Official FlightLine RC 1600mm F7F-3 Tigercat Thread

[davegee]

You should calibrate the ESCs on all planes.

Noted. Thanks!

[Evan D]

You should calibrate the ESCs on all planes.

[davegee]

I do this on practically all of my planes: I use 25-35% expo depending on the model, but just for the rudder I use around 50% expo to help with ground steering. On the Tigercat I also have mixed the rudder in with the ailerons and I don't find that the decreased rudder sensitivity creates any problems in terms of rudder control in the air. So basically, that's what works for me.

I finally figured out the problems on takeoff roll that was giving me some pretty "sporty" takeoffs. The above help regarding the nosewheel steering did dampen it down some, but I still had the rapid and sometimes sudden unexpected departures from the runway center. Turns out, I think, it was my ESCs weren't quite synched up, there was just a little difference in startup and shutdown prop movement. Also, I think there was some surging or at least significant difference between the two motor outputs at high power settings that caused problems.
Last night, as if a light bulb coming on as I looked through some rc foamie videos on you tube, I recalibrated the ESCs so that the two props started and came to a stop at the same time.
This morning, I did about 4 test flights, even with a 90 degree crosswind, and it performed like a champ. I mentioned in a previous post that I had a Tigercat a few years ago, before selling it to a friend. Besides a Flightline P-38, I don't have much twin engine experience, so I was sorta lacking in calibrating two ESCs for one plane. Obviously, the previous Tigercat had been calibrated correctly, as I never had an issue with it. I must have had a friend do that for me, but I forgot. Lesson learned for future twin or quad power warbirds!

[nuts-n-volts]

Tricycle gear, nose gear steering. What I do. I set up NGS on a separate channel then mix to it from the rudder. Rudder rate never changes from it's normal high rate. NGS will change with elevator down. In analog mixing (Spektrum) I use 10% down elevator to change rate. -10% ele is very low TO and Landing rate, +10% ele is high taxi rate. TO and landings are way easy as you are in a very low NGS rate while at neutral or up elevator for staying on the centerline. Push a little down (past 10%) to taxi. Once you try it, you'll never go back to having to flip a switch. I also mix it with the upper Knob at about 15% to give NGS it's own trim.

[davegee]

I do this on practically all of my planes: I use 25-35% expo depending on the model, but just for the rudder I use around 50% expo to help with ground steering. On the Tigercat I also have mixed the rudder in with the ailerons and I don't find that the decreased rudder sensitivity creates any problems in terms of rudder control in the air. So basically, that's what works for me.

Thanks, themudduck. I think your input and that of Evan D. is very good. I have a couple of different things I can try. I'll try adjusting the expo and rudder throw, and then if that doesn't work for me, I'll try Evan's idea of going to a separate steering channel and mix that with the rudder. Both very good ideas, and I thank both of you for chiming in with your suggestions. Funny, I don't remember having this problem on my last Tigercat, but it seems to be an issue now that must be addressed. Thanks, guys!

[Evan D]

I try to put steering on a separate channel. This allows me to have separate sub trim and throw. I can mix it to rudder to have dual rates or keep it separate and have one rate. I try to have the throw enough that full gives me slightly more than one half the width of our runway and I usually don't do any expo on rudder or steering.

[themudduck]

Hi All: I'm enjoying my second Flightline F7F Tigercat (the first one I sold to a buddy of mine a couple of years ago.) I erased my old settings from my transmitter, so I've had to tweak the settings on my own. I have it pretty much dialed in, Except for the nose wheel steering. Since it is tied to the Rudder as far as direction/throw, I have found the nose wheel steering is much too sensitive for takeoffs. I am oversteering and have some ugly, if safe, takeoffs. Landings are pretty much mastered, for now.

I was wondering if anyone has any great tips on how they have set up their rudder/nose wheel steering throws for smoother operation for takeoffs. Any ideas using expo, reduced control throws on the rudder, etc.? Has anyone moved the nosewheel steering servo off of being linked to the rudder and put it on a dedicated separate channel to adjust the nose wheel movement?

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

Davegee

I do this on practically all of my planes: I use 25-35% expo depending on the model, but just for the rudder I use around 50% expo to help with ground steering. On the Tigercat I also have mixed the rudder in with the ailerons and I don't find that the decreased rudder sensitivity creates any problems in terms of rudder control in the air. So basically, that's what works for me.

[davegee]

Hi All: I'm enjoying my second Flightline F7F Tigercat (the first one I sold to a buddy of mine a couple of years ago.) I erased my old settings from my transmitter, so I've had to tweak the settings on my own. I have it pretty much dialed in, Except for the nose wheel steering. Since it is tied to the Rudder as far as direction/throw, I have found the nose wheel steering is much too sensitive for takeoffs. I am oversteering and have some ugly, if safe, takeoffs. Landings are pretty much mastered, for now.

