Corsair: 115" ws D W Models?
09-23-2012, 08:08 AM
#1
Corsair: 115" ws D W Models?
Hello -
Recently I pick up a "project" Corsair. The airframe is complete, but in dis-repair - no major damage. It can be saved with some work! The plane is decently detailed, but needs TLC. It is the early version of the Corsair. Let's say, the "price was right" !
It has a 115" wingspan.. fiberglass fuse, with a foam wing. Obviously, it has been sitting for a long tine as the servos and hardware are WAY outdated. It has a Q 100 with Robart retracts.
So - anybody ever hear of "D W Giant Scale Models" ? Google shows 1 hit for a Dwight Warner models?
I am looking for anyone who may have a little info on this plane, and how it will fly. Any concerns ??
My plan is to update the hardware and servos, fire up the old school Q 100, then fly it.
Will have to guess the balance point.. what? 25% of wing cord??
Hope to try it within a month.
Also, need a canopy as the included one is cracked? not a problem for the test flight, but if I like it, will need a replacement.... anybody have one? I suspect not. My friends and I have been building for 30 years, and none of us were faimiliar with D W models.
Maybe a Comp Arf canopy could be adapted?
If I really like it, maybe I'll put the DLE 111 I have sitting around in it over the winter. Hmmmm, or maybe an old 150 with a 3 blade prop ? Needs nose weight anyway!
Recently I pick up a "project" Corsair. The airframe is complete, but in dis-repair - no major damage. It can be saved with some work! The plane is decently detailed, but needs TLC. It is the early version of the Corsair. Let's say, the "price was right" !
It has a 115" wingspan.. fiberglass fuse, with a foam wing. Obviously, it has been sitting for a long tine as the servos and hardware are WAY outdated. It has a Q 100 with Robart retracts.
So - anybody ever hear of "D W Giant Scale Models" ? Google shows 1 hit for a Dwight Warner models?
I am looking for anyone who may have a little info on this plane, and how it will fly. Any concerns ??
My plan is to update the hardware and servos, fire up the old school Q 100, then fly it.
Will have to guess the balance point.. what? 25% of wing cord??
Hope to try it within a month.
Also, need a canopy as the included one is cracked? not a problem for the test flight, but if I like it, will need a replacement.... anybody have one? I suspect not. My friends and I have been building for 30 years, and none of us were faimiliar with D W models.
Maybe a Comp Arf canopy could be adapted?
If I really like it, maybe I'll put the DLE 111 I have sitting around in it over the winter. Hmmmm, or maybe an old 150 with a 3 blade prop ? Needs nose weight anyway!
09-23-2012, 07:33 PM
#2
My Feedback: (81)
RE: Corsair: 115
Jim,
Yes, you have a Dwight Werner Corsair. He skipped out years ago, taking lots of people's money with him it is said. It is basically a Nosen copy. Flies good...we have 2 in town here. May be able to get Nosen parts from Fiberglass Specialties.
Jeff
Yes, you have a Dwight Werner Corsair. He skipped out years ago, taking lots of people's money with him it is said. It is basically a Nosen copy. Flies good...we have 2 in town here. May be able to get Nosen parts from Fiberglass Specialties.
Jeff
09-24-2012, 07:39 PM
#3
RE: Corsair: 115
Hi Jeff !
Funny, when I posted this, I thought .. "who might know this info?" You came to mind .. lol[8D]
Anyway, thanks for the input. Any concerns with a foam wing this large? It does have some wood spars and is glassed, but can't really tell how strong it may be. I tend to fly them very hard . . .
The Nosen has a 100" ws, this one is 115"ws. I am wondering if the fuse is the same width as a Nosen? Anybody want to measure the canopy width at the fuse for me please? No rush!
More work tonight.. all the little details take some time. Fuse is close to being done .... next, the retracts and wing rework.
Ugh, a ONE pc wing !
A few pics soon .
Funny, when I posted this, I thought .. "who might know this info?" You came to mind .. lol[8D]
Anyway, thanks for the input. Any concerns with a foam wing this large? It does have some wood spars and is glassed, but can't really tell how strong it may be. I tend to fly them very hard . . .
