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Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Old 08-18-2012, 11:31 AM
  #51  
Rocketeer10
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Hey I know this little guy! :^) He's a great pilot and Lyle Vasser from Best Pilots did a good job making him! You guys can check out my Corsair build if you like on the MAN site. Here's the beginning of my 12-part Build-along. Plus I have some detailing and documentation posts for my "Marines" Red Devils squadron Corsair from the beginning of the Lorean war. Enjoy!
http://www.modelairplanenews.com/blo...orsair-part-1/

Oh yea, I have a video too of the first flight on my blog page: http://www.modelairplanenews.com/blo...ir-arf-wvideo/
Old 09-21-2012, 07:51 AM
  #52  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

I have got to tell you guys.... the only complaint I have with this setup is the Rear tail wheel!....

It has a gull wing... I think it could take it w/o issues...

I think ALL of the RObart retract tail wheels are like this though.... TOO SHORT
Old 09-21-2012, 11:14 AM
  #53  
racin-jason-r4
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Is anyone putting main gear doors on this plane, and if so, how?
Old 09-24-2012, 04:50 AM
  #54  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Anyone had bad experiences or have any suggestions for getting support from Robart Mfg? I am frustrated beyond words! Due to my own screw up, I damaged the actuator motor on my e-tract tailwheel. On September 5th I called and spoke to an individual at Robart. He told me to email him my shipping info to his direct email and he would send me another actuator and get back to me if there were going to be any charges. Great!...I thought. Part never came. Sent another email. No response. Called and left a message on his direct line. No response. Sent another email, no response. Sent a message to Robart Sales via the on-line support form. Yep you guessed it, no response. I am not naming names because stuff happens and I find it hard to believe they just ignore customer requests and inquiries so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I am missing something? I just want my part so I can keep building and don't know what to do next other than drive to St. Charles, IL![:@]
Old 09-24-2012, 04:52 AM
  #55  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

A I am also wondering about the main doors. The lado electric door actuators are interesting but its going to cost you an easy $200 to do all 4 main doors with those. Wondering about any other options.
Old 09-24-2012, 05:15 PM
  #56  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

I ordered these and waiting to see how they work.

http://www.sonictronics.com/xcart/pr...cat=378&page=1
Old 09-24-2012, 08:54 PM
  #57  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Really some good stuff here that also applies to the kit. I like the look and by all accounts she is a great flier. Just finished the mustang and Corsair and P-47 are both looking good for # 2. Still studying the planes and like what I see here. Keep up the great job, Leroy

Whats not to like aboul the Corsair?.
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Old 09-29-2012, 08:34 PM
  #58  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Wow ! Did I ever get majorly side tracked from this build. I was planning on having this one done back in early August So much for that idea.
Getting back on track, I decided to improve my tail wheel mod to make it alitte more scale "looking". I added some aluminum tubes, a brass tail hook and swapped the spacer out I put in earlier and used a piece of old x-acto knife handle ( 7/16 sized one ) cut and drilled instead. Currently the hook is wired to extend and retract along with the tail unit rather than have another servo move it. I simply cut out a slot for the hook and kept the stock gear doors.
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Old 09-29-2012, 08:50 PM
  #59  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

I have gotten a little closer to being done. My muffler finally came in, so i have no excuse to not get it finished.
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Old 10-05-2012, 08:40 PM
  #60  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Ya, I've had good and not so good experience when it comes to dealing with Robart. Although I like and use alot of their products, customer service is not exactly one of their high points. You gotta call them and keep calling them.
Old 10-05-2012, 09:08 PM
  #61  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Gear doors:

There are many ways to hooking up gear doors, but not alot of "cheap" ways. I believe the regular kit built TF GS build thread has a few ideas on rigging up a mechanical wire and paddle type system in where the wheel closes the doors or having levers mounted to the doors is another. Other wise you need some kinda actuation system to open and close them. There are many pneumatic and or electric setups out there.
I already had the pneumatic gear for this plane so I decided to use some air cylinders to operate the doors and go with a UP3 valve. This type of air valve can adjust the timing of the doors and gear separately. I mounted it to the wing to keep all the air lines within it and only need one quick disconnect supply line from the tank in the fuse. The air cylinders are 1-5/8" from BVM.
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Old 10-05-2012, 09:17 PM
  #62  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

I also swapped out those ugly cap screws robart uses for axles and used the pin head century jet types to mount the wheels. The mounts were drilled out and tapped for a set screw. When doing this one needs to file alittle "flat" in the axle where the set screw contacts it so the axle can't slip out. And as always use loc tight on the set screws.

