LX 1.2M F4F Wildcat Review

[Westsider]

Thanks for the honesty. The Mosquito sounds tempting, if not a bit challenging...

[Prowler901]

I just checked my aileron travel, and it is at 59% on low rates and 98% on high rates. This is with the linkage farthest from the servo and farthest away on the control arm. All but one of my flights has been entirely made low rates, so the size could probably be reduced.I would not go all the way back down to scale size though, maybe cut it at one panel line over from the scale size. I will try to do another review over the weekend on another model, not sure which one yet. If you prefer one from the list in my earlier post, let me know!

Thanks, Delta! I think I'm gonna go for the kit. I have a motor from a V2 or 3 FMS Mustang. Would that be too much for this bird?

[F106DeltaDart]

Thanks, Delta! I think I'm gonna go for the kit. I have a motor from a V2 or 3 FMS Mustang. Would that be too much for this bird?

It would be too little kv actually. You will want around a 700kv motor for the Wildcat if you plan on turning a 12" 3 blade like the stock prop, and the early FMS P-51s were 500kv. You could go to a higher cell count, but then the battery wouldn't fit in the compartment. This is one of the few LX airplanes where I actually think the power system was selected decently. It comes with good power, flight time, and a scale diameter prop, and appropriate spinner. Also, they did upgrade the stock ESC. Mine came with a Hobbywing 60A, same type that freewing uses in their models.

[Prowler901]

That makes sense to me. Thanks, again. :)

[F106DeltaDart]

Flew 4 more flights on the Wildcat this weekend, and it was a lot of fun. However, at the end of the second flight, another magnet came loose on the motor. There was an audible change in motor noise as soon as it occurred. I got it safely back on the ground, and reglued the culprit magnet with JB weld. I also ran some thin CA around the other magnets that will hopefully help keep them where they should be. If you get this airplane with the stock system, before you fly I highly suggest doing this to minimize the chance of your motor seizing in flight. These last few flights have been in 100 deg heat, so that may be part of my problem as well.

[TiredIronGRB]

I've been thinking about ordering the kit and putting better quality components in it.

[Prowler901]

I've been thinking about ordering the kit and putting better quality components in it.

That's my plan as well. What motor would you go with?

[F106DeltaDart]

I was kind of thinking the RocHobby 770kv Motor would a good fit, along with an 80A ESC.

[TiredIronGRB]

That's my plan as well. What motor would you go with?

I have a 580KV and 65 amp ESC out of an FW-190 that needs a home.

[TiredIronGRB]

...and a 12X6X3 prop.

[F106DeltaDart]

If my motor continues throwing magnets, I will probably replace it with this one: https://www.motionrc.com/collections...48-kv760-motor. The specs look about the same size as the stock motor, with a bit more kv. The 580kv should also work, but I would use a higher pitch prop. An 8" pitch should yield the same speed as the stock setup.

[F106DeltaDart]

Also, forgot to add these. Got a few photos from flying on Sunday.

[Prowler901]

Would that motor be a good pairing with the Mantis 65A ESC? I was also thinking of using the Freewing 17g digital metal gear servos.

Great pictures! I love the look of this plane in the air.

[F106DeltaDart]

Would that motor be a good pairing with the Mantis 65A ESC? I was also thinking of using the Freewing 17g digital metal gear servos.

Great pictures! I love the look of this plane in the air.

Yep, the amp draw should still be below 60A. It also has the hex key on the shaft, so it should hopefully be a good fit for the stock prop and spinner.

[Prowler901]

Cool! Now I need to save up some pennies. :)

[F106DeltaDart]

FYI, price is back down to $219 now.

[Prowler901]

I grabbed the kit for $106. Should be here Friday. :)

[F106DeltaDart]

I grabbed the kit for $106. Should be here Friday. :)

Awesome! Let me know how the FMS motor works out. If the re-reglued stock motor throws another magnet this weekend, I will probably go ahead and replace it.

[Prowler901]

Will do.

Odd that the motor is throwing so many magnets. Here's what mine sounded like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NCCT-hdV5E
Can't believe that was almost five years ago... :o

[Prowler901]

My kit showed up Thursday night. All seems to be in good order. And the kit came with the pilot figure. Here's a few pictures of the interior of the fuselage halves. I thought folks might want to see how it is laid out. I'll start a separate build thread when I get into it.