kinverflyer

Strange, we have production T'cats flying at around 22lb with very little lead to balance and flying on RCV's or similar sized emgines.

chasrb

That is all quite grand that you have production planes flying in that weight range, care to detail out how that happend? I would like to see a pictorial on how it is set up, including servos, landing gear etc. Is it really all done with the hardware supplied with the kit?


Do you have a video of it from take off to landing - production not the prototype.

Please enlighten us...

VKerster

KNIVERFLYER, ASSUMING PRODUCTION T-CATS ARE BUILT WITH THE SAME MATERIALS, METHODS AND MOLDS, AND BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH TWO T-CATS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE NO PRODUCTION T-CATS ( BATCHES 1 AND 2 ANYWAY) FLYING ANYWHERE THAT WEIGH ONLY 22LBS., UNLESS THE BUILDER ELECTED TO MOVE THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL'S RECOMMENDED C.G. VERY AFT, WHICH WOULD SEROUSLY JEPORDIZE THE DESIGNED FLIGHT ENVLOPE OF THE PLANE, COMPROMISING THE PLANE'S ABILITY TO FLY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT ENGINES ONE USES, THE PLANE HAS TO BALANCE. YOU CAN'T CHEAT THE LAWS OF PHYSICS. THE TAIL SECTION ON THIS BIRD IS EXTREMELY HEAVY. IT TOOK 2 G-26'S, A 3000MAH BATTERY MOUNTED IN FRONT OF THE FRONT BULKHEAD, AND 12 OZ. OF LEAD AS FAR FORWARD AS I COULD GET IT IN THE NOSE TO BALANCE MY BIRD (WITH GEAR RETRACTED) PER THE MANUAL'S C.G. LOCATION. MY PLANE TIPPED THE SCALES AT 26.5 LB. DRY. KMP'S PROTOYPE MAY HAVE BEEN 22LBS., BUT IT IS NOT REPRESENTITIVE OF THE PRODUCTION MODELS.

kinverflyer

I am not going to get in to a debate over this I will only report the facts, 22lb give or take a few ounces using glow engines.

VKerster

KINVERFLYER, I AGREE. STICKING WITH THE FACTS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO.....

drifter

My Feedback: (53)

I finished my KMP Tigercat, and have the following to report:

The weight ready to fly was 17 pounds. It is powered by two OS 91s, and will hover after takeoff.
Violent maneuvers have no affect on the structural integrity. Wide open loops and snaps are a breeze.
The hot sun has no effect at all other than to make it gleem, and the pilot sweat.
I have landed four times on one engine, and twice deadstick. No damage.
Actual construction used only KMP parts and took about six hours. I have been modeling about four months, actually flying the last two.

Any one who can't match my achievements with this kit must be doing something wrong.

I certify that all the above statements are true and accurate as of "this date"

kochj

Ben had!....Didn't read the fine print!... (hovers on take off)

Jusitin

alanc

please look at the DATE---he is a bit late though

DRAT, spelt date wrong, ah well, amended now

n9331v

Been modeling for four months and actualy flying two HHHMMMMMMMM

Your post back on 11/02/03

Listing
OV 10 Photos
11/02/03
Post # 8
Here is my Bronco. Uses two st 90's and weighs about 21 bs. The retracts are Springair 400 series. I originally used 3/16 wire for the legs, but they bent too easily. Waiting for new blocks from Springair so I can install 1/2" oleo legs. Has one flight so far.

chasrb

Drifter nice April Fools....

drifter

My Feedback: (53)

I'm glad someone got it. For a moment I thought I was going to have to defend my integrity.

There is a Tigercat thread on a board in the UK. They make some references to this thread, but have some comments of their own.
The site is [link=http://www.rcmf.co.uk/4um/index.php/topic,42594.30.html]Here[/link]
There is a reference to a 22.5 pound, 90 powered F7F built from the kit. This site (RCU)s supposed to be the source of that info, but I haven't found it yet.

I have a series 1 kit, and I will do the center section mod the Col. showed when I set aside the 6 hours to build it.

