Radial Powered R/C Tigercat - Read video description before commenting

April 2010 Flight video Here - • Ali Machinchy with a 3...
1/5 Scale Grumman Tigercat built for Ali Machinchy. It is built from a much modified 3W Modellmotoren kit to cope with the additional weight and power from the Moki 150cc 5 cylinder radial engines that power the aircraft.
This first engine run was to check that the engines ran ok, to set up the linkages to give identical idles and travels and to check vibration levels in the airframe.
Landing Gear and wheels are from Sierra Precision. Painted in a combination of Halfords Rover Quicksilver and Warbirdcolors paint. The engines were only run up to about 3000rpm in this video, but have since been run at full power giving 4600rpm on 28x12 three blade props.

[@ShrekNasty69]

Beautiful plane, glad to see it wasn't damaged too bad on the "crash"

[@tazztt1]

THAT's an experienced starter. Notice the pause @ 1:34 after the first fire. Likely had knuckles cracked before on a late-firing engine. Good job man!

[@Robosock69]

that's the sweetest sounding motor I've ever heard, in anything. Thankyou for sharing, sounds great through surround speakers.

[@rdavit]

A must with a plane of this quality......get er on film!! I did that with my C-130....glad I did it ( had a professional create a video of all the maiden flights). Keep em coming! Thank you

[@jtuttle11]

GENIUS build. Ali always comes through with the goods.

[@Ptolemusa]

THAT engine sound is SOOO nice!!!!!!

[@century_bombers]

It is built from the 3W kit which spans 114 inches. The original kit weight was supposed to be around 44 pounds, but with the extra weight of the radials and strengthening the structure to hold them, it came out at 80 ready to fly.

[@century_bombers]

If you do it properly, and you'll note a thick glove is also worn, your fingers don't stay anywhere near the spinning prop. Perfectly safe. Almost 30 years in the hobby, and still have 8 fingers and two thumbs!

[@kiwibob72]

That has to be the BEST sounding RC plane I have ever had the pleasure to listen too! PS ... what a fantastic looking plane to boot, you should be proud of yourself!

[@helipoor]

Very detailed and thought out build...Well done!!!

[@123HURST]

Wow. Love the sound of the radials. Very very nice work.

[@bliglum]

Wow that makes a great sound when you rev it up and when it's idling! very nice detailing too!!! My hat's off to you friend, hell of a model plane you have there!

[@learning41230]

Fabulous model! Should fly great. Thanks for posting.

[@snaproll94e]

Great plane and those engines sound beautiful!

[@chrisfev01]

Stunning, simply stunning.

[@314731]

Awesome machine looking forward to the test flight, good luck guys.

[@tobiarce]

the detail of that aircraft is amazing

[@johnnyboypdq]

Very nice bird! Beautiful sound!

[@mattd28]

awesome work!

[@stiantiger]

That's a great sounding plane!! Looks stunning to!!

[@demanfromdelmonte]

fare nice plane, and the sound out of those Radial's, would love one of those in my Geebee racer,

[@72Z15SS]

Wow! Just one of these engines is enough to make you drool, but TWO! OMG Awesome...

[@Irvine7214x6apc]

That's a pitty, spring is still far far away mate... but there is nothing you can do, I can see that. My best wishes for the Tigercat (even though it is not your's), happy landings!!!

[@Irvine7214x6apc]

That is by far the best twin-engined model I have seen throughout KZbin!! It is also my 2nd favourite twin engined plane! You guys have done a wonderful job, great tribute to a spectacular aircraft. I was sad to watch in one other of your videos that it had a crash-landing but I hope you have got over this, she will be conquering the skies soon again I would like to believe. When is the next flight taking place? Happy landings mates!!!

[@Netbug]

My God, it's beautiful.

[@Soundrexor]

fith or sixth time seeing this video and all I can think of is bad ass bad ass bad ass, love this vid. the model is beautiful, but those engines. flight vid even more impressive.

[@czubspenx]

Kewl. Can't wait to see it fly!

[@xKmotx]

What a dream machine! Awesome!!

[@mjcmustang]

It sounds so real!

[@jdunk2145]

Beautiful aircraft.

[@MachTuck]

great job!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@Squarerig]

Respekt,Respekt.An enormous achievement.

