Canuck1

I am begining the start of my Byron Corsair build. I am in no rush, have lots to fly this year, but will build hopefully on a steady basis. The fuselage has been sanded and washed. The wheel wells have been cut out, as well as the two access hatches in the bottom.
Right now I am playing with the retracts. I have an older set that fit pretty good, however some repairs are needed. They are good for fitting in the landing gear supports. First issue is they will mount good, but they will not be able to be removed. The rotating nuckle at the front end will cause an issue to remove, due to the tight fit. I will remove some of the landing gear rail, so I can remove the gear, for maint and repairs. After installation I will reinforce the rail.

Craig

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

I 'ii be watching with interest

carloscadiz

Hello,
I will be watching too, is it a good quality kit?

Canuck1

Thanks guys for posting. Spent a bit of time working on the rails, drilling and mounting the gear. This will all be put together inside the fuselage. I thought that rough aligning now, would save me time when I actually install the formers. I also removed the plywood at F3 for the landing gear strut, before it is installed. Still more to do before I glue it in. I was thinking on using GOOP glue to secure it all, then glass it over after it is set. I have posted a few pictures.

Craig.

Canuck1

More progress this evening. I managed to get F2 into location. Took a bit of fiddling around but got it in, now resting on the leading edge support rods. needed to trim a bit at the outer corners due to the resin build up. Inserted the gear and rails and inserted F3. Was a bit of twisting, bending, but managed to get it in. No glue as of yet and I will tell you, what a solid structure. When she is all glued and glassed on the inside, should be a pretty solid structure. Begining to look like a Corsair with it resting on the gear

Craig

f16man

Back in the day we attached all wood formers by rough sanding the area and used 3/4 oz fiberglass cloth and wicked medium ca. We used this method on all the byron planes from warbirds to jets in fact I still have my original f16 that has so many flights I stoped counting and never had a joint failure. Ibuilt the plane in 1982.

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

Looking good so far, keep up the good work. I'll be watching this thread with great interest. I picked up a mint Byron Corsair kit and retracts about 6 months ago here on RCU. I just finished up a Byron P-51, maiden flight will be this spring. I'm working on finishing up some other projects and probably will start on the Corsair after that.

What's your plan for power?

Carl

Canuck1

I am planning on using a G-62 for power. My intensions are to epoxy and glass a donut ring in the front of the fuselage. The attach a firewall to that. This would alow me to remove the firewall, engine, fuel system and servo. These items will be attached to the back of the firewall, for easy access.
I hope to tack in former F2 this evening, then glass the inside for strength.

Craig.

ccostant

My Feedback: (38)

Definitely the way to go. I did something similiar on my P-51. I can pull the tank from the front and I added a hatch for radio access under the scoop. The thought of accessing the tank and radio gear thru the canopy was a no-go for me. Besides, I did a full cockpit interior. I've seen several Corsairs fly with a G-62, it's a great combo.

Canuck1

Did some work on the corsair tonight. Glued in F2 with the GOOP and the firewall ring that the firewall will be attached to. Also worked on the double servo trays. Checked them for size, and had to open them up a bit for the servo's I am using. I also took this opportunity to drill the screw holes out, so installation will be easier when they are installed. I was also looking at the mounting rails, trying to figure out how to get the wires from the servo's inside the fuselage to plug into the receiver. I will drill a hole on the double servo tray before installing so this will not be an issue.

Craig

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

Craig,
you will have that bird finished before I'm done with my 47

Nice work so far. What is the "goop" you are refering to? Take it you are not epoxing the formers in place?


Gee just had a look at the Iron Bay website where they have it listed. A lot of $$$ though would rahter one of those then the TF GS Corsair I have sitting on top of the cuboard. hmmmm

anyway I have so many projects to do I will have to be content with what I have already. Then again I could sell the TF kit, I can reuse the Robart retracts I already have. mutter mutter mutter

Canuck1

Peter

Goop is a glue that I am using to secure the wood to the inside of the fuselage. I will glass with polyester resin on the inside to give it adequate strength. I was thinking on the TF Corsair, doing folding wings and stuff. but then came across the Byron.

Craig.

Peter_OZ

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Craig,
is that like a brand name? Think you made the right choice on the Byron. Looks lovely. Though if I bought another model I would get shot.

