I've always had interest in the Corsairs, especially the F2G-1. In fact, it's my second favorite Warbird.

Unfortunately no kits are available for this particular aircraft, the F2G-1.

So, I've decided to draw plans for this model, using outlines from the F4U. The F2G-1 is actually a modified F4U Corsair. Engine change, rudder area increased, bubble canopy few other things, but still basically the same Corsair outlines.

The finished model probably won't be 100% scale but will be reasonably close. Greatest change will be the airfoil.

Nothing to share yet, except a preliminary profile drawing of the fuselage and dreams.

Not the best photo, sorry about that.

I do hope there's interest.

Corsair F2G-1:
65.5" in span.
53" in length.
851.5 sq. in.

Charles

 

Bill,

At the moment I'm considering an OS 90 4C. Only because I have one NIB.

The engine can be dealt with down the road a bit. The cowling is 7" in diam., or there about, so there's plenty of room for a good engine choice.

Thanks for the reply.

Charles

I guess that the .90 would probably work.  With in excess of 800 sq. in. WS and so much frontal drag, it will have to be on a diet to stunt much.  With that much airframe, weight could build up very quickly to where performance would greatly suffer.BIG Bear RNMM/AMM

Bill,

I'll just have to be careful with my calories.

The model, like the aircraft, will have fabric covering in areas. Like the rudder for one example.

Not a quick drawing. This drawing will be used as my "parts to cut" drawing/template, for the rudder.

Stock F4U rudder at this scale is 8.375" in height. The F2G-1 rudder had an increase in height to create more area. Couple of inches.

Charles

This is going to be one great how-to post.  Keep up the good work.  Looks like a must read for all who want to learn.         

Couple of quick tasks for the rudder.

Left and right pieces cut and assembled.

The actual aircraft's rudder has fabric and the aluminum sheet structure on the actual aircraft's rudder is the same outline as my cut balsa. Probably overkill, but scale detail none the less.

That detailed edge will be visible when finished. Scuffed from weathering will also make that edge more pronounced.

Aerosol can paint sprayed on the template, transfers paper template outlines to balsa quickly.

Charles

How much does that assembly weigh?
Chris...

Chris,

I have no idea because I haven't weighed it. Care to guess?

Charles

I understand what Chris means here, just that small piece of the build is somewhat overdone for the function it performs - or at least it looks it.

Just be aware what the progressive weight tally is going to be or it could end up un-flyable.

Charles,
are you weighing your balsa? the density of the wood makes  a profound difference in the finished weight,, owning a small scale is one of the paramount concerns in modeling functional flyable models,,

Here's what I have to show for a couple of hours work, not including drawings.

Vertical stab, trim tab and the bottom addition to the rudder still remains.

I will take this to the PO today, see what the rudder weighs at this stage.


Charles

Chris,

I have no idea because I haven't weighed it. Care to guess?

Charles

850 squares is a little bigger than my usual, 760 to 770.

My horizontal, with elevator, hinges, horn and in sanding sealer ready to paint color weigh 2.8 oz. if you're wondering about the difference between stunting in C/L and going around and around, this is it, weight control.

You mentioned a stuntable Scale model, that's why I posted.
Your wood looked heavy with deep grain, and there were a "ton" of parts, looked like a build thread for a 10 lbs R/C Scale model.
If the model weighs more than 90 oz completed with paint, it won't stunt.

Chris...

Excellent! Here's some inspiration...http://www.air-and-space.com/Goodyear%20F2G.htm

FYI- Vought sourced the canopy from a P-47, some had a sub-rudder, some did not.

Doug,

There's a photo I've never seen! Thanks for that.

Yes, "sub" rudder. The F2G-1 did have an increase in rudder area. If you look at the drawing, this added rudder area is included beneath the normal rudder. I have yet to make it. Possibly over the weekend I'll work on the rest of the pieces to the rudder assembly.

The added rudder deflected automatically when the flaps and gear were lowered. Aircraft that had no operational flaps, were without this extra rudder.

Have you had good luck with spackling over, say spot putty?

I've always looked at spackling as a "wood filler." I've only used it over naked wood and wood that has had a chemical applied to it for saturation, like thinned dope or thinned resin. The Automotive "spot putty," of which I believe you refer, I've used only over primed areas to fill really small imperfections.

There are heavier/thicker spackling compounds, that I imagine, could be used over putty, but I have never used spackling over any primed surface or automotive putty.

Thanks for that photo and the interest!