[@BigWheelHawaii]

Aloha Buddie,,, Just unbelievable, what an artist, what a craftsman, for me, it is almost to hard to fathom the amount of talent, you and this build team have... Has this airplane flown yet ? For the "infidel" or "novice", it's harder to build a model like this, than restore one of the originals... And as far as flying goes, it's between 10 and 100 times harder to fly, than the original... And for the video critics, the only problem with this video, it's not long enough... Great Airplane,, Big

[@mreid08]

You two are rc gods. That is meanest sounding rc plane on the planet! Would like to see a video,,,,, hint hint

[@TERYDOTCOM]

Nothing less than awesome!

[@century_bombers]

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

[@century_bombers]

The props were made by a company called Solo from Canada, although I believe the company has recently been sold to a US buyer. They are basically miniature reproductions of Hamilton Standard props, and are adjustable in pitch on the ground to fine tune the performance to suit the aircraft.

[@TRUCENDER]

I MUST see this dream in flight! Please!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck

[@ralphgregory7616]

She's a BEAST 😎

[@century_bombers]

@timbrookable Props are SOLO props. Custom made three and four blade, adjustable pitch ( set on the ground ). The original company was sold, and I don't know who bought it. The landing gear and wheels are Sierra Precision, expensive, but very good quality.

[@kiwihame]

That is AWESOME!

[@century_bombers]

Since I built this Tigercat, I think I'm qualified to comment and elaborate that this is a more than just a model! Due to its size and weight, this Tigercat had to be inspected during construction by a Civil Aviation Authority examiner before being allowed its exemption to TEST FLY from the CAA. The CAA class this size and weight of aircraft as a UAV, and it must be operated in accordance to current regulations stipulated in the CAA Exemption from the Air Navigation Order..........

[@century_bombers]

Thank you!

[@century_bombers]

The aircraft is still in my workshop awaiting collection by the owner, allegedly in the next few weeks. It's not really test flying weather for something like this, so I can't see him flying it before the spring.

[@jdhiner1]

Incredible model those engines surpass the realism of even turbines.

[@tjtg]

very nice

[@jbrunsonjr]

Freakin awesome!!

[@rockonmyfriend]

thats badass!!!

[@century_bombers]

I could have done folding wings, but as this was built for a customer, it was built to his specifications and requirements. I also didn't want to add any more weight than necessary, as with the two radials, it is well over the designed kit weight to start with.

[@PC9JEFF]

So, when is it going to fly? Keep us posted, You did an awesome job on your A/C! I have been waiting for someone to put to radial engines on a R/C plane and when you fly it and post the vid, you will be the first! Good luck to you, From across the pond, Jeff

[@century_bombers]

Props were made by 'Solo'. The company was sold and I believe has a new owner now.

[@caesarillion]

Wow. Music. Thanks, Paul V California.

[@GerardoC01]

Spettacolo!!

[@tazztt1]

@vultee35 ... Good point. I have however seen glows fire unexpectedly from a dormant state though. GREAT PLANE!

[@century_bombers]

@canals22 The B-26 is being shipped to the customer in the USA in September for the Warbirds over the Rockies show. Search the net for the RCMF forum, and you'll find a build thread in the Fighteraces forum.

[@KeithChestnut]

I like it !

[@kochj0713]

Have you posted any of the build on any of the Forums??? Like Rcuniverse or Flight giants??? It would be welcomed so that others can see what you have done to theis aircraft , in detail!!!

[@rdavit]

Awesome!!! I'm in process with a friend on the Don Smith 103" with Saito 325's. Bought the Sierra gear (aren't they just fantastic?)....and Keleo scale mufflers. Please post the maiden!!! Thanks for posting.

[@49BigPoppa]

have you hought about retroing in the folding wing mechanism if possible, Excellent F7F Tigercat, Grumman would be proud

[@TRUCENDER]

We need other videos! Please Steve!

[@igehring]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G ...

[@EnterpriseXI]

have you ever had a motor cut out in flight? i heard these beautiful birds dont like flying on one engine

[@century_bombers]

@canals22 I won't be doing a 'Next one' I've had enough of Tigers, but a mate has almost finished a slightly smaller Tiger in deep blue with the 'King of the Cats' nose art. I'm currently detailing a 1/6 scale B-26 Marauder which will be finished as 'Flak Bait'

[@century_bombers]

Cheers!!

