Ali Machinchy's 1/5 Scale Tigercat Flight Photos

April 2010 Flight video here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCwqwsJcPg8

My little digi cam is no good at video at a distance, so I only have photos of the test flight, not video, however I've made this little compilation of them to tell the story of what happened on the maiden.

The test flight of Ali's Tigercat didn't go completely to plan, resulting in some minor damage. Some of the hot air from the engines was bypassing the cooling exits in the cowls, and entering the engine nacelle where the carburettors draw their air from. The gradual increase in temperature upset the mixture settings, leading to the power loss on one engine during the flight. This resulted in a forced landing with only the port engine developing any useable power. Being slightly nose heavy, Al had no choice but to add a bit of power as he began to loose elevator authority in the last stages of the decent, once more pulling the aircraft right.

Varoius modifications have been made to the cooling, landing gear position and C of G.

Repairs are complete and just awaiting new props, so the next test flight is expected late September '09.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• grumman
• F7F
• tigercat
• R/C
• model
• radio
• controlled
• aircraft
• warbird
• 3w
• modellmotoren
• Ali
• Machinchy

[Rocketryman]

Would be great to see a video of it flying. Fantastic plane! Great job!

[vultee35]

@Rocketryman If you read the video description, you'll see that there is already a link to the flying video.

[69adrummer]

I don't mean to ask a dumb question (or one you've answered 100 times before) but what is the main material in this model? Balsa? Fiberglass?

Beautiful by the way!

[vultee35]

@69adrummer It's a fibreglass shell, but what structure was inside was ripped out and replaced as it was inadequate. I know of another modeller who had this kit and had one nacelle break off during flight causing the loss of the model. As a result, I did some major design reworking to make the model structurally sound and to carry the loads from the heavier 150cc engines. Steve

[vultee35]

See description for a link to flight video taken by another Youtube user

[vultee35]

@4ucarlosmurphy Possibly due to the fact that I don't have a video camera with a lens suitable for flight videos. That's why the video title is 'Flight Photos', or didn't you read that?

[BigWheelHawaii]

What a talent, I just saw the ? first video, the "run-up", and asked, if it had flown

yet... They say Autdie Murphy and Sergeant York where brave men, so are you,

my friend, to fly that beauty... For me, this is the Sistine Chapel, the Mona Lisa, Whistler's Mother,all rolled into one great work of artistry, and craftsmanship...

Vincent van Gogh, was good, your are great, and brave as hell, too...

Big

[Rocketryman]

@vultee35 Yea, thanks!

[69adrummer]

@vultee35 Thanks!! Have a great weekend!

[vultee35]

UPDATE - The model has now flown again and is only one flying session away from completing the CAA/LMA over 20Kg test flight scheme. It should therefore be soon on the UK show circuit. Steve