Hangar 9 Hellcat Or Spitfire

[redjem13]

Hey Guys,

I want a "Bigger" Warbird and can't decide. Both look SO cool so I cant really choose.

Thanks for your input,

Matt

[Viper427]

Doesn't matter which one you choose, once you have flown it you will be so impressed you will go out and buy the other one any way :D

[Bigplumbs]

Doesn't matter which one you choose, once you have flown it you will be so impressed you will go out and buy the other one any way :D

True and their P47 :D

Dennis

[redjem13]

Sorry to ask again but Which should I buy FIRST then?


Matt

[lgbfan]

I chose The Hellcat because I like american models better, don't get me wrong I like all warbirds. It is just I feel more pride for the american planes.(mabey because I'm an american.:D )

[sinbad]

I would go for the Spitfire. Look at the build thread on this plane almost 500 posts. If you run into a problem there are enough of us to help out.
I like British WWII aircraft and Hate the over blown ,hyped , modeled to death Mustang!!! Besides my initials are-YEP!!! --- RAF

Sinbad

[tailskid2]

Spit has flaps...not that they are needed....

[Hepdog]

Trying to be as impartial as a Canuck can be - America is my good neighbor but I belong to the Commonwealth - I don't think paint schemes or Nationality should matter much.

The Hellcat definatly looks bigger cause of the big fat fuse.

The Spitfire looks a little smaller cause of its slender sexy fuse. Both are the same size wingspan.

The Spit adds the complexity but better flight envelope of flaps - which is both good and bad - only you can decide that. Extra servo - can your radio handle it? Can you, do you want to?

The Hellcat is a sweet heart flyer - but a touch under powered with a 2C 60 if you ask me. Don't know about the Spit but I'm willing to bet those sleek sexy curves don't require as much power to fly nice - the Hellcat is a big fat drag machine - which I love.

The Hellcat looks very scale in a nice zoom and boom - not so fast it looks "modelish". The Spit would be a real speed demon with some decent power.

The Hellcat is made for modifying - all kinds of crazy mods out there ;) . The Spit looks pretty much complete - save maybe repainting.

There have been lots of models done on the Spitfire - you don't see too many Hellcats at fly ins....although I suspect that will change now that H9 has made it a popular and affordable choice.

Tough call.

[kahloq]

The Spit has flaps yes, but the kit is designed so the modeller can choose to make them functional or not...its not required.

And I am an American, but that has no real bearing on the models I decide to own. Pride and nationality are great!, but, just get what you like. I have several Corsairs, P-38, B-25, B-17....so why should I feel I need to buy a Hellcat instead of a British plane? I also like ME-109's a lot ,as well as some of the German bombers. If there was a kit for the HE-111, I'd get that way before something like a B-26 if those were the two options.

[lgbfan]

I chose The Hellcat because I like american models better, don't get me wrong I like all warbirds. It is just I feel more pride for the american planes.(mabey because I'm an american.:D )

Like I said I like all warbirds, but the reason I chose the the Hellcat is because if you can't handle the Spitfire's speed. The Hellcat is alittle bigger and alittle slower.

[Viper427]

Like I said I like all warbirds, but the reason I chose the the Hellcat is because if you can't handle the Spitfire's speed. The Hellcat is alittle bigger and alittle slower.


The hellcat is no bigger and the spit can fly just as slowly, the spits flaps help when you want to land in a tight space, my spit flies beutifully as does my P47, i am sure the hellcat will fly every bit the same..

[B717 Furloughee]

redjem13,

Hellcat:

Wing Span: 64.6 in (164.1 cm)
Overall Length: 52 in (132.1 cm)
Wing Area: 709.4 sq in (45.8 sq dm)
Flying Weight: 8.25–9.5 lb (3.7–4.3 kg)

Spitfire:

Wing Span: 65.25 in (1657mm)
Overall Length: 55.5 in (1410mm)
Wing Area: 751 sq in (48.4 sq dm)
Flying Weight: 8–9.5 lb (3.6–4.3 kg)

The numbers show the Spitfire as being slightly bigger although the Hellcat may appear larger with it thicker profile. As for slow speed ability, I would imagine the Spitfire would be more capable with its larger wing area and wing flaps. Plus the eliptical wing plan has the edge in overall flight characteristics.

Both have cool retractable landing gear methods- Spitfire goes outwards, Hellcat goes aft.

I guess it comes down to personal preference. For me the choice is easier since the Hellcat doesn't move me as much, I'd choose the Spitfire.

However I understand your dilema as I am currently just as torn between purchasing the Spitfire, Mustang and Thunderbolt aircraft from Hangar 9. I love the speedy lines of the P-51, the large checkerboard radial cowling of the P-47 and the eliptical wing and flaps of the Spitfire.

