neat old Hellcat kit made by Eagle,anyone build one or have one?

[Dennis Holler]

I recently bought this old Hellcat CL kit.  It was made by Eagle (with notes saying it was packaged by Sullivan in Philly-even came with some lines)  The plans are dated 1945 and the box mfr stamp on the bottom is from 1946.  Its a nice full fuse plane with built up wing etc 42" span.  My particular kit looks pretty complete and nice with great condition plans etc, but the original quality of the wood is pretty poor.  I assume this would be more for a collector (if its at all worthy) I'm also guessing this would be more of a make patterns and copy plans kind of deal.  Does anyone else have one of these or know if they made other neat kits.  My thinking is that this would be a neat carrier plane     I'll try to post some picks of the kit when I get home.

[LARRY RICE]

     We currently produce two of their kits, both are gliders.  Poor wood seems to be their trademark with good plans. 
Larry
Black Hawk Models

[Dennis Holler]

I see they also had a control system that did not use a bellcrank, it used to L shaped tubes at the wing-fuse joint and the leadouts actually connected to the top and bottom of the elevator..  I wonder how that worked .

Well, Larry, if you ever want to do the Hellcat, let me know this kit seems complete right down to the supplied leadout cable and soft rubber tires.  I could probably easily make copies of the plans and patterns since the parts are not die cut, they are outline printed like old comet kits were.  I would do the same thing if I ever choose to build this one, cause man that wood is ROUGH as cob

Seems like it would be a perfect carrier event plane with a few mods for a tail hook etc.

[LARRY RICE]

     There were many alternatives to 'Jim' Walkers patented bellcrank system.  the lines through a tube to the elevator was a common one but there was another that used grooved wheels to direct the lines aft and one that attached ti the push rod at the wing tip.  For the most part the manufacturer or designer knew that you would use the bellcrank system regardless what he showed on the plans. 
     I think that the Hellcat would be a neat kit but I'll bet that it has a planked fuselage.  I offer one kit now that has a very simple planked fuselage and the  modelers are screaming and running off int the night for fear that they might have to do one.  No matter how simple it is people are afraid to even try.  I would love to see the plans, maybe make it into a profile.

Larry

[Dennis Holler]

Larry, you are correct, its partially planked the rest covered with sheet.  I'll try to get a scan or copy when I get a chance  and your welcome to have a gander.  As is its probably a little tougher than your typical Sterling built up kit so you may be right in thinking profile.

[dennis lipsett]

     There were many alternatives to 'Jim' Walkers patented bellcrank system.  the lines through a tube to the elevator was a common one but there was another that used grooved wheels to direct the lines aft and one that attached ti the push rod at the wing tip.  For the most part the manufacturer or designer knew that you would use the bellcrank system regardless what he showed on the plans. 
     I think that the Hellcat would be a neat kit but I'll bet that it has a planked fuselage.  I offer one kit now that has a very simple planked fuselage and the  modelers are screaming and running off int the night for fear that they might have to do one.  No matter how simple it is people are afraid to even try.  I would love to see the plans, maybe make it into a profile.

Larry

Larry,
I've always wondered why anyone would be afraid to plank a model. Going back to the old KYO models and up to several of nick Ziroli's and Gus Morfis models utilized planking as an effective means to cover space and end up with a strong structure. Done correctly it is easy and is not heavy. Granted a skin looks easier, but you lose time on the mold and few of us make more then one of a kind model anyhow. Besides my memories of skins left me cold.
Dennis

[Dennis Holler]

Ty,
That looks like it could be the same beast!  Cool plane!     I sent you a pic of the box for the one I have.

[john e. holliday]

Planking is an art just like molding.  They both take practice and patience.   

[LARRY RICE]

     What a lot of people do not understand is that you can do a @#%$# job of it and still have a perfect looking model.  Yes, the expert will plank a fuselage that can hold water - but for the novas all he needs to do is get the planks somewhere near to one another, sand and cover with silkspan; perfection - Not Required.  Honest it is EASY.

Larry