Official FlightLine RC 1200mm F8F-1 Bearcat Thread

[Grossman56]

Looks great! I would advise putting some coats of Spar Varathane water base on it as it has some UV protectant. I usually apply 4 to 6 coats with a brush. Gives it a great shine as well.



Grossman56

[Trhodes]

Well, it’s been a bit of a challenge for me to get this put together but bench tests are all correct so, I’m confident…sort of.

I went with HOBBYEAGLE A3Super3 programmable and really like PC system for setting flight modes, gains, and calibration of level. I’ve got three modes; gyro off, normal gyro, and auto level.

I’m using a Futaba 8 channel receiver. I added plywood deck to support the gyro and receiver. The blue box is on the left side of fuselage in the photo.

Expect to get maiden flight Monday or Tuesday.

[Evan D]

Interesting as I liked the Blue Angels scheme that they included before.

[Trhodes]

That's not right. Shouldn't of had the decals on it. The extra hinges are normal.

I just checked and the Motion RC description says, NEW! Decal set comes pre applied. So, this is the new normal, I guess.

[Evan D]

That's not right. Shouldn't of had the decals on it. The extra hinges are normal.

[Trhodes]

Here’s pics of the battery tray, parts that came with it, and the decals that were on it as received.

[Trhodes]

I got the blue box figured out…did search and found a pilot Ryan video that ‘splained it pretty well. Would have liked to have had your text also, but wasn’t in the box.

The instructions were more like for an ARF and parts that weren’t used with glue. It may have been a return kit…hope not.

For the short battery strap, my fix was to notch the plywood tray towards the center and that gave enough length for all my 4s battery packs. I’ll get a picture posted tomorrow. Used a little hot melt to secure the strap position.

After getting into the receiver install, I changed course and will go with Futaba and a Hobbyeagle A3 super v2 programmable. I like attitude hold feature and programming from a pc.

[Grossman56]

Ah the famed blue box, the online manual which I rewrote should describe the hookups, but just in case, I have the diagram here:



I have the blue box, the A3L and the receiver nicely tucked in just aft of the hatch:
The gyro is on the left of the pic the blue box is on the right and the receiver is on the top.
You say the plane already had decals applied?? Never heard that one before and I personally have had three kits.
Sniff Sniff, I smell a returned kit...
BTW, the last kit I bought had that short battery strap, I emailed Alpha about it. I happened to have a longer strap from another kit and used that, its a PITA when things like that happens.


Grossman56

[Trhodes]

Got it today and pretty much assembled. Not real crazy about the blue box , seems like it takes up room where there isn’t much. I put in a Spektrum rx and will need to reverse the ailerons and elevator. But must do that in the rx program not the tx. I’m sure you’re up on that. Everything else is functioning as it should.

The battery strap is too short to go around my 3600 4s Admiral 40c, so will need to work out a fix for that.

First impression is good. Fit&Finish is nice….seems like good quality.

I was expecting the different sets of decals but its fully decaled. The instructions were so-so ….not much detail on the blue box hook up.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I’m sure I’ll be back here with more questions.

[Grossman56]

I've used Spektrum receivers as well as Lemons. I have always used an A3L gyro in my Bearcats and have had great success with them.
As a general rule, Spektrum receivers have been more difficult to bind, but I've found that dropping the throttle trim right down makes it easier. Lemons bind with no difficulty and I've been using them for years. I use an Amazon Visa and let the points build then get my receivers on line for free. Usually go with the ten channel rx from RC Juice.

Grossman56

[Evan D]

No issue on compatability at all. Only heard one person having issues with one system, I think it was Jeti and had so

[Trhodes]

Good morning! First post here - just ordered the 1200mm F8F ($289 🤑) and picking up some good info going through previous posts.

I've not decided on the receiver and have two options. One is a Spektrum AR636 with SAFE Select AS3X and using a Spektrum DX 7 transmitter. The other is using a Futaba 7 channel receiver with a Futaba 7 channel transmitter. I would add a stabilization unit like a A3L or something similar.

