scottrc

I had Robart 3.5" on my last Corsair and they looked small, then again these were the smooth tread. The diamond, which I have on the Mustang, seem to have a smaller hub,

lfierro1

the stock wheels are 3 1/2 inches tall and 7/8 inch wide and just fit in the wheel wells

lfierro1

one more thing the plane flys great

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

THANK YOU, for answering my question. It appears that the only thing wrong with them then, is the 'hubcaps'. If it had spoked hubs (like the Robart wheels), they would be a pretty good wheel for this bird?

Thanks for the flight report, really thinking about this one, I'll probably order one before the month (March, 2012) is over.

scottrc

Mine should be arriving Tuesday, at least according to UPS tracker. Man am I getting excited

iflircaircraft

Corsair Jock and others: The Hangar 9 wheels for their 50 Corsair are also 3 1/2" with spoked hub caps. I got the Robart wheels cause they don't have Hangar 9 on the side of the tires LOL

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

That's good to know about the Hangar 9 wheels, I THOUGHT they looked kinda big, almost scale size (the H 9 Corsair is slightly small, maybe 1/9 scale, so 3 1/2" wheels should be VERY close to scale size for it).
They have nice looking hubs also, simlar in appearance to the Robart spoked ones. I could live with the "Hangar 9" on the tires (onless they are RWL), that'll be kinda hard to spot

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Also take note that the Hangar 9 wheels are about 1/8" or so narrower than the Robarts. That is why I use them on my Hellcat!

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

That's good to know also, Chad. Most wheels are too wide anyway. Now, if only I could find a place to buy some Hangar 9 Corsair ('50 size) wheels. I see that Horizon does not list them seperately.

Speaking of wheels, I purchased the Top Flite P-40 ARF ('60 size'), and noted that it comes with wheels nearly 4" in diameter! In fact, for all practical purposes, they ARE 4" wheels, and also very narrow to boot. These would make excellent wheels for a '60 size' Corsair, because they are scale size, and that narrow profile means they will be more likely to fit inside of a wing when retracted. Problem is, like the Hangar 9 wheels: they are not available for sale by themselves.

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Looks like the H9 wheels are available now, $16.99 per pair. I'd love get my hands on a pair of the P-40 wheels as that would be the correct diameter for my Hellcat if they are thin enough to fit in the wheel well.

http://www.hangar-9.com/Products/Def...ProdID=HAN308W

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

Specs for Top Flite P-40 ARF main wheels:
3.95 inch diameter, 0.84 inches thick at the hubs, 0.80 inches at the 'tires'. Weight: 47 grams each.

Specs for Robart 4" Scale Wheels:
4.02 inch diameter, 1.15 inches thick tires. Weight: 100 grams each.

Even if fit isn't a problem with the Robart wheels, one should consider this: a pair of them weigh 106 grams (just shy of 4 ounces) more than a pair of Top Flite wheels. And even if you don't normally worry about adding a few ounces, take into consideration that we are talking about retracts which shift the center of gravity to the rear when the gear is retracted. In other words, in comparing Robart wheels to the Top Flight wheels: you are shifting an additional 4 ounces rearward about 5 ~ 6 inches when the wheels come up.

Might I suggest a write in (e-mail) campaign to get Top Flite to offer them? I did so a few days ago (sent an e-mail from thier web-site). They claim at their website that any and all parts are available for each and every model that they (currently) offer. This claim is just not true. They also have lists of spare parts on thier web-site, but some parts (such as wheels for several of the ARFs) are just not listed. The AT-6 wheels ARE listed, and I have purchased a couple of pairs because they are nice for thier size (about 3 1/4").

More wheel specs:

Specs for Stock Wheels:
3.56 inch diameter, 0.89 inches thick. Weight: 31.9 grams each

Specs for Robart 3 1/2" Scale Wheels:
3.46 inch diameter, 1.12 inches thick tires. Weight: 69 grams each.

Specs for Hangar 9 3 1/2" Scale Wheels:
3.55 inch diameter, 1.02 inches thick tires. Weight: 63.5 grams each.

Conclusion (my opinion):
The two aftermarket 3 1/2" wheels mentioned above are good choices for this model. They BOTH have very scale looking spoked hubs, are roughly the same weight (Hangar 9 ones are 5.5 grams lighter each). Altho not scale size, they are the best compromise in terms of being able to get them to fit into the wheel wells, and weight.
The Hangar 9 ones are indeed slightly more narrow (which is good) AND 'taller' (also good). BUT, they DO have "Hangar 9" molded into the tires, whereas the Robarts have "Goodyear" (or "Continental" on the other side): neither which is easily visible except at very close distance. The hobby shop initially wanted about $20 for the pair of Hangar 9 wheels, which isn't much different than a pair of Robarts. I was able to talk them down to $17 by showing them a copy of the page that I printed from the link that Chad posted.

The stock wheels are considerable lighter (over 2 1/4 ounces lighter per pair than the aftermarket choices listed above), AND more narrow, BUT the included hubs bear no resemblence to any full scall Corsair wheels that I have ever seen, and the tires lack 'thread'.

The hubs on the aftermarket wheels appear to be identical, as if Hangar 9 made exact copies of the Robart hubs (which have been in production for decades). But, the Hangar 9 hubs are slightly different, and slightly larger in diameter.

As far as 'diamond tread' vs. 'ribbed tread': I seem to recall reading some time ago that generally speaking, land based Corsairs had the diamond tread tires, carrier based ones had the ribbed tread. With the Robarts, you have a choice. With the Hangar 9 wheels, they only come in 'ribbed'.

scottrc

My kit arrived this afternoon and I'm unpacking it right now. First impression is amazing and I'm hard to impress when it comes to ARFs.