The Nosen has a 100" ws, this one is 115"ws. I am wondering if the fuse is the same width as a Nosen? Anybody want to measure the canopy width at the fuse for me please? No rush!
More work tonight.. all the little details take some time. Fuse is close to being done .... next, the retracts and wing rework.
Ugh, a ONE pc wing !
A few pics soon .
09-25-2012, 04:40 AM
#4
My Feedback: (81)
RE: Corsair: 115
Jim, the foam wing is fine, just add spar material and glass accordingly. A guy here has one 18 years old....still flying with an Air Hobbies 8.4 twin. He does not fly all that hard, but his typical landings are very rough..lol. The Nosen Corsair was actually 108 inches, but rest assured, the fuse was pulled from a Nosen fuse. A friend of mine, here in town, just built a Corsair using the DW fuse and a Nosen wing. A lot of the older guys here in town were very familiar with DW, as he offered a Corsair, a Hellcat and another plane I can't recall at this time.
Jeff
Jeff
09-25-2012, 07:47 PM
#6
RE: Corsair: 115
Here are a couple of pics of the "Project" [ aka : Restoration ]
The fuse was missing the end part.. so, make a foam plug, glass it, glue it on.. some bondo.. a little sanding.. and ready to sand.
Fuse is close to being done, wing will need some tlc - notice "Garage Patina" !
The fuse was missing the end part.. so, make a foam plug, glass it, glue it on.. some bondo.. a little sanding.. and ready to sand.
Fuse is close to being done, wing will need some tlc - notice "Garage Patina" !
10-02-2012, 08:34 PM
#7
RE: Corsair: 115
Update:
Fuse is basically ready for some touch up paint... and, decided to change the engine. The Q 100 looks to be in very good shape, but there is a lot of lead to balance it. Sooooo, doing like any builder would do, I decided to put on a larger, heavier engine. A 3 blade prop will be nice on here, right ??
The old 3W 140 has some history with me, and runs great.. just as powerful as my 150. Check for a fit, and sure enough, it looks feasible. Build and engine box, align it in the revised cowl mounts [ was not straight as delivered ] add a few brackets to hold it.. LOTS of expoxy, some galss cloth.... and the engine is on!
Rigged up the throttle, reworked all the old servos to decent ones... then there's the flight surfaces. Oh, is it important to have more than 3 higes on surfaces 18 inches long ?? And - actually glue them on?? They were just pinned in place? Maybe this didn't fly before? Sure surprised something bad didn't happen if it was flown before.
Anyway, add hinges, and glue them on. Had to glue the formers in as well.. not really a good glue job originally. Secure up the equipment tray.. glue it in. There were 3 screws holding it in ?? Hmmmm, scarey! General rework on obivous issues in the fuse area.
Anyway, now the fuse is up to speed to fly, just plan to touch up the paint by hand, then give it a go.... soon I hope.
Of course, the wing is next.. 1 old servo on the large flaps? Really ?? lol Need to pull the retracts, upgrade the wheels, and check the Robarts over.
Did I mention this airframe was a great deal ?? Assumming my labor is free of course!
Fuse is basically ready for some touch up paint... and, decided to change the engine. The Q 100 looks to be in very good shape, but there is a lot of lead to balance it. Sooooo, doing like any builder would do, I decided to put on a larger, heavier engine. A 3 blade prop will be nice on here, right ??
The old 3W 140 has some history with me, and runs great.. just as powerful as my 150. Check for a fit, and sure enough, it looks feasible. Build and engine box, align it in the revised cowl mounts [ was not straight as delivered ] add a few brackets to hold it.. LOTS of expoxy, some galss cloth.... and the engine is on!
Rigged up the throttle, reworked all the old servos to decent ones... then there's the flight surfaces. Oh, is it important to have more than 3 higes on surfaces 18 inches long ?? And - actually glue them on?? They were just pinned in place? Maybe this didn't fly before? Sure surprised something bad didn't happen if it was flown before.
Anyway, add hinges, and glue them on. Had to glue the formers in as well.. not really a good glue job originally. Secure up the equipment tray.. glue it in. There were 3 screws holding it in ?? Hmmmm, scarey! General rework on obivous issues in the fuse area.
