Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
01-14-2005, 07:47 AM
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Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
I’ve just started (well about a week ago) a Marutaka 1/8 scale Corsair and I was thinking of making some functional modifications to it during the build. I would appreciate any input from experienced modelers and particularly people who have worked on Marutaka plans. As you guys know, Marutaka does not give any instructions (other than three copies of a single typed page) so the build process is extremely challenging. At the same time it is extremely gratifying when you put these beautiful pieces of wood together and the part takes shape.
For starters, this size Corsair does not feature flaps, and to me making a Corsair without those gorgeous flaps is tantamount to sacrilege. I want to add functional flaps to the Corsair and I’m looking for dimensions and help on how to go about it.
For starters, this size Corsair does not feature flaps, and to me making a Corsair without those gorgeous flaps is tantamount to sacrilege. I want to add functional flaps to the Corsair and I’m looking for dimensions and help on how to go about it.
01-14-2005, 07:55 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Luke (Dionysusbacchus) ran an awesome thread on building his Royal .60 corsair a while back and I’ve been trying to look for his website to reference some pictures with no luck. I’m hoping he’ll spot this thread and make an appearance to share his fantastic building skills with us newbies.
01-14-2005, 08:27 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
This is where I am with the wing at the moment. The ailerons are ready and the flaps are waiting to be cut out and assembled. Also I was thinking of doing away with the bell cranks in the wings and putting in individual servos for ailerons and flaps. The added weight would be compensated for by a YS 110 engine. Any suggestions?
01-14-2005, 09:14 AM
#4
RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Luke is the uncontested GURU for 1/8 scale Royal/ Marutaka Corsairs. Here is the link to his awesome build thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_62...Corsair/tm.htm
I agree wholeheartedly: flaps on RC Corsairs are not so much ablout making landings easier, rather they are a must for scale looks. No other WW II warbird has such predominate looking flaps as the Corsair. When the full scale Corsair is on final, those flaps seem to have more frontal area than the rest of the plane. They seem to hang straight down (but they don't).
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_62...Corsair/tm.htm
ORIGINAL: docrob
For starters, this size Corsair does not feature flaps, and to me making a Corsair without those gorgeous flaps is tantamount to sacrilege. I want to add functional flaps to the Corsair and I’m looking for dimensions and help on how to go about it.
For starters, this size Corsair does not feature flaps, and to me making a Corsair without those gorgeous flaps is tantamount to sacrilege. I want to add functional flaps to the Corsair and I’m looking for dimensions and help on how to go about it.
01-14-2005, 09:51 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Thanks CorsairJock...I have the link to the thread, and an awesome one it is. But during the thread Luke makes several references to a website (that moved a couple of times during the thread) and I can't seem to find the present website. Though during the thread Luke says that he did not document the wing build, I would love to take a look at the detailed plans of how he did the retractable bay doors. The thread shows some pictures that dont show much of the design element. Also, like I said up above, I need dimensions of how much wing to cut to make the flaps totally scale.
I did start taking photographs of the assembly right from the point where you punch parts out of the die cut sheets. So if anyone wants documentation of MY progress (amateurish at best, I'm better at cutting up people and putting them back together
), I'll be more than happy to post my pictures here. I believe this might help frustrated Marutaka kit builders. Once again, the final results of Marutaka builds is absolutely outstanding.
I did start taking photographs of the assembly right from the point where you punch parts out of the die cut sheets. So if anyone wants documentation of MY progress (amateurish at best, I'm better at cutting up people and putting them back together
), I'll be more than happy to post my pictures here. I believe this might help frustrated Marutaka kit builders. Once again, the final results of Marutaka builds is absolutely outstanding.
01-15-2005, 12:18 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
ORIGINAL: docrob
Thanks CorsairJock...I have the link to the thread, and an awesome one it is. But during the thread Luke makes several references to a website (that moved a couple of times during the thread) and I can't seem to find the present website. Though during the thread Luke says that he did not document the wing build, I would love to take a look at the detailed plans of how he did the retractable bay doors. The thread shows some pictures that dont show much of the design element. Also, like I said up above, I need dimensions of how much wing to cut to make the flaps totally scale.
I did start taking photographs of the assembly right from the point where you punch parts out of the die cut sheets. So if anyone wants documentation of MY progress (amateurish at best, I'm better at cutting up people and putting them back together), I'll be more than happy to post my pictures here. I believe this might help frustrated Marutaka kit builders. Once again, the final results of Marutaka builds is absolutely outstanding.
