Guillows F6F Hellcat RC Conversion Step by Step
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- Guillows F6F Hellcat RC Conversion Step by Step
This video offers a complete discussion of a Guillows F6F Hellcat RC conversion step by step. I'll start with a short history of the Hellcat. Then, a kit unbox of the Guillows F6F Hellcat with various step by step build options.
While the Hellcat is a bit advanced and not for the Guillows RC conversion for newbies, insights gained with this build of Guillows model airplanes will be applicable for a wide range of Guillow free flight airplane conversions.
The video goes on to show wing construction, the addition of ailerons, making the fuselage and battery hatch, control set up and ParkLite iron on covering.
The Hellcat flies extremely well. It is a fast model, as to be expected. But the model is predictable and looks great in the air.
Hellcat specifics:
E-flite Park 370 motor
Spektrum AR620 receiver
Castle Talon 15 ESC
Hitec HS-55 servos (3)
ThunderPower 2 cell TP 325 lipo
Total weight: 12 ounces
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - History
02:27 - Kit unbox
04:13 - Hellcat plans
09:45 - RC set up
12:00 - Wing construction
20:28 - Fuselage constuction
29:27 - Covering
33:40 - Build complete
34:51 - Test flights
37:33 - Debrief
Larry-Tim-tremendous video! I learned so much from this one video I've made notes notes and notes. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Tim
Fantastic build. Makes me sad that kids today are not building models as much. Guillows kits were a huge part of my life in the 1980s. I'm just getting back into them now at 55!
Joseph: Good luck with your build! Tim
Same for me, but at 71 years.
I’m 33 and only fly rubber glider rc builds, but it was my grandfather who was the one that got me into it as a kid running around picking up his planes and be the tree climber 😂
Great build, thanks for sharing! I think my heart skipped a beat watching the first start and the landings 😅
You and me both! Tim
Nice video, & the Hellcat came out really well. Looks great in the air, smooth and scale-like, not twitchy or over-amped. Thanks you! David OD, Laguna woods CA
David: Glad you liked it! Tim
Thanks so much for such a comprehensive and educational video tutorial! This wonderful video is all anyone needs to build and convert any kit they could ever desire! Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!
BH: Thanks for checking in and your kind review! Tim
@@TimMcKay56 certainly! And a big thanks again!
This is so helpful i was looking for F6F build video.. Thank you so much for this.
KK: Hey, best of luck with your build! Tim
Looks like a sweet flier to me, great job!!
TT: You have to be on the sticks, but is an honest flier of a WW-2 fighter. Fun project! Tim
Excellent built and flight with generous building insights. Guillows is definetely back in the game with lightweight servos, batteries etc.
Vesa: Thanks for checking in! The Hellcat is a great build candidate. Big wing and spacious fuselage interior. Tim
Thank you Tim, another Brilliant video.
Geoff: Glad you enjoyed it! Tim
Thanks for your reply, I've tryed but, now I have one of those magnet boards. I think it just might work. You have really inspired my to convert a guillow's arrow to RC thanks for all of the great videos!
David: Good luck, and keep the Arrow light! Tim
Well done! This is one of the better Guillows conversions, mine is a bit porky at 30 OZ's but still fly's great. Always fun to see different approaches to covert these FF kits. Blue Skies - MPP
MPP: Appreciate this update! The Hellcat is a great conversion project. Very glad it can handle a 30 ounce flight weight. Always nice to have a bit of design margin going forward! 😁 Tim
Turned out nice. I have built a few Guillows birds back in the 70's and they made great rubber band flyers, RC version is pretty darn cool. Good Job!🤠
FB: Many thanks, the Hellcat was a lot of fun! Tim
It even sounds great!
Was a fun project! Tim
Hi Tim that bought back great memories of a PAW diesel 4 channel version that I flew for a few years. Mine had fixed undercarriage which looked fine and worked well.
Very cool! Tim
Hi Tim, I admire you to provide such a precious informations about R/C conversion. I mad this model with foam with the plan from internet. My favorite model is Corsair and made a tiny one 26" wing span plan from Flight test. You inspired me a lot with your Technics. Really you are a experienced guy. Being an old man I really respect you.
Muzaffar: Good luck with your projects! Tim 😁
My fave is Corsairs, too. But I feel guilty because my father was duty officer for VF-81 which flew Hellcats off the Wasp.
This is a very great video. It was my very first balsa tutorial, when I got my guillows hellcat 2 or 3 years ago for Christmas. I've been watching this over and over, writing plans and seeing how much space I have. I'm going to build my hellcat soon, with 11 of the servos you used here, and the same size battery. Your build looks so radiant at the end.
