Official FlightLine F4U-1A Corsair 1600mm (63") Wingspan

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hey y'all,

Taxi test done, needed about a 1/4" of right rudder trim to straighten the tail wheel.

Adjusted the tail wheel steering linkage and all is well.

Tamms took some vid and pics of a 'proud papa'.

With some luck, first check flight nearer the end of the week, as lawn maintenance, fall chores, and higher winds than I like are imminent for a few days.

Best, LB

A very handsome model. The Corsair's not too shabby either. (Must've expected that with such an easy setup) 🤣

[Elbee]

A very handsome model. The Corsair's not too shabby either. (Must've expected that with such an easy setup) 🤣

I showed Tamms your post and she asked that you not encourage me further.

Between the wind, commitments here at the homestead: read, "but you promised.", and getting new shoes for my C70, looks like Monday/Tuesday for the check flight.

Really looking forward to that, btw, might use Tamm's DJI camera drone, if she's up for it and get some aerial shots.

Kind of a lot to do for the first check flight, but we'll see.

Best, Steve

[Elbee]

Hey Y'all,

Tamms and I are heading out to the largest flying field (Lake Afton) I know of in the area in just a bit.

Winds are still higher than I like (South at 15-18 mph and gusty by my little weather station) for a first check flight, but nothing beats a failure like a try.

We'll see once we're out there if the winds will cooperate.

In any event, I should get my actual range check and long taxi tests out of the way.

CG at or near 105 with a 5500 mah pack all the way forward,

I am bringing along a 6200 mah just because those are all I have after the one 5500.

Pictures no matter what, but this is about the check flight, so trust all will go as expected, .

More when there is more.

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Good luck Steve all Will go as expected

[Elbee]

Thanks for the good luck. I needed it for the first 10 seconds she was up.

[Elbee]

Corsair Lovers,

First check flight complete.

Love this model in the air and on the ground.

Winds were quartering at 15 mph, however, gusty.

My take away:

Low rates should be the high rates in both roll and pitch.

No take off flaps required, IMHO

I used the take-off flap setting and she was off in less than 30 feet at what I believe was half throttle.

This came as quite a surprise and nearly cost me the day.

Right rudder compensates and ‘cat like’ reflexes ended with no issues.

She flew like rock solid, landed as expected in the take-off flap setting.

Special shout out to all who commented to ‘fly her home’.

Next time out, I’ll put her through the paces.

My very best to this Corsair community who followed me through this build.

It was no doubt tedious for you at times, but I am grateful for your support.

On to the next build, either the Tomcat or the Mitchell, hmm…Comments/questions?

Respectfully, LB

[f4u ausie]

Yeeaa.. must b satisfing,, after such a tedius ,dtailed, maticulas. Long build, it must of been nervewracking.. congrats,, dont ya luv it when a plan comes together? Nice to have first flight jitters outa the way.. bet ya it looks awsome in the air again congrats

[Evan D]

Congrats!

[Coconut]

Nice, Elbee. That's where I normally fly. I haven't flown in months, though.

[jetfool]

Way to go, Elbee. See looks beautiful in the air and of course back on the ground. Will you fly the blue blazes out of it or is it destined for a Museum? Beautiful Craftsmanship

Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

f4u ausie Evan D Coconut jetfool

I thank you gentlemen. Might get an opp to get her out again this Fall.

It is quite the thing to actually have 'finished' this build.

So much of "life" got in the middle of this one.

I think Tamms was as tickled and happy as I was to see her in the air.

I do think I will leave the museum pieces to the Master Builder and all round good guy, davegee

Now it's on to the next one, just don't know which way to go, jet/warbird.

Although, this is a great problem to have, any preference?

Best, Steve

[f4u ausie]

Would have loved an lb inspired zeek..but someone at fwing has too long a memory..(it would have sold well) oh well,, as awsome as the jets r,, nothing is more nostalgic,, and fitting for u or davegee to put there hands on than a ww2 warbird(4me anyway) that being said a doolittle insired b25 im sure he is doing one.. (dave) only trouble those working cowl flaps(pure art) means double trouble .. just my 2 cents

[Elbee]

Yeah, leaning towards the Mitchell Bomber.
I have a design at Callie's, but it's been there for months waiting on me to finalize.
Did that last week.
I haven't started putting together the Tomcat livery, but I have chosen the one I'll do.
Always good to have a 2nd opinion, Doc.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Corsair Lovers,

First check flight complete.

Love this model in the air and on the ground.

Winds were quartering at 15 mph, however, gusty.

My take away:

Low rates should be the high rates in both roll and pitch.

No take off flaps required, IMHO

I used the take-off flap setting and she was off in less than 30 feet at what I believe was half throttle.
[FONT=Arial]This came as quite a surprise and nearly cost me
[FONT=Arial]She flew like rock solid, landed as expected in the take-off flap setting.
Respectfully, LB

Outstanding Steve, and here the Vegas betting line overwhelmingly had that it would be a Hangar Queen, but you came through in the clutch!

She does hate sticking to the ground on takeoff and desperately wants to be in the air. That's my only concern flying her, premature ejection.

I'm forced to accelerate slowly till the tail comes up, then orient it with a 5 degree nose down attitude as I slowly bring throttle up, allowing me to get airborne at my convenience, not hers. But she does fly like a thing of beauty.