Thanks CorsairJock...I have the link to the thread, and an awesome one it is. But during the thread Luke makes several references to a website (that moved a couple of times during the thread) and I can't seem to find the present website. Though during the thread Luke says that he did not document the wing build, I would love to take a look at the detailed plans of how he did the retractable bay doors. The thread shows some pictures that dont show much of the design element. Also, like I said up above, I need dimensions of how much wing to cut to make the flaps totally scale.
I did start taking photographs of the assembly right from the point where you punch parts out of the die cut sheets. So if anyone wants documentation of MY progress (amateurish at best, I'm better at cutting up people and putting them back together
), I'll be more than happy to post my pictures here. I believe this might help frustrated Marutaka kit builders. Once again, the final results of Marutaka builds is absolutely outstanding.
01-15-2005, 01:44 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
ORIGINAL: voyager_663rd
He took his site down some time ago due to flames directed his way.
He took his site down some time ago due to flames directed his way.
01-15-2005, 02:30 AM
#10
RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Indeed, it would be nice to benefit from the experience of others. I have a Royal Corsair waiting to be built too. Unfortunately, a lot of the wood has been damaged, and I will need to re-cut a fair amount of the kit. I also have several projects that will proceed the Corsair.
Good luck with your build. I look forward to seeing your progress!
Scott
Good luck with your build. I look forward to seeing your progress!
Scott
01-15-2005, 06:48 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Sorry to hear about your damaged wood, Scott, the quality of the Marutaka/Royal kit woods is remarkable. I would be delighted to post a step by step progress of my project.
04-17-2005, 08:10 PM
#13
RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
ORIGINAL: docrob
Still hoping he will find this thread and make an appearance.
Still hoping he will find this thread and make an appearance.
Hey, I found it! Keep it going, great plane and fun to build. The only thing I would say so far is lose the solid elevators. Use 3/32 sheet and ribs, then cover with fabric.
Great work so far,
Dion
04-17-2005, 11:39 PM
#15
RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Hi Dion,
I found your Corsair a real inspiration! I wish I had been around when you had your website up.
The Corsair I have was a kit my father bought in the early 70s. He let me start on it back then when I was just a young teen. I only built the rudder when I realized the kit was far too advanced for me. I didn't get back to kit building until about 16 months ago.
I had been thinking about getting into RC, and had a conversation with my father about it. He was exited and happy at the prospect of me getting into RC. It was my last conversation with him before he past away two days later. When he past, I went to my parents' place, and my mother sent me up to the attic to find the kits he had. There was the Corsair with a built rudder, along with a Royal p-38 and a Royal Cessna 337 Skymaster. I look forward to building my Corsair, and will find your thead a HUGE help! Thank you.
Scott
I found your Corsair a real inspiration! I wish I had been around when you had your website up.
The Corsair I have was a kit my father bought in the early 70s. He let me start on it back then when I was just a young teen. I only built the rudder when I realized the kit was far too advanced for me. I didn't get back to kit building until about 16 months ago.
I had been thinking about getting into RC, and had a conversation with my father about it. He was exited and happy at the prospect of me getting into RC. It was my last conversation with him before he past away two days later. When he past, I went to my parents' place, and my mother sent me up to the attic to find the kits he had. There was the Corsair with a built rudder, along with a Royal p-38 and a Royal Cessna 337 Skymaster. I look forward to building my Corsair, and will find your thead a HUGE help! Thank you.
Scott
04-18-2005, 10:07 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Luke, it's an honor to have you in this thread. Here we go:
A fool once asked: which is the best place to start, and the Wise Man replied: At the begining. Now that we have the history lesson out of the way, lets begin.
Here's the first lot of pictures, starting from the pieces of balsa and ply punched out of the sheets. A word of caution here: marutaka plys are not die cut all the way at the edges and you might need to use an Exacto to cut all the way through (I use a surgical scalpel [>:]), otherwise you end up stripping bits of ply at the ends. I learned my lesson very early. Second picture shows the main spar and the secondary spar test fit with all the ribs. Third picture shows the entire wing assembled (not glued) with the central braces in place. The fit of these parts is so good that it just needed two clamps each on the center braces.
A fool once asked: which is the best place to start, and the Wise Man replied: At the begining. Now that we have the history lesson out of the way, lets begin.
