MikeMaben Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 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 ... Greg W, Woody V, KiwiZac and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KUROK Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 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. MikeMaben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 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. KiwiZac and MikeMaben 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 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. denders, Landrotten Highlander, Rockie Yarwood and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted March 27, 2022 Author Share Posted March 27, 2022 Engine almost done, a mate has got me pictures of the brake lines on the legs so that's the next job. Rocat, John1, rafju and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekon Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 That radial looks awesome! Nighthawk Calling 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted April 24, 2022 Author Share Posted April 24, 2022 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. Dekon, Landrotten Highlander, Greg W and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted April 24, 2022 Author Share Posted April 24, 2022 (edited) 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 Sasha As, themongoose, Out2gtcha and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted April 30, 2022 Author Share Posted April 30, 2022 (edited) 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!!!! Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted May 1, 2022 Author Share Posted May 1, 2022 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, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted May 1, 2022 Author Share Posted May 1, 2022 (edited) 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 LSP_Kevin, rafju, Dekon and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nighthawk Calling 1 Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 2 hours ago, MARU5137 said: That looks very IMPRESSIVE. Thanks Maru5137 have started to gloss coat today so I can start decals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafju Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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