Official Black Horse 2280mm F4U Corsair thread

[TwistedGrin]

The Robart 148E retracts and struts are a perfect match...they do fit but need modifications to get them mounted.....
1. The Retract housing side plate bolt hole are perfectly aligned with the most forward and rear bolt hole alignments...no modifcations
2. The Motor actuators move with as the gear transit up and down....the rib that runs under the actuator will need trimming out to clear the motor and its motor wire
3. The sides of the retract wing mounts will need reaming out "Dremmell with sanding drum" to provide clearance for a couple side bolts and the rotating axle of the retract...in order to seat
4. The entire retract strut sits much lower into the wing than the stock set up....I used two popsickle sticks under each of the mounting rails of the retracts to raise the retracts
5. The stock wheels are nice and fat...but they prevent the retracts from closing all the way unless step #4 is done to allow enough clearance for proper function
6. The stock wheel bearings will need drilling out for and SAE 1/4 diameter bolt (Robart Supplied) that work with the retract threaded axle hole
7. The stock wheels will need an SAE 1/4 20 nut on the inside for spacing (use the supplied Robart nut as the inside spacer)....this will also be a jam nut to help keep the axle held in place
8. A standard SAE 1/4 nut should also be used on the exposed threads left on the open side of the Robart strut axle hole
9. Use the Robart Toe-In adjustment to align the wheels as noted for proper tracking
10. The Robart Electric Retract controller board does in fact work with the stock "Phoenix" tail wheel retract when using a 2s 7.4v LiPo battery as a separate power supply to the retract controller
11. The stock retract strut number plates will need some kind of custom solution ....perhaps a fixed attachement instead of the sliding claw configuration
12. The Robart retracts are slightly heavier....but I forgot to weigh them for certain
13. The Robart retracts do extend slightly over90 degrees thus the wheels are more forward than the stock gear in down position
14. You will need at least one Robart Retract servo wire extention for each wing.

TwistedGrin

[Rccen44]

I would still like it even if all I could do is listen to it run.

[TwistedGrin]

I could swear that sound is a Ducati Desmosedici RR reving up......it's the same .....awesome
TG

[Rccen44]

Just a couple of laps with the Corsair after a carb adjustment.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...81308&sfnsn=mo

[TwistedGrin]

Gents - I think the Robart Electric 90degree rotating 148E is the set that should fit both the Phoenix and Blackhorse model 60cc Corsair.

The Width of the 148E sideplates match @ 1 1/16th inch stock set
The length from the Axle to the rotator pin matches @ 7 1/4th inch stock set
The BH flange mounting bolt holes will not line up on the pre-drilled Robarts but that only takes drilling out the Robart flanges to match.

Not sure the axle size will fit the stock wheels which are excellent....looks like the Robart struts require threaded axle 1/4th inch bolt.

I am wondering if the Robart actuator motors could be a swap out....that would be insanely nice.

https://robart.com/collections/retracts-by-aircraft-weight-12-24lbs-rotating-electric-conversion-kits/products/148-electric-conversion-kit

TwistedGrin

[Aros]

Great maiden report, glad to hear it was a success! If you can afford the Robarts I would go with those. Never had an issue with Robart electric retracts.

[Twowingtj]

Congrats on the maiden! Great write-up. A bit of a bummer about the retract.

Sounds like the Admiral GP60 performed pretty good. I just installed one in a Hangar 9 60cc XCub assembly.

[TwistedGrin]

05-27-22 Maiden flight report:
Cross Winds at or near 8-10MPH
Aura 8 Stabilizer engaged at or near 3%
DX8Gen2 Transmiiter Mid Rates and Expo
GSWAM AMA1140 Field Manicured Grass Fresh cut short nap bermuda thatch

The take off was smooth effortless....initial turn from take off was very mushy as if the rudder did not have any authority.....I was a little low on the throttle at or near 50%.
Second pattern required some up elevator...about 10 DX8Gen 2 clicks.......no other trim was needed...still at 50% throttle.
Third and Forth pattern added throttle from 50% to 60% the aircraft seemed to respond much better.
Fifth pattern added throttle from 60% to 70% and set for cruise.....flipped to high rates and found over sensitive elevator....toggled back to mid rates
Sixth pattern deployed take off flaps.....no climb or dive observed......deployed full flaps.....no adverse climb or dive observed....toggled flaps up for normal flight
Seventh pattern made for a high speed pass at or near 80% thottle....the bird pick up speed with an excellent prop song......backed off throttle for the turn off of straiff run
Eighth pattern dropped landing gear
Ninth pattern toggled take off flaps down wind.....followed with full landing flaps set up for landing
Landing approach wings level decending in shallow 75 yards in at 5ft from grass to allow the aircraft to land smoothly at nice slow speed....perfect soft touch down....easy greasy.
Right retract folded back during runout....3ft skid to soft stop....zero damage

The Electric Retract actuator motor gear that turns the truion screw is stripped internally. Motion has the part listed for $24.00 but not in stock. Motion has the entire (L&R) electric retract unit listed for $250.00 but not in stock. Phoenix has electric retracts listed for both sides left and right for $125.00 pre- shipping....but will not ship. Robart #148E 90 deg Electric Rotating Retracts 1/5 Scale with controller box plus assorted cables total with shipping $542.00.

