Parkzone F4F Wildcat BNF Build & Review

[Citosicarius]

F4F WILDCAT BNF
BUILD AND REVIEW
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=47&pictureid=769 http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=47&pictureid=770

The Parkzone Wildcat BNF comes very well packaged, I was rather impressed with the way they handled the packaging on the wings, they're separated from each other in a molded foam holder on the tip end. With all this attention paid to protecting the plane, it was no surprise that there is no visible damage. This plane can be assembled literally in minutes.

Whats in the Box:

- F4F Wildcat
- 480 size 960kv brushless outrunner (installed)
- 18 amp Brushless ESC (installed)
- AR5000 Receiver (installed)
- 4 servos pre-installed (2 aileron, 1 elevator, 1 rudder)
- 3s 1300 lipo battery (15c)
- Car charger
- Bind plug
- Hardware Package consisting of wing screws, extra pushrod retainers, tape and a longer battery hold down velcro.

Whats not in the Box:

- Transmitter (DSM2)

The Build:

The instructions are rather clear about most steps. After sliding the carbon fiber wing tube into a wing, slide in into the fuselage while guiding the aileron servo wire into the square hole and securing the wing with the provided screw. Repeat for other wing. Plug both ailerons into the Y-harness near the receiver. The horizontal tail also has a carbon fiber tube and assembles in the same manner but secures to the fuselage with tape instead of screws. I only had to attach 1 servo horn to the elevator, the rudder is all done for you as are the ailerons. Install the battery, bind with your radio, set the CG (which was dead on) and control throws and you're off. I ran into a problem at the setting control throws part. I was setting my elevator throw, everything was looking good, then suddenly the servo started driving slowly in one direction. I unplugged it before it managed to hurt anything and tried it in another channel on the receiver to make sure it wasn't the receiver. It was indeed a bad servo :( I replaced it with one I had and continued on. I gotta say, those servos are in there GOOD.

Build Summary:

Positives
+ Two piece wing with carbon fiber tube
+ Battery tray will fit much larger batteries and they included a bigger strap
+ Very fast and easy assembly
+ Details are a nice touch - pilot, wheels, dummy radial..
+ Bind plug included and already installed in receiver
+ Rudder Standard and already set up

Negatives
- Had a bad elevator servo right out of the box
- Don't think tape is the best way to attach horizontal stabilizer, but if it works...



Maiden:

Well, got the maiden in, and I love it. It's not too often I'm comfortable enough with a plane on a maiden to start throwing it around a bit, but this one was the best I've ever flown right out of the box. I ended up flying the full 6 minutes on my timer, I did inverted, loops, rolls, immelmans, split-s, low passes.. and some stuff that doesn't have a name. Excellent flight lots of power, I couldn't be happier with it. Unfortunately, my camera guy was a bit shaky and couldn't find the plane half the time. I got another video today but my camera didn't finalize the DVD properly and I'm having a hard time getting the video off it. I will figure it out though, and get some shots up. It's been a terrible week for taking video, too windy, rainy, cloudy or just too darn hot. The video that I think I'll end up posting is cloudy, but it's all I can get around here lately.

As far as the questions about wind, I had no problem in 10+MPH gusty winds, sure she was a little twitchy up high, but it landed like a pussy cat. I thought the wind died on approach, but a friend that was with me said it didn't, she just settled right in.

Report Card:

HL: Very Easy
ROG: NA, No LG
Glide: Gentle like other PZ warbirds
Rolls: Moderate, smooth requiring a little down elevator while inverted
Loops: Big
Inverted: No problem, touch of down elevator
Speed: 20-45mph
Landing: Slow her down, line her up and reduce throttle.
Beginner: No, a good first warbird or second plane!!

Video:

Sorry, I can't get a break in the weather here... it's cloudy, it's all I can do for now.


http://www.vimeo.com/13665168

[WJCJR1]

Nice first look at the WildCat Citosicarius. I look forward to your maiden report and flight review.

The WildCat looks nice, I like the detailing on this foamy.

The tape for the horizontal is fairly standard such as with the Parkzone T-28's. However, I have always used a little Epoxy on mine.

