Author Topic: My F4U Corsair .15 build (Read 4918 times)

Douglas Ames · « **on:** October 31, 2009, 09:35:19 PM »

I started this back in the summer of `07 and found out that nobody flew Carrier in Oklahoma that I knew of.
Joined Tulsa Gluedobbers and got into learning Stunt (still am...

) so I hung this up and piddled with it whenever I had free time. Some guys in the club started kicking around the idea of a Fun Carrier event so I got motivated and blew off the balsa dust and started building the RH outbd wing panel this morn.

The plans are from Lee Stengel with a span of 35" and 230 sq/in's.

I'm using a simple hook mechanism consisting of a magnet from one of those promo pocket screwdrivers epoxied in the fuse. and a rear joiner on the elevator that knocks it off the magnet near full down elevator. The hook mount is pretty stout, built like a spool - 1/4" dowel with 2 ply washers and a brass bushing and down stop. I grooved the magnet but I'm hoping the engine vibes won't deploy it too soon?
Wheels are vintage Perfect streamliners.

I still have to work out the linkage/ bellcrank assy. Hopefully I can finish this fall before it gets too cold. Too many projects, too little time.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2009, 09:36:26 PM »

Some more photos...

david smith · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2009, 09:58:27 PM »

Quote

Too many projects, too little time.

I understand completely!

That is an awesome looking Corsair. Cant wait to see more

David

Wayne J. Buran · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2009, 03:24:27 AM »

Keep going, this will be a pleasant change.
Wayne

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2009, 07:17:56 AM »

Cool, another one in Tulsa, that will make 5 if I haven't missed anybody.

Lookin good Doug, always like the Corsair.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2009, 08:19:39 AM »

That looks great. Had to go back and look again. Mount the bellcrank assembly inboard with a transfer rod. You should have made the guide adjustable, but that is only my opinion.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2009, 09:59:15 PM »

Well I looked at this stunt design and realized the wing was a little big for Carrier .15 @ 35" so I chopped a bay out of each outer wing panel and re-glued the tips on @ 31". It looks about right, still proportional, and with the symetrical airfoil should do alright in slow flight.

I got the bellcrank mount(s) epoxied on and hope to get that sorted out this week.

Looking for a Hot .15...any suggestions?

Bob Heywood · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:30:01 AM »

There are three (3) Cox Conquest .15 engines on eBay right now. Gotta get cookin'. A couple of them end in a few hours. Dig deep. Ain't gonna be cheap.

Bob

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:56:24 AM »

Doug, before you do anything might want to send an email to the club members and ask if anyone has anything. I can't help you but someone just might have a Cox stashed away. I'll ask Tom next time I talk to him..

john e. holliday · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2009, 10:13:12 AM »

Douglas, what ever you get for power make sure it is dependable. I have some engines that I spent more time tinkering than flying. The Corsair looks good.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2009, 03:13:30 PM »

Well I got my bellcranks sorted out this weekend.
I came up with a variation of the stacked bellcrank design by splitting the two bellcranks with a transfer bar and idler arm under the elevator bellcrank. Works sorta-like the parallelogram steering on your old Chevy.

The throttle line will pass thru the fuse. and exit at the first leadout guide. The other two are swept back far enough for good line tension, I think.
I left room to flip the throttle B/C if needed. Nothin' too exotic.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2009, 03:45:53 PM »

Lookin good Doug, be careful with that custom fabricated stuff, it's habit forming and can make a simple task turn into a project

roger · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2009, 03:49:20 PM »

@howed you do that canopy ?

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2009, 09:30:34 PM »

Quote from: roger on November 23, 2009, 03:49:20 PM

@howed you do that canopy ?

Very simple...I drew out the outline on the fuse and then cut a 1/16" balsa canopy frame, multi-pc. Finished with Z-poxy finishing resin.

-Nice 3D effect.

I'm sorting out the controls and "stops" right now.

Mike Lauerman · « **Reply #14 on:** December 25, 2009, 10:20:40 PM »

Quote from: roger on November 23, 2009, 03:49:20 PM
@howed you do that canopy ?

