grumman F8F and TBM avenger wing fold mech.

[grumman-cats]

Looking for some clear close up photos of the bearcat and avenger wing folding mechanism. I want to replicate on a radio controlled model. If anyone has any or can take them I would greatly appreciate it.
thanks

 

[evangilder]

I will be at the museum this weekend and we have an F8F-3 with the wingtip folding mechanism. I will see if I can get some pics this weekend.

 

[grumman-cats]

Evan
Thanks for lookin into those pictures. I just got done checking out your photo's. It looks like you got your son heading in the right direction.
It looks like you got lots of museums to go to out there. I feel pretty lucky being in the part of the country that I am in that I got the YANKEE AIR MUSEUM the KALAMAZOO AIR ZOO both within an hours drive. The airzoo has a bearcat which is where I got most of my pics but they don't fold the wings. It's a shame but they had some insurance problems so they don't fly there plans anymore. I'm still hoping they'll rectify that but they do have a first class museum.

 

[evangilder]

Insurance is VERY expensive for these old warbirds. We struggle every year to pay them as well.

Yes, I feel very fortunate to be near all these old birds. I am glad that I can get out and shoot them for others to enjoy. My boy loves it too, which is good!

 

[Wildcat]

This probably won't help Jim, but I thought I would post it anyway.

 

[grumman-cats]

wildcat
thanks for the pic. It's not real close but it's well lit and you can see the angularity on how that hinge setup is.

 

[evangilder]

I looked on my drive and cropped up a few of the bearcat. They are not the best focus as the focus was on the actual airplane, not the wing fold. Anyway, let me know what angles you want if these are not sufficient and I will take care of that this saturday.

 

[grumman-cats]

Those are great overall photo's on the whole joint. I you could get some closeups of the actual hinges That would do the trick. I don't need the aileron leakage since that will be servo driven from inside the wing tip. I'm really just in need of the hinging method and maybe a pic of the aileron trim tab.
Again thanks I really appreciate this.

 

[evangilder]

No problemo. I will see how close I can get with focus in the available lighting. You know how hangar lightning can be... I will get a bunch and that way be sure that at least a couple will be good enough.

 

[Haztoys]

Insurance is VERY expensive for these old warbirds. We struggle every year to pay them as well.

Yes, I feel very fortunate to be near all these old birds. I am glad that I can get out and shoot them for others to enjoy. My boy loves it too, which is good!

Whats it cost for insurance on warbirds??

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Insurance is VERY expensive for these old warbirds. We struggle every year to pay them as well.

Yes, I feel very fortunate to be near all these old birds. I am glad that I can get out and shoot them for others to enjoy. My boy loves it too, which is good!

Whats it cost for insurance on warbirds??

Depends on how you insure them - full value hull could be as high as $4,000 a month for an aircraft assessed at 1 million, the insurance company may also stipulate thngs like "VFR Flight Only," and "No Cross Country Flights."

 

[evangilder]

It depends on the airplane. I don't have the exact amounts, but was told that the costs have been creeping up at an alarming rate.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Yep - should of mentioned that too - A P-38 will be a hell of a lot more expensive than say an F-86.....

 

[evangilder]

I think the CAF insurance also has the provision for no night-time flying, daylight only.

 

[A6M3]

I know that P-51 insurance costs at least $16,000 per year.

Eric

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I know they're also going to factor in the pilot's flight time and record...

 

[grumman-cats]

The airzoo had a problem becouse there bearcat just came off an engine rebuild and it had some problems in flight which caused a belly landing in a field. So there were some issues on who was going to pay for it. I don't know anymore than that but they did rebuild the plane but I don't think that it has been test flown. But it sure looks good.

 

[evangilder]

Okay, Jim, here you go...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

there doesn't really look to be a great deal holding it on..... either way they're great pics.......

 

[Gnomey]

there doesn't really look to be a great deal holding it on..... either way they're great pics.......

You're right lanc there doesn't appear to be much holding it on. Nice pics Eric!