Lots of buzz about the Eleven Hobby Bearcat F8F recently.  The Bearcat has always been a favorite warbird but few models have been made for it.  Bearcat F8F is one of the best looking and famous wings that served the US Navy.  It was designed primarily as an interceptor-fighter and this model is docile yet commanding presence in the air. It arrived today, tight, protected and double boxed.  For those who are still guessing who is Eleven Hobby, their recent T-28 was very well received. It comes as no surprise to some, as Eleven Hobby shares it’s affiliation with FMS, a leading manufacturer of RC Planes.

First Impression,  the Eleven Hobby Bearcat F8F asssembly was easy and fast, the cuts are precise and snugly fitted, bolt down the wings and horizontal stabilizer with 6 screws and the rest is adding your receiver and programming your radio.  Wingspan is a perfect 1100mm (43.3in) that fits into a typical car boot (trunk).  Optional gluing needed, if you plan to add the wing cannons. It is very tail heavy, but you have some room to move everything to the front. I would not recommend this plane unless you are a experienced pilot, as it is not easy to fly.

What to expect.   If you hear your servo making a noise, just reduce your servo pin.

• LiPo: 427 g tail heavy
• Addon Weight: 42 g
• Add AA battery: 24g
• Total: 493 g

Similar Models

Users have considered these 2016 alternatives: Eleven Hobby T-28, Eleven Hobby P-51D, FMS Zero Fighter

Factory Specifications

Brand Name: Eleven Hobby
Item Name: F8F Bearcat
Wingspan: 1100mm (43.3in)
Overall Length: 882mm (34.7 in)
Flying Weight: 1330g
Motor Size: 3536-KV850
ESC: 40A
Servo: 9g Servo x 6
Requires Radio:6 Channel
CG (center of gravity): 90-95mm (From Leading Edge)
Prop Size: 10*7.5
Recommended Battery: 11.1V 2200mAh 25C
Aileron: Yes
Elevator: Yes
Rudder: Yes
Flaps: Yes
Retracts: Yes
Approx. Flying Duration: 5-8 minutes
Minimum Age Recommendation: 14+
Experience Level: Intermediate
Assembly Time: 5 minutes
Wing Load: 54.3 g/dm² (0.12 oz/in²)
Wing Area: 24.5 dm² (379.7 sq.in)

Flaps

• Choice of assigning flaps to a switch or knob.  Using a knob allows us to manage the flaps.

Checklists

• Add failsafe to kill throttle or idle at 10%
• Add a safety switch
• Set timer to a conservative 4 minutes for initial runs
• Add a little locktight to the propeller head.
• Tape up hinges if you like, but this is well cut

DeviationTX fans

• Flaps Tip: We assigned it to Aux 4, the left knob.
• Slow down the flaps.  Go to Mixer page -> channel properties (eg CH6) -> ‘Speed’ = Adjust maximum servo speed. Zero is disabled (fastest), 1 is slowest, 100 is fastest rate.  We set it to 2.