Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Aero-space => Topic started by: The Big Gimper on December 15, 2012, 09:25:55 PM

Title: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: The Big Gimper on December 15, 2012, 09:25:55 PM
I was thinking of putting a R-4360 with a Contra-prop up front. Use the 1/72 Valom XF8B-1 resin cowling, engine and props. Pilots called it the Scare-bear.  ;D
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: kitnut617 on December 16, 2012, 12:57:11 AM
Or you could use a cowling from one of the Reno Sea Furys, Dreadnought or Furious, they both used R-4360's
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: Geoff on December 21, 2012, 04:45:17 AM
I did a JMSDF one in overall Sea Blue Gloss
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: elmayerle on December 21, 2012, 06:33:19 AM
If I was going to put a R4360 on a Bearcat, I'd add an extension in fron of the tail, much like the difference between the FW-190A and FW-190D, in order to maintain stability and control.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: The Big Gimper on December 21, 2012, 09:47:56 AM
If I was going to put a R4360 on a Bearcat, I'd add an extension in fron of the tail, much like the difference between the FW-190A and FW-190D, in order to maintain stability and control.

How long should do you think the extension should be Evan?  2'? 3'?
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: elmayerle on December 21, 2012, 11:05:51 AM
It looks like the Fw-190D airframe stretched by nearly five feet (4.99 ft per wikipedia).  That includes the lengthed engine installation as was as the constant-section stretch on the tail.  I'd reckon a similar combination would work with the Bearcat, between the longer cowl for the R4360 and the tail extension for balance.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: The Big Gimper on December 21, 2012, 11:15:18 AM
It looks like the Fw-190D airframe stretched by nearly five feet (4.99 ft per wikipedia).  That includes the lengthed engine installation as was as the constant-section stretch on the tail.  I'd reckon a similar combination would work with the Bearcat, between the longer cowl for the R4360 and the tail extension for balance.

Doh!!! That is a RTFM.  :-[

Thanks.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: jcf on December 21, 2012, 11:46:17 AM
Installed dimension comparison, includes induction system.

F8F-2, R-2800-30W
Diameter: 53.00"
Length: 92.75"
Weight: 2560 lbs.

F2G-1, R-4360-4
Diameter: 52.50"
Length: 96.75"
Weight: 3400 lbs.

XF8B-1, R-4360-10(semi-production)
Diameter: 52.50"
Length: 130.75"
Weight: 3785 lbs.

Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: elmayerle on December 21, 2012, 11:55:42 AM
Yeah, whatever R4360 installation you used, you'd need the tail farther aft for balance and control purposes.  I think my previous position still holds.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: kitnut617 on December 21, 2012, 10:38:02 PM
Supermarine did it a different way, as the engine weight increased at the front,  they stack counter-weights in the tail on a special frame which is just in front of the tail assembly joint.

That Morgan and Shacklady book is really informative with little details like that.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: elmayerle on December 21, 2012, 11:11:11 PM
Fascinating.  The thing is, with the larger and longer cowling, you're going to need to move the tail aft anyway for strictly aerodynamic balance purposes (well, you don't have to, but the pilot would definitely appreciate the easier level of control forces necessary if you do).
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: kitnut617 on December 22, 2012, 06:32:23 AM
Can making the tailplane bigger still accomplish the same thing Evan,  Supermarine seemed to have different ideas along those lines.  When you compare the tail surfaces on a Spitfire Mk.I to the tail surfaces on the Mk.22/24, the later ones are almost twice as big in area.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: The Big Gimper on December 22, 2012, 08:26:58 AM
When they put the R4360 in front of the Corsair, was the fuselage or empennage enlarged in anyways?
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: kitnut617 on December 22, 2012, 10:00:42 AM
It was made into a bubble top BG so less fuselage, it had enlarge tail surfaces though.  My model of it doesn't seem to be any longer except for the added engine length, which according to wiki, is only 5" longer overall, 33'-4" as to 33'-9" for the F2G
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: elmayerle on December 22, 2012, 02:18:04 PM
Can making the tailplane bigger still accomplish the same thing Evan,  Supermarine seemed to have different ideas along those lines.  When you compare the tail surfaces on a Spitfire Mk.I to the tail surfaces on the Mk.22/24, the later ones are almost twice as big in area.
Well, it will have some of the same effects if I remember the relationships correctly.  Still, I reckon 'twould induce increased loads on the controls.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: The Big Gimper on December 22, 2012, 08:53:25 PM
Can making the tailplane bigger still accomplish the same thing Evan,  Supermarine seemed to have different ideas along those lines.  When you compare the tail surfaces on a Spitfire Mk.I to the tail surfaces on the Mk.22/24, the later ones are almost twice as big in area.

Well, it will have some of the same effects if I remember the relationships correctly.  Still, I reckon 'twould induce increased loads on the controls.


I bought an 1/72 Art Model F8F for this project from Modelsua (http://modelsua.com/). When it gets delivered in a few weeks, I see what can be done to lengthen the fuselage and/or enlarge the horizontal stabilizers. I'll leave the vertical stab alone as the kit is a -2.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 17, 2013, 02:26:55 PM
What about a twinned bearcat (swilling style) instead of the Tigercat?
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: finsrin on July 17, 2013, 02:32:21 PM
What about attaching F5F or F7F wings for three engine hot rod ?
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: elmayerle on July 18, 2013, 08:44:51 AM
What about attaching F5F or F7F wings for three engine hot rod ?
You'd probably need a F7F aft fuselage and tail for weight and balance purposes.  Though I'd add a vertical fin strake and use the F8F bubble canopy.
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: ysi_maniac on December 26, 2013, 01:11:38 PM
Jet Bearcat

(http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j340/ysi_maniac/Drawing/bearcat_jet.jpeg) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/ysi_maniac/media/Drawing/bearcat_jet.jpeg.html)
Title: Re: F8F Bearcat Ideas
Post by: Volkodav on February 16, 2017, 10:54:43 PM
RAN FAA Bearcat supplied from USN stocks to supplement the existing Hellcats for service off Korea in the RANs two Implacable Class carriers.  EDSG over Sky FAA scheme.