Best of luck! Tim
I love the history thanks!!!
😊👍🏻 Tim
I learned a lot from this video, I checked it out when I got one of these.
Great! Tim
Very informative. Thank you for this.
👍🏻 Tim
Thanks Tim, Excellent instructions and video.
Don: Glad it was helpful! Tim
You got a nice airplane out of that box. I enjoyed the video.
Planker: Thanks for watching! Tim
Wow so cool!
Phil: Many thanks for checking in! Tim
Nice job looks great
Thank you! Cheers! Tim
I enjoyed watching the great video. I'm also interested in airplanes, so I'm going to try making one right now. I think the Willow kit has an excellent sense of body scale.
MKJ: Good luck with your Hellcat build! Tim
This is amazing!
WS: Glad you liked it! Tim
Well done! That was cool!!
Phil: Many thanks! Tim
Holly Cow, your awesome!
Thanks! Tim
Nice work shop
😊👍🏻 Tim
This is a great video, i am building the guillows cessna 150
HF: Best of luck! Tim
I did one back in 2015. I made it with a removable wing, single aileron servo, rudder, and elevator. It came in at a little over 16 oz, but flew amazing. Slow speed performance was great, but I put way too much motor on it, a Super Tiger .10 outrunner. I told myself "just stay away from full throttle", well I didn't listen and flutter got me. Ripped the elevator control horn right out. I really did love the way it flew and plan on making another one, with some mods.
Cf: Fully agree, the Hellcat is a great kit and candidate for RC flight. Tim
Your a talented dude
Thanks! Tim
very cool!
👍🏻😊 Tim
Nicely done. I turned the Zero into an electric CL model just for something different and sure enough it flies. I still have a couple of those series in the box and someday will make them RC. I sometimes like to make the access by making the wing removable if the structure is suitable.
NW: Thanks for checking in. Best of luck with your future conversions! Tim
This will be a good flyer
Agree! Tim
Thank you
👍🏻 Tim
Your much better at shooting from the hip than I am.
Thanks again! Tim
You must have years of expereince. I am just a child getting into the hobby and I look up to you
PD: I am just goofing around and having fun. Welcome to the hobby! Tim
Beauty job u should do more of these guillowsa builds for us
Jeff: Will do! Tim
@@TimMcKay56 would a park 400 motor work ok in this build ? Seems more readily available then the park 370 in canada what kv was motor you used ?
Jeff: Park 400 should work just fine. Tim
Great job Tim I get a lot of information on your building . I have 3 f4u Corsair guillows giant scale planes .. just wounding when you will build a Corsair thanks great job on your building skills
David: The Corsair is certainly on my build list, not sure when! Tim
Great video Tim. I enjoyed how thorough it was.
David: Many thanks! Tim
Spektrum (horizon hobbies) makes a ultra thin wing servo seems like a good candidate for Guillows models. I had an old friend who built a lot of guillows kits for RC and he’d use extra thin balsa sheeting as the skin for the model that he then doped and painted and his models were always great solid as a rock fliers.
Yup, should be a good item to check out. Tim
You are a very valuable person for modeling, because you don't teach classes online and you charge little.
😊👍🏻 Tim
This is great - I have been buying Guillows kits with a conversion in mind for a few years. The difficulty has been that the quality of their wood is so poor and the "die-crush" formers and ribs are similarly not always suitable for a decent build.
I hope that Guillows gets with the program and improves their quality - as a lot of folks would love to do this I'm sure.
A-12: Fully agree with the older Guillows kits. But the newer ones have laser cut balsa, seems to be a lot higher quality. Usually says "Laser Cut" somewhere on the box where this is done. Tim
Is it "Gweelows?" Jeez all these years I've been calling it "Gillows". Me and me Brother built many over the years. Great vid.
William: You raise a good point, think the pronunciation is the former. But I could be mistaken! Tim
Actually its "gwill-lows"
Neat!
Mudchip: Thanks! Tim
Just got an F4 Corsair from gullies in the same scale I’m gonna try to put some sort of working retractable gear on mine
Good luck! Tim
Parklite covering is nice to use in that it is easier to remove the backing than some other coverings and is more opaque. It is good to make patterns for covering from printer paper or manila folder, then cut out covering, slightly oversize with X-Acto knife to avoid waste/mistakes.
Use moderate heat with model covering iron when shrinking to avoid melting covering. Have you done a video on covering techniques for small models?