There is a lot of detailing potential. The cockpit kit is a good start and the instrument panel is done quite well and matches my reference for the F4U-1 but with 4 rudder pedals. Need to add a stick and a gun sight and I plan to also add controls. I also might scratchbuild the floor, or lack of a floor, to represent the 1. A pilot will be a must and I might attempt a sliding canopy. The rudder should be easy to modify using CJ's tutorial and the elevator shows ribs so it can be covered in fabric. The covering is nice and tight, however, I plan to strip, glass, and paint mine since I have specific plane in mind. The wing is still pretty thick out to the taper but then again, I'll live with it in order for good flying characteristics.
Still pondering what to do about landing gear doors. I am using 615s with Robostruts.

I have to finish remodeling a bedroom this next week then I can start on this project. Looking through the manual, it looks like it will be fun. I will try to post pics of my progress.

AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

My Feedback: (180)

Robart 4" wheels fit just fine.

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

I have a set of the .60-size TF P-40 wheels that I would be willing to part with. PM me if interested.

iflircaircraft

lfiero1: That's just being cruel coming in here and posting "the plane flies great". How was it's ground handling and slow flying? Did it need much right rudder correction on take off?
What engine you using? Were the flaps helpful?
I guess I'll have to wait til I get mine to the club field. If the weather looks good on Sunday I'll take it out.


Tom

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

RC Groups has a nice write-up on the Corsair.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1560168

iflircaircraft

Thanks Chad:
All indications from reading the review and watching the video that it's more a sport plane and less a warbird. That's just great, now everyone will be flying one.
No mention of the left wing dropping from torque or any tip staling. As a matter of fact he said it will glide pretty well. Most corsairs I've flown had the glide of a brick. The ARF is rather light for it's size so it's no surprise it will glide well but I will keep some power on to landing just to be safe.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed to maiden tomorrow 3-11-12.


Tom

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

My pleasure Tom. I have not flown the ARF but I have flown four different kit built versions including one built from the original red box kit. That one flew awful but it was very poorly constructed by a beginner builder. The other three were all great flyers from a 9.5 pound sport version on up to a 12 pound scaled out one. The flaps do certainly help by the way and I don't recall any particularly bad wing drop at the stall. I don't recall the glide characteristics but I can assure you that with those big flaps down it will bleed off air speed very quickly. Best of luck with your test flights and I look forward to your pilot report.

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

Actually, I've had several kit built Top Flite Corsairs, some (especially my first one) had dead stick landings. I too found out that they glide very nicely, especially if you leave the gear up. BTW: landing with gear up became standard procedure for me in the event of engine out: not only does it have a fairly nice glide, it lands VERY nicely on the gull wing (IF you are landing on grass anyway). Damage was very minimal, just some light scratches on the covering. Landing with the gear down seemed like a recipe for disaster.

Also, the Top Flite Corsairs have about 2 degree of washout built in, which greatly reduces the odds of a wing dropping suddenly.

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

Well, I finally 'pushed the button' last nite/ ordered one from Tower. Should arrive by the end of the week (St Patties Day).

Things for certain:
It will be model as an F4U-1 (birdcage canopy).
Covering will be stripped, it will be glassed and painted.
While the covering is off, the wingtips will be altered/ modified to more scale accurate profile. Same goes for rudder.
I will make the wings foldable, even if only manually.

I have a rare set of Lado retracts (and I mean RARE). They are the bottom mount type, and accept 3/16" strut wires. Frankly, I had never heard of any of the rotating Lados that were designed for anything bigger than 5/32". But I have 'em. Problem is: I just don't see them working out with this Corsair. They are too tall in front, which will require the strut to be farther back from the leading edge than I would like it to be. Ideally, the struts should be less than an inch from the L.E., so I'm thinking these retracts would be better suited for a P-40 or Skyraider (where the retracts don't have to be completely hidden in the wing). SO, thinking of using one of my Robart 615 sets.

UPDATE: just found the units that I have are "RS 333-RT" (they call 'em 'top mounts', which I suppose they are when you look at them unside-down):
http://magnumrc.com/rs-333rt-rotatin...air-p-134.html

That all said, it won't be done in a week, or a month. I'll shoot for mid June, so I can fly it at the warbird event near Pontiac, Michigan.

ALSO, there WILL be a few items that I won't need, and will have for sale:
1) Cowling (I'll use one from a fit, so that I won't have to remove the paint)
2) Spinner (I believe it won't work on Saito engines?)
3) Motor Mount (I never like using adjustable/ 'one size fits all' ones)

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

Well, mine arrived today. Gave it the once over to check for anything wrong with major components, discovered left side flaps would not move on wing center section. At first, I thought maybe some glue leaked into a joint. But eventually, I discovered the root cause: the two hinges on the inboard left flap were not installed correctly. In fact, they are about 90 degrees offset from each other, meaning that any (flap) movement causes binding. Tried to take close up pics, best I could do. Sent email to Tower.

Brad-C

I had problems with my wings too and had to send them back. Same thing as you although not completely bound up. Also, one of the joiner tabs only stuck out of the flap like 1/8" so it would have pulled out every time. I also had a bad center fiberglass belly pan - formed wrong. Tower took care of everything but I wasn't terribly impressed with the workmanship for a $400 ARF. Seems maybe Top Flite is getting a crash course in dealing with Chinese manufacturing. That could be why this one kept getting delayed at first too.

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

I received these wheels from Lifer today and they are indeed very thin. Now I need to go about making the proper hub so they look correct for the Hellcat/Corsair. Thanks Lifer!

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

Chad,

No problem. Keep posting your progress.

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

Sp YOU'RE the one who beat me to 'em, tried to PM Lifer from my 'smartphone', guess it wasn't so smart. Sure wish Top Flite would offer them.