TopFlite Giant Corsair

[rogerchr]

I have ordered the kit and should be here next week.

http://www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0410.html

I would like to use a AXI 5345/16 on 10 or /18 on 12 instead of a dual 5330/20. My idea is to build light for electric and cover with Monokote. I will also consider Neu or Hacker 80 etc but don't know anything about them I only have AXI motors and I use only Castle ESCs. I have a hv85 and hv110 available for this project.

I may have to use a 14s2p battery of A123 cells in the cowl to get the cg right without adding dead weight in the nose.

I was thinking of getting the Brian Taylor Corsair plans and parts from Bob Holman but understand they are getting hard to get now. Anyway the TF kit is on the way. There's a build thread of the BT here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652176&page=4&highlight=corsair) but no activity for a while.

[chalmrast]

Interesting project. What do you plan for retracts? This size is also a candidate for folding wings! Gear doors too!

[rogerchr]

Interesting project. What do you plan for retracts? This size is also a candidate for folding wings! Gear doors too!

I looked at Century Jet gear and the Robarts. Sierra GS and Shindin don't show any. I use the smaller CJ gear on my H9 Corsair - they're ok. I wonder if paying $100 more than the Robarts for CJs would buy me anything?

I am thinking about folding wings but not sure yet. How about a couple Black & Decker screwdrivers and leadscrews :rolleyes: The hinges and locking are my big question. I may just cut out a second set of wing parts and then I'll be ready to build a folding wing when I have a mechanism.

Gear doors are a desirable feature I don't like those round holes you see so much.


I got a UPS delivery date of Friday. Shipping weight is 39.8 pounds. I hope that is a lot of packaging. ;)

[chalmrast]

Well this plane is out of my league size-wise because of the limits of my local club field and of course the $$$$ to get a plane this big in the air on E-power!!

However, I am a Corsair nut and do have a CMP 58" Corsair. I had to shoehorn in Robart 615's but I did get them in and working.

No need to reinvent the wheel on the folding wings.... I believe Oregon Scale Aviation has a kit..

[KOMET 44]

roger ,shindin can make custom retracts for this bird I beleive.Just give him a e-mail. Or check over at rcscalebuilder ;)

KOMET44

[rogerchr]

The kit came today. A big 40 pound box. The kit box was double boxed and in good shape. No damaged parts were found. Heres the inventory.

[chalmrast]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Looks like a lumberyard!!

[appleflyer]

:eek: :eek:

wow!! looks like a long build. that looks like about 3 times the wood that came with my 80cc 101" sukhoi kit:eek::eek:

[Sabrejock]

I framed-up this kit for a pal. Its a pleasure to build. We put the Robarts gear in and he's been more than happy with them. They take a beating and keep on ticking! (He's done a couple of really bad landings with no ill effect).

Also Robarts parts, should you ever need them, are only a phone call away and easy to replace. Here's a pic. Tex.

[rogerchr]

Empanage framing complete. Sanding out on the patio will commence when we get a sunny afternoon. On to the wing center section. I'm going to order the Robart 148 retracts.

[rogerchr]

Method of positioning ribs on main spar while epoxy sets up.

[rogerchr]

Adding the aft sub ribs to the center section.

[TRWXXA]

Mmmmmmmmmmm... Riiiiiiiiiibs.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/435370/original/droolin-homer.jpg

[rogerchr]

My H9 Corsair is getting a set of flaps. Photo for size comparison. The TopFlite Corsair will weigh about three times as much as the H9. The Robart 148 retracts will be here Tues. or Wed.

[rogerchr]

The Robart retracts arrived yesterday. I will modify the retract mounting by lowering them into the wing about 3/16" to clear gear doors. I will make the doors after wing sheeting is complete but start out with circular wheel wells and then convert to doors later.

[Ron101]

moving right along... right on
looks good

[appleflyer]

looks nice.

[rogerchr]

Wing framed and sheeted now on to the fuselage. The Robart retractable tail gear will be here on Wed.

I saw a maiden of a converted Byron 84" Corsair last Saturday.

