Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

I'm looking for a couple of pairs of the stock 4" diameter wheels that come with the TF Corsair and P-40 .60 size ARF's. If any of you guys replaced the stock wheels with something else and still have the stock ones I would be interested in hearing from you. New preferred but gently used would be OK too.

TIA!

[email protected]

scottrc

Hi Chad,

I ended up using mine on another plane to fly off grass.

scottrc

Just a quick snapshot during balance and trim checks. I did what I expected, I built a brick with wings so I need to make sure everything is set right.

aghost

My Feedback: (13)

Chad: sent you a email about the stock wheels.

Brian

Chad Veich

My Feedback: (60)

Reply sent Brian, thank you.

Well, apparently I was wrong about the TF Corsair and P-40 sharing the same wheels. I have a set from the P-40 and they are 4" diameter. Apparently those in the Corsair are only 3.5". So, if you happen to have a 4" set I would love to hear from you but the 3.5" ones are not going to do the job for me.

SkyPilot101

Can anyone using Siearra retracts sold as 60 size rotating 100 degree F4U,report on the fit? I picked up a used pair of 95 deg Siearra rotators, but the length would require cutting through the wing joiner spar, I'm wondering if the F4U specific units are a bit shorter in overall length, could just dremmel through the spar, but am worried about wing strength.

aghost

My Feedback: (13)

SkyPilot: Mine fit, but it took a little spar trimming. I had to trim the spar so the strut would retract(width and depth). As I remember the width trim was mostly sheeting and plastic. the depth was maybe a quarter of the diameter of the spar. I have the retract as far forward as it will go. The air nipple fit in the existing hole in the spar. I trimmed a little off the face of the spar (or maybe shear webbing) around the air nipple hole where the end of the retracts touched.

I wish the retracts could be moved back just a little for two reasons. (1) the 100 degree rotation puts the wheels farther in front of the leading edge than I would like (not scale at all) and (2) to get the wheel in the middle of the well I had to put a nylon washer between the strut and retract (you can see it in the picture). Without the washer, the strut/connector will slide up and down slightly in the retract.

These Sierras seem to have a little more play in the toe-in/toe-out movement than my other Sierras. Noticeable, but not a problem. Just set them up so they cannot go toe-out if at all possible.

Started with Robarts, then went to Sierras. 60 flights on the Sierras. No regrets.
Brian

SkyPilot101

Brian, Sierras have what they call a cam block in which the pin at the top of the trunnions rides in, to facilitate the rotation. I replaced the cam block on mine, Sierra sells them as replacement parts, around 30 bucks for the set. Improved the toe slop quite a bit. Thanks for all the info on the fit, helps a lot. Mike.

My 95 degree units look really close in size as yours, probably will do some more trimming to make them fit, saved me $300 !

aghost

My Feedback: (13)

May try new cam blocks sometime. My only concern is the Sierras had this "more than expected" toe slop when new. New cam blocks might not improve anything.

Brian

SkyPilot101

My used set was unusable, the new cam block brought them back to around 2 degrees of rotational slop, I know what you mean about mounting the strut so they don't toe out.

gsoav8r

My Feedback: (6)

Heres a few more pics that may be of help. I pulled the wheel well liners from mine but other wise the trimming to fit the retracts is the same. Just go slow and only trim whats needed. A shoe horn helps also. Cheers.

scottrc

Despite the modifications (shoehorning), are these still better than the Robart?

aghost

My Feedback: (13)

scottrc: My opinion - Absolutely

gsoav8r

My Feedback: (6)

Honestly, Ive never owned the 315's but I do have other Robart gear that are bored for oleo's. Not sure Im the best qualified to answer the question but I basically did an apples to apples comparison and decided to give the Sierras a try.
The Sierras come assembled were as with the Robarts some fit and assembly is required. So what was that worth to me?
The Sierras are not designed to drop right in the wing as the Robarts are. Again whats that worth.
IMO both require some paint to look good. So again factors surrounding that can be considered.
The Sierras dont have the scissor link like the Robarts so maybe some scale fidelity is lost. Is that a big deal?
I like that the Sierras have a lot of forward rake that makes for easy ground handling. Again is having the most scale appearance possible important?
I did not like the reports and proof that showed that a hard landing could bend the Robart gear rails. So how important is toughness?
Feel like Im forgetting some things...

