TFC's Bearcat

[MikeMaben]

Hey Stuart, I built the -2 as a Reno racer (Smirnoff 80) I saw in 1965 after it had won the first Nationals

in 1964. No real problems with the kit. I didn't do alot in the cockpit because it's very hard to see once

finished. I did modify the front of the cowling as I thot it looked off somehow. Have fun, it'll look nice in the end.

 

Here's Steve's pic from above ...

 

 

 

[KUROK]

The engineering history of the Bearcat is fascinating.

To get the high performance they had to make the wing lighter.  So to deal with extreme bending moments (as in a high speed dive pull out) the wing would solve its own problem...with primer (detonating) cord that would shear off the outer wing panels!

At least one sailor on a maintenance crew died from these explosives.

 

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

13 hours ago, MikeMaben said:

Hey Stuart, I built the -2 as a Reno racer (Smirnoff 80) I saw in 1965 after it had won the first Nationals

in 1964. No real problems with the kit. I didn't do alot in the cockpit because it's very hard to see once

finished. I did modify the front of the cowling as I thot it looked off somehow. Have fun, it'll look nice in the end.

 

Here's Steve's pic from above ...

 

 

 

Hi Mike

Your racer is quite the bird and Steve's Red Rippers is a good looking machine, nice to know that the kit has no nasty surprises in stall.

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

So progress has been a bit slow on the reporting side. The kit has progressed along to but I have found that each and every part needs cleaning up, seams and leading and trailing edges, wings beyond the fold are made all 3 parts of them, along with the flaps, tail feathers are complete. Cockpit is almost finished  I need to finish the seat belts, but its no master piece but will look Ok when inside the fuselage. Hopefully some photos soon.

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

So a long over due update, the main airframe is built up, the main concentration has been the engine but progress has been slow over the winter.The engine photo shows the front bank getting the ignition harness the rest will be added in due course. Once the engine is done the undercarriage will get hydraulic lines and paint as well as wheels. Sorry photo are not the best and hopefully more to come as work moves along now spring and the warmer weather is soon upon us. 

 

 

 

 

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

Engine almost done, a mate has got me pictures of the brake lines on the legs so that's the next job.

[Dekon]

That radial looks awesome!

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

On 3/28/2022 at 11:56 PM, Dekon said:

That radial looks awesome!

Thanks still needs some more tinkering, and the exhaust need to be finished. Hopefully by the end of the weekend it should be done along with the legs then  some seams to sort, paint soon.

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

So the engine has the rear exhaust I have also add an oil sump between the two lower cylinders and a drain pipe from the crankcase. Need to paint the sump.

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

Main painting under way, legs have had hydraulic lines fitted and the wheels are in progress, pic to follow when they are finished. So not long now and she could be on the home straight. Please excuse the mess.

Edited April 24, 2022 by Nighthawk Calling 1

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

On 4/30/2022 at 1:13 AM, MARU5137 said:

ooh   that Engine is too Good !!

Still enjoying your build.

Lovely job... she's coming along  beautifully!

 

 

Mess? what Mess?

Hi Maru5137,

This Mess, no I never finished the coffee it went cold. Thanks for the kind word about the engine she is coming along nicely hopefully I will get past the finishing line soon. 

Edited May 2, 2022 by Nighthawk Calling 1
Better grammar and spelling!!!!

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

On 4/30/2022 at 1:13 AM, MARU5137 said:

ooh   that Engine is too Good !!

Still enjoying your build.

Lovely job... she's coming along  beautifully!

 

 

Mess? what Mess?

Hi Maru5137,

This Mess, no I never finished the coffee went cold. Thanks for the kind word about the engine, 

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

So the picture shows all the main parts now painted, the wheels and legs are out of shot and need some touching up. Also in the picture is what has been the only image I have of her from her time at TFC so some of the painting have to be done according to the instructions. The decals in the kit did not match the picture let alone were they are supposed to fit on the model. There is some work still to do paint wise. I have in the last two days found by chance an image showing the  the plane parked outside hanger two with the wings folded, now the painfull part the image shows the ribs at the brake in the wings were painted white not blue as I have,also the inside of the gear doors white not green, so do I repaint them or just leave well alone. 

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by Nighthawk Calling 1
Grammer

[Nighthawk Calling 1]

2 hours ago, MARU5137 said:

That looks very IMPRESSIVE. 

Thanks Maru5137 have started to gloss coat today so I can start decals.

[rafju]

 

On 5/10/2021 at 7:55 AM, MikeMaben said:

I did modify the front of the cowling as I thot it looked off somehow. Have fun, it'll look nice in the end.

 

Here's Steve's pic from above ...

 

 

 

Hello Mike

 yes thar's what I noticed first as I didn't recognize the Trumpy front ring cowl.

Did you modify the existing one? or redo a complete new one?

I'm a bit surprise as it doesn't exist a corrected one?