Flat Cat Clone

[bibbster]

Our club theme this month was gliders. I purchased an original MPC Flat Cat a few months back in preparation for the launch. I didn't really want to crack the cellophane on this kit, but it wasn't doing anybody any good in the box. Once I opened it I thought, "I can just clone it with parts I already have and not build the original." So, that's what I did.

This was my first glider build and first glider to launch. And it worked the first time! lol

It flew great on a B4-2. The vid got cut off for some reason, but I'll post it as soon as I get it uploaded to youtube. In the meantime, here are some pics showing the clone with a 60's themed paint job, or at least that is what I told myself it would look like once it was done.

I plan to upscale it at some point. Not sure if that will be BT55 or BT80 yet.

 

[bibbster]

Here is a short video. It landed safely in the tall grass about 25 yards from the pad.

 

[Crawf56]

Well done you!

 

[bibbster]

Thanks!

 

[neil_w]

Great paint job and great flight!

 

[bibbster]

Thanks, Neil!

 

[Hobie1dog]

That makes me want to get a glider now.

 

[milehigh]

Hi, bibbster,
Great looking 'Cat !!
This is my all time favorite boost/glider design. I built flew two of them back in my old fleet days in the early seventies. The first was the original MPC kit.
I have built two more since I BAR'd in 2016. The first got thermaled away on its maiden flight. The second has flown twice so far.
Great performing gliders!
Here are pics of the last two:

 

[milehigh]

I found a pic of my 1974 original, built from the MPC kit. It was modified and converted into a rocket/glider.
Anyway, great work on your build.
Keep 'em flyin' !!

 

[lakeroadster]

Awesome looking bird. Thanks for posting this! Your artwork reminded me of the story of...

The real "Flat Cat".

When I was a kid one of my jobs on the farm was cleaning out the horse stalls. We had a bunch of cats out at the barn to keep the rodents in check and my dad's horse hated cats. He'd chase them out of the corral. Probably something primal to do with Mountain Lions.​

​

One day I was cleaning out Dad's horses stall and found one of the cats... smashed flat as a pancake. It was about the size of a football, but only 1/2" thick. It looked like something from a Looney Tunes cartoon.​

​

​

​

 

[milehigh]

LOL !! That is hilarious!

 

[bibbster]

hobie1dog, If you've never built and flown a glider it is definitely something you should do at least once. I can only recommend this one since it is the only one I have built, but it was a fairly simple build with clear instructions.

Thanks for sharing pics of yours, milehigh.

lakeroadster, that's a funny story! That's probably my favorite cat story. I'm partial to dogs.

 

[DaHabes]

I have the plans and it's in my winter build pile. I've found a lot of old glider plans in the defunct Rocketry magazines from the 70's and 80's and intend to build a fleet (someday).

 

[Joekeyo]

Awesome looking bird. Thanks for posting this! Your artwork reminded me of the story of...

The real "Flat Cat".

When I was a kid one of my jobs on the farm was cleaning out the horse stalls. We had a bunch of cats out at the barn to keep the rodents in check and my dad's horse hated cats. He'd chase them out of the corral. Probably something primal to do with Mountain Lions.​

​

One day I was cleaning out Dad's horses stall and found one of the cats... smashed flat as a pancake. It was about the size of a football, but only 1/2" thick. It looked like something from a Looney Tunes cartoon.​

​

​

View attachment 535524​

Similar to Furry Freak Brothers origin story of "Frisbee". This cat was a roadkill. I don't remember the details. I wonder why

 

[Cape Byron]

Similar to Furry Freak Brothers origin story of "Frisbee". This cat was a roadkill. I don't remember the details. I wonder why

Fat Freddy's Cat tells the story of a neighbourhood cat 'Frisbee', who was squashed by a truck. Later the local kids are throwing the squashed, desiccated, flat, furry mess around and when asked by their parents what they were doing, they replied, "Playing with Frisbee".

Another sign of my misspent youth.

 

[Rktman]

Our club theme this month was gliders. I purchased an original MPC Flat Cat a few months back in preparation for the launch. I didn't really want to crack the cellophane on this kit, but it wasn't doing anybody any good in the box. Once I opened it I thought, "I can just clone it with parts I already have and not build the original." So, that's what I did.

This was my first glider build and first glider to launch. And it worked the first time! lol

It flew great on a B4-2. The vid got cut off for some reason, but I'll post it as soon as I get it uploaded to youtube. In the meantime, here are some pics showing the clone with a 60's themed paint job, or at least that is what I told myself it would look like once it was done.

I plan to upscale it at some point. Not sure if that will be BT55 or BT80 yet.

View attachment 535136View attachment 535137View attachment 535138View attachment 535139

Impressive build! How was the color added (light coat of paint)?

 

[bibbster]

Thanks, Rktman!

I applied a coat of white Rust-Oleum 2x primer and sanded that smooth.
Then applied a coat of Krylon Warm Sun and let that dry a couple days.
Next, I masked off what I wanted to remain yellow and applied a coat of Krylon Gum Drop