He had an AXI 5345/18 with 12 cell TP ProLite 8000 pack and Mejzlik 22/12. The takeoff was maybe 150 feet and climbout kinda slow but the speed was ok once he was up and flying around. His allup weight was 30 lbs so I'm encouraged that this one will fly fine at 25 lbs with a 20x12 prop.

[rogerchr]

Heres the fuse top next to my H9 60 size Corsair. I'm waiting for the air tank to come in so I can do the top sheeting then turn it over and start framing the bottom of the fuselage.

[rogerchr]

Start framing the fuse bottom...

[Ron101]

I'm doing a TF GS P-51 ARC right now.. just got the motor mounted today

Go with the AXI 5345/16 it's a high KV motor.. this is what I'm going to use..

I'm going to run two 6s 5000 30c/60 packs .. I feel with the higher punch of this packs and the extra power from the 5345/16

I can get a good flight time with proper throttle managment

I have watched videos from around the world .. with this motor it will be a beast.. with the right prop it should run around 125 mph

I'm also aiming for 25 pounds.. glassed and painted with a full cockpit

Your building yours really fast.. and it's looking great

Ron

[rogerchr]

Ron
I was planning to use the /16 motor on 10c until I saw the Byron fly with the /18 on 12c and decided to get that and use a larger prop than I had planned. I have also been advised by Castle Creations that a Neu 1512/2y on my 12c2p A123 and 22x12 APC would be a good choice but 12c/3p would be better for longer flight times.

Henry
The KMP 72" Corsair is flying at our field. It's a nice plane and flys well. I considered that for months but decided to build the TF GS Corsair even though I thought it would be torture because I haven't built a kit for a long time but I am really enjoying this build. :D I'd love to have a 100" Corsair but that won't happen until I win the lottery. :D

I am stopped on construction until I figure out how to set up a gasoline/electric power system like Bladerunner1955 is using for electric only.

The airplane will have two power modules consisting of motor, batteries, ESC, cowl and prop on the removable electric module and engine, tank, throttle servo, cowl and prop on the gasoline module. Four bolts, accessable through the replica radial engine in the cowl, will attach the module to the existing firewall.

I will focus on the electric module now but give consideration to the petrol version.

[gnats82]

rogerchr -

Looks like an exciting build!

How 'scale' are you going to go? If doing an F4U-A/D, the turtle deck behind the canopy will need some modification with a short flat in the profile. Does wornders for the appearance...

[rogerchr]

rogerchr -

Looks like an exciting build!

How 'scale' are you going to go? If doing an F4U-A/D, the turtle deck behind the canopy will need some modification with a short flat in the profile. Does wornders for the appearance...

Hey gnats
I'm not a scale builder. The plans do show a negative angle change of the td just aft of the cockpit area. Do you have a photo?

[gnats82]

rogerchr -

I do but probably easier to Google images for Corsairs. The F4U-4 and later there were some canopy and turtledeck changes too, along with cowl length and scoops. I think Top Flite just went with an average of them all for a general outline so one has to build in the details as they see fit.

Not trying to nitpick, but in scratch-building just note things that I see that some of the kits and arf's miss.

[rogerchr]

Fuse basic framing nearly complete.

The AXI 5345 motor bolts to the aluminum plate which bolts to the front of the motor box. The motor box is attached to the plywood disk which is attached to the front bulkhead with four #8 bolts. The cowl is attached to the plywood disk. Batteries can be placed inside the motor box which is nearly 5" x 6" and this space extends 15" back from the motor plate. This entire space is in front of the CG.

The motor should be here next week.

[rogerchr]

Still waiting for the motor...

