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

[Steven L]

My Corsair Birdcage. Not yet maidened.

[davegee]

Had a good visit with Dave and got a lot of information plus, he printed me an instrument panel that will be put to good use. I pointed out that the base fuse is the same whether its a bubble top or birdcage, you can see the slight crack aft of the cockpit where the piece is glued in. See the line?


A big thanks to Dave for his help.
Got the 'dots' on the second wing completed last night, time consuming but looks pretty darned cool. several washes of thinned out medium brown and the panel lines stand out nicely. A bit more painting then I'll take the wings off to do the undersides.
Has anyone got a good pic of the actual birdcage cockpit? I'm interested on just exactly how the rear view mirror was mounted in the canopy 'blister'.
Anyway, lots of work to be done lots of fun to be had.
BTW, that video we discussed is on post # 6154

Grossman56

Hi Dan: I'[m going to try and take some closeup pics of the cockpit of my Corsair so you have some possible options how you want to go on yours. I did totally remove the OEM pilot seat and replaced it with a printed more scale seat and the back frame to mount it onto the airplane cockpit. You can decide how you want to go with this this winter as you're working on it.

Cheers

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Thanks Rex, I'm curious to see what it looked like and how it was mounted. I've noticed from the pics that I have that it rolled back with the canopy.
Unfortunately, none of the pics I have or have seen show the mirror, too interested in the cockpit

Grossman56

[jetfool]

Grossman 56,
I think I have a picture of the mirror in the Birdcage version. I will look thru my books tomorrow. I thought I had posted a picture when I was building mine. Glad you mentioned the mirror, I forgot to add it. Rex

[Grossman56]

Had a good visit with Dave and got a lot of information plus, he printed me an instrument panel that will be put to good use. I pointed out that the base fuse is the same whether its a bubble top or birdcage, you can see the slight crack aft of the cockpit where the piece is glued in. See the line?


A big thanks to Dave for his help.
Got the 'dots' on the second wing completed last night, time consuming but looks pretty darned cool. several washes of thinned out medium brown and the panel lines stand out nicely. A bit more painting then I'll take the wings off to do the undersides.
Has anyone got a good pic of the actual birdcage cockpit? I'm interested on just exactly how the rear view mirror was mounted in the canopy 'blister'.
Anyway, lots of work to be done lots of fun to be had.
BTW, that video we discussed is on post # 6154

Grossman56

[davegee]

Sure, coming at you. I added a few more 'rivets' yesterday, will probably do a few today as well.

Grossman56

Got your address ok. See you tomorrow around 2 pm

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Sure, coming at you. I added a few more 'rivets' yesterday, will probably do a few today as well.

Grossman56

[davegee]

You know, it really isn't about the airplane. The airplane is just a reason to form a brotherhood of good people helping each other out. Thanks guys for all your help, extremely appreciated!!

I've decided to go with "Eight Ball/Dangerous Dan" I just love the parallel between Dangerous and Dan Gross, I've been called Dangerous Dan on occasions so its a sign!!

Now, I find it interesting that on most if not all the pics I've seen, they don't have the rearward antennae but, of course, they all have the pitot tube yet the only plane I have that came with one is the P 40. I'll have to look through the collection of parts to see if I can find one and see if its the same.
No rush on the instrument panel Dave, just pick a day after 2 and head over.
So great having another Squawker in the neighborhood. I get to see all Dave's great airplanes first hand!



Grossman56

Hi Dan: I think I can come over tomorrow, Thursday Nov 14 after 2 pm to check out what you have so far on your new Corsair. Could you PM your address to me again, please? I thought I had it written down somewhere but can't find it right now.

Thanks!

Dave

[jetfool]

Grossman56,
Dan, I made my pitot from different size aluminum tubing and can remove it to transport to field. Imbedded a 3/4" long alum tube in wing for pitot to slide into. I also added the formation lights (clear) on top of wing. I made brass bushings for my Robart wheel bearings to fit the Corsair retracts and I think I sent some to Davegee. Elbee's last Robart wheel mods are probably the way to go. Believe he used bearings instead of bushings.
I'm glad you have davegee to fly scale with. I have one friend in our club that fly's scale and we currently are finishing 1/4 scale planes to enjoy the many Warbird Meets in IN. next year. Makes it fun to go and enjoy the same interests and the B.S.
Best Regards, Rex

[Grossman56]

You know, it really isn't about the airplane. The airplane is just a reason to form a brotherhood of good people helping each other out. Thanks guys for all your help, extremely appreciated!!

I've decided to go with "Eight Ball/Dangerous Dan" I just love the parallel between Dangerous and Dan Gross, I've been called Dangerous Dan on occasions so its a sign!!

Now, I find it interesting that on most if not all the pics I've seen, they don't have the rearward antennae but, of course, they all have the pitot tube yet the only plane I have that came with one is the P 40. I'll have to look through the collection of parts to see if I can find one and see if its the same.
No rush on the instrument panel Dave, just pick a day after 2 and head over.
So great having another Squawker in the neighborhood. I get to see all Dave's great airplanes first hand!



Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Hey guys. This video gives a great tutorial on how to get the panel in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx3NglUl5bY

This fellow isn't afraid of showing where he made mistakes so we don't have to. For instance, leaving the old panel on and gluing the new one over it. He does some good work.

Grossman56

[davegee]

Davegee,

The most difference of the cockpits was on the instrument panels. The birdcage model used a different gunsight vs F4U-1D. My pics/docs showed the differences in many photos I used. Once you determine what plane Grossman uses hopefully photos will show this also. I followed Elbees photos on how he cut out the foam in the cockpit area to allow the full cockpit to fit but didn't cut below the pushrod area or use his lower scale bulkhead. Really happy with how mine fit after slowly cutting foam and pre-fitting everything many times before final assy. Also used Elbees bullet proof glass ahead of the inst panel that was on my scale version. You guys are making me want the bubbletop version to repl[cate one off the USS FRANKLIN, # 69 that I have documentation for.
Best Regards, Rex

Good info there, Rex. We'll keep this in mind for people like you who have already successfully completed a birdcage F4U-1 and any wise words you have for us based on your experiences in the build and modification of the stock model. I have printed a main control panel for evaluation for use in Dan's Corsair he just received recently. I'll probably go over to his house and check it out and give him the printed control panel to make sure we can get it in place without too much surgery!

Appreciate any and all thoughts to help Dan's airplane be its best.

Cheers

Davegee

[f4u ausie]

3 or 4 helping on one project.. nice to see cooperation,, (not enuf of that these days) any way cant wait to see the resuts.. lookin good so far..

[jetfool]

Davegee,

The most difference of the cockpits was on the instrument panels. The birdcage model used a different gunsight vs F4U-1D. My pics/docs showed the differences in many photos I used. Once you determine what plane Grossman uses hopefully photos will show this also. I followed Elbees photos on how he cut out the foam in the cockpit area to allow the full cockpit to fit but didn't cut below the pushrod area or use his lower scale bulkhead. Really happy with how mine fit after slowly cutting foam and pre-fitting everything many times before final assy. Also used Elbees bullet proof glass ahead of the inst panel that was on my scale version. You guys are making me want the bubbletop version to repl[cate one off the USS FRANKLIN, # 69 that I have documentation for.
Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

jetfool davegee

Gentlemen, once you print what is in the files, let me know if the fit is any good.

There were/are different sets for each variant and those were modified for each variant.

The point is, I can re-modify to fit to your preference, so let me know.

Best, Steve

Hi Steve: will do! I'm printing up the main control panel as a test right now and it if comes out ok, I'll bring it over to Dan tomorrow as a test piece to see how it fits. I'll do this with any subsequent parts from your files and let you know how they fit as is, or might need a small modification.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

jetfool davegee

Gentlemen, once you print what is in the files, let me know if the fit is any good.

There were/are different sets for each variant and those were modified for each variant.

The point is, I can re-modify to fit to your preference, so let me know.

Best, Steve

[davegee]

Cool, thanks Dave. Elbee sent me a zip file for the STL's.
I just sent them to you, check your e mail.
Come on over tomorrow after 2:00pm, I should be home by then.

Grossman56

Hi Dan: I just checked, I have Elbee's STL files. I'm printing up a cockpit panel now to see how it goes. For my Corsair 4 years ago, I think I had someone back East print me up the files. I'm not sure where he got them. At any rate, I can bring this over to show you when I get a chance to see you again.

I have a big Thanksgiving party to go to tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon and evening so I couldn't make it over to your house tomorrow. Let me know another day this week and I can probably drop by and see your beautiful new bird and help plan the next phases of your build.

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Dan,
I did the salt treatment on my Birdcage Prop and it came out great. I practiced on some old props beforehand. My grandson printed my STL 3-D cockpit for his industrial class project. There is/was 2 different STL cockpits, One the F4U-1 Birdcage and another for the F4U=1D. Grandson printed both so when I order the bubble top I will have it. Davegee and Elbee both were my motivators in encouraging me to learn new things (weathering and 3-D parts). Following your progress.

Best Regards, Rex

[Grossman56]

Cool, thanks Dave. Elbee sent me a zip file for the STL's.
I just sent them to you, check your e mail.
Come on over tomorrow after 2:00pm, I should be home by then.

Grossman56

[davegee]

Yep, lots of fun. Now, regarding the cockpit. I know absolutely NOTHING about 3D printing! Now, I know a few of you guys are lucky enough to be into it, so I'm hoping that, for a price, someone would be kind enough to volunteer to print the cockpit parts for me??
So many cool things to get into with this plane. Now its not going to be as great as Elbee's, but I want it to be something that I push myself to make it the best I can do. Eventually, I'd like to get the strut covers and of course, the Robart tires and that cool pilot that Elbee has. I considered the Aces of Iron pilot (Of which I have 3) but he doesn't come across as 'Pacific' enough to me.
I'm also going to try the 'salt trick' on the prop blades, I'll use a broken prop at first just to see.

Stay tuned!

Grossman56

Hi Dan: those parts that are designed to be made in a 3D printer have a file name attached to them: STL. If you have parts that are identified as STLs, I cam print them up for you. I just need those files that I can put in my printer/computer, and you'll be all set!

Regards,

Davegee