Official FlightLine RC 1200mm F8F-1 Bearcat Thread

[Grossman56]

That's a tough one, the only thing that I know of is to fill in any crevices with filler and sand, beware though, don't try and sand the foam, it doesn't like that. Best to PM someone like Warbird Charlie or Brandon Moon and get they're take on it.

Grossman56

[flyingiceberg]

What is the best way to smooth out the foam after removing paint? I have some rough spots on my P51 that need to be smoothed out

[Grossman56]

Like Pheonix said, besides we're just trying to make sure that you don't do the same stupid things we did!!
One thing right of the bat, if you're new to this, DON'T use Loc-tite!!!
It'll melt the foam!!
Use foam-tac instead.

Grossman56

[Beeg]

Has any one used the 3600 Pro in the Bearcat? I am wondering if I should change to the 4000 as I have not maddened yet. On the other-hand, I have 6-3600 pro batteries.

3600's work great. Just put them all the way forward.

[Pheonix]

Has any one used the 3600 Pro in the Bearcat? I am wondering if I should change to the 4000 as I have not maddened yet. On the other-hand, I have 6-3600 pro batteries.

[TomC]

Welcome TomC, there is no such thing as a stupid question so fire away we are all glad to help each other here.

Roy B.

Thanks Sir,:)

[boomer108]

Welcome TomC, there is no such thing as a stupid question so fire away we are all glad to help each other here.

Roy B.

[TomC]

Thanks again..You are a great bunch of people here on HobbySquawk, like NO other fourms I have been on..:D You would think at 48 I wouldn't be full of probably stupid questions.. but Hey, I am a newby at RC planes..1yr and counting..

[Grossman56]

Yep, I think you're better off. You'll love the difference in the look and the feel, just watch around push rods and hinges. Make sure they all work afterwards as it can tend it stick them up, just work them until you know for sure. Also, don't paint it over the clear spots like canopies or lights, you may be able to, I choose not to just in case,

Grossman56

[TomC]

Thanks Grossman for the tips.I will leave off the Alcohol and just use a damp cloth..:D

[Grossman56]

I don't use rubbing alcohol on mine, simply because it might pull the paint off. A damp cloth works just as well. I applied the decals and then coated right over them to seal them on. I have done this with all my airplanes, whether I used a dull or gloss finish. Applied with a foam brush and spread evenly, all the time watching for any runs. Let her set up and repeat. You can use a hair dryer to dry it faster but just watch the heat on the foam. Don't burn it!
Its usually good to go within a half hour in normal room temp, so take your choice of how to proceed.
I use three coasts a a general rule. Its water based so your not really adding anything to it weight wise.

Grossman56

[TomC]

She's a sweetheart guys! And plenty of go even in stock configuration. As I've said before, I prefer a 4000 4s in her, it adds a bit more weight and for me, its the sweet spot, so far......
Everyone is different of course, but this plane is a must have....

Grossman56

Hello Sir, I have never coated my planes this Bearcat will be the first one.I do coat over the decals with this Varathane? I plan on using a 1' foam brush, and cleaning the plane with 100% rubbing alcohol first. Thanks,

[Beeg]

Just curious as to why some people have bought 2 of these?

First I wanted two different paint schemes and second one is modified with an upgraded power system. And third because I know it annoys some folks when people buy two copies of the same model. I also have two of the new Tigercats as well for the same reasons. :cool:

[Arycon]

The FLRC Bearcat is very easy to land and tracks especially good on the ground with its wide stance landing gear. In my opinion it's the best warbird trainer out there if you adjust your throws accordingly to be very forgiving. If you want "floaty and vanilla" you can adjust it that way but If you want a little more snap turn up the rates and you can really tear up the sky with light batteries. I think most are using medium rates and 4000mAh batteries as it seems to balance the CG a little better and most say they like the feel of it with the heavier batteries myself included. I think it lands better with the heavier batteries too. I have two of them and I always take one to the field with me as a great warmup plane and just because it's a pleasure to fly. It's very versatile with batteries with its cavernous battery compartment. You can use pretty much any 4s out there from 3600's to I think crxmanpat is using 6200's. I've run 5000's just fine.
Yes, it's one color but there is no reason to fly it a half mile away. I had a Spitfire (old parkzone) painted standard camo and that was harder to see than a solid blue as it blended with the sky and terrain. Spitfires are sexy no doubt but if you have issues with landings I'd recommend the Bearcat hands down.
Thats my 2 cents..hope it helps with your decision.

