Corsair F4U-1A Top Flite Giant ARF Modifications
05-28-2015, 02:24 PM
#404
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YA I have it on mine but I can't say how good it works. It's ok on the ground , I'll have to wait for the maiden to see how it works in the air. I'll post that info here. John Taylor Corsair brotherhood #96
05-28-2015, 03:57 PM
#405
John,
Thank you. Mine closes ok, but it's giving me problems opening up. I think also that the wind will close them just enough that the fork will hit the doors and stay open....
Thank you. Mine closes ok, but it's giving me problems opening up. I think also that the wind will close them just enough that the fork will hit the doors and stay open....
03-04-2017, 06:18 AM
#414
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Glade to see RCU working again. Here is the first of many posts I'm behind. I hope you enjoy. If so PLEASE let me know.
I finished the engine (DLE 55 ra) and my custom muffler. Photos 1, 2 and 3 are the the three 11/32†brass tubes. These are hammered into the aluminum bases.
Photos 4 through 7 show the hard wood blocks that I cut and shaped to give the supports to mount the pipe bases. I then marked two locations to drill into the base tabs to secure to the firewall. Photo 9 shows the wood servo screws and the 3m epoxy glue used to glue the wood blocks. Photo 10 shows that once mounted the pipes do not make contact with the fuselage.
I finished the engine (DLE 55 ra) and my custom muffler. Photos 1, 2 and 3 are the the three 11/32†brass tubes. These are hammered into the aluminum bases.
Photos 4 through 7 show the hard wood blocks that I cut and shaped to give the supports to mount the pipe bases. I then marked two locations to drill into the base tabs to secure to the firewall. Photo 9 shows the wood servo screws and the 3m epoxy glue used to glue the wood blocks. Photo 10 shows that once mounted the pipes do not make contact with the fuselage.
Do you still offer these pipe hubs?
03-04-2017, 08:07 AM
#415
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Yes I only have three or four sets left. Send $20.00 via PayPal to [email protected] and I'll ship out a pair right away. At least until I'm out.
Also let me know if you want me to insert the the brass pipes or not.
If you tap them to hard you can bend the brass. I do not cut the angle of the three pipes as this way the builder can adjust as needed.
Also let me know if you want me to insert the the brass pipes or not.
If you tap them to hard you can bend the brass. I do not cut the angle of the three pipes as this way the builder can adjust as needed.
03-04-2017, 09:09 AM
#416
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Yes I only have three or four sets left. Send $20.00 via PayPal to [email protected] and I'll ship out a pair right away. At least until I'm out.
Also let me know if you want me to insert the the brass pipes or not.
If you tap them to hard you can bend the brass. I do not cut the angle of the three pipes as this way the builder can adjust as needed.
Also let me know if you want me to insert the the brass pipes or not.
If you tap them to hard you can bend the brass. I do not cut the angle of the three pipes as this way the builder can adjust as needed.
Paypal sent thanks
03-04-2017, 09:39 PM
#417
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Thank you. PayPal received.
Ill ship out Monday.
If you send me your email I'll send tracing number.
I'm at
[email protected]
Ill ship out Monday.
If you send me your email I'll send tracing number.
I'm at
[email protected]
03-13-2017, 09:03 AM
#419
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Hello John,
Any standard servo will work for the choke however, due to the vibration on gas engines always use metal gears as these hold up to the vibration.
As for the throttle use a metal gear with a little more torque than the choke.
Just my advice.
Any standard servo will work for the choke however, due to the vibration on gas engines always use metal gears as these hold up to the vibration.
As for the throttle use a metal gear with a little more torque than the choke.
Just my advice.
03-13-2017, 12:07 PM
#420
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+1 on what he said, But would add I am using Robart ball units at the servo and throttle, with a flat washer under the bolt head just in case the plastic hoop jumps off the ball. seen it happen, but in my 15 years of flying gassers I have never had it happen to me.
But that is just my way
Cheers Bob T
But that is just my way
Cheers Bob T
08-06-2017, 09:11 PM
#422
Join Date: Jul 2005
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I have some major news.
I almost lost this Corsair of mine yesterday!
The soft (really bad) balsa wood used by Top Flite for the rudder and elevators almost cost me my plane. I replaced the wood in the rudder, however, I did not in the elevators.
BIG MISTAKE!
The wood blocks are super soft and are drilled for the control rods. Simple pressure will start the wear in this soft wood. Then as the hole increases all of a sudden you'll achieve the extensive flutter and this will tear off the entire tail most of the time. I'm really lucky, however, still major repairs to perform before next week end. I want to go to the Livermore Electrons Warbirds event on the 7th.
As I was turning on final to perform a high speed low pass over the runway the plane pitched over straight down at 50 feet! It took full up elevator to get the plane to recover. Just as I was flying over the runway at my flight station the crowd started to scream and yell. Everyone could see and hear the elevators flapping and vibrating! I lowered the throttle and added half flaps, performed a 360 and landed the plane OK.
