Looking at this Wildcat what ya'll think?

Yup! I immediately thought of this group when it was published a few days ago.

I'm inclined to agree with Ken about the main spar. The LE is already pretty hefty and the buried spar will not give any support to the covering.

Besides, being a lazy builder, I hate cutting square holes in the middle of ribs for a spar. Goldberg's Falcon and Skylark planes use that approach, as does the old Lanier Shrike.

Hi getback,

Planes like that are are a great step up to the sheet wing planes.
Back 'in the 70s' Sterling kits had terrible die-crushed heavy balsa.
Was cheaper to buy the shaped LE, get two 18in wings.
Some mods we made to planes like that:
- use balsa block to reinforce the firewall/fuse/LE. Use screws to mount the engine. (ripped out before busting the mounting lugs )
-a un-notched elevator, because it was easier. (cut out the fin/fuse for clearance, if need be. )
-forget the LG. Even on a perfect landing on grass, they would cartwheel and bust the tail.
-a 'hershey bar' untapered wing was easier to build. Did not seem to affect performance.

I agree with the wing spars. Made it harder to hook up the bellcrank/leadouts too !
Take care,
Have fun,
Dave

I also say go for it. I do understand what they are saying about the centralized spar in the wing. I built my Baby Ringmaster with it in there, not understanding better, but if I was to do it again, I would also omit it.

Thanks Guy's , I am thinking , got the plans blew up close to the right scale >> Speaking of i am presuming that if i blow the plan scale at the bottom up till it is 10" that will bring all to the right size . Will see i still need a MAID I mean clear the table and print the plans out . Thinking BW or golden Bee , something more than a BB anyway . Omit the LG and spar .

Engine choice depends on what his skills are. A Golden Bee is essentially a Babe Bee, later versions offered dual ported cylinders. There's so many variables in the Golden Bee lineup, it's hard to suggest a simple yes or no answer. A Black Widow is going to be pretty fast. Fast usually offers confidence in the pilot though. This plane really should be capable of maneuvering fairly well. Does he loop, fly inverted? Sometimes, even a 3 minute Black Widow flight feels like a eternity to some individuals and they're glad it's over.

Hi getback,
Having a GoldenBee or BlackWidow tank will get you flying inverted/etc.
On a sheet balsa plane can work, but is hard to do.
The built up wings are far superior.
JUST,     be able to think up is not down, while inverted ! (takes a few laps !)
You will have fun, and learn.
Better than getting dizzy on level flight with a BabyBee... (no disrespect to any BabyBees !)
My favourite manouver is a nice 'Lazy 8',  performed downwind.
Pulling 'down'  at the end  of a wingover to go inverted is a close second.
Trying  to fly nice even level laps upright/inverted on 35ft lines are impossible, yet fun to try.
If you just try to avoid the ground, you will be amazed at the manouvers you can do.
Anything under 6oz, close to the proportions of a FlightStreak/Ringmaster will work.
Your imagination is required...
And will take you far,
Take care,
Have fun,
Dave

I thought I saw the full-size plan on StuntHangar...