downwindleg/Aros ESM 50cc F4U Corsair Build (Electric Conversion)

[Aros]

Sounds like the Stay @ Home order will be extended through most if not all of May now. We're all gonna be so grateful when things return to (semi) normal. Ed just had the cockpit mod to finish up (which includes re-routing those push pull pathways underneath it) and it should be turn-key. Hopefully I can pick her up in June in time for a Father's Day weekend Maiden?!?! That would be what, 4 years since pickup? Hopefully not wishful thinking anyways. Stay safe!

[OV10]

3 years...…...from Jun 17th, 2017 per post#164 by Downwindleg

[Aros]

Ah good. It's ONLY been 3 years.

[downwindleg]

Fathers Day weekend sounds good to me. We are going back to work next week, being in construction is allowing us to start with some restrictions but I confess I'm a little nervous. It's the off island sub contracters that worry me. At my age, I'd sure hate to pop my clogs so close to retirement!! Hoping someone comes up with a vaccine soon. A few of the guys have been out flying with me and we are all practicing our social distancing. The number of people hasn't been an issue yet but I think we can handle at least six with chairs spaced appropriately. I just hope there isn't a jam up at one of the two beer bottle opening stations.

[Aros]

Yes that would be a true disaster! Well all kidding aside, Father's Day might be a stretch with the stay at home now to the end of the month...Plus I really do not have a true ETA for delivery from Ed. Depends on how his progress is going with the cockpit mod, which again, is not as simple as gluing the cockpit in place. I sure wish it was. I will keep ya'll posted in this thread as I learn anything new.

[Aros]

The latest from Ed...

Me: Hi Ed! Just checking in and seeing how the progress was going. Hope the cockpit mod isn't turning into too much of a headache! Hope you and yours are staying healthy! Chat soon.

Ed: So far so good. My only issue is routing the cables I bought. I replaced the cables as you know and trying the best way how to keep them as linear as possible. 3rd week of June would be my target date to finish off. All is well on my end. I hope you and your family are doing the same way.

So there you have it. Tentatively (Covid 19 and Snafu's permitting) late June puts The Queen in my hands. It's really a shame the ARF didn't consider a full depth cockpit in regards to the wiring below. It really is a PITA for any builder to have to work around. I appreciate the effort, time, tools and skill required for a clean, full depth office for Pappy. Thanks Ed!

[Twowingtj]

Aros It's been a long wait since this project started. Looking forward to the maiden day report.

[Aros]

Twowingtj indeed it has been a long wait. I am terribly excited - and ridiculously nervous - to maiden when that day arrives. I think a shot or two of whiskey or bourbon will suffice before rotation.

[downwindleg]

Your field awaits my friend.

[Aros]

Indeed my friend! I spoke with Ed the other day and with a vacation coming up we both agreed on the middle of July for me to pick her up. We'll have to coordinate a time that can work for me to come over in this nutty world. Perhaps the Fall? Weather is still nice up until mid-late October or so....

[BluesDragon]

I think I may even be just as nervous for you... and terribly excited to see 'er take flight!
You got this!

[Aros]

Oh man, you have no idea. I am gonna need a Lorazapam or a couple shots or something.

[Grossman56]

[QUOTE=Aros;n253919][USER="3960"I think a shot or two of whiskey or bourbon will suffice before rotation.

[/QUOTE]

LOL, so then you'll not only have Pappy Boyington flying in the cockpit, but you'll have simulated his state of inebriation! Now if you could just get a couple of hits of pure oxygen from your face mask you'd be good to go!!

Grossman56

[Aros]

LOL so true Grossman! Pappy flew his best a bit shnockered....Incredible.

[Hardway]

[Aros]

Some updates from Ed... He has re-routed the servos aft so they are no longer going to fight with the undercarriage of the full depth cockpit. Victory! That's a big deal. He says he feels really good about it. The bummer news is the Frank Tiano dummy radial I bought and spent hours on will not work. The brushless motor that is going into this girl is a monster. Check out the photos below. The radial Frank sells is clearly meant for gas. At first I was ticked that he didn't ask me if was planning on electric but come to think of it, that's probably not on his radar as the vast majority of his customers are gassers I am sure. And I was perfectly capable of asking myself and didn't, so it is what it is.

Ed said he has a contact in Europe that can set me up with a 3D printed dummy radial once given the dimensions which will be lightweight and work with this conversion so I am thrilled. He also said he has a bottle of Hennessy Cognac I can pull from for the maiden so, well, life is looking up.



The first photo shows the back of the dummy radial with his caliper showing the actual OD of the motor...So there is no way to keep the integrity of the dummy radial with that size needed to bore through. The second shows the motor next to the dummy radial. Wow. I think I could run my lawnmower with that thing, LOL!

[downwindleg]

Indeed my friend! I spoke with Ed the other day and with a vacation coming up we both agreed on the middle of July for me to pick her up. We'll have to coordinate a time that can work for me to come over in this nutty world. Perhaps the Fall? Weather is still nice up until mid-late October or so....

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner my friend. Yes October is normally plenty good for flying big beautiful and precious airplanes. I just gave my three week notice for retirement after working for 55 years so by mid August, I'm hoping to get back into this hobby/sport more and get the P-38 up as well!!!!

[Aros]

Ah congrats my friend for a retirement WELL deserved! 55 years?? Amazing accomplishment. I sure hope to see that GORGEOUS P-38 airborne sooner than later! I was just telling my buddy Chris today (the one you met with me) who started the build on the big girl, that due to COVID a Fall 2020 maiden may be out of the question but I am crossing my fingers that a Spring 2021 maiden is going to happen. YEARS later!! Ah well. What's that saying? Man makes plans and God laughs.

[downwindleg]

Yeah hopefully a workable safe and effective vaccine will be openly available to all by then. This country,sadly, lacks what ever it takes to get a handle on this virus. Every time someone thinks it's under control and it's ok to relax, it just comes back with a vengence. Stay safe my friends.

[Aros]

Update! Hard to believe but it looks like I will be picking her up this weekend. Here's some shots Ed shared with me showing the tail wheel/receiver bay and cockpit/canopy. I will be priming and painting her, that's the fun part for me. Hard to believe it's been over 3 years to get her built but the time has finally come!