Very simple...I drew out the outline on the fuse and then cut a 1/16" balsa canopy frame, multi-pc. Finished with Z-poxy finishing resin. -Nice 3D effect.
***********************************************************************************************************

That is astounding in its design and application! My P35 Seversky has a particularly difficult canopy birdcage. Now I see what to do!
Also admiring the delicate machining on your control system. Very inspiring.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2010, 07:37:49 PM »

It's been a slow week, still waiting on my engine. Glued the tank on with RTV at a 10 deg angle and sealed the edges with caulking.
Yes this works! I pile drove a Banshee in with a 3.5 oz. Chicken hopper glued on and it never budged, didn't even split the edge seal! Two of the pipes were sure bent though.
Also rebuilt the LH tip by moving the leadout guide back to 5 deg. of sweep. Got bored so I lightened it with my Dremel

. Engine pads are also 5 deg.
Slopped some Z-poxy fin. resin on the fuse. and two coats of dope on the wings. Ready for Silkspan.

Looking forward to getting it in primer!

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2010, 07:39:41 PM »

I'll figure out the right pic quality/ compression one of these days...

Since I have all this blank space to type...How much tip weight are you guys using for say a 31" span? I currently have 1/2 oz. and know I need more for slow speed, but should I go to a full oz.?

skyshark58 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2010, 09:41:03 PM »

I would think the tank would be one of the last things to install. How are you going to get paint to stick to RTV ?

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2010, 10:31:08 PM »

Quote from: skyshark58 on January 01, 2010, 09:41:03 PM

I would think the tank would be one of the last things to install. How are you going to get paint to stick to RTV ?

...and sealed the edges with (paintable DAP adhesive/) caulking.
RTV doesn't show. Caulking is the oil/ fuel barrier. A layer of resin over that doesn't hurt either. Tank will be painted. All a grand experiment, but I've had good luck so far. Lee Thiel showed me this method.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2010, 07:58:01 AM »

I'd like to do this AD-6. I have a Brodak Skyraider kit and the plans/ hardware for a J Roberts JR-1 Corsair.
I'll probably do the Corsair next. F4U-4 in Gull Gray USN Reserve markings

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2010, 07:55:35 PM »

Silkspan went on great for my first attempt. One wrinkle I couldn't get out, even with dope and heat. Tips turned out surprisingly tight.
Engine is an ASP S15A offset 5 deg.
I really hate the way engine manf. place their mount holes so close to the crankcase. This leaves NO room for error when drilling and very little edge margin on the beams.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2010, 07:57:56 PM »

Like my leadout guard?

afml · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2010, 08:13:50 PM »

"Like my leadout guard?"

Y 4 U do that!???

Great looking build BTW!

MAny thanks for sharing and the neat technique on the canopy!

"Tight Lines!"

Wes

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2010, 04:49:04 AM »

This model has alot of dihedral in the outbd wing panels, plus the leadout guide is inset some from the tip. I didn't want the wires sawing thru the silkspan during slow flight. I'm probably over-engineering this, as usual. Easily removed...

Paul Smith · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2010, 06:07:16 AM »

Have you perfected the linkage from the bellcrank to the throttle yet?

It's always a chore, especially on a small size model. Best done pre-paint.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #25 on:** January 08, 2010, 10:18:10 AM »

Not yet. The throttle bellcrank is on the same side as the carb. lever so it's just a matter of getting around the tank. I figure a couple of 45 deg. bends and some measuring? Still piddling with the bellcrank. Got to get it designed to survive a pull test.

eric conley · « **Reply #26 on:** January 08, 2010, 10:49:41 AM »

The pull test for .15 carrier is 25 pounds so you shouldn't have to spend to much time worrying about that. On my profile carrier planes the bellcranks are always mounted behind the tank which is mounted behind the engine (less frontal area) and I have found the solution for routing the carb push rod is to run it through the tank using a section of 3/16" copper tubing. You can use a cable instead of a solid push rod. Eric

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #27 on:** January 09, 2010, 03:30:13 PM »

Quote from: eric conley on January 08, 2010, 10:49:41 AM

The pull test for .15 carrier is 25 pounds so you shouldn't have to spend to much time worrying about that. On my profile carrier planes the bellcranks are always mounted behind the tank which is mounted behind the engine (less frontal area) and I have found the solution for routing the carb push rod is to run it through the tank using a section of 3/16" copper tubing. You can use a cable instead of a solid push rod. Eric

