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

[GIBlackmomba]

I love my F4U Corsair but, I am having trouble getting the tailwheel to work correctly. I am using a programable Spektrum AR636 receiver. I programmed the gear into position 5 (using the Spektrum programmer). The mains work correctly. However, plugging the tailwheel servo lead into the nosewheel slot on the blue control box does nothing. If I plug the servo lead into the gear slot (on the blue box) then the wheel moves all the way left or all the way right. Either way I am unable to steer the Corsair on my NX8 transmitter. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Elbee]

Grossman56

Is 740 a Tri-Color -1a? Very interesting, Holmes.

Best, Watson

[Grossman56]

Got home from work today to find Santa came early

I'm amazed because the projected delivery date was Tuesday, so three days early
So, opened the box and checked everything out, wow the foam just gets better and better on these models. The only thing I noticed was when I removed the battery hatch cover, the battery tray and mount were not attached to the fuse. They were screwed together, but not glued in place.


As you can see, there is not glue residue on the foam but there's a fair amount of glue on the wooden attachments. Looks like it was never put in place. No big deal, had some of the "White Tube" glue that came with the Avanti (?) so ladled it on and put the unit in place.
So like WOW, it's big, I have a spare Spitfire prop assembly and compared the blades, the Corsairs are a fair amount longer.

As for scheme, I really like the barless roundels, so I'm sticking to that.
I'd like to go with a Marine squadron, but I read where marine pilots, at least in VMF 214, weren't assigned a specific airplane, they grabbed whatever was available. For instance, Boyinton preferred the birdcage Corsair and the publicity pics of him in 'Lucybelle' were staged. Now, what does tweak my interest is VMF 214 #17740 which is the airplane whose wings the squadron is standing on in the famous baseball hat picture.

Now, in the pic, she has the correct roundels and the side and L/G numbers would be 740. Unless I can find more pictures, that's about all the details I can put on her and be accurate. But again, if no one was assigned a specific airplane, that may be all she had.

Boyington sitting in 740

Interesting, still researching....

Grossman56

[davegee]

Hi Dan: the red border around the star and bars was a short-lived modification in 1943. It changed to a blue surround after that. So, with a little research we could put the correct markings on for you. You are a big guy like I am with historical accuracy with your models. I have found that I always needed to pick a specific time during the war, and that would be how the airplane looked at that time. Some of the airplanes that survived a while during the war went through lots of insignia and color changes as time passed. At any rate, getting your model to look correct shouldn't be a big issue, we'll figure it out.

Cheers

Davegee

Hi Dan: I found an article that describes the changes in the stars and bars insignia over the years. You can see that the red surround only lasted scarcely 2 months before being changed. But that doesn't necessarily negate using the red surround for planes that were active like the birdcage Corsairs during that time.

Here's the link: https://www.aircorpsart.com/blog/tim...GUUrd3y4RmpL27

Davegee

[davegee]

Yes, it's definitely different and I have enough spare props kicking around! also interesting what he did to the hub as well, looks like a wash going around it. I went searching for pictures for inspiration and found this, it's a Black Sheep bird, but what's interesting is the weathering around the bottom of the fuse from the coral dust, pretty intense.



Also, am I correct in assuming that the insignia has the red border ?

Update, the package has been shipped, repeat the package has been shipped!!!

Been a while since I've had the 'New Plane Anticipation' , feels good.

Thanks Elbee!! I haven't decided how far I want to go, but a cockpit would be something new, haven't used 3D printed parts before so naturally I'm curious. Last cockpit was BBD, about 9 years ago and that was with parts I had laying around that I worked on to resemble the pieces.



As for the pilot, yours looks amazing where mine and all the other planes have ol' Porcelain Pete in them, gets boring after while and I have a wall of them. Even the guy in BBD got replaced with an Aces of Iron pilot, well I used the bottom half of this guy and planted the AOI pilot on top of him, Frankenstein like.

Grossman56

Hi Dan: the red border around the star and bars was a short-lived modification in 1943. It changed to a blue surround after that. So, with a little research we could put the correct markings on for you. You are a big guy like I am with historical accuracy with your models. I have found that I always needed to pick a specific time during the war, and that would be how the airplane looked at that time. Some of the airplanes that survived a while during the war went through lots of insignia and color changes as time passed. At any rate, getting your model to look correct shouldn't be a big issue, we'll figure it out.