Anyway, now the fuse is up to speed to fly, just plan to touch up the paint by hand, then give it a go.... soon I hope.
Of course, the wing is next.. 1 old servo on the large flaps? Really ?? lol Need to pull the retracts, upgrade the wheels, and check the Robarts over.
Did I mention this airframe was a great deal ?? Assumming my labor is free of course!
10-03-2012, 04:21 AM
#8
RE: Corsair: 115
I feel ya! I hate to insult fellow R/C pilots and or warbird afficianados, but I'm doing a similar rehab project and I find myself saying "What the H#$$ was he thinking when he did this?" when I see some of the engineering in my project. Not to mention, it's never as simple as it seems when you do your assessment at the swap meet/auction/flea market/etc. But I trust it will be all worth it in the end, and I think there's nothing as satisfying as taking a dust covered project and putting 'er back in the air. Good luck with yours... look like you got a good one there.
10-03-2012, 05:47 AM
#9
My Feedback: (81)
RE: Corsair: 115
It is funny, and I 'm sure I was guilty of, to see what went into these giant scale birds back in the 80's/early 90's. The technology and hardware was really not that available back then. I remember using standrd servos on my giant scales back then, which still works fine, but I now install "insurance"[8D]
Jeff
Jeff
10-10-2012, 11:01 AM
#11
RE: Corsair: 115
ORIGINAL: F4u5
It is funny, and I 'm sure I was guilty of, to see what went into these giant scale birds back in the 80's/early 90's. The technology and hardware was really not that available back then. I remember using standrd servos on my giant scales back then, which still works fine, but I now install ''insurance''[8D]
Jeff
It is funny, and I 'm sure I was guilty of, to see what went into these giant scale birds back in the 80's/early 90's. The technology and hardware was really not that available back then. I remember using standrd servos on my giant scales back then, which still works fine, but I now install ''insurance''[8D]
Jeff
I am still running a converted chainsaw engine in a plane... folks have no idea how lucky they are today with all the tech upgrades in the radios, equipment, hardware, and engines!!
Now, back to the restoration....
10-10-2012, 11:08 AM
#12
RE: Corsair: 115
OK - in spite of my saying I was going to fly the plane "as is", I HAD to fix the gaping holes in the cowling. I just can't stand it.. lol
So, glue in some 64th ply, add some bondo, glass it inside and out, some rough sanding.. and do some fitting for the new engine setup. The cowl ia very strong and rather thick. I don't think a thin cowl would work well for this type of repair.
Find some Model Master paint that is "close" to matching.. add some flat black to darken it slightly, and start the touch up process. All this is pretty much cosmetic of course, but I just had to do it! IF the plane flies OK, I will go back and do some serious touch up painting, but for testing, it can look a little rough.
I do plan to spray can the bottom side with flat white after all the issues are addressed. It [the white bottom of the plane] is in serious need of some attention....
So, glue in some 64th ply, add some bondo, glass it inside and out, some rough sanding.. and do some fitting for the new engine setup. The cowl ia very strong and rather thick. I don't think a thin cowl would work well for this type of repair.
Find some Model Master paint that is "close" to matching.. add some flat black to darken it slightly, and start the touch up process. All this is pretty much cosmetic of course, but I just had to do it! IF the plane flies OK, I will go back and do some serious touch up painting, but for testing, it can look a little rough.
I do plan to spray can the bottom side with flat white after all the issues are addressed. It [the white bottom of the plane] is in serious need of some attention....
10-10-2012, 11:21 AM
#13
RE: Corsair: 115
Work on finalizing the new engine install ... add ignition and mufflers..
Now, I said the engine "fit". And it does. UNTIL I add the mufflers, which hit the cowl as it tapers in the front. Since I just fixed the holes in the cowl, cutting clearance holes to clear the mufflers didn't seem like an option.
Hmm, so, I have a few sets of mufflers for this engine, and decide to use the single outlet ones.. cut down the exit pipes, a, then "make" them fit. This cosited of using a dead blow hammer, and pounding the muffler oval/flat in the small area they were hitting the cowl. Seems to work, only a small compromise in cosmetic looks, and a slight fracture in the seam weld. Out comes the JB weld to seal the slight crack, and they now "fit". Min clearance, but hey, they are in!