[Elbee]

I'm forced to accelerate slowly till the tail comes up, then orient it with a 5 degree nose down attitude as I slowly bring throttle up, allowing me to get airborne at my convenience, not hers. But she does fly like a thing of beauty.

Hugh, Thank you, the build is about the anticipation of the first check flight.

I love the way this one flies. Looking forward to a second flight soon.

Great summary, you use the take-off flap setting, right?

She does 'want' to fly, of that there is no doubt.

So, which way did you bet that line.

Best, Steve

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh, Thank you, the build is about the anticipation of the first check flight.

I love the way this one flies. Looking forward to a second flight soon.

Great summary, you use the take-off flap setting, right?

She does 'want' to fly, of that there is no doubt.

So, which way did you bet that line.

Best, Steve

I'm afraid I bet the wrong line, as usual.

I actually now do use take off flaps, just started doing that the last 20 flights or so. Before, maybe 70 flights without flaps (after 40 first flights with) as I thought it didn't need them, As you do. Then let an accomplished pilot fly it and he used take off flaps and suggested I should as well, so last bunch of flights with them.

Following is why, certainly not because, as Sgt. Shultz says, "I Know Nothingggg!" when it comes to wing aerodynamics, but a gut feeling.

The take off flaps seem to help keeping the nose slightly down, thwarting or at least limiting any premature take off. Secondly, if I do get off a little early before enough air flow over the wing to cause a stall, the slight stall to the left is not as bad with the extra lift on the wings from the flaps.

On Landing I use massive flap deflection, well over 45 degrees (which results in very little lift and mostly drag). Only because it looks nasty landing with that much flaps. Maybe that's why I land at 40% throttle.

This is all pure conjecture and has no scientific basis in fact that I know of, but then in my case, ignorance is bliss!

[Grossman56]

40% wow!! I have my timer set to chirp at 25% and that's where I center my landing speed with full flaps. It really comes down to the rate of descent, your forward momentum (which is controlled by your throttle obviously) determines the amount of lift therefore your descent speed.

[Grossman56]

I agree, I use half flaps on all my warbirds for take off with the exception of the FL 1600mm Spitfires. With the huge amount of lift those wings have, they are the only warbird so far that I've found doesn't need it. Also, when I have one, I'll use half flaps on my Avanti. I've had Avanti 1 leave the ground with not enough lift on the wings and it went crazy. Half flap and I keep it on the ground for about 2 seconds longer than a prop bird, seems to work for me.

Grossman56

[Hugh Wiedman]

I agree, I use half flaps on all my warbirds for take off with the exception of the FL 1600mm Spitfires. With the huge amount of lift those wings have, they are the only warbird so far that I've found doesn't need it. Also, when I have one, I'll use half flaps on my Avanti. I've had Avanti 1 leave the ground with not enough lift on the wings and it went crazy. Half flap and I keep it on the ground for about 2 seconds longer than a prop bird, seems to work for me.

Grossman56

I also have my TX telling me when I get to a certain throttle position, on the Corsair I have 2, both of which actually call out the exact throttle %, first at 40% (which is my approach setting with about 55 degrees of flaps providing a ton of drag) then again at 30%, which I go to when level and about 1 foot off the deck and land it there.

[Grossman56]

Yep, a little thing like a chirp when your at a throttle position gives you a lot of consistency. I find myself paying the most attention to what people are using for approach and landing settings, the rest of the flight doesn't mean a damn if you crash on landing!

[Aros]

Corsair Lovers,

First check flight complete.

Love this model in the air and on the ground.

Winds were quartering at 15 mph, however, gusty.

My take away:

Low rates should be the high rates in both roll and pitch.

No take off flaps required, IMHO

I used the take-off flap setting and she was off in less than 30 feet at what I believe was half throttle.

This came as quite a surprise and nearly cost me the day.

Right rudder compensates and ‘cat like’ reflexes ended with no issues.

She flew like rock solid, landed as expected in the take-off flap setting.

Special shout out to all who commented to ‘fly her home’.

Next time out, I’ll put her through the paces.

My very best to this Corsair community who followed me through this build.

It was no doubt tedious for you at times, but I am grateful for your support.

On to the next build, either the Tomcat or the Mitchell, hmm…Comments/questions?

Respectfully, LB

Thank the Flight Angels! I would have ruined my week if I heard some less-than savory news on your maiden. She's a functional piece of art! So glad the maiden went well my dear friend.

Now enjoy her!

[Elbee]

Aros thanks, that means a great deal. Best, LB

[jetfool]

Guys I have a transmitter question. My Futaba 7c transmitter needs a new battery, 9.6v. Looks like the original type nicad is not available. What do you recommend for replacement? Thanks, Rex

[Elbee]

Guys I have a transmitter question. My Futaba 7c transmitter needs a new battery, 9.6v. Looks like the original type nicad is not available. What do you recommend for replacement? Thanks, Rex

Hey Rex,

does your old TX battery look like this?

This is 7.2 volt, however.

Also, check this battery out.

9.6 volt fro Futaba TXs.

https://batteriesamerica.com/products/nt8jy

Best, Steve