We got the exclusive on the Hangar 9 F4U-1D Corsair. This plane is a giant-scale 60cc size aircraft that delivers scale details worthy of being called competition grade, I have to say that it is impressive. The construction is primarily wood with fully balsa-sheeted areas, but the outer wing panels and control surfaces (except the three-panel flaps) feature exposed ribs like was done with the full-scale fighter. The three-piece wing features a robust fiberglass structure in the center which houses the custom main retracts built by Robart Mfg. We plan to add all the scale detail we can to this already great looking bird.
Make sure you check out my blog page daily on this build. I will be posting my work on the Corsair each day. Enjoy
here is the three piece wing with the flaps and aileron set in place.
The cowl is large, along with the fuselage and wing. This is going to be one large Warbird.
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here are some images of my work to date.
- The flaps are installed and in the up position.
- Here they are fully deployed
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Moving along with the wing.
- This is the flap setup for the wing. Just one servo operates all six flap panels on the wing.
- Yea! that’s right, we got the Seven cylinder Evolution 77cc radial engine for this bad boy.
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Finished up on the wing:
- The Aileron push rod is the only connecting rod you see attached to any of the control surfaces.
Now on to the fuselage. First things, first, I shrink all of the covering down.
The rudder is first
Here is the rudder installed on the plane.
The rudder push rod is connected inside the fuselage so no control horns show.
see you tomorrow.
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Today I am working on the stabilizer, which just involves epoxying them into the fuselage.
The wings are now attached so I can align the stabilizes with them. This is my first view of the Corsair assembled. This is one big bird.
Here I am epoxying the hinge points to the stabilizers and elevators.
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Today I connected up the elevator and installed the tail wheel, along with the push rod and pull-pull controls to that tail wheel.
Just like the rudder, both the elevator control horns are hidden inside the fuselage.
The tailwheel has six bolts connected it to the fuselage, you can see the retract pushrod inside, and the two pull-pull cables for the steering.
Here is the tailwheel fully extended
and here it is fully retracted.
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Well I am back at it, had to leave for a week so no work was done on the Corsair, but now we are rocking and rolling again.
Here is some of my latest work on the Corsair.
Here I am installing the electric retracts. Am I the only one who finds that it takes just as long to install the retracts as it does to build the rest of the plane. 🙂 Although I have to say that installing electric retracts is much easier than installing air retracts.
Here are the finished retracts with the wheelcovers attached. Notice the rubber band that wraps around the wheels strut. This is glued to the gear door and will keep it shut once the gears retract into the wheel-well.
The flight batteries are located in a cavity near the firewall. This makes for a very neat installation and aids in the balance of the plane.
The battery charging/check leads are left exposed for easy access. I like to write the battery’s information on some shrink tubing and then attach it to the end of the leads. That way I always know what batteries are inside the plane.
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September 9
Well, I got sidetracked on another project so I didn’t get much done on the Corsair 60cc last week. As a result there were no posts last week. But this week I am back on it, here are some pictures of the latest assembly.
My thanks to David Payne form Horizon for sending me some images of the engine installation of his corsair.
Here is my custom-made motor spacer. I just copied the mounting backplate this is supplied on the Evolution 77 cc 7-cylinder radial engine. This will extend the engine out to the proper distance from the fire wall.
After a quick test fit of the engine I can now epoxy the mounting block to the firewall. This engine looks great at the front of this large warbird.
Now a quick test fit of the cowl over the engine and you can see that is a perfect fit.
Next step is to set-up the McDaniel OnBoard glow driver for this engine. Each plug cable runs back to the glow driver control unit inside the fuselage.
Here is the control box for the onboard glow driver, this along with the battery will be installed under the servos. but first I need to test everything out.
Not to be picky, but the engine must be a radial, not rotary. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
You are correct Chris, there is a big difference between a rotary engine and a radial engine. I blame autocorrect and the author who didn’t double check his work. 🙂
Hello John,
Looks like you have a big blue fighter on your hands. I’ve had 3 Corsairs in 29 years of r/c flying
starting with a topflight “red box” kit back in the mid 80’s. Currently building my 3rd, a topflight
GS kit. This one will be fiber glassed and painted, The last one (also a TF GS) was monocoated.
A low flyby with the gear and flaps down is just too cool for words.
Good luck, and can’t wait to see more pictures and maybe a flight video.
Mike
I will be curious to hear about the easy of opperation and reliability of the radial. Seven glow cylinders at a time sounds challaging
Yes Scott, that will be interesting to see, this will be my first multi-cylinder engine.
Nice bird,its just the ultracote I’m not impressed with…
Nice job. Looking forward to seeing it fly! My buddy is working on a CARF Corsair with a Moki 250 for power. Lot’s to do on this baby! Calling this plane an ARF is a stretch for sure.
Nice build….. NICE SHOP.
Looks like a super design, I like the scale control installation, perhaps the same could be done with the ailerons…
I am sure that they can Cliff, but this is still a review plane build. that maybe a future article.
Hey john, that’s one sweet shop you’ve got going there! You’re a lucky man to be able to play with all the latest gear. I love this hobby, but I’m finding it more and more difficult to afford it! I just don’t understand why some of these parts/planes have to cost three prices too much. Before you know it, you’ve got so much time/money tied-up in it that you’re afraid to take off! I do love you’re ‘build’s’, so keep up the good-work! Awesome Corsair/Engine!
Awesome project John. The engine looks bad A**!
John,
currently doing the exact same build with the same retracts and engine. How did your retracts fit the wing? I would have to shim a lot for the wheels not to hit the inside of the wing. I am thinking of using a wedge shaped shim. How did you do it?
thanks,
Philipp
Just SawTwo Of These Fly At WarBirds OverThe Rockies And I Have To Say They Are Excellent Flyers!!! And I Built And Fly A Topflite GS Corsair, So I’m Bias Too.
I have the Evolution 77cc radial and it runs fantastic. It does need glow power for the lower rpm settings but other than that it doesn’t drop a cylinder. The sound is music to my ears! Starts on the first or second flip every time!
Great job on the build John, cant wait to see and hear the bird flying, love that motor
Forgot to ask if your going to bring this bird out to Rabbit? BTW if you ever need any help with upcoming builds let me know. Love the shop.
i’d like to know the fuel consumption rate.has to be up there.what size fuel tank?
Can you tell me the thickness of the wood spacer to mount the 77 radial motor as shown in the picture