When is the test flight for the P47 due? What was your all up weight or not known yet?

cheers
Peter

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Hi Craig:
My friend is just finishing up one for me,,, Have you got a scheme in mind yet?

Dave

I sold my one I had and then said what the heck did I do that for, My last one before this one had over 285 flights on it and is still out there

Canuck1

Peter,
Yes it is a brand name product, with multi uses. I am using the Automotive GOOP, as well there is one for Marine applications, and general household gluing. I have attached a picture. The P-47 will fly in the spring when the weather cooperates. Have not done the all up weight as of yet. I am still waiting for my B&B mount, and slimline muffler. Then the cockpit will go in, balance, and just wait for good weather
I glassed F2 into the fuse tonight, with polyester resin. When they say 12 min work time, they we not kidding.
Dave
I will be doing the Hammy Gray Corsair with Royal Navy markings. He was a Canadian pilot who received the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Pacific. I have posted a pic of the plane. Do you have any flights on it yet? Overall in your opinion, what should I watch out for when flying this bird.

Craig

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

Hi Craig:
Not a dog gone thing, I think the Byron Corsair is one of the finist flying planes that they have ever put out, With flaps and gear down its all throttle to touch down, When you get good you can see the weight tranfer of the wing to the gear, I think that is an awesome paint scheme your going with. I know my new one will be a litle different for me I will be going with this scheme, Mine is the model

Dave

Canuck1

Dave
I find it nice to do an airplane scheme that is very uncommon from the normal colours that you see. Did a bit more on the plane tonight. I glassed in the firewall donut, and positioned F3 into location. I want to ensure it is in the proper postion, before I tack it in place. Maybe tomorrow night I will tack it, and glass it in. I want to ensure that the aluminum bracing will slide nicely into the bracket, also ensuring that the wing will be square before glassing. When that is done I will glass the front of the firewall donut to ensure it is completely sealed. I hope to post some pictures tomorrow.

Craig.

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

thanks for that Craig. i wonder if the Pacer Zap-a-dap-a-goop is simialr?

Canuck1

More progress as of last night. F3 is now glassed into position. I have also glued the double servo tray into each side of the fuse and wing. This adds more support to the structure. When the glue sets up I will also glass these two pieces in. This is a very solid structure with the wood and glass combination

Craig

Peter_OZ

My Feedback: (1)

gr8 Craig. That thing really goes together quickly.

That would be anice structure to make folding wings if you were so inclined.[:-]

airboss45

Craig, really nice work. love to wacth the build on this one... is your landing gear [robart] #150?? thanks don " airboss"

Peter_OZ

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think they are an old set of 150s

got a brand new set sitting in my drawer for the day I finally start my TF gS Corsair

youngguy

My Feedback: (7)

Good to see you back at it Criag. I am sure this will be another beauty. Have you ever considered using Hysol to glue in your formers? Excelent glue, no smell, very good bonding power to glass and wood, a bit expensive but well worth the money. Will delaminate the glass rather than breaking away. It also would save you some weight.

AMA234

My Feedback: (3)

Hey guys!
I hope you don't mind me chiming in. I also am in the middle of a Byron Corsair build and have some issues to contend with; mostly previous builder issues that I am re-doing. I wanted to ask what you guys normally do for the main landing gear doors. It appears that with the gear retracted, the tork link and the bottom end of the strut stick out past the skin. The tire is also barely touching the inside of the skin so there is no room to pivot the landing gear blocks to raise the tire further in the wing cavity. I would like to be able to add scale inner and outer gear doors to this plane. The previous builder cut too much material away from the wing exposing too much of the retract mechanism; this is one of the things that I have to fix. I figured I would just splash some cloth from the section of the wing just outboard of the retract unit and use that to fill in where the glass was cut away where it shouldn't have been.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Craig,
Thanks for starting this thread, I hope that I will be able to keep up with the pace of your progress on the one I am doing! LOL


Les

Canuck1

The landing gear I am using are old Robart 150's, they need a bit of work, but they are good to go. I also made the landing gear area a little larger so I could remove the gear for maintenance etc. I will make a cover way down the road that will also incorporate the forward door.
I was also thinking on going the Hysol route, however went with the goop, followed by the glass and it seems to be fine. I will only do one side as the goop is really strong as well. I am in no hurry les, so you will no doubt pass me. I am just plugging along slow, besides gives me something to do while I wait for flying season.

Craig.