Just a question for Alanc regarding "he's a little late"
Was it today where you are when I wrote the April 1 note above yesterday? Does that mean it's now tomorrow there?

alanc

ah yes, the time differance, sorry, should have realised, after just having had 2 weeks in your country, sorry

kinverflyer

A few more facts Vkerster's plane as quote 26lb 8oz, Zenoah 26 as per spec sheet 3lb 11oz x 2 = 7lb 6oz. Vkersters plane 26lb 8oz less 7lb 6oz = 19lb 2oz add two RCV 91CD's (does not include silencer) any way two RCV91CD's at 1lb 9oz each plus Vkersters plane less two Zenoah 26's = 22lb 4oz plus two four stroke silencers.

drifter

My Feedback: (53)

Just one question -Is that balanced, ready to fly? It's meaningless if you have to add lead to replace the engine weight you've removed. Just curious.

kinverflyer

According to Vkerster his was balanced ready to fly less fuel same as the prototype. The engine position on the tiggy is not as influential as that to a single engined plane, the prototype from memory took less than 8oz to balance and bear in mind was a bigger plane than the production and was of heavier construction.

n9331v

Cut open the wing center to do the mod today. I installed a wooden spar towards the rear and center section and glued them to the ribs, then I did the Col Winter mod. Took about 1 and a half hours. Also got the removable outer wings finished. After all this no way the center section should ever fail even doing hard pulls. Getting very close to flying this thing now.



Thanks again for the parts Col. Chuck Winter.

N215PB

Took my Tigercat out today for maiden engine run. 2 SATIO 100's on her and 3 bladed props. Engines are mounted upright, started and ran for 10 minutes. I did some taxi trails, and, it have more then enough power on it, acceleration was very brisk........very brisk! Didn't weigh her yet but these are plenty of power. I was shocked after reading the forum here about power issues. I expected poor results but i'm very happy with it. Of course the cheap crap landing gear had issues but what else is new.

moki man

My Feedback: (12)

Good day to all of you T-Catters, I'm still very interested in this aircraft and will continue to follow this thread very closely for all of the info both good and bad, just wanted to thank everyone and encourage you all to keep the info coming..thanxs

VKerster

KINVERFLYER, READ POSTS 122,123,124,125,129, AND 130 ON P.6 AND P.7 ON THE OTHER T-CAT BUILD THREAD.

chasrb

n9331 did you photo document what you did?

chasrb

[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7277132[/link]

Interesting this guy does not show up on this forum.....

n9331v

No I went for the camera but the batteries were dead. One thing I did do different is that when I mad the cut out of the composite type wing sheeting I did not epoxy the cut outs back on, I made braces and screwed them back on so I could use them as inspection covers this way I can re-inspect the spar sections every so often for piece of mind.

CHARLES WINTER

Hi n215PB--- From Col. Chuck Winter. How much does your T-Cat weigh??? If it weights 28 Lbs plus, I would be very CAUTIOUS when you get ready to fly. I would highly recommend you put on 2 blade props. 3 blade props are less efficient than 2 blade props for our application. If you have the latest "Fly RC" magazine where they flew a T-Cat, they had to shift to 2 blade props from the "Cool Looking" 3 blade props to get the airplane to peform well. They discarded using Saito 100 engines for a few different reasons. They were running Fuji 24cc gasoline engines (1.5cu.in) I also recommend you fly off a long runway, not a 600 ft. model airplane type runway. My T-Cat weighted 28 lbs plus a few ounces and my RCV .91 engines were turning 9400 on 14x6 props. My T-Cat took about 1000Ft. to get airborne due to weght and underpower. My GUT FEELING is you may also be underpowered with Saito 100s. Just use GOOD JUDGMENT before you fly. Just remember "The fastest way to get there, is to go SLOW"... Keep in touch.

Col. Chuck Winter

CHARLES WINTER

Hi N9331v - Mooney, From Col. Charles Winter. Glad you got the Spar Parts. I question your decision to make an access panel to observer the new spar mod. My completion of the Spar Mod by filling the opening with balsa wood with 2 layers of 2oz fiberglass cloth was also to enhance the strength of the center section. The built up skin area is a secondary external spar/ stressed skin installation. I'ts your choice, but I want to fly my T-Cat at high speeds and do basic aerobatics. Even with the added aluminum spar mod, I feel we are still on the weak side if we really want to have FUN flying our T-Cats. I have just purchased 2 Fuji 24 gasoline engines to replace my RCV .91s. Keep in touch.

Col. Charles Winter

N215PB

I'll be able to test fly her if i can ever keep this cheap gear together........what junk. I'm planning on 2 bladed props for flight. I'll tell ya she hops right out the gate with the Satio 100's on her........can't believe i could have actually a lite model, gotta weigh her in before flight. Had nose gear issues this time.......bushings fell out....