Unfortuantely my review of ther T-28D and your review of the Wildcat share another thing in common, we both had a fried Parkzone elevator servo. Mine got stuck in a vertical pull up shortly after takeoff on maiden flight.

Nice review now to see the beauty in the air.

Wayne

[jrb]

Got mine from my fav lhs on the way to the field yesterday afternoon.

4 flights on her -- very nice!

Flies very well and didn't take long to put it together at all.

Don't even think the tape is needed on the H Stab; only put it on the bottom.

4 flight on the Habu too.

And even more on my Groovey 90

[Wattman]

I am really interested in the Wildcat ..........and wonder how good of a windy day flyer it is , which lately seems to be all there is around here , windy with gust .

I realize it depends on experience and skill level , but I also know 'some' planes just handle the wind better .

thanks

[ATIS]

Wattman, check out my maiden post...2 videos, the second is better and that was in 15mph winds (flags straight out on the poles)

[jrb]

Most any plane bigger than the 20/20 rule we use for dome flies ( www.marcee.org : oz/mph) will fly in wind.

Remember take-offs are optional!

If I don’t like the approach, I don’t t/o.

[WJCJR1]

If I don’t like the approach, I don’t t/o.

Very good practice! Fly within your comfortable skill level and airplane's ability.

More experienced pilots seem to obey these rules more readily then I with only a few years (5-6) under our wings. It's either the more experienced guys are smarter or they have fixed enough stuff and decided that was fun but don't want to repeat.

Wayne

[jrb]

Easy to remember: there are bold pilots and old pilots; but, there are no old bold pilots!

[ATIS]

now that the review is done and I no longer feel like I am stealing his review thunder I will have to add my thoughts.... I second his.... this baby flys great, HL is easier then the P-51!, inverted she wants to drop a wing but with the mid wing and the diehedral its expected, landings are a breeze and the smile factor is definately high.

Now the only down side...the color scheme on the real deal was designed to help hide her in the sky, the colors on this baby match so well to the real deal that she can hide in the sky!! Light blue sky with cscattered clouds and the plane appears and disappears faster then free pizza and beer at a Super Bowl party so be ready for it!


I along with the rest of the HRF staff want to thank Citosicarius for volunteering to write the review. Reviews tend to be time consuming and the requirement for video often means talking some poor victum, err I mean friend, into operating the video camera and trying to keep up with plane. Not an ordeal for the faint of heart.

Citosicarius, once again, thank you for the review and the willingness to share your expereince with the F4F Wildcat with the HRF family.

[albsurfer]

Citosicarius (http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/member.php?u=403), great video. Obviously an easy build. Flies much better than I thought it would. I like .46 nitro and above, but recently purchased an E-Flite Extra 260 3D. Waiting for the batts to come. I have seen a few of the newer foamies and have to admit that they are looking much better. I saw the Kyosho aiRium Spitfire at my LHS last week. It looked very good. The fact that the Wildcat will fly in higher winds is great because in the afternoon, my field is 9+ mph most of the year. The Wildcat is one of my favourite WWII planes. Thanks for sharing, esp about the bad servo.

[WJCJR1]

AWESOME video Citosicarius, I was smiling through the whole video.

Certainly looks like another great quality PZ airplane. I like the stable fly-byes and vertical ability looks decent too.

Again great video and review and echo what ATIS said, thanks for your participation and sharing with all of us.

BTW about your camera guy, he did GREAT I thought!

Wayne

[phantomphan]

Cool model. Ive always liked the Wildcat and the landing gear on the full scale has always looked inovative to me.
Pretty smooth flying and the camera guy, I thought, did a great job to not be a pro.:thumbsup:
The video is fun to watch also. Great job all around.:clapping:
Cheers.

[ATIS]

I am noticing that the paint on mine still feels tacky... even after 2 weeks of flying! it left white paint marks on my leather in the Stang...not happy!!!

[Citosicarius]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, it is quite a bit of work but I enjoyed it and it's nice to let other people know about new products with an unbiased opinion. To be completely honest, after my last few park flyers, I vowed never to have a foam plane again. Alas, someone had to bring out the Wildcat and I couldn't resist, now I'm glad I have it. I've flown it every morning this week (usually around 6am before work) so I've had to learn to hand launch it myself and I still can't get over how good it launches and how fun it is.