Here's the first lot of pictures, starting from the pieces of balsa and ply punched out of the sheets. A word of caution here: marutaka plys are not die cut all the way at the edges and you might need to use an Exacto to cut all the way through (I use a surgical scalpel [>:]), otherwise you end up stripping bits of ply at the ends. I learned my lesson very early. Second picture shows the main spar and the secondary spar test fit with all the ribs. Third picture shows the entire wing assembled (not glued) with the central braces in place. The fit of these parts is so good that it just needed two clamps each on the center braces.
04-18-2005, 10:14 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Ok, now for the first tricky part: attaching W16 to the ribs (I'm hoping part numbers are the same for Marutaka and Royal kits). It helps to mark rib positions on W16 before assembling. I realized that tacking the ribs and main spar to the board helped to keep the entire assembly steady and W16 can then be CA'ed in place. Luke's suggestion to tack glue the entire assembly to the board would make it even easier.
Pic 2: W16 attached to both upper and lower surfaces.
Pic 2: W16 attached to both upper and lower surfaces.
04-18-2005, 10:34 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
1: W17 and W28 attached. Not that its much use if you're planning to cut out your flaps, but more of that later.[&o]
2: Overview of the wing at this point
Are we making progress or what????
2: Overview of the wing at this point
Are we making progress or what????
04-18-2005, 10:49 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Time to prepare for the ailerons. 2mm balsa sheeting is placed over the plans and the rough shape of the ailerons is cut out. The remaining sheet is glued to W16 and the ribs, both top and bottom. While joining top and bottom sheets at the wing edges, I've found that it helps to sand the insides of the sheet ends so that it forms a tapered bond, this makes for a thinner edge and a stronger bond. IMHO.
Time to hit the sack. Early surgery tomorrow. More updates immediately after that.
Good morning to all you RCers on the other side of the world.
Time to hit the sack. Early surgery tomorrow. More updates immediately after that.
Good morning to all you RCers on the other side of the world.
04-18-2005, 10:54 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Scott, if there's anything I can help you out with, plans, dimensions, etc. please let me know. I would love to share your progress on your kit.
04-19-2005, 12:08 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
OK, ailerons now:
Picture 1: The area of the ribs that needs to be cut out. Again, a good idea to mark upright arrows on each rib end along with numbers to tell which is which after they've been cut away.
Picture 2: Ribs cut away flush with the trailing edge of the wing.
Picture 3: Each rib needs to be tapercut slightly since it's going to sit against a forward leaning leading edge.
Picture 1: The area of the ribs that needs to be cut out. Again, a good idea to mark upright arrows on each rib end along with numbers to tell which is which after they've been cut away.
Picture 2: Ribs cut away flush with the trailing edge of the wing.
Picture 3: Each rib needs to be tapercut slightly since it's going to sit against a forward leaning leading edge.
04-19-2005, 12:16 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
The top and bottom sheets for the ailerons have to be trimmed to different sizes.
1: Markings on top and bottom sheets
2: Surgically precise cuts
3: Cross section of aileron shows how the sheets sit against the leading edge and why they have to be different sizes
1: Markings on top and bottom sheets
2: Surgically precise cuts
3: Cross section of aileron shows how the sheets sit against the leading edge and why they have to be different sizes
04-19-2005, 12:38 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
1: Aileron leading edge (W26) has to be sanded to this shape
2: Bottom sheet attached to LE
3: Ribs glued to bottom sheet and LE
2: Bottom sheet attached to LE
3: Ribs glued to bottom sheet and LE
04-19-2005, 12:40 AM
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RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
Top sheet is glued after control horn is attached to rib W9 which I braced with a plywood wedge (W40). In the plans W40 sits separately between W8 and W9 but I felt it would be a little insecure by itself. Too bad I hadn't looked at Dion's system of putting half a Robart hinge point into a balsa block to make a concealed linkage. I used that method in the flaps, but that's another story.
04-19-2005, 12:46 AM
#25
RE: Marutaka 1/8 Corsair
I thank you for the offer. It will be some time before I get to my corsair project. I want to increase my building skills before doing the kits I inherited from my father. I am currently finishing a TF Spit and plan on doing one more TF kit (P-51B). After that, I was planning on doing a Marutaka A6M5 I picked up. I figure by that point I'll be ready to do the Corsair. I'll need to cut a lot of new parts for the corsair because mice got into it at one time. Looks like there's enough pieces for me to be able to recreate the damaged parts.
Scott
Scott