And then there's the ingnition plug wires. Dammit! They don't fit either with the cowl installed. There is a good 3/4" clearance to the cowl with the engine, but with the plugs and cap wires, they hit. No option, must cut clearance holes. See pic. I plan to paint the cap and wires blue to match. This will help hide them during fly bys.. assumming it gets that far !
Sand down bondo on the dings and mars on the tail area, hit them with touch up paint. Hmm, looks great from 10 feet!
Fuse is done! [ except for adding a fuel tank ]
Now, I said the engine "fit". And it does. UNTIL I add the mufflers, which hit the cowl as it tapers in the front. Since I just fixed the holes in the cowl, cutting clearance holes to clear the mufflers didn't seem like an option.
Hmm, so, I have a few sets of mufflers for this engine, and decide to use the single outlet ones.. cut down the exit pipes, a, then "make" them fit. This cosited of using a dead blow hammer, and pounding the muffler oval/flat in the small area they were hitting the cowl. Seems to work, only a small compromise in cosmetic looks, and a slight fracture in the seam weld. Out comes the JB weld to seal the slight crack, and they now "fit". Min clearance, but hey, they are in!
And then there's the ingnition plug wires. Dammit! They don't fit either with the cowl installed. There is a good 3/4" clearance to the cowl with the engine, but with the plugs and cap wires, they hit. No option, must cut clearance holes. See pic. I plan to paint the cap and wires blue to match. This will help hide them during fly bys.. assumming it gets that far !
Sand down bondo on the dings and mars on the tail area, hit them with touch up paint. Hmm, looks great from 10 feet!
Fuse is done! [ except for adding a fuel tank ]
10-10-2012, 11:27 AM
#14
RE: Corsair: 115
Now, the wing..
Start the serious inspection... find some needed upgrade areas, make a plan.
Step one is to remove and inspect the Robart rotaing gear. They are a little rusty from sitting, so take them apart for inspection and maint. Plan to paint them white and add the gear door that attaches to the strut. The first gear cycles great! Sweet! Do not plan to add the seconary doors at this time.
I suspect these gear are going to be at thier limit for this plane and it will weigh.. well, I actually haven't weighed it all yet. But, I am sure it will be 40 lbs or so. Better plan to grease all landings?? [ That's the plan anyway ]
Also, take off the cheesey tires that are on the plane, plan to put these older alum hub wheels on. Will have to tweak a few openings as these are 6" wheels. The old ones were 5 1/2"
OK, that's it for now.. gotta go back to the basement now . . .
Start the serious inspection... find some needed upgrade areas, make a plan.
Step one is to remove and inspect the Robart rotaing gear. They are a little rusty from sitting, so take them apart for inspection and maint. Plan to paint them white and add the gear door that attaches to the strut. The first gear cycles great! Sweet! Do not plan to add the seconary doors at this time.
I suspect these gear are going to be at thier limit for this plane and it will weigh.. well, I actually haven't weighed it all yet. But, I am sure it will be 40 lbs or so. Better plan to grease all landings?? [ That's the plan anyway ]
Also, take off the cheesey tires that are on the plane, plan to put these older alum hub wheels on. Will have to tweak a few openings as these are 6" wheels. The old ones were 5 1/2"
OK, that's it for now.. gotta go back to the basement now . . .
10-10-2012, 07:36 PM
#17
RE: Corsair: 115
Flaps -
Notice the "2 pc" flaps .. ?? Oh well, I guess this is a sport scale plane. So plan to leave it that way for now. Can split the 3rd flap off later if need be.
So, add a second servo so each flap can move without binding the other one. That was happenning with the old one servo linked to all setup. Recycling some old hardware from another plane .....
However, find there is no hard point anywhere in the flap, just thick balsa over foam. So - have to cut out hardwood inserts, cut the openinggs, and expoxy them in. This gives the horn some strength to bite to. plan to glass over it when they are all done.
Add some older, but decent servos on the flaps.
Pete, and repeat on the other side.
Notice the "2 pc" flaps .. ?? Oh well, I guess this is a sport scale plane. So plan to leave it that way for now. Can split the 3rd flap off later if need be.
