F7F Tigercat SOH Project

**Milton Shupe** · May 16th, 2010, 16:43

Originally Posted by Willy

Don't forget an external tank for us racers!

Looking great as always!!

Not a problem Willey ... will definitely take care of the RTW racers.

**Kiwikat** · May 16th, 2010, 16:54

That is cool beyond words, Milton! :salute::salute::salute:

***PRB*** · May 16th, 2010, 17:01

AWESOME! Looking great! Can't wait!

**brad kaste** · May 16th, 2010, 17:16

.....I have a feeling this cool kitty will be replacing my default Cessna 172

**smilo** · May 16th, 2010, 17:53

Originally Posted by Willy

Don't forget an external tank for us racers!

Looking great as always!!

my thoughts exactly!!!

Originally Posted by Milton Shupe

Not a problem Willey ... will definitely take care of the RTW racers.

...and just the reply I wanted to hear

I used the ALPHA F7F-3N for two legs of this year's RTWR.
I look forward to using the SOH F7F next year

it is truly amazing to watch the incredible progress.
I am in awe of your talents
many thanks for sharing your progress

and to top it off,
I see Washington scenery.
my back yard!

**whitehawk_2009** · May 16th, 2010, 19:08

Wow, I am amazed... impressive work, Milton! I wish I had the talent and the patience to run those modeling programs.

WH

**jkcook28** · May 16th, 2010, 19:53

Originally Posted by Milton Shupe

Not a problem Willey ... will definitely take care of the RTW racers.

Thanks Milton! Super project going here.

And can we over-boost it forever like the P-.....oh never mind. :d

**Milton Shupe** · May 16th, 2010, 20:39

LOL Thanks everyone.

Well this shot fairly represents my weekend accomplishments: exhaust ports over the wings, oil coolers, canopy, entry ladder, and landing light. Lots of fuselage reshaping and vertice pushing for the canopy but the end result continues to improve. And so it continues to evolve, one day at a time.

Tom has made headway on the flight model as well between flights around SE Asia.

**viking3** · May 16th, 2010, 21:13

As always sir, your skills with the electronic dremel tool are truly amazing. It's always a kick to come by and see your progress every day.

Regards, Rob:ernae:

**johndetrick** · May 17th, 2010, 04:55

Came across this photo while doing research for another project. It's a photo of the MCAS El Toro flightline during their open house in 1948. In the foreground is an R5D, with F7F's lined up on the flightline and TO-1's parked on the taxiway.

**whitehawk_2009** · May 17th, 2010, 19:43

Neat, all of the pics of F7F's with drop tanks I have seen were of the -3N. Of course I just googled F7F...

WH

**Quicksand jr** · May 18th, 2010, 11:05

lookin good Milton, definitly can't wait for this "purty kitty" to come out :ernae::salute:

**fliger747** · May 18th, 2010, 16:31

I sent Milton the first Alpha-Alpha flight model. A long ways to go! With 5600 (WEP) hp available some pretty good verticle aerobatic possibilities exist. With some gray "paint" it shows up in FSX an I am doing some of the flight test in the backwater areas of the Solomon Islands.

Cheers: T

**Milton Shupe** · May 18th, 2010, 17:13

Originally Posted by fliger747

I sent Milton the first Alpha-Alpha flight model. A long ways to go! With 5600 (WEP) hp available some pretty good verticle aerobatic possibilities exist. With some gray "paint" it shows up in FSX an I am doing some of the flight test in the backwater areas of the Solomon Islands.

Cheers: T

Tom, in my limited time, I did fly the pattern and generally it flies beautifully and the approach and landing was smooth as silk. I am loving it so far my friend.

**PilatusTurbo** · May 18th, 2010, 17:23

We've got some of the top people working on this... Imagine A-26, and what a slam-success that was. Now, picture a new, improved, and refreshed attitude on another SOH project, and one of the coolest twin engine aircraft ever produced... Yes... :d :d :d :d That's what I'm thinkin'...

Honestly, I can not wait to be floating down my downwind leg at my home airport, looking down from 1,000 virtual feet AGL across and over that gorgeously modeled wing and engine nacelle, and just hearing those engines purring me safely back to my final and touchdown. It's gonna be a hit, guys. :ernae:

**Kiwikat** · May 18th, 2010, 17:25

Originally Posted by PilatusTurbo

We've got some of the top people working on this... Imagine A-26, and what a slam-success that was. Now, picture a new, improved, and refreshed attitude on another SOH project, and one of the coolest twin engine aircraft ever produced... Yes... :d :d :d :d That's what I'm thinkin'...

My thoughts exactly. I hope the textures are as good as the model is looking!

**TomSteber** · May 18th, 2010, 17:45

Originally Posted by PilatusTurbo

We've got some of the top people working on this... Imagine A-26, and what a slam-success that was. Now, picture a new, improved, and refreshed attitude on another SOH project, and one of the coolest twin engine aircraft ever produced... Yes... :d :d :d :d That's what I'm thinkin'...

Honestly, I can not wait to be floating down my downwind leg at my home airport, looking down from 1,000 virtual feet AGL across and over that gorgeously modeled wing and engine nacelle, and just hearing those engines purring me safely back to my final and touchdown. It's gonna be a hit, guys. :ernae:

STOP IT! I CAN"T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!! SOMEONE SPEED UP THE CLOCK!

**Milton Shupe** · May 18th, 2010, 19:13

Well, thanks y'all

Spent all last night trying to get these wing inlets cut in and smoothed out, a very tedious process for your basic modeler. Close enough for now and will look better on the textured version with lower specular rates.

This test flight took me from Almagordo, NM over Las Cruces to El Paso, TX. Ran out of fuel 2 miles from airport and crashed ... now, gotta start all over.

**PeteHam** · May 18th, 2010, 21:54

Milton , that looks absolutely stunning

I think you deserve a few of these ...........

Pete.

**PilatusTurbo** · May 18th, 2010, 22:10

I believe I'm going to need an aircraft insurance policy on this one.... Preferably one with not too high a premium, and that will cover engine damage on those old and expensive radials... She's gonna get flown, and she's gonna get flown hard with those vertical aerobatic maneuvers that require a lotta MP, as someone mentioned earlier... :d :d

I just can't wait. Either version; old rudder, newer rudder, doesn't matter. It's gonna be such a hit and a huge success. Keep the steam on, Milton. You're working on something that many will enjoy greatly, and you're doing it for fun. If only I knew your joy of being able to construct something so masterfully, and knowing that hundreds if not thousands are going to enjoy the fruits of my labor... I respectfully envy you, good sir. :ernae:

**NathanT28** · May 18th, 2010, 22:55

Awesome work Milton, looking good!

**fliger747** · May 19th, 2010, 05:37

Ummm: It does do a mach tuck if you go to fast in a dive from altitude, an unrecoverable one as the elevators freeze.......

From a high attitude stall, which can go into a tailslide,goes into an unrecoverable flat spin.....

Won't say how I know this......

Not quite perfect yet....

Cheers: T