My camera guy was excellent the second time Wayne, the guy who took the first one forgot to lock the focus so it was all over the place. Unfortunately the one I showed wasn't the maiden as the actual maiden one is unwatchable. I figured it could be forgiven since aside from 3 clicks of aileron trim and a click of elevator the maiden was the same as the rest of my flights. It's tough to get good weather and a good camera guy at the same time so I had to go with the good camera work. In case Rob reads this - thanks again, that was great work!! (You realize this means I'm going to want more videos from you :)

Regarding the paint I couldn't agree more, I had to peel it out of the stand tonight when I went to remove it from my truck. Also it takes on dirt/grease a little too easily, you can already see the finger prints behind the canopy from opening it. So far the Mr Clean wipes seem to take care of it without hurting the paint, but I don't know for how long cause I see a little colouring on the wipe when I'm done.

Shaun

[WJCJR1]

Surprised by the paint issue you two are having. That isn't cool. Does it appear to be degrading and getting softer with time?

The second video being video you posted, totally fine by me, I thought it was a great video whether first, second, third..... I did enjoy it much.

I have found the getting video of flying the hardest part of the whole documentary. Whether it's trying to find someone to do it, hardest part mostly, or the uploading/editting it all takes time and much effort to get a decent product.

Glad you are enjoying the WildCat each day before work!

Wayne

[ATIS]

The paint seems to be drying, but I cant get it off my seats...not happy at all as I baby my Stang!!

[jamboF4]

Atis: I'm kinda new so please excuse any dumber-than-usual questions. Would a couple of white, "Battle of the Bulge" stripes on the underside of the wings help with aspect recognition? I know there are some spray paints that are foam-friendly. Any thoughts? Thanks

Now the only down side...the color scheme on the real deal was designed to help hide her in the sky, the colors on this baby match so well to the real deal that she can hide in the sky!! Light blue sky with cscattered clouds and the plane appears and disappears faster then free pizza and beer at a Super Bowl party so be ready for it!

[ATIS]

They might but the hard part is the side view at a distance.

[jamboF4]

Greetings: I hope my question has not been asked/answered elsewhere and I missed it: Is the belly skid on the Wildcat replaceable therefore, perhaps usable on the T-28 should you chose to be a belly-flopper. At my skill level, I'm afraid I might make "instant retracts." Thanks everybody.

[jamboF4]

Cito:
Thanks for the nice article on the F4F. I'm a fairly proficient newbie, trying to decide which I should step up to first (currently Apprentice and 2 micros): The T-28 or HL / BL the F4F. I have ample, end-to-end soccer fields, including one in Astroturf (about 3/4") Here's another noob question: Frequently mentioned is an 1800mAh 11.1 for the F4F. It's is 25mm longet and undoubtedly a bit heavier. Will this slightly-aft cg be an issue for a newbie maiden. Thanks again, sir.
Jim

[ATIS]

Jim,

To answer all your questions I am going to go in order:

1) You can make the T-28 a belly lander, just take WBPU and "paint" the belly of the T-28 from cowling to rudder (2 coats)

2) Both the T-28 and the F4 fly well. The T-28 is great for touch and goes. The F4 is easier to HL as its slightly smaller

3) You can open up the lipo bay a little to move the lipo forward and that will fix the CG. I fly my P-51 and F4 on the stock 3s 1300 lipos...7 minutes of flight time is enough for me at one time.

A aft cg will make any plane touchy on the elevator. I would try and get as close to the stock CG location as possible.

[jamboF4]

Thanks ATIS. Gr8 advice. The guys at Parkzone told me that the CG is a bit fwd anyway and they like the slightly longer battery, moving the cg aft a few mm. I'm probably too much a handfist to tell just yet anyway. Any thoughts on expo for my maiden. I have a DX6i?
Jim

[ATIS]

20-25% EXPO, where are the pushrods connected? Depending on where they are (and which plane your going to fly) I can give you travel adjustments for low/hi rates as well.