So, add a second servo so each flap can move without binding the other one. That was happenning with the old one servo linked to all setup. Recycling some old hardware from another plane .....
However, find there is no hard point anywhere in the flap, just thick balsa over foam. So - have to cut out hardwood inserts, cut the openinggs, and expoxy them in. This gives the horn some strength to bite to. plan to glass over it when they are all done.
Add some older, but decent servos on the flaps.
Pete, and repeat on the other side.
10-11-2012, 04:23 PM
#18
RE: Corsair: 115
ORIGINAL: IFLYRC-RCU
Hmm, very interesting! Does it look like this one ?
ORIGINAL: Thunderbolt47
A friend of mine has a Nosen canopy plug. He might could pull you one.
A friend of mine has a Nosen canopy plug. He might could pull you one.
10-18-2012, 07:32 PM
#19
RE: Corsair: 115
[I checked with him today. He said he wounldn't be able to do it.
[/quote]
Thank you for checking .. looks like Fiberglass Speciualties has Nosen parts. Will try them after the test flight.
-
So = progress, as work permits .. lots of little details to fix to make it safe to fly. However, it is very close to a test hop.
Finish up the flaps.. add servos, wire servos.... test. Good to go.
Next, start on the gear.
Test fit, clean them up. Paint them white after rust removal. add some glass in the bay areas for strength.
Then decide they are too low, so shim them up with some hardwood. Change more hardware...
Next, test the gear.. tailwheel - good. Mains.. need a little tweaking.. now good. Test again.
Make up some gear doors... hinge, glue, fill in the holes.. glass.
Now time for bed. A little sanding, and the bottom is ready for a fresh coat of flat white.
Not a perfect show plane, but should look decent for flying. Will add heavy weathring to hide the years of neglect [ if it flies well anyway ]
I have never put this together btw - hope the wing fits !! [&:]
Sunday's weather is looking decent.. Hmmmm
[/quote]
Thank you for checking .. looks like Fiberglass Speciualties has Nosen parts. Will try them after the test flight.
-
So = progress, as work permits .. lots of little details to fix to make it safe to fly. However, it is very close to a test hop.
Finish up the flaps.. add servos, wire servos.... test. Good to go.
Next, start on the gear.
Test fit, clean them up. Paint them white after rust removal. add some glass in the bay areas for strength.
Then decide they are too low, so shim them up with some hardwood. Change more hardware...
Next, test the gear.. tailwheel - good. Mains.. need a little tweaking.. now good. Test again.
Make up some gear doors... hinge, glue, fill in the holes.. glass.
Now time for bed. A little sanding, and the bottom is ready for a fresh coat of flat white.
Not a perfect show plane, but should look decent for flying. Will add heavy weathring to hide the years of neglect [ if it flies well anyway ]
I have never put this together btw - hope the wing fits !! [&:]
Sunday's weather is looking decent.. Hmmmm
10-21-2012, 06:58 AM
#20
RE: Corsair: 115
Pilot is in....
Set up my "High Tech" spray booth.. complete with "wind control" [ windy]. Break out the spray bombs.
And now there is a very white underside. AFter a test hop, I'll have to add some weathering to dull it down a bit.
No flight this weekend.... very close, but missing an item or two. Oh well!
Set up my "High Tech" spray booth.. complete with "wind control" [ windy]. Break out the spray bombs.
And now there is a very white underside. AFter a test hop, I'll have to add some weathering to dull it down a bit.
No flight this weekend.... very close, but missing an item or two. Oh well!
10-22-2012, 04:34 AM
#21
RE: Corsair: 115
Sorry for the delay... you asked for some pics, here they are. I was hoping for a maiden this weekend as well, but no joy... developed a fault in the ignition system that I think I've found. It's a Meister,the 100",I started a thread somewhere inhere but haven't been updating it very much as I'vebene a little distracted with another project lately. Fly first, then refinish...
10-29-2012, 06:31 PM
#23
RE: Corsair: 115
Weather.. oh the weather!
The Corsair is very, very close to being ready.. still need the CG for a Nosen Corsair, but ready!
So, the weather has not been kind for a test flight.. so adding a few things while I wait.
All the radio stuff is installed and ready.. fuel tank, batteries.. check!
