kv with an 85 amp ESC spinning an FMS 1400mm Corsair prop and had to add a tab of weight to the tail.



When I rebuilt Bearcat One, I used a 750kv with an 85A ESC spinning the stock four blade prop and didn't need any weight in the tail.


The point being that I've never run across one that was tail heavy, even running the stock system. I assume you cg'd it upside down with the gear extended?
Anyway, good luck with it and be cautious when adding weight. Dead weight is, well, dead, at least you get more flight time with a bigger battery.

Grossman56

[Ks.jetflyer]

Question for those that have installed the sport power package, did you have to add weight to the nose? After changing mine c.g. is about a 1/2" aft of recommended location. I flew it that way, flew just fine. Whe pulling back the power to land nose does not drop, plane just comes down flat. Made it a little harder to land. Think I must be getting close to tail heavy. Did make 2 succesful flights. Sure do like the increase in power and speed with the sport package.

[TNES48]

That’s good to know! I appreciate the feedback!

[Grossman56]

I personally have never used them in the years of flying my Bearcats. I've only had one incident where I could see an aileron starting to separate from the wing. I removed it and reapplied it with Foam-Tac and its been good ever since. You bring up a good point though because I don't recall anyone ever mentioning that they used those hinges.
BTW, I run bigger motors than stock as well, still no problem with control surfaces.

Grossman56

[TNES48]

Hello group! I just recently received my Bearcat and saw the pin hinges. I’ve never installed these things and am probably overly intimidated by them. Principal seems straight forward enough but the pins go in one way, and if I mess up on possibly gluing it in place the hinge is no longer a hinge. Plus the instructions aren’t especially clear. Wondering if any of you could point me to some good info or pointers on things you may have done. And it seems like only the rudder? But could also be for ailerons? Thanks all.

[billsplanevideos]

good point, thanks. according to apc e props are good for 150,000rpm / inch diameter. example 10x_ would be 15,000 max rpm.

580kv x 25.2 = 14,616 rpm
580kv x 25 v = 14,500 rpm
580kv x 24 v = 13,920 rpm
580kv x 22.8 = 13,224 rpm

150,000 / 13 = 11,538 rpm
150,000 / 12 = 12,500 rpm
150,000 / 11 = 13,636 rpm

11x11 make a wish

I ordered this prop adapter, i'll give the 12x8e apc prop a try

https://www.motionrc.com/products/flightline-motor-shaft-type-a-mo1364841

[Evan D]

Caution using that, it has a small hub. All APC have a max rpm number. I suggest finding what it is for that prop on the APC web site.

[billsplanevideos]

I also have an apc 13x6.5e that might be easier on the motor. The stock multi piece prop probably shouldn't be spun an additional 4000rpm over its intended use, at least not without some safety glasses, yikes . . .

[Grossman56]

Always interesting to hear someone trying something new. I think I'd be inclined to run her up on the ground, but if you've run the numbers and they look good and have a one piece prop that works with the amperage of your ESC and of course , the motor is capable of handling 6s, I guess there is no reason why it wouldn't work. Just make sure everything is good, then blast away and let us know how it works. Should go like Rare Bear!!

Grossman56

[xviper]

Unless you can't make it back to the runway and have to do a belly flop, then suck up the gear.

[billsplanevideos]

All great replies thanks. I have the CG right on the recommended 85mm with 6s 3300 Hrb battery. Just had to carve a little foam out for the battery leads at the nose to allow the battery to be forward enough. I’m heading to the field soon though I’m bringing my great planes extra 300 and yak130. I’ll save the bearcat experiment for another day, and try to remember to keep the gear down. I do have a 2 blade 12x8e apc laying around, would need a prop adapter to make it work.

[xviper]

When experimenting with higher cell count, the first couple of flights should keep the gear down. You just never know if you have to do a smoking/flaming emergency dead stick landing, hoping that it doesn't happen right after take off and the BEC didn't burn up with the ESC. (Ask me how I know.)

[Coconut]

Got me wanting to experiment 6S with my Arrows Bearcat. If something happens, I will be in trouble because they don't have that Bearcat anymore.

[Grossman56]

Wow, 6s on that airplane. What size battery?
The prop was my first thought as well. When I went 6s on my FMS 1400mm P-40, I had to change the prop and spinner. Found out the hard way but with a good result. I suddenly had no power and thinking I had a bad battery (burnt out cell or something) I popped the gear and landed her only to find out that she'd shed the prop and spinner! Got lucky that time.
I have two Bearcats, one runs a 650 kv with an 85 A ESC using a FMS 1400mm Corsair prop and the other runs a 3948 kv 760. with an 85 A ESC using the stock prop. Either way, the performance is great without the risk of shedding a prop.
The CG with a 6s system would be a concern as well. With the 650 kv I had to add a small amount of weight to the tail
Whereas with the 760, I didn't need it.

Another thing aesthetically, number 201 got the Grumman treatment and everything was painted blue. Sounds like a small thing, but, at least to me, it make the airplane look so much more scale.

Grossman56

[Evan D]

The admin can delete your user but it may take a day or two.

I think I ended up with a 12x8. I now have a 12x12 on it but stick to 4 or 5S. On 6S and the 12x12 it was flexing the wing really bad in turns. I also have FPV in it.

[billsplanevideos]

Thanks Evan, what prop did you use with your 6s setup?

Yes this is the same person. I created an account on my phone this morning not realizing I had already signed up previously on my laptop. I cant seem to figure out how to delete the above post, or change my user name as I don't want it to be my email address, or delete that account entirely. I've found some great info on this forum but the site doesn't seem very user friendly. I sent a message to the admin.

back on topic!
I suppose someone has to be the crash test dummy, looks like it will be me.

[Evan D]

I'll be interested to see what happens. First can the prop handle it and then the ESC and motor. Your Amps will go way up too, yes and Watts, and RPM... Let us know.

On my 1200 Spitfire I have run 4, 5, and 6S but not with the stock prop. An appropriately sized APC e prop.