Cheers

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Yes, it's definitely different and I have enough spare props kicking around! also interesting what he did to the hub as well, looks like a wash going around it. I went searching for pictures for inspiration and found this, it's a Black Sheep bird, but what's interesting is the weathering around the bottom of the fuse from the coral dust, pretty intense.



Also, am I correct in assuming that the insignia has the red border ?

Update, the package has been shipped, repeat the package has been shipped!!!

Been a while since I've had the 'New Plane Anticipation' , feels good.

Thanks Elbee!! I haven't decided how far I want to go, but a cockpit would be something new, haven't used 3D printed parts before so naturally I'm curious. Last cockpit was BBD, about 9 years ago and that was with parts I had laying around that I worked on to resemble the pieces.



As for the pilot, yours looks amazing where mine and all the other planes have ol' Porcelain Pete in them, gets boring after while and I have a wall of them. Even the guy in BBD got replaced with an Aces of Iron pilot, well I used the bottom half of this guy and planted the AOI pilot on top of him, Frankenstein like.

Grossman56

[davegee]

Thanks Dave, I was hoping we could put our collective minds together. I was just watching a video where the fellow 'weathered ' the prop using salt. Very interesting. He soaked the prop with water, then used coarse salt in a varying pattern, let it dry over night and sprayed the prop with a very light coat of dark grey, repeated the process twice and then used steel color paint and fine steel wool to create a chipped effect on the prop. It was pretty cool. Also, he weathered the roundels and other decals by using a scotch brite pad on them. Never heard of this before but pretty cool!
Possibly, Dave and I can shoot some video on the process Meantime, check out this fellows video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7McIE3t9HDo

Grossman56

Hi Dan: interesting technique for weathering the prop. I have heard of it, but never done it myself yet. Might be worth trying with your model. We might like to start with a spare or broken blade from some airplane to see how it goes before trying your model. To be sure, the Corsair prop blades suffered with all the abrasive coral sands chipping paint off of the blades. Worth looking into.

Cheers

davegee

[Elbee]

Thanks Elbee! Guess I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never.

Grossman56

You're not late, in fact, better to own the last edition of a great model than the first.

I do not know how far you're going with your cockpit mod, though these modified STLs are good, there will still be some foam surgery required.

I want to assist where I am able, so any issues with the files, let me know when you know.

As for the pilot figure, it is a Max Greuter design available for purchase in STL format on the cults3D website.

It will require sizing to print and patience to assemble, if you go that route.

Looking forward to seeing your progress, the model is the pick of the litter for me.

Best, Steve

[Grossman56]

[ATTACH]n413163[/ATTACH]

Grossman56

These are 'modified' STL files for the Original Cockpit set offered by Motion RC.

It's a start.

Best, Steve

Thanks Elbee! Guess I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never.

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Great idea, Grossman! You'll love the Corsair and it works very well for our field here in Cody. Let me know how I can help. You have several sources you can tap on this thread, or I am happy to help you from a local level.

Cheers

Davegee

Thanks Dave, I was hoping we could put our collective minds together. I was just watching a video where the fellow 'weathered ' the prop using salt. Very interesting. He soaked the prop with water, then used coarse salt in a varying pattern, let it dry over night and sprayed the prop with a very light coat of dark grey, repeated the process twice and then used steel color paint and fine steel wool to create a chipped effect on the prop. It was pretty cool. Also, he weathered the roundels and other decals by using a scotch brite pad on them. Never heard of this before but pretty cool!
Possibly, Dave and I can shoot some video on the process Meantime, check out this fellows video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7McIE3t9HDo

Grossman56

[Elbee]

FlightLine_Corsair_Bubble_Top_Cockpit_3DPUP-stl_files.zip

Grossman56

These are 'modified' STL files for the Original Cockpit set offered by Motion RC.

It's a start.

Best, Steve

[jetfool]

Grossman,

Take advantage of Davegee's offer for help, I have seen his P-47 in a flying museum in florida and I believe all his models that he modifies are museum quality. Wish he or Elbee were my neighbors. I am friends with Mike Barbee and Greg Hahn in our meetings at contests and they freely give good modeling advice as I pick their brains.

