Foamboard F6F Hellcat V1

[Niez13]

Things are moving along, albeit very slowly, on my Hellcat build! (I got distracted by a disaster of a mini P40)
The blurry pic makes it look cleaner than it is. I had some difficulty attaching the rear bodywork because I installed the wing before, instead of after. This also caused me to install the wing at too high of an angle of incidence, making the thrust angle too negative (for a model this size) relative to the wing. I suspect this higher alpha and wing load will contribute to stalls so I'm thinking about adding vortex generators before her maiden....anyone had any luck with those on similar planes?

As is, the plane balances exactly where indicated in the plans using a 3S 2200mah and 2216 motor. If I add much paint or tape behind the CG, it will get tail heavy which is something I can't afford with my upward tilted wing.

That is turning out so clean! I actually glued the wing on first and then put the molded pieces on so I guess its a happy accident for yours. By the way the hellcat flies, it should have no problems with that slight angle of incidence. Another thing too is this hellcat is so light that it has a really low stall speed.

 

[sooriginl]

I’m not a very patient or skilled painter but here is the final result. I am quite happy and not looking forward scraping up the paint on her maiden. I dont have grass at my field out here in the southwest so dirt landing will be rough! FYI, i covered botton surfaces with packing tape for durability and really scuffed it up with 400 grit sandpaper but the paint did not adhere well at all. I should have used Rustoleum, lol.
One trick that did work: lightweight spackle to fill foam board cracks and dents...thin coats then sand down and smear some white glue over it for strength.

 

[sooriginl]

That is turning out so clean! I actually glued the wing on first and then put the molded pieces on so I guess its a happy accident for yours. By the way the hellcat flies, it should have no problems with that slight angle of incidence. Another thing too is this hellcat is so light that it has a really low stall speed.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have a 2:1 power to weight ratio so I’m hoping that if it stalls i can just pitch the nose up and floor it like a 3D plane!

 

[sooriginl]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have a 2:1 power to weight ratio so I’m hoping that if it stalls i can just pitch the nose up and floor it like a 3D plane!

Hi Niez, what is your hellcat all up weight with a 3s 2200mah on board?

 

[Niez13]

Hi Niez, what is your hellcat all up weight with a 3s 2200mah on board?

That paint job looks great! I really like the paint scheme. I actually used 0000 Steel Wool to sand down my Hellcat. It makes painting so much easier. I am not sure how heavy the all up weight is with the Hellcat but on a 3s or 4s I have way more than a 2:1 thrust ratio. A 3s 2200mah is a perfect battery for the Hellcat. It's my go to battery of choice for flying the Hellcat.

 

[sooriginl]

I maidened the hellcat last sunday. flies amazing. super stable. slow stall speed, almost as forgiving as a trainer, yet can get up and go. If any of you are on the fence, you will not regret this build.

 

[Niez13]

I maidened the hellcat last sunday. flies amazing. super stable. slow stall speed, almost as forgiving as a trainer, yet can get up and go. If any of you are on the fence, you will not regret this build.

Glad it all went well for your maiden! Glad you like it!

 

[Javiester]

Niez13 submitted a new resource:

Foamboard F6F Hellcat - Very fun, scale, easy to build, easy to fly, Master Series Style F6F Hellcat



Read more about this resource...

it would help a few small instructions and especially mark the wing in the fuselage
thank you it's beautiful

 

[Niez13]

it would help a few small instructions and especially mark the wing in the fuselage
thank you it's beautiful

I will see what I can do!

 

[Javiester]

I will see what I can do!

thanks, my first master series and i think i will have to repeat the fuselage

 

[Javiester]

I do not understand how this plane has not succeeded
I have made some mistakes but I have finished it
also with a system to extract the wing
forget to paint the cabin before gluing the canopy
Anyway, I plan to repeat it in the future, just like the spitfire, paying more care and more details, correcting errors.
Still, I like how it turned out

Emax GT2812/09 1060KV
2200mah 3S
Esc Red Brick 50A
11x7 tri blade
2.5 inch wheels

 

[Niez13]

I do not understand how this plane has not succeeded
I have made some mistakes but I have finished it
also with a system to extract the wing
forget to paint the cabin before gluing the canopy
Anyway, I plan to repeat it in the future, just like the spitfire, paying more care and more details, correcting errors.
Still, I like how it turned out

View attachment 163173 View attachment 163174

Emax GT2812/09 1060KV
2200mah 3S
Esc Red Brick 50A
11x7 tri blade
2.5 inch wheels

That turned out beautiful! Everything from the paint job, clear cockpit glass, and kill marks are awesome! How was the build process? Also, how did you strengthen the wing for the landing gear?

 

[Javiester]

It is easy to have the spars separated, I just put between them a piece of wood with two barbed nuts and a cover with the paper of the foam board glued so that it had the same texture when painting it

 

[Javiester]

I saw the power pod center the wing and put another piece of the power pod on the back of the wing and a powerful neodymium magnet

two half skewers to hold the wing in front

and the lid with another magnet and another piece of skewer

and the last detail

 

[Javiester]

I think it is possible to install a retractable landing gear without touching the wing structure

 

[Niez13]

I think it is possible to install a retractable landing gear without touching the wing structure

View attachment 163570

Yeah that looks super sturdy for the landing gear. Everything is just so nicely built and clean. I’m happy everything is going well for you on this build because it is sweet!

I’ve never messed around with retracts but I feel like there is enough structural support and space for retracts. Can’t wait to see where this one is headed. 😁

 

[Javiester]

coronavirus shit
I am eager to go flying
I have three brand new models
fortunately I ran out of foam board because
I don't know where to put them

 

[danskis]

@Niez13 or @TexMechsRobot - thanks for the plans. Are they designed to be printed on 11X17 inch paper?

 

[Javiester]

this is more comfortable for me
test it

https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/my-way-of-printing-the-plans.60369/#post-500561

 

[danskis]

Here's the wing build. It was fun....I did have to guess at some points and I still can't find the outline for the wing lower inboard section. I didn't have any plywood so I used BBQ skewers, probably overdid it with 4 on each spar. I put them on the spars and then glued the frame together....if I did it again I would assemble the foam first and then put the BBQ skewers on. Also, does the bottom of the wing get closed up with the fuselage? - went back over the thread and got the answer to my lower wing section. Had to have some snacks with this build.