Official FlightLine RC 1200mm F8F-1 Bearcat Thread

[F106DeltaDart]

Had a close call today with the Bearcat. I was pulling up from a low pass, and noticed a flash of something seemingly falling off the aircraft. I did a low pass and didn’t see anything, and finish out my flight. When I taxied back in after landing, I was surprised to find my right flap linkage dragging across the ground! The control horn pulled out, and was dangling beneath the aircraft for most of the flight. Glad it was windy, so I never used any flaps today!

[Mikeinlutz]

How to stiffen the top of the rudder? Flips over on landing. Right now using tape. Be nice if the whole tali assembly was replaceable instead of buy a whole fuse.
BTW, found a solution on landing on grass, use packing tape on the top and bottom of the wing around the retract, to stop the retract from pulling out and taking part of the wing with it

[fhhuber]

How to stiffen the top of the rudder? Flips over on landing. Right now using tape. Be nice if the whole tali assembly was replaceable instead of buy a whole fuse.
BTW, found a solution on landing on grass, use packing tape on the top and bottom of the wing around the retract, to stop the retract from pulling out and taking part of the wing with it

Get a long drill bit and CAREFULLY drill parallel to the leading edge appx 3 diameters (of the chosen CF tube) back and insert a CF tube using one of the expanding foam glues. (Gorilla Ployurethane, Gorilla Dries White... other brands) The drilled hole should be a loose fit on the CF tube.

Be sure you won't drill through any wires or hit the pushrods, etc... and you can often run the tube from top of the fin to the bottom of the fuselage.

Standard procedure for stiffening a foam tail surface. Slot in or drill a passage for a CF tube. You can substitute bamboo cooking skewer for the CF, but its heavier.

Modifying most EPO models for higher speed, you need to add the stiffness and strength to the tail surfaces. So, we've learned to do it.

[Builda]

Has everyone seen the post on MRC site that says to fly this plane with nothing under 4000mah otherwise it’s tail heavy? That’s a big lipo for such a small bird, but I’ve had no end of tail heavy issues with mine and I’ve only flown it 2 times. The retracts on this plane are a joke-I’ve had 8 PAIRS of retracts in this plane to find 2 that don’t die after being operated more than 2 times! I had actually decided to make it a belly lander and went and got the power upgrade and 2 blade prop for it-am yet to try it out. I just wondered if any of you have flown it with a 4000mah 4s in (and if y’all have also had retract unit issues with it)

[dkalwishky]

I fly mine with a 3600 4S all the way forward, I added some nose weight in front of the batter (1/2oz I think). Properly balanced the planes flies beautifully. I love mine.

[Hardway]

Has everyone seen the post on MRC site that says to fly this plane with nothing under 4000mah otherwise it’s tail heavy? That’s a big lipo for such a small bird, but I’ve had no end of tail heavy issues with mine and I’ve only flown it 2 times. The retracts on this plane are a joke-I’ve had 8 PAIRS of retracts in this plane to find 2 that don’t die after being operated more than 2 times! I had actually decided to make it a belly lander and went and got the power upgrade and 2 blade prop for it-am yet to try it out. I just wondered if any of you have flown it with a 4000mah 4s in (and if y’all have also had retract unit issues with it)

I have only used Admiral 4000, 4S in my Bearcat. I had to add 6 ounces of lead to the inside of the dummy radial in addition to the battery to get it to balance slightly nose down. No tail heavy tendencies after that... A lot of weight to add, but without it, the plane was almost uncontrollable without 65 percent expo on the elevator. Now it flies beautifully.

I have an A3-L gyro in all my planes, but it certainly is not necessary. No issues on the gear, except that occasionally the aerodynamic forces on the gear doors pop them open in flight... Hope this helps. Sorry yours have been so problematic...

[Hardway]

Even with the heavy battery and the 6 ounces of lead, it lands fairly slow with full flaps deployed. Don't drag it in; land it on the mains and let it roll out.... :Cool:

[Builda]

I have only used Admiral 4000, 4S in my Bearcat. I had to add 6 ounces of lead to the inside of the dummy radial in addition to the battery to get it to balance slightly nose down. No tail heavy tendencies after that... A lot of weight to add, but without it, the plane was almost uncontrollable without 65 percent expo on the elevator. Now it flies beautifully.