Neat idea on the 'throttle conduit'. Are you talking about a sheathed cable (R/C pushrod) or ? These always had alot of friction, especially around tight bends. But a short run might be alright.

david smith · « **Reply #28 on:** January 09, 2010, 08:07:52 PM »

I used a short piece on my Spearfish and it worked pretty well. No bends though. I didnt feel like making a transfer shaft.

david

eric conley · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2010, 08:16:57 PM »

Looking at the picture of your plane it appears that you will have the bellcrank on the outside wing panel just behind the fuel tank. I would bolt the bellcrank in place behind the tank and then move the throttle lever on the bell crank back and forth and then mark on the back side of the tank the most neutral spot for the 3/16 copper tube to be located. Then visually look at the tank from above noting where the hole will be located at the back of the tank and then looking at the throttle arm (the point where the push rod cable will be located) on the carb which will be on the bottom of the plane. Draw a line on the top of the tank that goes from the back of the tank to the point where you will want it to exit at the front of the tank (a line across the top of the tank). Now I turn the plane around and look at it from the front and visualize where the 3/16 tube should come out at the front of the tank. I then mark that spot and if everthing looks good I drill the hole for the tube at the front of the tank and then I drill the hole at the back of the tank. The front hole is drilled from the front and the rear hole is drilled from the back. Insert the tube and solder in place. I have used both a solid wire (.046) or a flex cable (.056 for profile and .032 for .15 carrier).
This is much harder to spell out than it is to just do it. I'll try to send you a picture to your e-mail address that will make it a little clearer (I hope). Eric

roger · « **Reply #30 on:** January 10, 2010, 08:00:25 AM »

dont send it to his mail, send it here so we can all enjoy.

eric conley · « **Reply #31 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:36:34 AM »

Well Roger I tried to send the pictures I had with the above message but it seems I had to many KBs, actually it was into the MBs so will try to send them over several messages. The first one is from the rear and you will see that on this plane (F4U-1D) I had quite a bit of disstance between the bellcrank and the back of the tank so I didn't have to be very accurate in where the tube through the tank went on the back anyway. Eric

eric conley · « **Reply #32 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:44:49 AM »

Now on this picture you can see the cable coming out of the front of the tank and then going to the throttle arm on the carb. I try not to use any plastics while doing this for fear of binding. When you have run one of these planes a couple of times and the oil and fuel have been blown into every nook and cranny these cables or push rods move pretty easily especially when the vibration from the engine is factored in. Eric

eric conley · « **Reply #33 on:** January 10, 2010, 09:55:56 AM »

So here is a picture of the plane. I was told not to build a Corsair for "AMA Profile Carrier" because it would present handling problems but have found them to be quite stable. Sense I built this one around 4 years ago I have added a F2G-1 (super Corsair) and it has turned out as good or maybe just a little better than the F4U-1D. Easy to fly and they score well in the AMA Profile event. Eric

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #34 on:** January 10, 2010, 05:30:05 PM »

Beautiful Corsair Eric!
That Nelson .36 looks formidable.

I did a mock-up for our Club meeting today and made a throttle pushrod from 1/16" wire. It actually worked out better than I expected, two 45 deg. bends and a straight run to the carb. lever. My next one will use a std. JR bellcrank I think. I'll definitely keep the cable design as an option.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #35 on:** January 18, 2010, 09:51:43 AM »

Eric, I guess I had better get started on my Corsair. Did I ever thank you for the plans? Need to get something done. Even tho I have seen thottle cables and wire thru the tanks, never did it myself.

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #36 on:** January 27, 2010, 07:28:07 AM »

I never did anything wth carrier event, but am enjoying this posting. Beautiful model pictures, thanks.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #37 on:** October 31, 2010, 09:22:20 PM »

Well I'm getting close...The paint is Rust-oleum Smoke Gray (7786) and Night Tide (248631) which has a dark Teal tint to it. I should have used Royal Blue since it's an early Corsair , oh well. Have everything sorted out except the handle and leadouts.

What's a good Carrier prop for my ASP .15 (Magnum cousin)? The Chinese manual says an 8x4 for R/C. I noticed guys are running 7x6 and 7x5's on some .15's here. I have a T/F super M 7x6 on it's way from Fleabay for a start.

