70 Series - F8F BearCat - Development Log

Development of the Proof-of-Concept Began in January 2005

NOTES:

• The Scale of the Proof-Of-Concept and Prototype are NOT to the Final-Scale

• The Prototype was not finished as we no longer use this method of development.

• The planned Aircraft will be roughly 79% scale.

  • Target Engine is the Rotec R3600

  • Wing Span:  22' 6"

  • Scale Cockpit would be 19.8 inches; however the body will modified to increase the cockpit width and will hold a pilot greater than 6' tall.

• Investment: Available for this project

• Status:  Currently pending investment
  

Photo 1:  Original Body Design.   Notice the Rotec Radial Engine was hand-drawn.  Later the following year, I met Paul from Rotec and he provided me with CAD profile drawings. Photo 2:  Horizontal Stabilizer Photo 3: Tail-fin and Landing gear   The wing was modeled using a GA Airfoil based on desired flight characteristics listed in Harry Riblett's book.

Body Formers were made from the drawings.   The Formers were put into place and scraps of foam were cut to thickness and insert in between the formers. The wooden structure is the internal frame we also call the "cage" that pilot sits in.   The design was based on the inner structure of all WAR Aircraft Replica designs which evolved from the KR2, which evolved from WWI Bi-planes.    The cross members were added and the frame takes on the perfect shape. Copies of the body formers are laid into place on the internal structure.    The foam body is the plug for which the mold was to be made and with a little imagination, you can see how the skin would simply be set on top of the frame and formers to create to body.                Next work began on creating the Fuel tank.   The final model incorporated baffels to keep fuel from sloshing around.

Work began by building the Center-Alignment-Spar which is used to keep everything straight.           Body formers are put into position. Shortly after this photo, our investor withdrew funding to focus on other financial obligations and we packed everything you see and moved to Dundee, Michigan.   As of June 16, 2009, the formers are in storage and the files were burned to CD to be used for reference when the 79% version which will be solid modeled in SolidWorks, is started.   Investors wanted!!!