Charles

 

If you like gull wing stunters then check this out (post 8 has the pic) -http://controlline.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7163&highlight=wayne

Chris,

Thanks so much for that link!

What a great design! Certainly styled after the Corsair, but much more than that.

Check out the wheel pants as part of the wing structure. Clever. Nicely painted also.

Sorry to read the model is no more. I'm going to try to get plans for that model. For sure!!

Thanks again,

Charles

Chris,

Thanks so much for that link!

What a great design! Certainly styled after the Corsair, but much more than that.

Check out the wheel pants as part of the wing structure. Clever. Nicely painted also.

Sorry to read the model is no more. I'm going to try to get plans for that model. For sure!!

Thanks again,

Charles

Charles

The model in the picture is a replica of a Goodyear racer referred as "Lovings Love", rather than a model of a Corsair.The giveaway is the treatment of the wheels and pants. The model is also painted in the style of the original racer. The original had a horizontally opposed engine, not the radial of the Corsair. I have forgotten his name, but about 20 years ago there was a gentleman who campaigned a replica of the Lovings Love in the scale competitions. It was a great looking airplane, but he always seemed to have engine troubles.

Jim Fruit

Jim,

Beat you to it! I want one of these!!

Check this out! I'll pitch a book. There's a great photo of the aircraft in a PDF file along with three views, but I had trouble with the download.

Copied text.

""By the standards of his youth, the late Neal Loving had no business in aviation; he was a poor black kid, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in Detroit in the late 1930s and eventually was disqualified for Air Corps because of a supposed heart condition, only to lose his legs in glider accident. Many such tales can leave the reader exhausted as the author slogs through one battle after another, soldiering on - however, Mr. Loving's account, while not diminishing the obstacles and prejudices of his day, is refreshing, dwelling on the successes and triumphs. This is Mr. Loving's story, self-told in an engaging fast-paced style that had me reading the entire book in one very enjoyable day.

What caught my childish eye many decades ago was Mr. Loving's exquisite little aircraft: "Loving's Love." As a kid growing up in the 1950s, I was captivated by the shapely lines, the curvaceous inverted gull-wing and the amazing speed he got out of an 85hp engine. Originally designed to be a Goodyear Racer, Neal arrived on the racing scene just as the racing class was fading, nonetheless, he qualified it for racing even though by then he was a double amputee. He eventually turned "Loving's Love" into a cross country speedster, visiting much of the South Eastern United States, pre-Castro Cuba and Jamaica where he eventually found his bride - all while operating a busy flying service.

Well after his fortieth birthday, Neal went on to complete an aeronautical engineering degree -- eventually becoming among other things the USAF's expert on high altitude clear air turbulence. I've known about the little airplane for decades, now I know a little about the rest of the story and the indefatigable, passionate aviator who built it. Highly recommend. ""

Captain Sir, you did say stuntship right?

Captain Sir, you did say stuntship right?

Randy,

I moved the project down here to "Scale." Scale building is what I do anyway.

I'll build this model as a scale model of the #57. Will it stunt? Probably not in the manner of which most would look at stunt. But I'll bet any money I'll get a good loop out of it.

I found a way to have flaps in both directions, then, for landings, just lowered flaps. The ailerons will not be flaps.

Charles

Well, as I said, Here's the final side view of the F2G-1.

The green represents the fuselage I'll be working from. A standard F4U-1, from the H9 R/C ARF.

Now with this final side view I'll have enough line information to create the parts needed for the conversion to the F2G-1.

As you can see the differences are numerous. I've already received the engine, I'm working on a custom canopy and hopefully separate canopy frame, plus a custom cowling.

Charles

Well, not much to tell but, I had a bit of time today to progress with the F2G-1, actually the #57.

Here's what 15 minutes bought me. Not a lot actually. Just the lower rudder. Build hollow and you will build light. Well, whenever possible.

I'm waiting on dope so I can't actually continue with the rudder. Trailing edge and leading edge will be shaped when the rudder has coats of dope and gets covered with silk. Same with the trim tab.

I'll probably layout the pieces for the vertical stab or possibly move on to the front fuselage area. Not looking forward to that.

Charles

Looks good! How much of the original ARF fuse do you think you'll have left? Are you going to scrap the wing and build new?

Douglas,

Thanks for your reply and interest.

If you examine the drawing of the fuselage, you will see the ARF fuselage outlined in green marker. I did this so the ARF fuselage could be identified. What's left is line art that is the #57 Corsair.