I appreciate the input. I honestly dont know how to judge my landing skills considering. Ive greased my Trojan in a 15mph crosswind. I regularly grease my P-51as well. The Trojan has no gyro. P-51 does. So Im not sure how many of my mustang landings are attributed to a floaty aircraft and gyro, but Ive had some killer landings on the Trojan. My P-38 has had good landings also, but the last few not so much because of nerves. It has a severe left bank tendency attributed to wing droop at the outboard flaps. I corrected that with slow pressure to reshape the foam. It also had a locked nose gear due to a bad retract on an early flight and needed a belly landing that was not ideal but only one rudder and some gear doors were damaged. I saved it otherwise. I feel I land well and I need practice on something other than my $350 P-38 that I want to keep in good shape. I dont want vanilla or floaty. I like the speed of the Bearcat, but want to make sure landing it will require me to "fly it all the way to the pavement." My P-51 certainly isnt doing that. E-Flite and PZ planes are unrrealistically floaty. As for bearcat color, it isnt about visability as much as color variation. Id prefer it broken up a touch but I dont see any bearcat livery with a white belly or some such. As for the Spit, I dont want to bite off more than I can chew if it is, in fact, as hard to land as made out to be. Having not flown one outside of a SIM, I cant comment on them. SIM experience is not comparable. Again, I feel I land well. The P-38 has had some bounces but no real damage other than prop breaks. I want to gain more practice on a plane that lands more realistically compared to my E-flite/PZ planes. The bearcat sounds great, but I want to be sure it isnt too easy to land, if that makes sense. Spit looks and flies well, but again, the point is a smaller, less expensive aircraft to enjoy flying as well as practice landings on that isnt more than I can handle but still challenging me to hone my skills...not that a trike compares to a tail dragger, but that is another conversation.

[Alpha]

I'm guessing it's good to have spares, but moreso this model lends itself well to customization. I think the record so far is four, although I believe two of those were Christmas gifts for his friends.

[flyingiceberg]

Just curious as to why some people have bought 2 of these?

[Beeg]

The FLRC Bearcat is very easy to land and tracks especially good on the ground with its wide stance landing gear. In my opinion it's the best warbird trainer out there if you adjust your throws accordingly to be very forgiving. If you want "floaty and vanilla" you can adjust it that way but If you want a little more snap turn up the rates and you can really tear up the sky with light batteries. I think most are using medium rates and 4000mAh batteries as it seems to balance the CG a little better and most say they like the feel of it with the heavier batteries myself included. I think it lands better with the heavier batteries too. I have two of them and I always take one to the field with me as a great warmup plane and just because it's a pleasure to fly. It's very versatile with batteries with its cavernous battery compartment. You can use pretty much any 4s out there from 3600's to I think crxmanpat is using 6200's. I've run 5000's just fine.
Yes, it's one color but there is no reason to fly it a half mile away. I had a Spitfire (old parkzone) painted standard camo and that was harder to see than a solid blue as it blended with the sky and terrain. Spitfires are sexy no doubt but if you have issues with landings I'd recommend the Bearcat hands down.
Thats my 2 cents..hope it helps with your decision.

[Grossman56]

I don't find mine floaty. You have to have some throttle on her when landing like all warbirds and she lands great with 30 degrees of flaps IMHO. Some people prefer no flaps or 15 degrees, whatever, its a personal preference.
Ryan had his Spitfire at NEFI and it is a great flying bird as well, but I think you're right, they are a little trickier to land with that narrow landing gear. I have the E flite spitty and that is what I'd classify as a floaty airplane. Dang thing doesn't want to quit flying!!

Grossman56

[Arycon]

Hey, guys. I see some familiar names in here. So I am feeling the itch for a new plane, but want to shake it up a bit. I am an intermidiate pilot with several warbirds (E-Flite P-51, PZ F4U Corsair, Dynam Super Sportster, Dynam T-28 and FL P-38). I sport fly mostly and handle my birds very well (save my P-38 which is still giving me trouble landing consistently without bouncing, but Ive been fighting a wing warp issue causing banking tendencies). So Id like to get a slightly smaller warbird and something different while I dial in the P-38. I think a smaller plane will help me practice landings. I grease on my other planes, but they have gyros and float. In any case, I am eyeing the FL Spitfire, FL TA-152 or FL F8F-1. I want something different from my current birds that handles well and has good characteristics and flight time. I like the Spitfire the most for looks but hear it is trucky to land and take off. The F8F-1 looks fast and stable, but is all one color and may be too much like my current planes...floaty and vanilla. Still, I havent flown any of these aircraft and am looking for experienced opinions based on what you have flown. Iam reading all of the forums for each plane but appreciate direct feedback. And you may see me post this in the other plane threads to get feedback on those as well. Thanks!

[Grossman56]

She's a sweetheart guys! And plenty of go even in stock configuration. As I've said before, I prefer a 4000 4s in her, it adds a bit more weight and for me, its the sweet spot, so far......
Everyone is different of course, but this plane is a must have....

Grossman56