[Bladerunner1955]

Roger,
Flew the corsair today. The first flight was looking good then it seemed like I had a glitch and lost control for about 3 seconds, it was flying level and just glitched???? Landed and went over everything and did a long distance check. All seemed good so I loaded up another set of 12 cells and took off. Take off was nice,went into the first turn started coming back towards us and it stoped recieving signal????? If I would not have had the first glitch I would say tip stall. But I am wondering about the reciever. I had two reciever packs on it with two switches.
Any of you guys hear of this happening with the Spectrum 7 radio set up? I have not yet had any problems with this radio. I actualy wish it was just a tip stall and be done with it. But now I am questioning the radio,,,I know I know it is always the radio right? NEXT project to come.
Bladerunner

[rogerchr]

Don

I had that happen to my first H9 Corsair. I have read that if your receiver voltage drops too low or has a power glitch the receiver will sense the momentary voltage drop and the microprocessor will reboot. This used to take like three seconds or more but I have heard the newer software shipping with them (AR7000) now is faster. I just watched my Corsair go into a spin and never come out from 300 feet and I had no control at all till after it hit. I wasn't using receiver battery packs I used a BEC. After the crash I plugged in another big battery pack and tested the wreckage and everything worked fine. I think it's worth contacting Spectrum and getting an opinion from them. I sent that receiver in to them and they found no problem. It's been a year and a half since that and I haven't had a problem since but I do not push my luck with flight times because I'm still using BECs and no onboard flight pack.

Another area I have had problems with are the receiver power on/off switches. Those can become intermittent due to wear and corrosion and you won't notice it until its too late. A safer alternative is to use a minature version of the Deans plugs we use for big battery disconnects.

Any chance you can repair the Corsair? Give it to Askergard or Kenny.

Roger.

[Bladerunner1955]

I was using 2 reciever packs and 2 switches just for this reason. I tested both of the 2300, 5 cell packs and they were both the same at almost 7 volts after the crash. The corsair was a total loss.

[Ron101]

Don!!
So sorry to hear about your plane man
the video looked really sweet...
no matter how good are gear gets .. theres always a chance she'll go in

keep your chin up and move on

sorry bud
Ron

[Bladerunner1955]

Thanks Ron, I just thought I had all of my bases covered? Things like this do happen. If you want to run with the dogs don't p--- like a puppy. Next project is a 3 Sea Bees 101" DH bomber. Almost assembled already.

[rogerchr]

That will be ready before my 72" DH Mosquito.

[SCALEFAN]

Hey Roger, how ya doin?

I got the KMP giant Corsair last August, still waiting for the retracts. Why don't you just buy it from me, new in the box, and save some build time?. :D :D... I haven't seen a build thread on it yet, you can be the first, do two at the same time.

I just finished two or three planes this month and thought that I was the fastest ARF builder on the planet, but then there was Bladerunner. What the heck, there is always somone faster on the draw.

Yep, I was so proud that one of them was the electric Skyshark P-40, then I saw Bladerunner's video. Geeze, I give up.

take care

Al

[Bladerunner1955]

Hey Roger, I just ordered a new Futaba 7 ch radio about 5 mins ago. I would be thinking twice about using the Spectrum radio after the things I have heard back from the people I had question out to?????

[rogerchr]

Hey Roger, I just ordered a new Futaba 7 ch radio about 5 mins ago. I would be thinking twice about using the Spectrum radio after the things I have heard back from the people I had question out to?????

Hey Al.

Don
I have zero experience with Futaba radios. I have used Airtronics radios for years before I swiched to Spectrum radios. I only have had one lost plane with Spectrum which was my fault, I just ran the battery too low and the receiver rebooted and crashed before I got control back. I have 9 Spectrum receivers now so I will continue to use them but I want to hear about your input from others (out at the field). I don't want to start a hell of a fight over radios in this thread. If I get a different radio it will probably be a JR.

I'm doing some research on power control systems too. There are a number of control modules out there to distribute power to the receiver and servos. Or maybe just run the receiver on redundant 7.4v batteries and the servos on redundant Castle Creations regulated 6v BECs like I was planning to do.

I don't mind spending more on these more expensive and time consuming planes to improve reliability.

Did you get the DH bomber in the air yet?

[rogerchr]

Today I got a bunch of stuff that I ordered. The only thing I need now is the cowl from Fiberglass Specialties. The pilot looks really good except for his hair which looks like a paint job but with the helmet on he's ok.

He fits in the cockpit seat with his chute. I need to put on his Mae West and his pistol belt and holster for his .45 Colt.

Enough playing with dolls I still have 11 pages of construction to do.