[@century_bombers]

@tazztt1 That was just the first fire off the prime with the choke closed. The pause was waiting for the choke to be opened before properly starting the engine.

[@century_bombers]

@slake21609 Moki 150cc Radials as mentioned in the video description.

[@century_bombers]

Yes, on Radio Control Model Flyers forum, it's a 'sticky' under the Al's Hobbies section. Steve

[@bliglum]

Dat sound!!!! MMMMM secksay!

[@century_bombers]

Halford's Rover Quicksilver for the natural metal areas ( which was polished and abraded in places ), Warbirdcolors for the blue and insignia.

[@pylon500]

What sort of props are those? They look like mini Warp Drive's

[@century_bombers]

@EnterpriseXI If you read the video description, you'll see it isn't my plane, I just built it for Ali. I don't think he lost an engine while he owned it.

[@century_bombers]

.....The model and pilot must complete a flight test program in the presence of the examiner. This program consists of a minimum of six flights and one hours flying, or until the examiner is happy that the plane and pilot is safe to fly in front of the public. Once this test flight program has been completed to the satisfaction of the examiner, then the full exemption to fly is granted. Steve

[@century_bombers]

All being well, the next flight will be in a couple of weeks time. I'll try and have someone there with a video camera.

[@nolifemerc]

did it ever fly where can i see the clip

[@Yosemite-George-61]

I will, I used to live in Denver...

[@century_bombers]

@TheJingjing12 In the cockpit, where else would he be?

[@bigblockluv]

thsts so kewl

[@nathanx1275]

wow that looks and sounds awsome,btw it almost seems a shame to run them beautie's inside a cowl

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Great stuff... next one should be blue...

[@century_bombers]

@mreid08 There's a link to a flight video in the video description

[@century_bombers]

Why? When swinging by hand, you can feel for any hudraulic lock, and your hand swings away from the prop in the follow though. When primed, the engines start first or second flick.

[@century_bombers]

If the Civil Aviation Authority paperwork can be cleared in time, it may fly this coming weekend. Keep watching this space! Regards Steve

[@MachTuck]

As long as you dont let the airpeed go below VMC, they all fly on one engine.

[@Maggifix2]

Absolute awsome !!! Sound is close to the real Tigercat... Verry cool !! Can you tell us somthing about the weight. I build a F7F with 2500 mm wingspan and two 35 cc ROTO engines...the poor - people version of yours :-))lol Chris

[@grampi2494]

Those props look scale...are they direct drive or are they part of a reduction system?

[@century_bombers]

@Discipulus96 As I posted above - "I was more concerned with getting the airframe through its 20Kg inspection scheme than making a video. This is my living, not a hobby, so I wasn't interested in the video, just a record of the event. Ali isn't a collector, he flies something for a season and sells it more often than not."

[@michaelangelo7511]

I want to see it fly.👍🏻🇺🇸

[@century_bombers]

I presume you saw the link to the flight video in the description?

[@michaelangelo7511]

@@century_bombers I didn’t . Thanks for telling me. I will go back and view it. Beautiful craft. Great job.👍🏻🇺🇸

[@century_bombers]

@Mazzzki12 Because this is what my customer wanted.

[@century_bombers]

@Thetruthishere11 You shouldn't be, starting engines with big props is much easier than small ones, and these radials start very easily and at low RPM.

[@century_bombers]

Also on RC Scale Builder

[@century_bombers]

Link to flight video now in description.

[@century_bombers]

@BigWheelHawaii Flight video link is in the video description

[@century_bombers]

@Cult1022 I think there was £10,000+ of materials in this model inc engines and radio.

[@ridwanhusainishraq]

What is the price

[@century_bombers]

@nolifemerc Try reading the video description

[@century_bombers]

@serpent08n Because it wasn't for me, it was a customers model, that I built for him.

[@toddi1971]

fraking awesome ... can i see it fly?

[@century_bombers]

....in the Other Kits section.

[@antonioaparicio9530]

What is the wing span of that plane?

[@century_bombers]

Around 10 feet.

[@Cult1022]

i guess raidial engines in scale are expensive as hell? aren't they?