The last thing you need is to loose a wheel when taking off
Ya, been there/done that
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Old 10-05-2012, 10:52 PM
  #63  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

@ Warbird Man
Are you using any in line restrictors to adjust the timing of the doors or is the UP3 valve OK as is?
I have one for this build as well but have not played with it yet. I have two Jetronics single valves on hand and Im trying to decide which to use. I just need to make time to test the options.
Old 10-06-2012, 06:32 AM
  #64  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

No airline restrictors. The UP3 has a set of air in/out adjusters for both the doors and gear. (see 1st pic post 61).
Old 10-06-2012, 07:46 AM
  #65  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread


ORIGINAL: Warbird Man

Gear doors:

There are many ways to hooking up gear doors, but not alot of ''cheap'' ways. I believe the regular kit built TF GS build thread has a few ideas on rigging up a mechanical wire and paddle type system in where the wheel closes the doors or having levers mounted to the doors is another. Other wise you need some kinda actuation system to open and close them. There are many pneumatic and or electric setups out there.
I already had the pneumatic gear for this plane so I decided to use some air cylinders to operate the doors and go with a UP3 valve. This type of air valve can adjust the timing of the doors and gear separately. I mounted it to the wing to keep all the air lines within it and only need one quick disconnect supply line from the tank in the fuse. The air cylinders are 1-5/8'' from BVM.
Nice set up. I would REALLY like to do the doors on mine. Do you (or anyone else) have any insight to what is available for electric door actuators? I have been looking at the ones made by Lado but am not clear on what else would be required (such as a seperate sequencer). The Lados may be individually programmable but now sure how that would work unless you have a sequencer to control the timing of the gear too. The Robart control box that comes with their e-tracts does not have provisions for doors but possibly Down and Locked could supply one that does? Anyone?

Thanks.
Old 10-06-2012, 09:07 AM
  #66  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Jomar makes a electric sequencer. Had I built this plane, I probably would have drove the gear doors with a retract servo setup similar to the cheaper mechanical retracts used on 40-60 size planes. But that would have required alot of surgery on the center wing section. I did this on my B-29 doors but its alot of linkage work.

Im sure there is other devises out there, check some of the jet manufacturer and supply web sites.
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Old 10-27-2012, 09:45 PM
  #67  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

WING MOUNT:

Not all that impressed with the wing mounting design on this bird. There is about a 1-1/4'' gap between the wing and the mounting plate. When tightening the wing bolts and the stress between the wing and fuselage, could eventually pull the trailing edge wing mount blocks right out of the wing. Not a good thing. I added a simple 1/4" ply plate across the saddle with some compression gussets to help transfer the load and stress off the wings trailing edge. Also it's a good idea to soak the bolt holes with alittle CA and glue in some washers for those 4" cap screws. Mine were just soft balsa blocks where as they should have been hardwood. This should help keep the wing and fuse from departing one another in flight

(Might not even be a bad idea to replace the T-nuts with threaded barrel inserts or glue on a ply plate under them to keep 'em from coming loose.)
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Old 10-27-2012, 09:55 PM
  #68  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

I am ready to maiden!
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Old 10-27-2012, 10:04 PM
  #69  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Looks awesome! Whatcha got under the hood for power?
Old 10-28-2012, 02:01 AM
  #70  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Looks like a good example of re-engineering on the wing mount. It is a shame that Top Flite chose to rush this plane into production before testing and verification. There are a lot of modelers who would love to build a prototype for them but they opt for employee verification instead. People that are on the payroll are not likely to tell them about the problems where a modeler certainly would do so.
Old 10-28-2012, 07:08 AM
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Good point. I'd love to build prototypes and evaluate them. Unfortunately, that's the reality when dealing with arfs. They are designed and built "cheap"! Not to open a can of worms on the ARf subject, I can understand the finish quality of the plane to be sub par. After all it's a mass produced arf. But the design and integrity of some of these planes are very questonable. I don't build many arfs, But a person should be able to buy and put together an arf right out of the box and not have to worry weather or not it's going to stay together in flight which can result in a very bad day.

I'ts a good thing for most of us to have these forums inorder to inform others of potential issues and solutions with these planes.

(Just my 2 cents)
Old 10-28-2012, 08:55 AM
  #72  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

I am using a DLE 55. I only had to add 14 ounces to the nose to balance. 23 lbs dry.
Old 10-28-2012, 01:44 PM
  #73  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Here's a pic from today's flying. All DLE 55s. No flutters and no wigwag.
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Old 10-28-2012, 03:23 PM
  #74  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Can't speak about this ARF but I have the P51 W/250 flights, and a P47 W/ 210 flights. The quality is great and they are rugged. I also have the P40 which is almost ready to maiden.
Old 10-28-2012, 04:36 PM
  #75  
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Default RE: Top-Flite 1/5th F4U Corsair ARF Group Build and modification thread

Don't get me wrong. I'm not in anyway out to discredit Top-Flite/Great planes and their products. I've built many myself and overall they are good planes.
There is always gonna be some discrepancy in any kit/arf. Just pointing out a potential problem that may exist for some.

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