Wildcat fun design #202

[Pat Johnston]

My buddy and I were discussing the Wildcat as a potential design.  It has the nice quality of a mid wing stunter, so dihedral is not needed.  I started in on the design yesterday and used my Shark 560 ribs, did a little respacing, moved the tip back an inch to get the taper looking right, and made up the rest of the design.  It is set up for an electric package equivalent to an LA46 and will have plenty of poop.  The wing is a non-flapped design with my "+P" series of airfoils for superior lift.  The TVC is a generous .383 for a non flapped stunter so will perform with the best of them.  It is a cute little design which is not modeled all that much.  Not building in the flaps is nice so simplifying the building process without impacting the performance.  I'll attach the PDF files for all to gander.  If anyone wants plans, the PDF files are full sized and your local printer should be able to cut copies if you wish.
Pat Johnston
Shake-n-Bake Desigh Studio
Skunk Works

[Perry Rose]

What changes should be made for .46LA power?

[Mark Scarborough]

Another good one Pat, and you are right, not many model this design

[Crist Rigotti]

Very nice Pat!

[Randy Cuberly]

Nice looking airplane Pat.  Too bad it has all that funny looking stuff in the nose!   

Randy Cuberly

[john e. holliday]

Looks like anybody with some experience can adapt it for an LA 46 or equivalent.   Looks like Staples here I come again.   

[wwwarbird]

What changes should be made for .46LA power?

 Maple mounts and four bolts.   

[Pat Johnston]

The next operation is to make up a set of plans for the LA46.  Won't take long.  Please stay tuned.  Thanks for all your support.
Pat Johnston
Skunk Works

[FLOYD CARTER]

Interesting airfoil!  Haven't seen that one on any other model.

The real F4F has a unique landing gear. Looks like it was designed by the Tinkertoy Co.  Your plan doesn't show the LG.  I hope it is a bit wider track than the original.

[Brent Williams]

Interesting airfoil!  Haven't seen that one on any other model.

Sure you have Floyd.  I know that there are copious numbers of Pathfinders and associated Pathfinder based derivatives up there in the NW.

Gordan Delaney has been using that flat aft section style airfoil since the 70's on his Challenger combat ships which was later adapted to good effect on the the Pathfinder.  

Have Pete Peterson relate the origins of Pathfinder number 1 sometime.

[wwwarbird]

 Your plan doesn't show the LG.  I hope it is a bit wider track than the original.

 Really? Then what's the wire sticking out of the bottom of the fuselage, just ahead of the wing L/E, with the wheel on the end of it?  

[Astropuppy]

Another good one Pat, and you are right, not many model this design

Authenticate 1940's F4F landing gear, before paint.

[Pat Johnston]

Here is the IC version with the LA46.  Really, anything from an FP35 and up will fly this one at 42 ounces.
As far as the airfoil goes, it is my "+P" design which was developed over ten years ago for the Ringmaster +P.  It is simply an ACAD ellipse for the front with straight lines tangent to the ellipse from the T/E.  the high point is set at 20% back with a thickness of usually 16-18%.  Both my Mako Jet and Bearcat transition the thickness from 18% at the root to 16% at the tips.  Really easy to make and has tons of versitility for making any thickness and highpoint wherever you like.  It also has superior lifting capabilities.  This is the primary airfoil I use these days.  The Epiphany 557 Profile has an elliptical wing with this airfoil.  Soon to fly.
The landing gear is plugged into the bottom of the fuselage like so many of my previous designs.  Really a lot like the Wildcat.  Narrow wheel spacing keeps the leg flex down and the narrow track is of little concern to us.
Check out the newest plans for the 46!
Pat Johnston
Rapid Design Studio
Skunk Works

[Perry Rose]

Files on the way to Office Depot.

[Perry Rose]

Plans printed on paper, balsa ordered.

[Astropuppy]

f4f documentary

[Crist Rigotti]

Really? Then what's the wire sticking out of the bottom of the fuselage, just ahead of the wing L/E, with the wheel on the end of it?  

I think he means how wide is the L.G.?  There should be a layout on the plan that shows the L.G. shape.  Yeah, we know the height from the side view but what about the other dimensions.

Pat - Please add these details or have another pdf on an 8 1/2 x 11.  Thanks.  BTW, great design!  I really like it.

[Dennis Heckel]

Thanks for plans Pat!!!

Dennis Heckel

[Perry Rose]

I splayed each gear 30 degrees.