I have an A3-L gyro in all my planes, but it certainly is not necessary. No issues on the gear, except that occasionally the aerodynamic forces on the gear doors pop them open in flight... Hope this helps. Sorry yours have been so problematic...

I thought Dynam retracts were bad until I got this plane!! It’s certainly changed my mind about buying anything else flightline because it’s more expensive than Dynam but just as problematic in the retract dept (in my experience) and it seems just about all the warbirds use the same retract unit :(shame cause I was going to buy a Sea Fury too but I’m not so sure now. I’m starting to think I might stick to FMS or Freewing!

[Grossman56]

Hmmm, interesting.....
Flew mine stock with a 4000 all the way forward and didn't have to add weight, it was one of the easiest maidens out of all the planes, I did and still do have an
A3L in mine. Now with the upgraded 650 kv motor and FMS 1400 mm Corsair prop on the front, I had to add a pad of weight to the tail.
As I've reiterated several times before, this plane will stand on its tail and go vertical as long as you want it to. It will probably hover, but I haven't tried that (yet)
I agree with all that the weak part of the design is the landing gear. The amount of torque from the wheel to the gear base tends to mean a lot of gear popping out of the wings. Retract-wise, mine have been fine, but it really needs an upgraded landing strut with a shock absorbing mechanism. The second biggest problem I have is getting the gear to capture the inner door wires. Works fine on the ground, but in the air, it gets stuck more often than not.
Last time the gear separated from the wing, I used Epoxy to remount it. I've tried FoamTac and its ok, but it needs that little bit more (needs to go to eleven) (The movie Spinal Tap if you didn't know)
At Riverton, they have a very rough surfaced runway and it will peel the gear out just about every time, so grass landings, I would imagine, are out as well.
All in all though, a fun little airplane and I have recommended it to a few of the fellows as a first warbird as they love mine.

Grossman56

[Mikeinlutz]

The struts now are listed as metal, with a metal backing plate and 4mm struts, anyone get a recent one with these retracts? that would be a big improvement! I have ripped out my struts several times and gone thri several sets of wings because of severe damage when they rip out, also am supporting beacon foam tac. This is what it now says on the plane description for retracts: I have not flown mine in a while due to the retracts, and yes I am flying with a 4000 mah and still added a lot of lead to the inside of the cowl to balance

• Electric retractable landing gear with metal trunions, metal reinforcement plate and 4mm steel wire struts

[Builda]

The struts now are listed as metal, with a metal backing plate and 4mm struts, anyone get a recent one with these retracts? that would be a big improvement! I have ripped out my struts several times and gone thri several sets of wings because of severe damage when they rip out, also am supporting beacon foam tac. This is what it now says on the plane description for retracts: I have not flown mine in a while due to the retracts, and yes I am flying with a 4000 mah and still added a lot of lead to the inside of the cowl to balance

• Electric retractable landing gear with metal trunions, metal reinforcement plate and 4mm steel wire struts

That's the very retracts I have had in my one countless times. I've actually put the optional upgrade motor and 2 blade prop on now and decided the retracts will only be for takeoff until they prove that they can be relied on. Ifd still like a sea fury, and I really like the liberator-i haven't looked at that thread though to see what its gripes are...YET.

[Grossman56]

If they are improved landing gear, it would sure be a welcomed upgrade! Anyone getting a new Bearcat, snap some pics and let us all in on it.

Grossman56

[Guy.Caputo@bex.net]

Just bought the MRC Scratch & Dent. I will open it up this weekend and take some pics and post for you all.

[Grossman56]

Great, hopefully they have, but I doubt it.

I'm checking out some struts with the hope of finding an upgrade.

Grossman56

[WrightBrosRC]

Mine arrives later today. I'll post some pics. I purchased mine based heavily upon the level of quality I have experienced with two other Flightline products in my hangar and the promise of the metal upgrades to the gear assembliy. I hope I am not disappointed.

