Rene Alvarez, Wesley Chapel, FL,
Competing in the Expert class, Rene Alvarez of Wesley Chapel, FL will be flying his F4U Corsair. Built from a very highly modified Meister Scale Corsair kit, it took two years to complete. The Model has a wingspan of 100-inches, a 75-inch length and a dry weight of 44 lbs. For power Rene is using a Moki 180cc 5 cylinder radial with a fuel pump spinning a 28-inch Solo 3-blade Prop. Radio gear is a JR 9303 transmitter with JR 8411 and 8611 servos.
He is using ElectroDynamics A123 Nano batteries and custom build extension wires for the flaps and Ailerons, and a Smart-Fly Pro Power Expander with two optical cutoff for the fuel pump and ignition system. The landing gear is from Scale Sierra. The big Pacific warbirds modifications include scale operating flaps (a big task), and a sliding canopy with built up canopy frames. It also has retractable landing gear with operating gear doors and a tail wheel that is connected to an operational tail hook (also scratch built). The instrument panel was also build up using different components and a Best Pilots 1/5 scale “Pappy” Boyington mans the main office. All the control surfaces are covered with Solatex and Rene added rib-stitching and Pink-it tapes.
The elevators have functional control balance tabs which move in the opposite direction. The finish is detailed with panel lines, rivets and screw heads for added realism. The finish is a combination of fiberglass cloth and resin and Solartex fabric. The paint is from Klass-Kote and are “Federal Standard” matched colors for the F4U-1A.
The roundels are airbrushed with Klass-Kote paint and the Kill flags, name of pilot and Lullubelle markings are dry transfers from Aeroloft. Rene’s model won the Critic’s Choice Runner-Up at the 2014 12 O’clock High event.
Beautiful plane,may you have clear skies and following winds