Originally posted by John Wood
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Official FlightLine F4U-1A Corsair 1600mm (63") Wingspan
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This is how I fixed the retracts on my Flightline F4U Corsair by adding stays to the oleo legs, to give some resilience on hard landings and hopefully avoiding damage to the gear mechanism, even if it requires flying with gear down for the time being
The bits and pieces were obtained from eBay including aluminium collars 12mm ID with M5 grub screws set at right angles, aluminium tube 8mm OD 20swg malleable grade, rubber blocks 40mm x 13mm 10mm, M5 screws 6mm long
The collars slide over the oleo legs nice close fit and are secured with grub screw into the plunger spring slot without binding on the spring. The aluminium tube was cut and flattened at ends and angled with one end drilled to take M5 screw replacing the grub screw in the collar, the rubber blocks were CA glued together in stages after shaving to have snug fit into the retracts void above actuator unit with tight push fit into housing.
To fit the assembly, I removed the wheel and slid the collar over the oleo leg and pushed the rubber combined block into the space above retract actuator, I pushed the wheel forward as far as it will go and positioned the collar and tightened the grub screw into spring slot then tightened the stay screw into the collar to form rigid leg without any forward or backward movement then replaced wheel. The assembly can easily be removed at the field once you are confident that you can make a smooth landing (with any luck and nerve!)
I disabled the gear switch on TX just in case I forgot about the fixed gear and to avoid any damage caused by accidentally operating the gear switch and the gear trying to move. I hope to try out this mod later in the year when the weather improves, I am a fine weather flyer only, hopefully it will work and sustain hard landings but I will still be holding my breath.
I am attaching a few photos of the construction and hope you may find this of interest, watch this space!
PS: I am now in the process of installing a new more to scale pilot with legs, but requiring some cutting to make it fit, I have already fitted a sound system simulator programmed for a Corsair which sounds quite authentic. I hope all these mods and additions prove to be worth the effort and the plane doesn't end up in a pile foam bits on it's maiden flight, but I have fitted an RX with gyro and safe select so hopefully that will give it a better chance of survival, but as they say, nothing ventured nothing gained!
PPS: In reply to comments about servos being weak and cracking, worm bending etc I am hoping these stays will reduce strain on the servo and prevent movement of the strut leg5 Photos
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Originally posted by John Wood View PostThis is how I fixed the retracts on my Flightline F4U Corsair...I solemnly swear to "over-celebrate" the smallest of victories.~Lucky B*st*rd~
You'll never be good at something unless you're willing to suck at it first.~Anonymous~
AMA#116446
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OK, Abwagner121 and John Wood, (clever Mod though) maybe adding gasoline to the fire and I'm sure I'm going to "ruffle some feathers", but if you learn to land consistently with power and ease it on the runway perfectly flat at around 28%-35% throttle (depending on flap deflection and wind) with the mains touching first, then reduce throttle and let it settle in, you shouldn't have a problem cracking the gear casing or bending the worm screw. I've probably got over 70 flights/landings with my current gear and they're still in one piece (probably just jinxed myself). As I've said before, I probably went through at least 6 main gear retracts in my first 15 flights trying to 3 point it in or just not landing correctly that way. After watching tons of videos and listening to pilots experienced at scale landing of warbirds, I changed my landing technique and it's been smooth sailing ever since. You can 3 point the Spitfire (but it too likes to land flat, with some speed, on the mains and sure looks more scale) with no gear issues due to the landing force not being taken on by the worm gear, but this Corsair will just not let you get away with that more than a few times, or even once. I used to call the Corsair retracts my "Independent and Unbiased Assessment Meter of my Landing Technique". I even set my timer to tell me when the throttle is at 40% (approach throttle setting) and 34% and 28% for landing speed. The throttle does not go below 28% until it's rolling on the runway, flat for about 10-15 feet.Hugh "Wildman" Wiedman
Hangar: FL/FW: Mig 29 "Cobra", A-10 Arctic, F18 Canadian & Tiger Meet, F16 Wild Weasel, F4 Phantom & Blue Angel, 1600 Corsair & Spitfire, Olive B-24, Stinger 90, Red Avanti. Extreme Flight-FW-190 Red Tulip, Slick 60, 60" Extra 300 V2, 62" MXS Heavy Metal, MXS Green, & Demonstrator. FMS-1700mm P-51, Red Bull Corsair. E-Flite-70mm twin SU-30, Beast Bi-Plane 60", P2 Bi-Plane, P-51.