Gary: Got that right on ParkLite and the backing. For the brands with a tighter backing, I use reversed scotch tape to try and separate.
I use a heat gun to shrink, just very conservative applying the heat. Great point on a video for the covering, will add to my list! Tim
Great video! I really enjoyed following along with your build! I'm working on the spitfire currently, do you have any advice for covering the plastic cowl? I'm not having much luck, I melted the first cowl with my heat gun and I'm really struggling to get the wrinkles out with my iron on the next cowl? I thought about painting it but I cant find a good match for the covering?
John: I've been able to iron on (no heat gun) the lightweight plastic coverings (ParkLite, MicroLite, etc.). I think the heat for regular MonoKote would be too much, as you describe. Also, normal acrylic (water clean up) paint works fine, you may have to add more than one coat. See what I did on my Guillow Spitfire conversion. Tim
This so cool! I built so many of these as a kid and they all flew (sort of) I had always dreamed of these as RC. I noticed you set it up for just an elevator and aileron?
Did you use a standard size receiver? What size motor? Love these videos btw keep em coming 😃
Yes, ailerons and elevator. No need for rudder. The Hellcat is big enough for a regular receiver. Cannot recall motor size. Use a bit larger one, helps with CG. Tim
Very nice job, Tim!! I was wondering if you had ever encountered a dc motor + esc setup that worked with a single LiPo cell at 3.7V? I think that would be the recipe for these small Guillows planes. If you do, please let me know.
WS: Hey, thanks for checking in! I am always on the lookout for suitable power/control systems for these smaller RC models. Will let you know the moment I find something everyone can use! Tim
Loved this video. This kit definitely isn't for beginners that's for sure. Then converting to RC even more so. Is your plan to build another incorporating what you learnt from this one?
Gee: Great idea, will plan on this approach later 😊 Tim
Tim--great videos. just wondering if you have any experience converting any of sigs free flight kits ?
Dan: Not yet. But the Sig free flight kits fly great, should be a no-brainer to convert these guys. Tim
Tim, good tip on balancing the wing. I never do that?
Yes, can help with an airplane banking to one side. Tim
Have you set the ESC to brake with throttle reduced to zero? It works well preventing broken props. Well done, again!
OPC: Great point, thanks! Tim
Very nice looking airplane and conversion! Two years later is it still around?
You bet, but I do not fly it too much. A bit fragile. 😊 Tim
@Tim McKay that's still cool. Glad to hear it's still around. Mike c
For the hatch you can use magnets they hold well!!
Good idea! Tim
hi beautiful job, I would like to ask have you changed the incidence of the wings?
Marco: Kept the wing incidence per the plans. I might have added a degree or two positive incidence, for sure do not have any downward (negative) incidence. Tim
Thank you for posting all your videos . I am new to building planes , I have made a mini bee but not installed the electronics. The model is tail heavy is this ok. This means i have to move the electronics forward to get the right cg am i correct, thank you for your advice
For most models, especially the smaller ones you’ll likely need to epoxy in some lead weights. I use fishing weights, bought at Walmart. The RC electronics are usually too light to affect the CG. Tim
Nice looking model! Any thoughts on why the landings were rather abrupt?
Robert: Landings are normal . . . as no landing gear, just belly onto the ground. Tim
like your videos but tell me how do you get the formers to stay in place. My difficulties are getting them to stay 90 degrees to the center keel?
David: No real science, actually. I ensure the former dry fits. A dab of CA glue top and bottom and I hold the former in place as close to a 90 degree angle as I can get. Seems to work out! Tim
I'm debating getting back into RC and the scale modeler in me wants to build one of these kits and convert it like you're doing. It's been *years* lol, can you recommend a receiver/ transmitter for just flying at home for something this scale?
edit: looked at the description hah
Connor: No worries. I highly recommend the Spektrum line of RC electronics. I use the basic DX6 transmitter, built in antenna, works like a champ. The Spektrum AR620 receiver, again with a built in antenna, works just fine. Good luck! Tim
It seems trying to find stick built aircraft is getting harder to find. Sig only has two planes. I wondered how a conversion of these units could work out. Magnets on that hatch will work fine. My Sig 40 done years ago was converted to electric. I have a kit coming from China in maybe two months😂.
The hobby shop here in Albuquerque is 99.9 percent RC trucks and no covering materials.
Nice video, thanks from a 76 year old flyer.
No worries, thanks for checking in! Tim
Also with weather like that in November you are surely in S CA or FL right?
