I'm in a quandry as to which ARF to purchase.
The Hangar 9 is a covered built-up plane compared to the KMP which is a fiberglass fuse and mid-section.
Both have rotating retracts, but feel the H-9's will need replacing!?
KMP's is a bit larger, but size isn't the issue.
I have heard reports on fiberglass fuses 'bubbling' in the sun.
Also, from the pics I've seen of KMP's the outer section of the wings don't match, color wise, to the center section.
I'm leaning towrds the KMP due to the fact it has flaps, although I'm concerned with the fiberglass 'bubbling' problem.
The cost will be the same , at least reasonably close, if I need to replace the landing gear on the H-9 which does not have flaps.

Tom

I could build a TF kit, but the last one lasted only 3 minutes!!...LONG STORY

You will likely need to replace the retracts on the KMP bird. I had to. The KMP retracts have the same wobble as the H9 retracts on my Mustang, but you cannot expect them to always fully deploy.

The KMP bird is interesting, but I think you will get better customer service from H9. A Kondor is totally unreachable by email, he has not replied to a PM, and he doesn't do a good job returning phone calls.

I have the KMP Corsair and I have ordered the Hangar 9 Corsair which will be arriving Friday Oct 31. I have written a report on my maiden flight in the warbird forum. I would recommend the Hangar 9 because of the issues I am having with the retracts not coming down on the KMP Corsair. Also the wing split on my first landing and Andrew has promised me a new wing which I am STILL waiting on. The sun will wrinkle the fiberglass too. I love my Hangar 9 P-51 Mustahg and the AT-6. I expect the gear to be weak on the Corsair, but I expect the flight charachteristics to be great. When I get the Corsair this weekend I will get pictures on the site so you can see the plane out of the box and get a look at the retracts. Good luck.

You can't beat H-9 or Great Planes

Yak

Based on the quality of the H-9 giant scale aerobats, and the 1.50 size Mustang, I would expect the corsair to be up to the same high standards....except maybe for the retracts....

I think you have all made up my mind about the KMP, especialy the wrinkling of the fiberglass and the retract problems, so I will be purchasing the H-9.
I'm thinking since the H-9 is all wood I'll be able to modify the wings to include flaps.
Any thoughts on adding flaps?

Tom

Thanks for all your help in my decision.

I really don't think a 60 size airplane needs flaps. I have the worls models 60 size spitfire and I really see little difference when I use the flaps. You can slow these planes down enough to land them at most fields that I have seen. If you need flaps to land at your field, I would say you need to find another field or get a different plane. Most people that I see that fly planes with flaps never use them. They will help if your plane has a high wing loading. The Hangar 9 corsair should have a light wing loading.

That's because those people don't know how to use flaps correctly. Read the thread on the modified H9 Mustang with flaps: [link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/H9_P%2D51_%2560_with_FLAPS%21%21/m_1141981/tm.htm[/link]

That plane landed much better with less chance of nosing over with flaps deployed. Likewise, all Top Flite .60 size warbirds land easier with flaps. Let's put it this way. You would not be bending your landing gear or ripping out your landing gear blocks if you learn how to use flaps. I also have the WM Spit, and the flaps made a huge difference. Out of hundreds of landings on a grass runway, the plane nosed over only twice. If it's a warbird, then land it like a warbird.

I agree whole-heartedly regarding the use of flaps. They were on the real plane for a reason, not just for appearance!
I have a Cessna 182, very low wing loading, and use flaps with elevator mixing and find it very useful with my landings.
Flaps bring a whole different technique to landing and as Richard L had pointed out they will save the landing gear from either flattenning out, bending, or tearing out.
On the Corsair, with the typical warbird high wing loading, flaps are almost a neccessity.
I had read the post with adding flaps to a P-51 and that is where I feel I can add them to a built up (all wood) Corsair.
They may even help me in regards to using the stock H-9 retracts!
Softer landings may prevent some of the bending of the retracts.
Did you know that the gear covers on the front of the landing gear were used as dive brakes on the real Corsair?
At a certain speed the mains would lock down and would be used as dive brakes, above a pre-dertimeined speed they would not lock, just dangle. The tail wheel/hook would not deploy.
I'm aslo considering the rcv 120 4-stroke engine for the corsair. Totally enclosed inside the cowl.
Opps Dreaming again.......LOL

Thanks to all for their help.
Tom

I am not saying that flaps don't help. On the right aircraft they can help slow down the plane if it has a high wing loading. Try flying your plane at a safe altitude and deploy the flaps and slow to landing speed then retract them and see if the plane falls out of the sky. Then you will know how much they help. You don't mention how many people stall out a plane on approach with flaps deployed because of the additional drag the flaps create and if they have to go around how out of trim the plane will be with full power. I really believe the manufacturer test the aircraft before they are released and determine if it needs flaps or not. The Hangar 9 60 size P-51 didn't come with flaps because it doesn't need them while there P-51 1.50 size comes with flaps because it is bigger and heavier and can possibly help in some situations. I think most people like to have the look of flaps on there planes to make them look more scale and mentally think they are landing slower because they have the flaps down.
That is what makes this hobby so interesting because everybody has an opinion and can do what ever works for him. I fly mostly all warbirds and unless you go above the 60 size, I see no need to go to the extra work involved in putting in flaps. You also add weight with the extra one or two servos you use.
Good luck .

Hi Guys:

If my e-mail isn't working...try calling me. That's why we have a 888 toll free number. For future reference its 888-968-7251. Its also listed in every add that we put out.