One thing I've been debating is the idea of whether the newly released Spitfire might have the latest in build technology and scale details vs. the half-decade old P-51 model. Afterall it does have flaps so what else might it have that edge out the older Hangar 9 products? Or am I spending too much time thinking about this when I should be out flying one of these fine models? :p

BTW- Thanks Viper for a great video of your Spitfire. How do the flaps seem to work for you? Do you like your Spit or P-47 best?

[Viper427]

redjem13,

BTW- Thanks Viper for a great video of your Spitfire. How do the flaps seem to work for you? Do you like your Spit or P-47 best?


The flaps are a excelent adition as one of the clubs i fly from has a small strip (40 mtrs and a 4 foot fence around it) you can slow her right down with the flaps, you only have to look at both my vids to see how much faster the P47 comes in, not a problem if you have the space to let her run,


as for which is the best, for me it has to be the Spit, i have allways wanted one.... :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elKpwxOZzfE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAOo7b2banI

[HellcatAce]

Well, what can I say? I am obviously biased towards the Hellcat. Probably the easier of the 2 to fly. Plenty of room in the cowl for the motor of your choice as well.

[The Other Dave]

Well, what can I say? I am obviously biased towards the Hellcat. Probably the easier of the 2 to fly. Plenty of room in the cowl for the motor of your choice as well.

I fly my Hellcat on a 20cc zenoah gas engine...try stuffing that in the spitfire.

[Viper427]

I fly my Hellcat on a 20cc zenoah gas engine...try stuffing that in the spitfire.


Don't sound as nice as a fourstroke though :D

[The Other Dave]

Don't sound as nice as a fourstroke though :D

Nice is in the ear of the beholder.

[tailskid2]

No, beauty lies in the eyes of the BEERholder!!!!

[techguy]

You can't go wrong with the Hellcat.

[dsswest]

My wife let me know that for my 40th bnirthday I can have the Hellcat, with whatever I want in it! I'm going for the Saito 100, and a new JR radio and Rx (why not spoil myself).

Questions:

1. I have heard about problems wiht the rotating retracts - any comments on this?

2. Anyone see a mod thread for a Hellcat moving cowel that can be hooked up to a servo? I think that would be a big hit at the airfield.

[techguy]

I have four flights on mine and the retracts have held up so far. I also fly off a grass field. For the moving cowl do you mean the air exhaust flaps? I know a guy that hinged them with a spring. When the plane is on the ground the flaps remain closed. When you fly it the rushing air pushes them open. It looked really cool.

BTW, I have an OS 91 2 stroke in it. It flys great with plenty of reserve power.

[dsswest]

I should have said moving canopy. We hvae a guy at the airfield that has a canopy that slides forward (locked) and aft (open cockpit). Its really cool on taxi.

[dsswest]

Couldn't wait. Went with the Spektrum.

I just fell in love with the history of the Hellcat - what a record. I also get very tired of hearing "everybody's got to have a mustang" at the airfield. They are overdone (at least mt my club). I wanted something more original. :D

[tailskid2]

Me thinks you treated yourself nicely.....good choices!

[Hepdog]

Re-inforce the horizontal stab BEFORE you put it together. There have been failures.

The gear holds up just fine to normal landings off grass. The plastic block the gear strut goes into is susceptible to breaking if you really bang it on - but that's a good thing - saves the wing.

As to mods you can do - only limited by your imagination (and available channels) ;) .

Articulated cowl flaps - medium difficulty but lots of work
Articulated sliding canopy - easy
Drop tank - medium but lots of work
Bombs - medium
Flaps - hard
Nav lights - easy
Panel lines - medium
Complete new paint job- medium but alot of work
Retractable tail wheel and tailhook - medium to hard

[John P. Webb]

Hepdog,
Have you carried out the mod for the sliding canopy?
I have the H9 Spit and would like to do something similar, I guess what works for one model would pretty well work for any other?
If anyone has a mod thread on this I would be very interested.
John.

[kahloq]

Couldn't wait. Went with the Spektrum.

I just fell in love with the history of the Hellcat - what a record. I also get very tired of hearing "everybody's got to have a mustang" at the airfield. They are overdone (at least mt my club). I wanted something more original. :D

Heck if your wife said you could put anything you want in the Hellcat, I would have bought a Saito 125a. Almost the exact same size as the Saito 100 with a LOT more horsepower that could be used for larger 90 size planes later on down the road.

[dsswest]

I have a BIG desire to do the sliding canopy, and believe someone has to ahve done it. I'll start a new thread and see if anyone bites. Maybe someone will be inspired, decide to do it, and keep a photo journal in the thread. Tally ho... :D

[dsswest]

Link to new thread. Let's hope someone bites.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647865#post6986077

(gone fishing)