[Alpha]

Let us all know what you think about it, WrightBrosRC! Our Bearcat turns three years old this month, but it's still a crowd pleaser and we plan to keep it in the lineup for a very long time.

[WrightBrosRC]

Let us all know what you think about it, WrightBrosRC! Our Bearcat turns three years old this month, but it's still a crowd pleaser and we plan to keep it in the lineup for a very long time.

Will do, I'm excited about it. The club flight team "The Wind Breakers" is evaluating it as the next aircraft to replace or add to the Dynam Metors we have been flying for about 4 years now.

Seperately, I wanted to thank you for introducing yourself to Fred Johnsen. I met him while helping to restore his B-24 Privateer cockpit. The B-24 is his fave and it was a tremendous coincidence and great success/joy that he came to visit me on the day the Flightline B-24 was ready for maiden. You can tell from his video of my flight how much love he has for aviation. (and he knows literally everything about every aircraft. he's like an encyclopedia.) We went through the construction and scale comparisons while chatting about the concessions we make for cost, flyability, etc.in our models and the process of bringing this B-24 RC concept to fruition. As an aviation historian you can imagine he has high standards.He obviously appreciates your efforts. ;)

[Grover54]

WARNING! – WARNING! – WARNING!

This may be old news but if your research for products and supplies turns up a RC supplier called VampowerPro or Urban Products Inc. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT try to buy anything from them, not even a screw because that’s what you’ll get!!! I learned the hard way and though I didn’t lose any money (my CC company reversed charges) I wasted so much time chasing them for information. They don’t take calls; their mailbox is full and don’t return any emails and I just learned this has been going on for 8+ years. My bad for not conducting any due diligence on them. I’ve never seen any company as bad as these dirt bags and I’m surprised PayPal hasn’t shut them down so heed the warning!

[Grossman56]

Let us all know what you think about it, WrightBrosRC! Our Bearcat turns three years old this month, but it's still a crowd pleaser and we plan to keep it in the lineup for a very long time.

Yep, the Bearcat rocks! If it just had an optional strut upgrade.....:Straight-Face::Confused:

Grossman56

[WrightBrosRC]

Hello Gents,

For any RC war bird, how would you rate the potential of a crash/fatality if the rudder control surface were to suddenly separate mid flight?

I honestly don't know the answer for myself. I would like to think I am prepared for everything reasonable and then some. Regardless, keeping the rudder attached to the aircraft during flight is an amazingly high priority for me. The safety implications alone and the damage I could cause from taking that risk is by itself reason for thought.

Let's put that thought on hold though for a bit.

This aircraft is visually attractive and mirrors my experience with other Flightline products. It does have the newer version metal retracts and without disassembling them for inspection, they appear to be attached very well within the socket. The misc. assembly hardware had some minor quality issues that my other Flightline products did not seem to have. It was packaged very well too.

On page 11 of the assembly manual the manufacturer presents the suggestion the rudder will fail. They indicate the extra hardware (not shown in the parts identification on page 2) is included because they are aware of this undetermined potential. The injection molded hinges included for convenience are not thoroughly molded and would be at the very least as unreliable as foam if not more so.

The problem is ambiguously identified, yet ink was spent to print the advisory in the manual. An effort was made and a suggested solution was provided which however is inexplicably less reliable than the original configuration. Is there a risk or no?

Adding to the ambiguity, except for the flaps, all of the remaining control surfaces and hinges are foam exactly as the rudder. If the rudder is unsafe, are the other foam hinges unsafe?

I'm not sure what to think about this but my own searches for information regarding rudder failures for this model come up empty. Nothing in the forum. Seems logical that problems would have shown up here in some way if they existed.

It should fly very safely for an unspecified time, long enough obviously to get more info on the foam hinge questions before a failure is ever a worry.

That said, I'm excited to maiden it with no concerns at all in the short term. I'll finish up my thoughts after a few flights tomorrow and share them afterward.There will be two Bearcats for maiden flight at the field actually and hopefully some nice video of them too. It should be an awesome day!


-Den