Our e-mail has changed so here it is .... [email protected]

BTW hellcat 716..... You will get your new wing as promised. We have corsair kits arriving in 8 days so its only after we get some that I can ship you a new wing.

Its news to me that any of our fiberglass fuses have bubbled or wrinkled in the sun. If its truely that hot out then your planes should be covered in my opinion. I would love to see a picture so we can forward it to the factory to make the appropriate changes if anybody has any.

As far as color matching on the Corsair is concerned, the color match is perfect on the model because the wings are painted with the same color as the fuse. The picture on the web site is the older picture of the original plane.

As far as me responding to posts on RC universe....I only have time to see whats shaking once or twice a week. Its really hard to keep up with all the different subjects and posts people put up so I do the best I can when I can.

Hopefully this will clear up some issues.

Cheers[8D],
Andrew
KMP

PS Here is the new picture of my completed KMP - Hawker Hurricane MK1 due in February

AKondor:
Please address the retract issue.....no sense in paying for something that will need replacing anyway! IMHO
I would prefer your pneumatics over mechanicals, but am concerned as to their strength since I fly from a grass field and don't want to drive 3 hours to the nearest paved surface.

Thanks

PS: I think the RCV120 would be a great choice for the KMP corsair.

Has anyone got their H9 Corsair yet?
TOmmy

I disagee with you Andrew on the color match of your corsair. My wing center section was not even close to the outer wing panels on my corsair. That is why I went to the trouble of repainting the whole plane. I am still troubled about having to tear apart the gear to get it to extend correctly. Even though you mentioned how someone took apart the gear and replaced the grease, I don't feel that I should be responsible to correct the manufactures defect. If I had some clear instructions on how to do this I would. Till then the corsair will sit in the hanger till I come up with some other soloution, such as a different manufacture's gear.
I did mention to you and had faxed you a picture of my fiberglass center section that had dimpled do to the extreme heat here in Las Vegas and it hadn't even been out in the sun yet. It was still in the box in my garage which does get hot in the summer. I do appreciate your concern about your product and I thank you for answering my questions in a timely manner, however I do think you retracts need some attention and I don't think I or any other consumer should be responsible to fix the problem. I would think you would be willing to have us return the gear for a new one when the problem is corrected. Until then, I will hold off buying any more of your product.
Thak you
Greg
Hellcat 716

Hi Doc,

I had the new corsair. Please do a search on JTWILLIE and you will find my write up. Bottom line is I believe the H9 Corsair has a SERIOUS quality problem that must get fixed. The firewall busted loose from my plane the first time I took it to full throttle. This was on the bench when setting the needle valve. Luckily nobody was hurt at the engine left the plan. My hobby shop is in contact with Horizon Hobby about this.
I would wait until they have worked out the bugs.

But it was a great looking finished product. But at this time I would only hang it from the ceiling.

Cheers
JT Williams

Jt - I contacted H9 on your post because I just bought the plane -Interesting responce "thanks for your email , we did not hear of any problems with the firewall busting loose "

I had sent them your post by email .I wanted a respone that was honest and would at leaste give advice like " examine the model if you feel it needs to be reinforced then apply fiberglass to the inside of the firewall or somethnig like that .

I will keep my results posted , the plane looks great and outside of your problems I did hear about the p51 having similar firewall problemes. Other modelers commented that they reinforce all ARF firwalls before flying

Thanks for the heads up on the firewall issue with the H-9 corsair as I have one with my name on it from Santa.
I will have to wait until after Christmas to inspect it.

Thanks once again.

Tom

If I were you I would wait a few months before purchasing the Hangar 9. Sometimes these first round productions have problems. That way you can weed out all the suckers.
Doesn't hurt to shop but wait and see how all these are holding up. Remember the infamous Edge 540 and the wing failures. Sure they replaced the wings on those who had not flown the plane yet but to those who stuffed them had problems trying to replace everything the crash destroyed.
Plus KMP seems to be preety good. have not seen much if anynegative comments. As far as retracts go. I have owned many of these planes that have complaints on the retracts and to me its a pilot skill thing. I have not problems with the Model tech P-47, WM P51 and others with their standard retracts. The mounting rails need to be beefed up and they'll be fine. If your landing on grass then you will have problems but that just goes with the turf

LDM,

Have you flown your H9 Corsair? I am considering purchasing one. I heard the rumors about the H9 P-51 firewalls. I reinforced mine with epoxy and run a saito 100 and had no problems. The P-51 is a sweet flying plane. I am curious if the corsair will fly as nice.

It should be standard practice to reinforce all critical points on any ARF. If we built the craft ourselves we would ensure reinforcement . We have a flyer at our field that put an ARF together as it came, then overpowered it. He flew the devil out of it for about 5 flights before the wing folded. Then all he could do was complain about the kit.

Any feedback on the H9 Corsair would be appreciated.

Jim

Hey guys,
I'm still new at the flying game but I have to tell you, Great times.
I purchased a KMP P51, I had a few little probs, but nothing that Andrew didn't help with. Before I started with building, I contacted Andrew to see if there was any updates. He said that there were problems with the landing gear and one week later, there they were in the mail.
I haven't flown the plane yet but am very excited to get home and fly it. I have the Saito 1.2 installed.
Can anyone tell me as to how much air flow the engine should get? After break in I coould smell the paint from the cowling!! Too hot?
please help.