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Yes Hugh you are correct, a better landing technique is the answer but until then I would like to have a few flights before I write off the gear, also as I fly off a disused WW2 airfield which is very rough after 80 years but very nostalgic but a smooth run in is impossible. Thanks though for the info on your method of landing I will take note but as you will probably realise when you are coming in for a landing logic and memory of procedure go out of the window and panic sets in!
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Originally posted by John Wood View Postwhen you are coming in for a landing logic and memory of procedure go out of the window and panic sets in!Hugh "Wildman" Wiedman
Hangar: FL/FW: Mig 29 "Cobra", A-10 Arctic, F18 Canadian & Tiger Meet, F16 Wild Weasel, F4 Phantom & Blue Angel, 1600 Corsair & Spitfire, Olive B-24, Stinger 90, Red Avanti. Extreme Flight-FW-190 Red Tulip, Slick 60, 60" Extra 300 V2, 62" MXS Heavy Metal, MXS Green, & Demonstrator. FMS-1700mm P-51, Red Bull Corsair. E-Flite-70mm twin SU-30, Beast Bi-Plane 60", P2 Bi-Plane, P-51.
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I finally understand why so many of you say the stock retracts are weak and fold easily. I have the left retract worm shaft bend on my grass landing today which I dare say is not a hard landing IMO.
But what's done is done and now I need to replace the retract unit since I cannot get it to work properly anymore.
Can anyone be kind to advise, if the MIG29 mains rotating retract units can be a drop-in fit, or needs whatever modification for use in the Corsair? I understand that they are stronger and thus I will prefer to use it if able.
Appreciate the information please, TIA!
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Hey YAW-all, I'd like to PITCH you my latest update and hope you don't ROLL laughing. I finished the gunsight print and glued it to the FWD IP. The part ended up in 3 pieces to get the print quality I'd hoped to see and the smaller size. Looks decent, I think. I figured what good was the "Enclose Release" stencil without a enclosure release button, so I added that. Anyway, I am
waiting on a couple of things from the talented Ms Callie of Callie Graphics, so the work was therapeutic, too. Oh, and I filled, sand, primed the forward cockpit section. I had really dinged that up
with all the handling and refits. Better now.
Best, LB
5 PhotosI solemnly swear to "over-celebrate" the smallest of victories.~Lucky B*st*rd~
You'll never be good at something unless you're willing to suck at it first.~Anonymous~
AMA#116446
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Elbee outstanding as usual.Hugh "Wildman" Wiedman
Hangar: FL/FW: Mig 29 "Cobra", A-10 Arctic, F18 Canadian & Tiger Meet, F16 Wild Weasel, F4 Phantom & Blue Angel, 1600 Corsair & Spitfire, Olive B-24, Stinger 90, Red Avanti. Extreme Flight-FW-190 Red Tulip, Slick 60, 60" Extra 300 V2, 62" MXS Heavy Metal, MXS Green, & Demonstrator. FMS-1700mm P-51, Red Bull Corsair. E-Flite-70mm twin SU-30, Beast Bi-Plane 60", P2 Bi-Plane, P-51.
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SanExup & Hugh Wiedman, I thank you. She is coming along slowly, but steadily and she will fly, I build mine to fly (except the F-18C which is not yet completed. Dead Blue Box, but I have a new one finally) otherwise I would just build 1/48th scale plastic kits. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not for me. More when there is more. Best, LBI solemnly swear to "over-celebrate" the smallest of victories.~Lucky B*st*rd~
You'll never be good at something unless you're willing to suck at it first.~Anonymous~
AMA#116446
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Here's my Royal New Zealand Airforce Corsair. Motor, cockpit, pilot, and fuel cap (doubles as a puller to pull the hatch off) are 3D printed. Decals are from Callie Graphics. Paint is Resene testpots (available in NZ) sprayed on with an airbrush. A few more things yet to add like nomenclature and maybe some minor weathering. The insignias are a bit shiny compared to the paint so might cover with a coat of matt WB Poly.