I'd like to get some experienced opinions on the options. One concern is compatibility of Spektrum system with Flightline equipment. What do you think?

[Grossman56]

I didn't take any while I was applying the flight metal, but it's metalic tape, like chrome duct tape, except in big rolls. The wing is pretty thin where the gear attaches and as Dave can attest, the runway we deal with is not the smoothest to put it kindly. The wing panel on the top is pretty obvious, so do like I did, out with the ruler and measure, then cut a paper/card board template, check it for size and modify accordingly, then cut whatever material you have to strengthen the wing and apply. Even packing tape will give the wing some resistance to failing. I'd hoped that at some time there would be a gear upgrade, but nothing as yet and as the airplane is getting up there in age (4 years?) I'm not holding my breath. I also went with Dave Brown tires and that helps as well.

Grossman56

[davegee]

Do you have any pics of your mods? Thanks.

I'm Down for a 1500-1600mm Bearcat if they come out with one someday!!

davegee

[WillCorsair]

Has this had any factory mods since first release? My concerns are main gear issues on grass fields.

[WillCorsair]

The Bearcat landing struts are wire covered with plastic, they are long for this size of model so if the wheels meet some resistance, it tends to torque at the wing/retract connection. Over time, you can see lines forming on the top of the wing and eventually, they may break out, as mine have on many occasion. With the recently rebuilt B'cat, I used some flight metal cut to shape and wrapped from the top of the wing over the leading edge and back over the lower wing. I made a template out of paper first and got the shape right then applied it, painted over it and it's much stronger as a result. I've heard guys using packing tape to do the same thing, but I figured a layer of aluminum would be ideal, besides I have a bunch of it laying around. I was hoping that they would come out with an upgrade for the struts, putting a spring loaded shock absorber in it, but not likely now. So the only other thing we can hope for is a 1500 to 1600 mm Bearcat in the future!


Grossman56

Do you have any pics of your mods? Thanks.

[Grossman56]

The Bearcat landing struts are wire covered with plastic, they are long for this size of model so if the wheels meet some resistance, it tends to torque at the wing/retract connection. Over time, you can see lines forming on the top of the wing and eventually, they may break out, as mine have on many occasion. With the recently rebuilt B'cat, I used some flight metal cut to shape and wrapped from the top of the wing over the leading edge and back over the lower wing. I made a template out of paper first and got the shape right then applied it, painted over it and it's much stronger as a result. I've heard guys using packing tape to do the same thing, but I figured a layer of aluminum would be ideal, besides I have a bunch of it laying around. I was hoping that they would come out with an upgrade for the struts, putting a spring loaded shock absorber in it, but not likely now. So the only other thing we can hope for is a 1500 to 1600 mm Bearcat in the future!


Grossman56

[Terrible T]

My two cents.

If I only had grass to land and takeoff from I would pass on the 1200mm F8F Bearcat.

My experience to date with this airplane is limited, only having had it for a short time and having purchased it used. That said, on my airplane, the main gear are sloppy moving side to side, fore and aft excessively. This excessive movement is not only due in part to wear and tear but also to the stance/geometry of the main gear. Said movement does not however seem to cause issues during taxi, landing and takeoff while on our asphalt paved runway. However, once off the runway and on the mowed grass (field grass) things quickly change, as the airplane will come to an abrupt stop and nose over.

It might be different on a well groomed grass field I suppose but given what I've experienced it would have to be a very well groomed one.

All in all, I enjoy flying my Bearcat even with its sloppy undercarriage (used and abused) but as stated I have a paved runway to fly from and to.

Regards,

[Herrsavage]

I have read elsewhere that this plane is not very good on grass.. Would you guys confirm that? 1200mm is my preferred plane size, but I only have grass to fly from. I have long wanted this plane, but was put off by reading that it didn't handle grass very well. Thanks.

[Terrible T]

In need of a wing set for this Bearcat. The current set are functional BUT barely. Motion lists the sets as "Out of Stock". Wondering, and I know this is a long shot, if anyone here has a serviceable set they would like to sell?

Regards,
Thomas