Flightline RC Tigercat F7F

[Grossman56]

She's a sweet flying airplane alright.
Min got the nickname Princess, because she flies so sweetly for a crowd, like she loves the attention!!
Everyone loves her, so Princess.
Of course, the La Patrona decal doesn't hurt either!!

Grossman56

[dutchwhite001]

Its been about a month since I first ordered and received my F7F. I've assembled, tested, retested and managed to get in four flights. First two didn't really count as I had trimming and settings to mess with. Third flight was more or less a test flight to see how it handled. Fourth flight was just to see if I really understood the airframe and have some fun testing different landing configurations. I'll be out to the field tomorrow and put a few more flights on it. I was taken by how well the Tigercat flies. So much so, I just ordered another one! I used some excuse and told the girlfriend I had to buy some parts for the truck. Now I'm just praying the UPS truck will show up before she gets home!!!! I was going to order another EDF from Motion, but this just sort of tugs at my heart strings(no offense Lisa). I'm going to repaint this next one in an air tanker livery and get a hold of Callie Graphics about the decals. I think I can mange building a tank for it but wonder what kind of crazy things this might do to flight envelope. So it's off I go into yet another direction.....

[rifleman_btx]

Hope you can post a video when you get set to fly! I would love to see it in action

[Grossman56]

I'm just waiting to take mine up for her first flight with the new motors. I converted it over to the FMS 3948 kv760's. By Warbird Charlie's estimation, I should pick up 10 mph. Just taxing it I can see an improvement, two clicks of throttle (I always trim my throttle to start turning the props at on click) and she's going way faster than a walk speed. Can't wait!!

Grossman56

[rifleman_btx]

Sounds good, if that's the case, can't go wrong either way :)

[NorthernFlyer]

Thanks Grossman.

[NorthernFlyer]

Will do! I just remembered that I may be able to save myself $100 shipping on FL if I can get my cousin to pick it up on your side of the border. They live in the south of the province, near the 48th. If that works out, I will be going with FL from Motion. Let you know.
Thanks again.

[Grossman56]

Check with Tired Iron, I believe he has both, there probably is some mention of a comparison of the two in this thread.

Grossman56

[rifleman_btx]

No problem, yeah and both have the quick connects for the wing so you're not missing anything there going from one to the other. To me at least for us in the states side of things the Flight line makes more since to me. But in your unique situation, I just really see the advantage going to the fms. Post up when you get it! It's always fun hearing others takes on these planes. :)

[NorthernFlyer]

Lots of good points. I also like that more of the wing comes off of the FMS version for transport. I am a big fan of the Flight Line planes and like the looks of that one slightly better. Another drawback is that I would have to order from Motion for any parts, where I can get FMS parts from my LHS.
Thanks for the input

[rifleman_btx]

Ah, I personally am going with the flight line. Mostly do to pricing and on the other note to that, the fact that fms had really peeved me with some of their decisions (mainly with the f6f cancellation). However that doesn't take away from performance. If you want more scale appearance out of the box, the fms has that hands down, especially with their gear setup. And every video and planes I've personally seen, the fms does handle wind alittle better (due to the extra size and weight). I guess my third thought would be why mess with an upgrade if you don't have to?

[NorthernFlyer]

Thanks Rifleman. They would be about the same if I included the upgrade for the Flight Line. So, basically both would be the same price with shock-absorbing trunnions. Would your opinion still be the same?
I have both 4S 3000s and 6S 5000s already because of other planes in my hangar.

[rifleman_btx]

If you fly off a grass field I would go with the fms due to the fact if you get it for the same price as this one, you also get the sprung struts for the price vs having to upgrade with the flight line model. Plus you can fly the fms with a single 6s vs 2 4s packs. To me value per dollar in your instance goes to the fms.

[NorthernFlyer]

I know this is a Flight Line thread, but I am wondering if anyone on here has flown both the FMS F7F and the Flight Line version. If so, would you rate one higher than the other? They would both cost about the same to buy from Canada if I buy from Motion for the FL and direct from FMS.

[downwindleg]

Brad,I just finished painting mine.It looks good.It went from a matte to a shiny.If you see any gatoring in yours before it will be there after you paint but no worse.I used Minwax Ploy Crylic,Water based clear gloss.I Put on 2 coats.Did not sand between coats as recommended.Will try to post pictures.Dean

Hey 70sflyer, just getting back to you. Thanks for the reply. To be clear, did you start out painting the plane black or was that the stock blue? If you painted it black, what did you use? Also, did you use another clear coat of something else with U V protectant in it after the first two poly crylic coats? As you might have guessed, I'm going to paint mine to match the one in my avatar picture. Thanks, Brad

[Grossman56]

I agree. Since I haven't used the products I'd be interested in anyone's experience who decides to try one of the Minwax products (since we already know that the Varathane works well). Here are some links to the two Minwax products on the Minwax website:

https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/clear-protective-finishes/interior-exterior/minwax-water-based-helmsman-spar-urethane

https://www.minwax.com/wood-products/clear-protective-finishes/interior-exterior/minwax-pro-series-spar-urethane

Bill

I'll watch for that Bill, looks like a good product as well!

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

It does look good TI

Grossman56

[TiredIronGRB]

Still looks better...

[TiredIronGRB]

The 13.5" will only have 1" of ground clearance :Scared:

[OV10]

Thinking about running a set of 13.5" props on my Tigercat...they should be closer to scale from all the pictures I've seen on the full scale.

Closer but no scale cigar though TI, 15.6" is 1/10 scale(that Skyraider prop will work nicely ;)) cause the fullsize was 13'1" Ham "'paddle blade" that was also used on the F6F.