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

[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]

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]

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.

[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]

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

[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

[Coconut]

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

[Evan D]

Congrats!

[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

[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

[Elbee]

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

[f4u ausie]

Good luck Steve all Will go as expected

[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

[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

[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) 🤣

[davegee]

Great looking bird. Love the open canopy and weathering...

Great pics of you and the new "baby!" Best of luck for an awesome maiden flight and safe return to mother Earth!

davegee

[Elbee]

Craig, thank you, as you've been an inspiration without knowing it. Your 'call-sign' pretty well covers it, Sir. Best, Steve

[Elbee]

Fast N Light,

Thank you.

I am happy how it finished out.

Learned a lot on this build, weathering was a challenge as I had not done anything like this.

The shades of blue were the thing. Opposite sides of the color wheel worked well.

I must have recalled that from the single day I was in a high school art class.

Pastels in yellows, some purples, gray, graphite, even some pale blue, browns.and a bit-o-black.

I'd do a section, wing top for example, wait and look at it the next day, add some, remove some and move on.

Even did a wet wash of pale yellow-brown which didn't end well, but provided a great base.

The two base blues are Mig-Ammo acrylic (ANA 608 & 606), so any addition of pastels doesn't wash off completely, but ended up working in my favor.

Another happy accident.

Water is really all you can use on the finish w/o lifting the colors, so I just added more of the pastels and rubbed it in, changing colors as I progressed.

Simple once you take the prescribed medicines (gin&tonic in my case) and begin again.

In any case, perseverance is the thing, just keep goin' till it looks decent.

Thank again for the kind words, Sir.

Best, Steve

[Fast N Light]

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

Great looking bird. Love the open canopy and weathering...

[f4u ausie]

Yes 1 heck of a smile. The smile on your face is big too,,, looks stunning