Randy Linderman's
Photos of the Floyd Fitzgerald designed Grumman Ag-Cat
7 1/2 ft span.........22 pounds.......... G-38 gas motor
Model Builder plans...1977
My own ( Randy's ) Ag-Cat built from Floyd's plans that were published in Model Builder magazine. Plans and even a lazer cut kit are available but still a builders project.
Floyd's Ag-Cat built in the late '70's. First place award in scale competion. O&R industrial engine, later updated and refitted with a Quadra. This aircraft still survives today.
It is 2004 and I have worked on my Ag-Cat project for most of 10 years. It has been one of my most unique experiences in r/c aviaition. A very enjoyable project that began at our local airport one afternoon when I spotted an Ag-Cat. I took a bunch of pictures of it with intentions of building an r/c version. I returned home that evening to find a Model Builder catalog in my mail box..It contained plans info for the big Ag-Cat...Very spooky but true! I ordered a set of plans the next day and the adventure began.
I eventually found the owner of the full scale Ag-Cat and he was interested in the project and came to my shop to eduacate me..that was a fun evening and I learned a lot. After 8 years the Ag-Cat flew, and flew great! I was very proud of her.
A search for Floyd Fitzgerald, the man that drew the plans began. I wanted to thank him for the plans and let him know how much I enjoyed building and flying this unusual airplane. The searchs always came back empty. Then came Easter Sunday 2004. I checked my e-mail to find a note from Floyd!!! He had found me while surfing the Internet. He had stumbled upon my Ag-Cat page and sent me a nice note. I am extremely happy to be in contact with Floyd and it has added yet another fantastic chapter to this Ag-Cat project. Thanks Floyd!
My flying pals, for the most part, just don't see the beauty of this machine. It's nick-name is the Agri-Ugly!! But what do they know about beauty?? : )
Knowing that I have a great flying airplane I purchased a B&B smoke system and installed it. It was a major teardown to remove the wings and engine but the smoke is very dense and shows up well.
Currently I am installing aluminum exhaust pipes. I intend to drill the rear of the tubes for the exhaust outlet. Hopefully when the smoke is turned on it will "spray" out along the bottom wing trailing edge and give the effect of full scale spray on a low pass.
I would like to post this address to where information about the plans can be found. Many thanks to Bill Northop for still having the plans available for all of us.
Precision Cut Kits list a pre-cut kit for the Floyd Fitzgerald Ag-Cat. Check with Larry at the link below.