Engine all buttoned up...
The Corsair is very, very close to being ready.. still need the CG for a Nosen Corsair, but ready!
So, the weather has not been kind for a test flight.. so adding a few things while I wait.
All the radio stuff is installed and ready.. fuel tank, batteries.. check!
Engine all buttoned up...
10-29-2012, 06:43 PM
#24
RE: Corsair: 115
Fuse is "ready" all equipment installed and ready... touch up paint? Brushed on. hides the major hanger rash.. filled and patched the major holes. Good enough for now. Notice the Tru Turn prop hub. I was going to make an old one work, but decided to get this one instead.
Start the wing. Notice I painted the servos in place to help hide them. Needed to add some glass cloth in a few areas. Not sure the original work was strong enough. Add a former at the rear of the wing to stiffen it up - noticed deflection when it was tightened down.
Make some new hatch and gear covers..... check. Put the wing on.. dam, hardley enough room to assemble in my basement shop. Cannot turn it over. Test retracts.. check.
Will need a buddy to come over and help balance it when I figure out where the CG is suppossed to be.
Rest of the week.. off to the SEMA show in Vegas.
Start the wing. Notice I painted the servos in place to help hide them. Needed to add some glass cloth in a few areas. Not sure the original work was strong enough. Add a former at the rear of the wing to stiffen it up - noticed deflection when it was tightened down.
Make some new hatch and gear covers..... check. Put the wing on.. dam, hardley enough room to assemble in my basement shop. Cannot turn it over. Test retracts.. check.
Will need a buddy to come over and help balance it when I figure out where the CG is suppossed to be.
Rest of the week.. off to the SEMA show in Vegas.
11-03-2012, 05:38 PM
#25
RE: Corsair: 115
Hello -
Well, back home now ... so, ran the CG calculator and it said the CG is 5 1/2"s from the leading edge. Make some marks, and take it outside for assembly.
Not 100% sure this is correct, but have not been able to find the CG lacation for a Nsoen Corsair as of yet.
Hoping to maybe get a test flight in ...But no, a couple of issues arise. First, the retract springs don't return. Hmm, cut some dowel spacers, that helps. May have to check into some larger gear if I end up liking this thing. I hear Robart has a HD set of the rotatinbg gear? I assume the same dimensions with larger struts? Will have to go search that info out.
The next issue - CG is way behind the 5 1/2" mark. Add about 4 to 5 lbs of lead, and that is pretty good. Wow, this thing is heavy! Put it on the scale - again, wow! 49 - 50 lbs! Good thing this has a nice thick airfoil for lots of lift!
Then, the retracts don't gp up well after an hour. Must have a leak - need to find and fix that.. don't want a broken prop.
Head back inside - build a shelf above the motor box, add braces, redo ignition mounting, add the weight. Also glued one weight into the very foward portion of the cowl. Hate to do that, but this cowl is thick and strong.
Some pics of the first time I have had it together right side up and on it's gear. Maybe a test flight next weekend.
Well, back home now ... so, ran the CG calculator and it said the CG is 5 1/2"s from the leading edge. Make some marks, and take it outside for assembly.
Not 100% sure this is correct, but have not been able to find the CG lacation for a Nsoen Corsair as of yet.
Hoping to maybe get a test flight in ...But no, a couple of issues arise. First, the retract springs don't return. Hmm, cut some dowel spacers, that helps. May have to check into some larger gear if I end up liking this thing. I hear Robart has a HD set of the rotatinbg gear? I assume the same dimensions with larger struts? Will have to go search that info out.
The next issue - CG is way behind the 5 1/2" mark. Add about 4 to 5 lbs of lead, and that is pretty good. Wow, this thing is heavy! Put it on the scale - again, wow! 49 - 50 lbs! Good thing this has a nice thick airfoil for lots of lift!
Then, the retracts don't gp up well after an hour. Must have a leak - need to find and fix that.. don't want a broken prop.
Head back inside - build a shelf above the motor box, add braces, redo ignition mounting, add the weight. Also glued one weight into the very foward portion of the cowl. Hate to do that, but this cowl is thick and strong.
Some pics of the first time I have had it together right side up and on it's gear. Maybe a test flight next weekend.