Best Regards, Rex

[Hugh Wiedman]

Thanks Elbee, so many things to consider. The instrument panel?? I thought MRC was selling them, but can find nothing in the website. Got to get rid of that baby face pilot as well. BTW, the pilot you have in yours is a definite must.

Grossman56

Grossman56 For what it's worth (coming from me not much ), the warbirdspilot.com with servo for moving head fits, at least it did in my bubble top. I also installed Chris' RC Geek random servo generator and it works great. Pilot fit by removing a small amount of foam at the seat and taking his boots off. This allows the pilot to work the horizontal and vertical stabilizers in case I'm incompasitated from whiskey as those servos are at his feet. Just saying. 🤗

[davegee]

Thanks Elbee, so many things to consider. The instrument panel?? I thought MRC was selling them, but can find nothing in the website. Got to get rid of that baby face pilot as well. BTW, the pilot you have in yours is a definite must.

Grossman56

Great idea, Grossman! You'll love the Corsair and it works very well for our field here in Cody. Let me know how I can help. You have several sources you can tap on this thread, or I am happy to help you from a local level.

Cheers

Davegee

[f4u ausie]

Itching to c ya birdcage version gross., awsome... will keep this thread( aircraft) alive just a little longer.. (not sure it needs help) lotsa pics please,,,

[Elbee]

Grossman56

Let me look into this for you.

I did the original rework of the Motion RC Cockpit STL files some years ago.

The IP was too big as I recall to be a drop fit.

Callie Graphics worked out the JPEG of the dials to fit the reworked IP STL file.

The OEM STL files for the cockpit kit offered by Motion RC are still on this "Official 1600mm Corsair" thread.

Check the early pages, I will do some research tomorrow and I do have the 'correct' IP in my STL Files.

Hardway's reference to "salmon primer" is on page 50 and there are some pictures there, too,

Scroll through, you'll find it.

I'll check in tomorrow for sure.

Best, Steve

[Grossman56]

Thanks Elbee, so many things to consider. The instrument panel?? I thought MRC was selling them, but can find nothing in the website. Got to get rid of that baby face pilot as well. BTW, the pilot you have in yours is a definite must.

Grossman56

[Elbee]

Just put in my order for the Bird Cage Corsair!!!
Hoping to put my buddy DaveGee's references to work on this bird. Now I have a good winter project and I'm really looking forward to it.
Now, the Birdcage, being the older version of the Corsair, had a 'salmon' colored zinc chromate, but does anyone know if that extended through the fuselage, like into the cockpit? Also, they had fabric covered flaps and wooden ailerons of all things. They went metal flaps when it was decided that rockets and fabric wouldn't necessarily be a good idea.
The wooden ailerons are unique to say the least, were they standard in the bubble top as well??
Going to have to go back through this thread and pick up all the info you guys shared.

Grossman56

G56, ",,,being the older version of the Corsair, had a 'salmon' colored zinc chromate,"

Remember when Jerry "Hardway" was building his "Birdcage"?

These were just out.

I recall his research had the "salmon" paint finish only in the interior of the tail-wheel section.

What a great Winter build project, Sir,

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Grossman 56.
You will love the Birdcage model, so much weathering can be added if you choose. I highly recommend Elbee's STL modifications, struts, T.W., cockpit, ect. The Birdcage and Bubble Top (F4U-1D) used wood ail. I will add Elbee's cowl flaps on mine this winter, mine will be a simplified version using springs and airflow to open and close. Best of luck on your version, Rex

[Grossman56]

Just put in my order for the Bird Cage Corsair!!!
Hoping to put my buddy DaveGee's references to work on this bird. Now I have a good winter project and I'm really looking forward to it.
Now, the Birdcage, being the older version of the Corsair, had a 'salmon' colored zinc chromate, but does anyone know if that extended through the fuselage, like into the cockpit? Also, they had fabric covered flaps and wooden ailerons of all things. They went metal flaps when it was decided that rockets and fabric wouldn't necessarily be a good idea.
The wooden ailerons are unique to say the least, were they standard in the bubble top as well??
Going to have to go back through this thread and pick up all the info you guys shared.

Grossman56