To my surprise the tail now has a crack about 10 inches long on both sides of the fuselage just under the horizontal stabilizers.
She was almost a goner!
I'm so disappointed with Top Flite. I used the recommended engine and I believe if I had not fiber glassed the plane she would have broken up and crashed.
Once again my simple opinion.
I almost lost this Corsair of mine yesterday!
The soft (really bad) balsa wood used by Top Flite for the rudder and elevators almost cost me my plane. I replaced the wood in the rudder, however, I did not in the elevators.
BIG MISTAKE!
The wood blocks are super soft and are drilled for the control rods. Simple pressure will start the wear in this soft wood. Then as the hole increases all of a sudden you'll achieve the extensive flutter and this will tear off the entire tail most of the time. I'm really lucky, however, still major repairs to perform before next week end. I want to go to the Livermore Electrons Warbirds event on the 7th.
As I was turning on final to perform a high speed low pass over the runway the plane pitched over straight down at 50 feet! It took full up elevator to get the plane to recover. Just as I was flying over the runway at my flight station the crowd started to scream and yell. Everyone could see and hear the elevators flapping and vibrating! I lowered the throttle and added half flaps, performed a 360 and landed the plane OK.
To my surprise the tail now has a crack about 10 inches long on both sides of the fuselage just under the horizontal stabilizers.
She was almost a goner!
I'm so disappointed with Top Flite. I used the recommended engine and I believe if I had not fiber glassed the plane she would have broken up and crashed.
Once again my simple opinion.
I ultimately gave up on trying to fix it, and installed separate elevator servos either side of the fuselage, hidden under the tailplanes with hardwood bearers in between the stringers, and ply reinforcing. Also reinforced the structure where I installed separate horns in the elevators. Once painted they'll be barely visible, and it's one less worry. I'll cop the weight rather than lose my plane...
Cam
08-07-2017, 06:18 AM
#423
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Tail control flutter
Cam,
I believe you have addressed this problem and I agree with you about the fix of hard wood is not a complete fix. Your solution is much better. However please keep in mind that all that extra weight will make your Corsair very heavy and this wing loading will make take off and landings much harder.
After my plane was finished all my extra weight made my take offs and landing much longer and so much so that some flight fields became to small to fly out of.
This reason alone was the main one that I sold my plane.
Thanks for sharing and happy flying!
I believe you have addressed this problem and I agree with you about the fix of hard wood is not a complete fix. Your solution is much better. However please keep in mind that all that extra weight will make your Corsair very heavy and this wing loading will make take off and landings much harder.
After my plane was finished all my extra weight made my take offs and landing much longer and so much so that some flight fields became to small to fly out of.
This reason alone was the main one that I sold my plane.
Thanks for sharing and happy flying!
08-07-2017, 04:03 PM
#424
I'm currently flying the Corsair with a Saito 84FG, Xoar 24x14, and it's pretty awesome. I need to prop it up as it's currently spinning over 7K RPM in flight. Point is its pretty heavy and it handles the extra weight very well. I'm flying at higher elevation, 2240 ft ASL plus varying Altitude Density, and the plane behaves very well still. You have to handle it like a heavy scale warbird when landing but otherwise it's very well mannered in take off and flight configs. In higher winds I idle back and glide around drop flaps and loop and roll it with no fear of it stalling out of control.
My plane is balanced on the front spar. I had to add weight to the tail cone!
Robart air retracts with an extra bottle of air = hassle free operation. Scale pilot figure too.
I don't remember off hand the AUW but it's about 32lbs I think. With the DLE 55RA it was close to 27 pounds. Big difference!
If you have any questions about my set up just ask, it's been reliable and sorted out for several seasons so far.
My plane is balanced on the front spar. I had to add weight to the tail cone!
Robart air retracts with an extra bottle of air = hassle free operation. Scale pilot figure too.
I don't remember off hand the AUW but it's about 32lbs I think. With the DLE 55RA it was close to 27 pounds. Big difference!
If you have any questions about my set up just ask, it's been reliable and sorted out for several seasons so far.
08-07-2017, 05:25 PM
#425
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Hi guys, thanks for the input re weight. I'm pretty conscious of keeping all my installation well forward (except those elevator servos!) - plus it has a Saito FG60R3 with Keleo exhaust ready to drop in. I fly off a big open airfield, and like something that can handle windy days, so a slightly heavy but robust warbird is the aim with this one.
Currently planning on much the same mods as Mike's beautiful plane, less the lights, and with electric mains. Considering a clipped wing RAF prototype for a different look.
Cheers,
Cam
Currently planning on much the same mods as Mike's beautiful plane, less the lights, and with electric mains. Considering a clipped wing RAF prototype for a different look.
Cheers,
Cam