I was wondering if anyone has any great tips on how they have set up their rudder/nose wheel steering throws for smoother operation for takeoffs. Any ideas using expo, reduced control throws on the rudder, etc.? Has anyone moved the nosewheel steering servo off of being linked to the rudder and put it on a dedicated separate channel to adjust the nose wheel movement?

Appreciate any thoughts on this.

Davegee

[Rob Knox]

G’day Gents, not sure if I’ve posted here before, but, here are some pics of my Tiger Cat in a fictitious, Royal Australian Navy Scheme.
I've gone for the airshow shine look.

[Spad Driver]

I am officially a F7F-3 owner now!.
received my bird a couple of weeks ago and have grafics from Callie Graphics for this bird marked as #7
can't wait to maiden!.

[Grossman56]

Just brain storming here, but you're probably running the whole system stock where one battery powers one motor. Could it be the battery? I rewired mine so that the motors run off one battery and the batteries are wired in parallel, giving me one big battery I usually run two 3600's so I end up with 7200 mah. In any case, its a better way to go, who wants to try trimming a 1600 mm airplane when one motor gives out, good luck!
Personally, I'd try a different ESC and see if that solves the problem, if not, I'd try a different motor. I have two sitting here as I upgraded mine years ago.
No, I didn't go the two blade upgrade that they offer!
See post #1267

Grossman56

[nuts-n-volts]

I know I wouldn't fly it unless I found the actual problem. One thing to be talking about a single engine bird, but this being a twin is a set-up for a bad thing. Cheap insurance is to have two good working motors... even if they turn the same direction!

[Evan D]

I'd be hesitant to fly it without being sure it's fixed. Hate to hear it mess up in flight and cause a crash... Could be a bad solder joint in the bullet connectors. I've seen that new out of the box...

[davegee]

Dave, it sounds like one of the three motor wires between ESC and motor might be unplugged.

Thanks, Evan D. I did chat with Martin for online help, and he suggested seeing if that might be the case, or a general problem with the motor itself, or the ESC. I did pull the motor out, and ran it alongside the other motor but without the prop on it. All three connections were solid. When I put it back together, it worked for a while, but then went back to the mode of not turning much, if any. Took it apart again, checked it out, and then put it back together. But this time it also worked perfectly. Did a bunch of full power and rapid throttle movement static tests, and I think I'm ready for the maiden soon. Sure don't know what that problem was all about and hope it doesn't resurface during an actual flight! I've had a P-38 and a Tigercat before, and never had this issue before.

[davegee]

Hey davegee, thats the way the FL Tigercat works with outboard counter-rotation. Same with the P-38. The OV-10 is the first Flightline twin to go inward. I am not sure why they did this when they did, but that's how all of them are. Fly and enjoy!

Hi James: thanks for your reply. I misspoke on my previous entry. The Left motor (as seen from the cockpit) turns counterclockwise, as it should and as you pointed out, It is now working perfectly. The problem lies with the Right motor, which just sorta sits there and vibrates a little, trying to move but there might be a problem with the ESC or the motor itself. I'm doing some testing now to see what the problem is.

BTW, really enjoying your enthusiastic presentations on the videos! Very entertaining and worthwhile to watch. I'm sure I'll come up with a solution for the problem with my Tigercat.

Cheers

Davegee

[Evan D]

Dave, it sounds like one of the three motor wires between ESC and motor might be unplugged.

[James]

Hey davegee, thats the way the FL Tigercat works with outboard counter-rotation. Same with the P-38. The OV-10 is the first Flightline twin to go inward. I am not sure why they did this when they did, but that's how all of them are. Fly and enjoy!

[davegee]

Hi Guys: I recently bought a new Flightline Tigercat. I had one earlier that I sold to a friend, but wanted another one. However, setting up this model, everything is working perfectly except for the motors which have me totally confused. When I put the propellers on, I expected (viewing the plane from behind looking forward, as if from the cockpit) that the Left motor would turn clockwise (to the right) and the Right motor would turn counterclockwise (to the left). Instead, the Left motor turns Counterclockwise (to the left) and the right motor has power but doesn't move much at all, in either direction.

Help! Anyone have any ideas on this? I do have a help request to Tech Support at Motion, but haven't heard back from them yet.

Thanks!

davegee

[Oh Suzanna!]

We're Flying with the Turlock RC Club and the Central Valley Vet Center R/C Flying Club at Turlock Airpark and Crows Landing Airport in California's Central Valley. :ghost:

[Alpha]

Oh Suzanna! Welcome to Hobby Squawk and thanks for sharing! Callie Graphics is a favorite of many of us here on Squawk.

Where are you flying out of?