Nicholas: North Georgia! Tim
Thank you finally someone makes this video to help us new balsa builders a video how to make a guillows kit rc converted thank you this applies to almost all their planes as well as the smaller ones to
Good luck with your Guillow conversions! Tim
Tim can you recommend another aircraft model to build by guillows other than the javelin or would you recommend a build another javelin
George: Do try the Arrow! Tim
Tim..I am building a Dumas Standard J1, Thinking about installing RC gear. Could you reccommend a motor size ? I have plenty of micro gear. Just shy on motors.
Thanks!
LJ: I am not familiar with this model. Check out this build thread on RC Groups:www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?263738-Dumas-Standard-J1-R-C-Conversion
Tim
Tim, I build two javelin's and tried to convert them to RC but I couldn't get the electronics in successfully. Would you recommend I build a third one and try again or is there some other model I could build that isn't much more difficult but it's not too easy.? A place like the javelin and the lancer considered legitimate sticking tissue paper models are they considered easy easier or for kids or something cuz they're the Junior contest series? For my experience they were actually pretty difficult to build and I chose them because I've heard that they're easy to fly not because they were easy to build is that accurate?
George: Give the Guillows Arrow a try. Bit more space, I have a video on the Arrow. Tim
great video i ordered the p40 from guillows yesterday do you think the motor you used would work with it if so what prop did you use? thanks!
Clemet: The motor I used for the Aeronca and Porter should work. Just try and keep the weight under 3.0 ounces. As for the prop, I am not sure of the normal pitch/diameter, rather it seems to be the "standard" micro prop offered at StevensAero.com As an aside, I am close to finishing the Guillows Zero, should be a good test of micro motor and prop. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 StevensAero no longer lists a "standard" micro prop. All I see is an "Ultra" micro prop with a Styrofoam spinner? Before I commit to this project I would really need some guidance on prop/spinner for this motor. Thank you!
@@laragwen102 Lara: I think the Ultra prop should be OK. The equipment nomenclature changes from time to time. Consider sending an email to Stevens Aero, they are usually quite responsive. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 Thanks Tim. I'll do that.
Hi Tim, I was wondering what type of propeller you are using for your RC F6F Hellcat. Could you tell me what type it is? Thanks.
Bruce: I use an 8X4 prop for the Park 370 motor, seems to work OK. Tim
Going off topic. Spectrum RID module did you get yours? Mine arrived
I am on travel, but did not see my module before I left. Tim
I noticed the motor had zero degree incidence mounted on the firewall, when it flew it pulled to the left, I would add some right degree to adjust for torque of the engine, what percentage of throttle was being used on the flights?
Steven: I usually try for a bit of right and down thrust. But I have made many models with zero-zero. For the smaller models, I am not sure how important the offset in thrust is. For larger models, important for sure. With the Hellcat, I am sure some sort of warp creeped into the wing, maybe ailerons not perfectly centered, not sure. But once trimmed out flew fine. I always use full throttle for the initial take off. Tim
I am new to the hobby, what is the best glue for putting tissue on a balsa plane?
Try Deluxe Material Cover Grip, available on www.Amazon.com Tim
Did you go down and to the right with the motor mount?
Chip: I do use a bit (2-3 degrees) of right and down thrust, seems to help things. 😁 Tim
What size prop did you go with? I'm building one myself.
I used a 9 x6 prop, plenty of power. Tim
Hello all. I’m very new to this hobby but I have wanted to build and complete a flaying model for years now. I don’t seem to have any issues building a non flaying model but when it comes to setting up tail flaps and rudders I’m at a loss. I can use any and all help getting these moving wooden parts moving. Thank you.
Take a look at my “Pronto build” video. Also, join an AMA club. They can help with these matters! Tim
We’re did you get that guillows model catalog at the beginning of the video?
TM: As I recall, the paper catalog came with the Hellcat kit. But, you can download an ever better, 2020 version here:
www.guillow.com/Guillow_2020_Catalogs.pdf
Tim
Ok thanks!
I just want to make sure I understand something. We should not follow the action steps or whatever in the Guillows kit and for the tail and rudder they should be just two sheets of balsa sheets each?
Nicholas: You can do pretty much whatever you want with the Guillows kits converting to RC flight. I have found from experience that 1/16" sheet balsa seems to work well for the tail surfaces, offering sufficient strength with light weight. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 Thank you for someone who is new to this relatively where might you direct them to learn about building the articulations?