[dag214]

Today I got a bunch of stuff that I ordered. The only thing I need now is the cowl from Fiberglass Specialties. The pilot looks really good except for his hair which looks like a paint job but with the helmet on he's ok.

He fits in the cockpit seat with his chute. I need to put on his Mae West and his pistol belt and holster for his .45 Colt.

Enough playing with dolls I still have 11 pages of construction to do.
How many inches tall is that Pilot?

Thanks, DAG

[rogerchr]

How many inches tall is that Pilot?

Thanks, DAG

12 inches.

http://www.badcataviation.com/getapeppi16d.html

[dag214]

12 inches.

http://www.badcataviation.com/getapeppi16d.html

Thanks,
The pilot looks great, just to Big for my B-36D

Thanks, DAG

[rogerchr]

Ready to start laying up glass cloth for the gear doors.

[RiBell]

Ready to start laying up glass cloth for the gear doors.
Before you do if I'm not too late.
A trick that Dave Platt show in his video series.
Get some Monokote. iron it onto the wing where the gear doors go.
then fiberglass right on top of the Monokote. The fiberglass part will pop off the just as slick as if it was in a mold. I don't remember for sure but he might have waxed the Monokote first. The most important thing here is to make sure that you use a high temp iron on film. The low temp films will have a problem due to the heat from the resin as it cures.
Rick

[rogerchr]

There is a layer of Saran wrap under the cloth. This works well from what I am told. I considered monokote too.

Before you do if I'm not too late.
A trick that Dave Platt show in his video series.
Get some Monokote. iron it onto the wing where the gear doors go.
then fiberglass right on top of the Monokote. The fiberglass part will pop off the just as slick as if it was in a mold. I don't remember for sure but he might have waxed the Monokote first. The most important thing here is to make sure that you use a high temp iron on film. The low temp films will have a problem due to the heat from the resin as it cures.
Rick

[RiBell]

There is a layer of Saran wrap under the cloth. This works well from what I am told. I considered monokote too.
OK good. you've got some way; better than the masking tape only that, can be seen in the pic; to get it to pop off once it's cured.
Rick

[rogerchr]

I should have used the waxed monokote instead of the saran wrap but the doors are still going to work. What I've got is two layers of 5oz cloth which is way too flexible without inside bracing. So I'm looking at 16oz woven fiberglass "roving" used for parts fabrication. I would add this to the inside of the parts or add plywood frame strips. The parts only weigh 1.2oz. They are solid enough to reinforce off of the wing so I'm moving on to mount the retracts and build the flaps and ailerons now.

[rogerchr]

While starting the retract install I noticed the gear both have toe-out. The right has a small amount but the left is way out. I'm going to contact Robart to find out how to correct that. I always use a bit of toe-in to make the takeoff more controlled.

[minitelemaster]

updates? Too beautiful an airplane to stop the thread!

[rogerchr]

updates? Too beautiful an airplane to stop the thread!

It's pretty much all framed and sheeted. The six flaps are in process. I have all the needed materials to finish but I have delayed working on it by my work and I'm building an 80" Hangar 9 P-47 Thunderbolt. The Corsair will fly this summer. Then I'm going to build an 88" Dave Platt Spitfire which I got earlier this year.

[doonbt13]

From the looks of whats on your wall you like to frame things. Do you ever cover anything???? :)

Looks great! what is the Stearman framed on the wall?

[rogerchr]

From the looks of whats on your wall you like to frame things. Do you ever cover anything???? :)

Looks great! what is the Stearman framed on the wall?

That wall has Guillows models I framed while healing a collar bone. Fokker DR-1, PBY Catalina, F14, F15, F16, PT-17 and DC-3. I like them in the bones.

Actually the Stearman could fly with one of the little bitty AXI motors I bought and never used. Maybe when I get over big models I'll take it down and get out the tissue.

[minitelemaster]

Wow you have a lot of projects going on. Judging by your wall, you hate covering almost as much as me ;)

[Jeff Glasser]

I'm enjoying your build.
Heres a pic of my Guillows Stearman converted to electric. I've been making models since the '50s, and thought this was a pig of kit. still, thats only my opinion. see how much lead it needed!
I too think it's a shame to cover airframes!