It should be a nice flying model but the electric actuator motors are the weakpoint....the retract themselves are very sturdy. I have the failed retract bolted to down position fixed in order to fly this bird wheels down until the Robart retracts arrive.

The weathered covering design looks excellent in the air....very realistic. The aircraft tracks nice after speed is applied.....it will lope around but will feel lethargic and mushy. I did dial up the Aura8 stabilizer to about 50% before engaging flaps and kept that setting for the rest of the flight......it tracked perfectly and turned with smooth lines.

Looking forward to diailing this bird in with more flights

5min20sec mixed throttle.....landing at or near 3.81v per cell. Dual 6s/12s 100c 8000mAh LiPo. Admiral GP-60 motor. Avain 160amp ESC. XOAR 24x12 PJN prop. Aura8 Receiver via Spektrum dual antenna. 3200mAh LiFe receiver battery. 2600mAh LiPo retract power battery.

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

The crazy winds .....nearly dead calm for 5minutes then a sustained puff out of nowhere at 15-20mph.....and ya at the most critical moment of handling!!!

No maiden and for good reason

TwistedGrin

[OV10]

He's just visualizing what a port knife edge from a third person perspective looks like LOL

[Twowingtj]

Looks good!

[TwistedGrin]

Have you hugged your Corsair lately?

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

Taxi test and general inspection at the field......found my throttle cut needed tweaking on transmitter settings....the landing gear showed no signs of weakness running up and down the field. I'll get the maiden in as soon as I get some much needed flight time logged as soon as these blasted winds and rain pass.

The covering design works for me......I had never observed it in the open and at the field in the sun. It looks great.

TwistedGrin

[davegee]

TwistedGrin how do you feel about the weathered covering? I've heard both ends. Cheesy to very cool.

I'm also disappointed in the "cartoonish" weathering patterns. For my money, I would much prefer it had been clean to where I could add my own weathering techniques. But that's just me. I'm not buying one, at least at this point. I like its size and it looks good in the air. If someone likes the way it looks, more power to him.

davegee

[TwistedGrin]

No maiden yet.....I would like to have a couple days in a row where I am able to get my flight skills in top shape and of course have good conditions for this new bird. The winds have been too high and very erratic for an extroidinary long time this year......I have many flights on record in years past compared to this year.

I have triple checked the CG with my battery placement and prop spinner set up several times now....so the aircraft at least should be ready to go

I keep looking for recent video or comments anywhere for this aircraft.......does not seem to be very many with the latest version of this Plywood Carbon Fiber sandwhich ARF other than this video from 2021:

https://youtu.be/fYSEGaXIRSA

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

Most purchasers of larger balsa birds choose not to post on forum threads.

They'll read posts for a sense of quality or hints and tips from others though.

The Squawk isn't bad, but some forums are awash with "experts" willing to pounce on those that post.

Yep - I agree to all three points
TG

[Twowingtj]

Most purchasers of larger balsa birds choose not to post on forum threads.

They'll read posts for a sense of quality or hints and tips from others though.

The Squawk isn't bad, but some forums are awash with "experts" willing to pounce on those that post.

[TwistedGrin]

Interesting there are only a couple of these ARF's left in stock.......nearly no activity on this thread and no new UTube flight video.......I am still waiting on a workable weather window for my maiden so just looking for digital content to fill the gap

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

Regarding the Blackhorse Corsair weathering......the photo attached shows the Hanger 9 Ki-43 (Magnificent Model) with it's preprinted livery.

Some people complained the coloring of the Oscar is unrealistic.....I find it super cool exotic and absolutely love it.

In my own world I am pleased with the contrasting finish of the Blackhorse Corsair against the Hanger 9 Ki-43 and the underbelly of te Blackhorse DO-335.

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

TwistedGrin how do you feel about the weathered covering? I've heard both ends. Cheesy to very cool.

I think it's sorta "cartoonish".....perhaps.....but I have not had it fully assembled at the field yet....and not flown yet so my opinion is not yet fully vetted yet. It did NOT deter me from purchasing at all. In fact I would rather have the printed weathering as is than single monochrome coloration.

I have seen plenty of other covered Corsair models that were plain single colorations that are clean ....too clean. They are lacking any color contrast other than the tail and wing tip colors. I would rather have the pre-printed BH over those.

On the other hand I do like the photos of the Phoenix 60cc coloration pattern in comparison....however it's a completely different color...but the weathering appears to be more realistic.

Last thoughts....I am thinking it will show very well in flight.....so I am looking forward to seeing what this weathering looks like compared to my gasser buddies flying same sized Corsairs in competitions...both on the ground and in the air.

TwistedGrin