@@nicholasdisabatino1697 Apologies, but what is an articulation? Have not come across that word! Tim
@@TimMcKay56 That is a joint. I am new to this but not sure best way to approach making moveable joint surfaces in general but I can just continue to watch your videos to learn. Thank you!
Hi
Does any brand of receiver work with any brand of remote or do they have to be the same?
Fernando: Receiver and transmitter both need to be on 2.4 GHz freq. Always best to use same brand, they just work together better. You cannot go wrong with Spektrum. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 ok but just as a temporary solution I can use a receiver from a different brand as long as both are on 2.4GHZ right?
Thanks :))
Correct, you can. Tim
@@TimMcKay56 thanks a lot
Love your builds and your videos
Keep it up my friend :))
Landing number 2 looked more like a crash... is it ok?
Yup, Hellcat is hanging in there. 😊😳
These guillow planes are so hard to build cuse most of them are still die cut lots of sanding on very delicate pieces of balsa and you gotta be very precise on some of them in the placement before flying then you gotta cut stuff out and modify it for rc flight it's crazzy I would love to convert one but I tried and failed three times he has a lot of skill I will stick to rc purpose made balsa kits like the dancing wings ones you got off bang good yes it's a huge box of laser cut wood and crappy instructions but I have built 7 of them took a good month to complete each one but they went together very well and easily and all fly perfectly with no problem and look beautiful. Wish I could get a guillows kit done and flying with rc stuff and not free flight. Maybe I should try their bigger kits like this one instead of the smaller ones like the Cessna
Good luck! Tim
A friend of mine gave me a wing to this plane that’s all that was left of the plane after it crashed sadly I don’t have the blueprints to rebuild the fuselage what are the odds that you can send a copy of your plans that came with your kit to me.
DJ: Would be happy to assist ref the plans, but sadly they are long gone. 😟 Tim
Have you found the plans? I can send some pictures though I am not sure how you would do the pinning
If you want the plans to any Guillows plane simply call the company In Massachusetts and for a few dollars they will send the plans for any kit they sell. I did it several times.
I was really hoping you would put landing gear on the plane, they look silly having to belly land.
It’s a toss up, as fighters look fairly ridiculous flying around with their gear down. 😊
Sir can u sand me kit Thanks
Dharmesh: I just build the kits, I do not sell them. I purchase all my Guillow kits on Amazon.com Tim
Call the company in Massachusetts they are very helpful.
1:14 lots of false information here.
the F4F was a rather even match for the Zero, just had to fight to its strengths and not play to the Zero's strengths. If you read accounts of Japanese aces even they respected the Wildcat and said if you were cocky the F4F would kill you.
The US was shocked by the Zero at Pearl Harbor, the first real announcement to the Western world of the true existence of the Zero. But by the time of Peral Harbor, the F6F was already well into development with the first prototype flying mere months later without a single ounce of its design being attributed to the Zero. Later, the captured Akutan Zero provided insights that led to a few adjustments to the F6F design prior to large scale production.
The F4F finished WW2 with a dominant kill ratio against the Zero.
😊👍🏻 Tim
She seems a bit "floatie."
I'd move the CG forward maybe1/8".
And Tim, you really should try a Dumas kit and stop torturing yourself with those
nasty Guillow's kits!
The 30" Stinson Reliant, for instance. is a real gem, with more than 100 others
to choose from.
I'm just sayin'.
Richard: I'll have to look into a Dumas kit soon. 😁 Tim
@@TimMcKay56
Happy hunting!
Thanks for this tip, I am looking to get into a more RC centric kit after my Guillows, and Dumas seems perfect (gonna go with the Stinson Reliant SR-10)
@@slaquers
The Reliant was a fun project that flew well.
Because it was designed as a rubber powered free flight model, changes need to be made for a conversion to R/C.
Previous experience is recommended.
@@richarddarlington1139 would you recommend the Herr balsa RC kits? Any recommendations for a balsa kit that is set up for RC that wouldn't break the bank? I can't see spending over a hundred for the wood kit with no electrics
It’s pronounced GiLL-Lows
Thanks! Tim
It's a shame to build a beautiful balsa model and have to belly land it. Not knocking the builder.
Yup . . . but looks rather nice in the air. 😊 Tim
Lost me at Gweelos.
👍🏻 Tim
Please please speak up or get a microphone. I so want to listen to what you have to say but I can not hear you Don't take this the wrong way I mean no disrespect
TB: My earlier videos (like this one) had a loose mic jack for the iPhone 11. This is fixed with a new mic and my iPhone 12. Tim