My experience so far:
In 50 flights the Sierra's have been flawless. But I was a little surprised by the "toe slop". Its not that big a deal because the gear can be adjusted and compensated for, but it is there. Ive had no handling issues from it on grass or pavement. Matter of fact I get tons of compliments from my extended scale like takeoffs. Guys appreciate being able to see the oleo's working while the Corsair travels down the runway
I had a landing that trashed the wing last summer. Had winds of 10 or so. Was on approach with too much flap and about 2-3 ft off the deck when a large gust ballooned and tossed the airplane. All I could do was gun the throttle and try to recover. Walked away with practically no fuse damage... didnt even break the 3-blade prop.. but folded the wing. I was impressed the Sierra's suffered no damage. At least that I could detect. Craziest crash Ive ever seen

Anyway. Maybe all this dribble can help you decide whats best for you. James

scottrc

The more I read about Sierra's, the more I am thinking of changing over. The Robarts have been far from ready to drop right in if using oelo struts. Had to do quite of measuring, cutting, drilling ,and machining to get them to fit and work. Now I am having issues with their filler valves. The schrader valve seems to be set so low that my filler chuck wont engage it all the way. I sent one back for this problem and the new one came the same way. My original worked fine until I stripped it out not paying attention when mounting it. As far as the Sierras too far forward, this may not be good for scale appearance, but should be great for handling.

aghost

My Feedback: (13)

"Too far forward" does help. Had one occasion to abort a take-off, went off the end of the runway, and the plane stayed upright. Normally thats a nose-over at our field.

gsoav8r

My Feedback: (6)

True. Its hard to flip this Corsair with the Sierras. Even on our grass strip I can taxi and start a take off run without using the elevator. But I only did it once to see if it was possible. I normally use a touch of elevator to keep the tail from bouncing too much and looking ugly.
.

kochj

I realize that it was quite a while this was posted..
I was thinking about using a YS160dz.... would the tail feathers hold up to this kind of speed or fly apart?

mike boxtall

Kochj, I have a satio 180 on mine and I am rebuilding the tail for that reason. Going to cut and shape a solid 1/2" slab of balsa to suit. The horizontal stab and tail feather just seem flimsy for what I want this plane to do. Also I'm going to be getting rid of that horse shoe and use two servos for elevator comtrol.

kochj

When you say "horse Shoe" you mean control rod??...
I had though about making his a high speed plane, but I have to remember that I always place engines in planes that are too big, and later, wished I didn't
(in scale type) planes.

I was looking at the ESM electric retracts.... Anyone attempt to place those in????
I would be up for some work....but not a TON of work....?????

mike boxtall

Yes. The control rod. I've never moderately powered any plane. Instead of lead in the nose I've always added extra engine. That being said, the control rod supplied just didn't seem like it would stand up to the abuse of a shaking and rattling Saito 180 especially with the light tail feathers supplied. All I'm doing is laminating two sheets of balsa with a sheet of thin plywood in the middle. Then I'll trace out the existing and sand it down to size. I've done it before. Takes maybe a full evening. Then I'll have to cover it. Total time it took me last time was I think 2 evenings from start to finish. To laminate everything I used contact cement.

DHC6

My Feedback: (6)

Not sure how fast you guys want this thing to go, but I had mine up to 178kph (110mph) with a DLE 20 and have not had any problems with the elevator. One Tough bird!

JohnMcGowan

My Feedback: (15)

Just checking to see who all out there is still flying their corsair? And for those that have the Robart 615 retracts, how are you doing with those gears so far? I have a RCGF 20cc that is going in mine...for those who are using the 20cc gassers what prop did you end up using?
Thanks for your replies!!
John

scottrc

Mines held up in the hangar for awhile. One of my 615's cracked and I'm in no mood to put more money into them. Have other projects that requires funding. In the meantime, thinking of putting the stock fixed gear on it.

SkyPilot101

Robart has new 100 deg. rotators in both electric & pneumatic. The electric are way too long, but the pneumatic at 3&11/16" long might work out 810 series I think ?