7 Photos
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RodgerC I really like your repaint and the cockpit and pilot, not to mention the extra work on the radial engine. Outstanding work. Couple of the photos look almost like the real thing.Hugh "Wildman" Wiedman
Hangar: FL/FW: Mig 29 "Cobra", A-10 Arctic, F18 Canadian & Tiger Meet, F16 Wild Weasel, F4 Phantom & Blue Angel, 1600 Corsair & Spitfire, Olive B-24, Stinger 90, Red Avanti. Extreme Flight-FW-190 Red Tulip, Slick 60, 60" Extra 300 V2, 62" MXS Heavy Metal, MXS Green, & Demonstrator. FMS-1700mm P-51, Red Bull Corsair. E-Flite-70mm twin SU-30, Beast Bi-Plane 60", P2 Bi-Plane, P-51.
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Originally posted by Cycross View PostI finally understand why so many of you say the stock retracts are weak and fold easily. I have the left retract worm shaft bend on my grass landing today which I dare say is not a hard landing IMO.
But what's done is done and now I need to replace the retract unit since I cannot get it to work properly anymore.
Can anyone be kind to advise, if the MIG29 mains rotating retract units can be a drop-in fit, or needs whatever modification for use in the Corsair? I understand that they are stronger and thus I will prefer to use it if able.
Appreciate the information please, TIA!
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Originally posted by f4u ausie View Post
I had mig 29 units in mine,,, they r huge ... they were epoxy in place,, bit ugly... gear doors dont fit.. and they r long so they will b raised at the back.. there is a metal spa.. i did break one.. to b fare that day i was flying at industrial place,, did not c a mound of dirt,, thats my excuse... have gone bak to correct units and replaced the plastc mounting area ... to b fare they r not crazy expenssive.. put em in ya box of tricks?. If u want to make it easy to replace at the field,, put a wire extention in.. so you can just unplug it at the gear door... instead of needing wing removal etc
Thanks too for the tip, yes totally make sense.
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Originally posted by RodgerC View PostHere's my Royal New Zealand Airforce Corsair. Motor, cockpit, pilot, and fuel cap (doubles as a puller to pull the hatch off) are 3D printed. Decals are from Callie Graphics. Paint is Resene testpots (available in NZ) sprayed on with an airbrush. A few more things yet to add like nomenclature and maybe some minor weathering. The insignias are a bit shiny compared to the paint so might cover with a coat of matt WB Poly.I solemnly swear to "over-celebrate" the smallest of victories.~Lucky B*st*rd~
You'll never be good at something unless you're willing to suck at it first.~Anonymous~
AMA#116446
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Originally posted by Hugh Wiedman View PostOK, Abwagner121 and John Wood, (clever Mod though) maybe adding gasoline to the fire and I'm sure I'm going to "ruffle some feathers", but if you learn to land consistently with power and ease it on the runway perfectly flat at around 28%-35% throttle (depending on flap deflection and wind) with the mains touching first, then reduce throttle and let it settle in, you shouldn't have a problem cracking the gear casing or bending the worm screw. I've probably got over 70 flights/landings with my current gear and they're still in one piece (probably just jinxed myself). As I've said before, I probably went through at least 6 main gear retracts in my first 15 flights trying to 3 point it in or just not landing correctly that way. After watching tons of videos and listening to pilots experienced at scale landing of warbirds, I changed my landing technique and it's been smooth sailing ever since. You can 3 point the Spitfire (but it too likes to land flat, with some speed, on the mains and sure looks more scale) with no gear issues due to the landing force not being taken on by the worm gear, but this Corsair will just not let you get away with that more than a few times, or even once. I used to call the Corsair retracts my "Independent and Unbiased Assessment Meter of my Landing Technique". I even set my timer to tell me when the throttle is at 40% (approach throttle setting) and 34% and 28% for landing speed. The throttle does not go below 28% until it's rolling on the runway, flat for about 10-15 feet.
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Originally posted by Cycross View Post
Thank you so much! Just one small additional question please. Is it true that the pins are not the same size as the stock retract unit, i.e. I cannot use the original struts with the Mig29's retract unit?
Thanks too for the tip, yes totally make sense.
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