Official FlightLine RC 1200mm F8F-1 Bearcat Thread

[edwarda10pilot]

I use a foam brush to apply MinWax. Rattle cans seem easier and faster but it gets everywhere, every nook and cranny. I don't want to bath the servos with spray. Also, the propellant in rattle cans might dissolve foam if held too close. If held too far, the coverage is poor and you either have to do another coat or you keep spraying longer than you should and the result are runs. I think you can buy MinWax or Polyurethane in spray cans.
On the other hand, brushing it on can leave streaks and to get a nice ****geneous covering, a 2nd or 3rd coat may be desired. I just do one coat and leave it at that. I've stopped using rattle cans and prefer to brush.

Thanks xviper. I found some Minwax Spar Urethane gloss clear spray cans on Amazon and ordered a couple of cans . Will report back on the results.

Ed

[xviper]

I use a foam brush to apply MinWax. Rattle cans seem easier and faster but it gets everywhere, every nook and cranny. I don't want to bath the servos with spray. Also, the propellant in rattle cans might dissolve foam if held too close. If held too far, the coverage is poor and you either have to do another coat or you keep spraying longer than you should and the result are runs. I think you can buy MinWax or Polyurethane in spray cans.
On the other hand, brushing it on can leave streaks and to get a nice ****geneous covering, a 2nd or 3rd coat may be desired. I just do one coat and leave it at that. I've stopped using rattle cans and prefer to brush.

[edwarda10pilot]

Hello all. I just purchased the Flightline F-8 Bearcat and would like to clear coat the entire plane. I would like to use a gloss clear from a rattle can. I have seen other posts where some have brushed on Minmax but I am looking for something in a spray can. Any advice?
Thanks,
Ed

[Grossman56]

I have been off the forum for quite a while. Has anyone managed to put safe in this plane? I want to let my son fly it. I have a spare AR636A I can use. I use Spektrum. NX10. If there's another way to do it with other spectrum receivers I'm open to other options as well. I'm just not that good with the programming yet.

I would think the easiest way is to Buddy Box with him

Grossman56

[zepovinho210]

This is my first tail dragger warbird in the 1.2 meter category.

I can assure you that this plane does not need any kind of SAFE or AS3X at all. It tracks rock solid and can handle wind with ease. I don’t use them at all. I use a 620 antenna less rx.

With an Admiral 3600 4s or a Spektrum 4000 4s all the way forward, the plane balances perfectly. No need to use nose weight.

Set up is as per the manual, with 30 percent expo.

Great plane. However, mine arrived with the decals already installed so no decal choice.

[xviper]

I may just pick up the AR631. Forward programming looks a lot easier than trying to figure out the safe programmer.

Great idea and probably your best option. Some of my unlocked "safe" receivers will not forward program at all. The 631 is likely the most efficient and cost effective way to go about this for many planes. I've used several myself when I'm not using the HobbyEagle type of receivers, which can also provide a similar function to "safe".

[flyingiceberg]

It will most likely be "locked" and tailored to work in the Pawnee. But if you know how to unlock it then, there should be no problem programming it the way you want. However, I did unlock an older 636 out of an Opterra and there are many things that cannot be done with it.

I may just pick up the AR631. Forward programming looks a lot easier than trying to figure out the safe programmer.

[xviper]

It will most likely be "locked" and tailored to work in the Pawnee. But if you know how to unlock it then, there should be no problem programming it the way you want. However, I did unlock an older 636 out of an Opterra and there are many things that cannot be done with it.

[flyingiceberg]

Did the AR636A come out of another plane? It may be "locked". However, even a locked one can be wiped clean and "updated" so that you can program your own parameters into it. That being the case, yes, it can have SAFE on it. It may already have SAFE installed.

Not yet. It will come out of the Pawnee Brave Night Flyer. Since my last post I have learned more about forward programing with the right receiver which I don't have yet. I have already unlocked the AR636A. I want to get safe on a few of my planes, the BEarcat and Pawnee included as well as an FMS P-51

[xviper]

Did the AR636A come out of another plane? It may be "locked". However, even a locked one can be wiped clean and "updated" so that you can program your own parameters into it. That being the case, yes, it can have SAFE on it. It may already have SAFE installed.

[flyingiceberg]

I have been off the forum for quite a while. Has anyone managed to put safe in this plane? I want to let my son fly it. I have a spare AR636A I can use. I use Spektrum. NX10. If there's another way to do it with other spectrum receivers I'm open to other options as well. I'm just not that good with the programming yet.

[Trhodes]

Update on the maiden yesterday. Had two good flights - really like how this stays straight and with just a touch of right rudder, takes off at half throttle or a bit more. My club has a nice geo-tec field about 600 feet long (?) or there abouts.

On the second landing I forgot to use flaps, came too fast and got a bounce. Left landing gear came out. Looking at that gear there was less than 50% glue adhesion in that gear pocket and on the gear. Put it back with a liberal amount of hot melt glue. It did cause a small crack on the top of the wing.

First time using the HobbyEagle A3Super 3 and liked that system a lot. Need to get more familiar with it.

All in all, it went well - repairs made, and ready to go again maybe Thursday. We'll see.

[Grossman56]

Looks good! I run a 650 KV with a FMS 1400mm Corsair prop on the Blue Angels Bearcat.

I had to put a tab of stick on weight for the CG

So I hollowed out a square and fit it in, I usually run the battery back a bit but the CG is pretty forgiving.
On this one, I use Dave Brown tires, I love those I swear you can hear them suck onto the runway.
With the other Bearcat, used a 780kv with the stock prop and didn't have to use any tail weight.
Performance wise, they are, at least to the eye, identical.
One thing I've noticed with both is the tailwheel likes to jump and I'm thinking of a Dave Brown tailwheel to save my prop tips. You have to taxi very carefully at our field as the runway surface is not the best to say the least.
Still waiting on a 1600 mm Bearcat.....

Grossman56

[Trhodes]

It's a couple of dowels that attached to base...they're about 12-14" long with felt pads on the ends to protect the wing. Pretty easy to gin up.

[Coconut]

What's that you're using to check the CG?

[Trhodes]

I put 3 coats of urethane on and that really helped the drab mat look. Even the decals look better. I used what I could find here locally - a MinWax spray and pretty happy with the results. Checked the cg and looks right on with 3600maH 4S all the way forward..So with a couple of batteries charged we're off in the morning to do a maiden. I'll start with the Eflite T28 1100mm to get the thumbs loosened up.

[Grossman56]

No sanding on these, but I have sanded after a few coats on other airplanes to eliminate the gatoring.

Grossman56

[Trhodes]

Did you sand between coats? Looks great!

[Grossman56]

This is what you have now....


And this is the same airplane after several coats of Minwax...


It takes several coats applied with a soft brush of foam brush applying in the same direction. I applied one, then used a hair dryer on it, then applied another, then let it set overnight, repeating this until the streaks were gone.
This is my preferred product but its becoming hard to find for some reason.
Just makes sure its water based and gloss with UV protectant.

Where it says Clear Satin, look for clear gloss, the only pic I could find.
My rule of thumb is: For glossiest finish, use a brush, for flatest finish, use an air gun.


Grossman56

[Trhodes]

Good idea on the finish. Right now it has a very flat mat finish and is prone to getting the smallest abrasions on it. And it's a good rainy day to do that. Maybe have a beverage. 🙂