Any sources for U.S. National Insignia decals in ".15 size"? I'm considering hand painting these.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #38 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:20:36 AM »

Hi Doug, I ordered the decal sheet for the Brodak 1/2A twin Mustang, wanted to see if the stars/bars were close to the right size for the 15's. Just received them Saturday and they look pretty good. Next time you are over you can see what you think.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #39 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:12:35 AM »

Yeah, I surfed Towers site and found some, as usual most don't list the roundel sizes. Most are too big...or wrong shade of Blue.
I'll check out Brodaks. Poor kiddies nowadays, the North Pole is located in China.

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #40 on:** July 03, 2011, 07:28:56 PM »

Well, it flew! Not too proud of the finish, but it will look good at 20 ft. The engines fresh out of the box with a 7x6 APC and I got a 32+ sec. high speed. Still need to tweek some things like tail weight (CG), props and finish breaking in the engine, maybe a better carb. or try and smooth up the throttle barrel a little. Everything worked but it was obvious I needed to make a sprung gear or something. 2 crashes really took it's toll on the wire gear.

We all had a great time, first Carrier Fun Fly in Oklahoma since

(Tulsa Glue Dobbers)

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #41 on:** July 03, 2011, 08:02:19 PM »

Your Corsair did fantastic.. If it had a perry carb or better yet an OS car motor and a little trimming it would be as competitive in 15 as anything I've seen.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #42 on:** July 04, 2011, 08:06:16 AM »

Glad you guys had fun. Was really planning on being there. I know another excuse. The bank says I have no money even tho my check went in Friday AM. Amazing banks with all the computors and money not available until Tuesday because of the 4th. Poor old Bearcat thinks I have deserted it. Did get on the Dobber site after Church and lunch and saw nothing but vacant circle. Looked like carrier deck was still out or is that pavement?

Douglas Ames · « **Reply #43 on:** July 04, 2011, 09:10:14 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 04, 2011, 08:06:16 AM

Did get on the Dobber site after Church and lunch and saw nothing but vacant circle. Looked like carrier deck was still out or is that pavement?

That's 4" of Concrete and rebar. We started around 8 am and were done by 12:30-1 pm Too HOT by then! We would have loved to have ya, you could've taught us all something, lol.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #44 on:** July 04, 2011, 09:24:14 AM »

Agreed, would have been nice to have had a more experienced carrier guy in attendance. I think I was the most experienced, with a whole 4 official carrier flights over the last two years it was kinda like the blind leading the blind.

I would like to it again sometime in the fall after our stunt contest (last weekend in Sept.), maybe mid Oct.

eric david conley · « **Reply #45 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:51:33 AM »

Bob, there will be a contest in Albuquerque NM on August 20, 21 that will have carrier on the 21st. There should be several seasoned carrier flyer's in attendance including Bill Bischoff. Weather permitting this should be a interesting contest with quite a few carrier pilots. Eric

john grigsby · « **Reply #46 on:** July 04, 2011, 01:52:21 PM »

disregard

bill bischoff · « **Reply #47 on:** July 04, 2011, 02:08:08 PM »

First, apologies to co-worker John Grigsby. Somehow I was logged in on his account. Now...

Bob, the fall carrier contest in Dallas is October 23. Bring everybody! Have an event on a different weekend, and I'll try to attend. Another carrier contest in the district would be great. I was looking at attending your recent contest, but it was my impression that it was all for the Joe Just postal contest, which I was ineligible for.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #48 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:16:22 AM »

Quote from: bill bischoff on July 04, 2011, 02:08:08 PM

First, apologies to co-worker John Grigsby. Somehow I was logged in on his account. Now...

Bob, the fall carrier contest in Dallas is October 23. Bring everybody! Have an event on a different weekend, and I'll try to attend. Another carrier contest in the district would be great. I was looking at attending your recent contest, but it was my impression that it was all for the Joe Just postal contest, which I was ineligible for.

Hi Bill, you were right, we were using Joe's Postal rules and scoring. I thought it would be a good place to start and it turned out pretty well. Only item I didn't care for was the landing score, I was the only one that was able to hook up on the first pass and feel 50 or nothing is too strict for an intro event. Nothing against Joe's rules and this thread isn't really the place to be discussing it, sorry Doug.

Author Topic: My F4U Corsair .15 build (Read 4918 times)

david smith

david smith