I have much to add to the doner fuselage actually. However, the nose structure on the F4U ARF from H9, which is the doner fuselage, has to have material removed around the firewall area to allow for correct scale construction changes necessary to achieve the look of the #57.

There's much to do there, but it won't be a secret, the work, which I'll do in steps will get Posted.

I was gong to build another wing at first. This was when I was considering making this Corsair a Stunt Corsair. However, I've now decided to go scale instead, so the wings and airfoil can be used. I may change the wing incidence a bit, I'm looking into this.

Thanks for the reply and interest.

Charles 

Put in a little time today building the structure for the vertical stab. It is thick enough to be built up.

What's left is the skin that goes over this frame, both sides. Area under the lower rudder will be last.

Front and rear fairings will be done with the rudder in place on the fuselage. That's a ways away.

Charles

Walter A. Musciano just recently published his ultimate Corsair book.  The book is HEAVY.

And here is another good reference on the Corsair.  This has color graphics of virtually every version of the Corsair.
If you are collecting any informtion on the Corsair, this one is worth a look.  Amazon shows a good price on a used one.

Trostle,

I know of that book, it is a really good one. I may consider it. Keep in mind, my interest is the #57 and most of these books only touch on the #57.

I do have over thirty photos of the #57 which will aid me with the paint issue. Got them on line.

Thanks again!

Charles

Not a particularly good scan, but you get the idea of what is in this book  The book has a chapter, 8 pages, on the racing Corsairs, lots of color.  This shows the sunburst color scheme on the bottom of the wing.  The entire book is printed on glossy paper. Keith

Not a particularly good scan, but you get the idea of what is in this book  The book has a chapter, 8 pages, on the racing Corsairs, lots of color.  This shows the sunburst color scheme on the bottom of the wing.  The entire book is printed on glossy paper. Keith

Keith,

You have the book!

That top illustration of the #57 isn't the aircraft I'm modeling, the cowling is different. I believe that particular #57 is the first Corsair done up that way. The #57 I'm doing is newer. Still flying today.

Your book may have the info?

Charles

Keith,

You have the book!

That top illustration of the #57 isn't the aircraft I'm modeling, the cowling is different. I believe that particular #57 is the first Corsair done up that way. The #57 I'm doing is newer. Still flying today.

Your book may have the info?

Charles

Charles --  I have lots of books  --

This book that has informatin on the racing Corsairs only tells part of the story that Chris provided.  The series of books titled "Racing Planes and Air Racers" by Reed Kinert, particularly Volume IV, also only tells part of the story about Cook and his Corsairs.  I would use any information that Chris provides as authoritive material.


Keith

OK, it's been awhile but I am making slow progress.

Back on track with the #57 and looks like I've created some problems for myself.

Just got back my laser cut parts for the scale tail wheel.

Let's see.

This thingie goes with that thingie and these two thingies get glued to those thingies but that thingie gets glassed first and can't fit this thingie until this other thingies is attached to..

Where's the bloody drawing?   

Charles

Well, it's time to bring this Thread to the front!

I'm progressing with the rudder. Here's a few photos.

I haven't applied silk in over 49 years, not to say I had a bit of trouble.

But thanks to the great guys at SH, Guys like Mark, Dan, Bill, Billy, Ed, Randy, and many others, with their advice and patients and generosity, I managed.

I first doped the tail end of The New American. Couple of issues there, but like I said, the guys got me through it.

The rudder, no issues at all. I paid attention to advice this time. Three coats of Sig clear on the wood before applying the silk and I was good to go.

Couple of models down the road and I'll be giving advice! 

Thanks again guys, probably would have been more difficult without you.

Hey! Starting to look like a rudder.

Charles 

Am loving this build Charles.  Thanks for all your posts, always informative.

Glenn,

Wow! Thanks so much, we modelers do love encouragement. Few words but great words!

I put another coat of Sig dope on this morning. I'll cover the other side later today. When my knees stop shaking. Just kidding?

I'm lucky with this build. I don't have to build the fuselage or wings. However, both need many changes. Sometimes it's easier to start from scratch.

The F2G fuselage is really different than the typical Corsair. I'll be busy with that. I'm adding flaps to the wing.

I will try to make this model as close to scale as possible.

Thanks again!

Charles

Charles,
one of the things you were warned about ( and you always follow advice you say) is to NOT cover ONE side at a time,, always cover both sides, especially before putting any dope on the silk,,,, doing it one side at a time is a great way to end up with a sculpture,, twisted and unusable