Super Corsair Reno air racers

[19000rpm]

I'm starting a "Super Corsair" Reno Racer conversion of the PKZ F4U Corsair. I have an airframe I've been saving for just this project.

The finished model should look something like these photos of the real plane.







Power will be a monster 10 with a 40-50A ESC and either a 3S or 4S battery. I plan on a 4 blade prop.

I'll probably have Callie Graphics produce the graphics.

This will probably be a fairly slow build...Like most of my builds. ;D

[Gabe]

Looks like a nice scheme!

[19000rpm]

Apr 14, 2010 14:19:36 GMT -6 Gabe said:

Looks like a nice scheme!

Thanks Gabe.

At the time, back in the 80's, the scheme was a retro tribute to the early days of air racing in the '30's. Mine will be an uber retro tribute. ;D

[akent]

That looks awesome!
That is my favorite plane along with the P-51! Sexy!

[Solitaire]

Look at the size of that 4-blader in the last pic.
That thing is monstrous.

That'll be a cool build, 19k

[19000rpm]

I've been doing more reading on the Corsair and found out it was 10 mph faster than the P51 at altitude. That surprised me.

Also, the Corsairs were even more apt to torque roll than the P51. Going low and slow the pilot would jam the throttle forward and...it was inverted. They nicknamed it "The Ensign Eliminator" for it's bad torque and stall characteristics.

That prop scares me just looking at it. That racer had so much torque they had to use a portion of the bottom of the rudder, deflected in the opposite direction, to counter the torque. I don't know exactly how it worked, but needing to have an auxiliary rudder says volumes about how out of shape that plane could get during acceleration.

Probably the biggest prop I'll use is 11-12". I know one guy using a 13" but he flies off of a smooth surface.

The first build step will be to cut down the spine running from the vertical stab to the horizontal line made by the fuse in front of the cockpit to accommodate a P51 style canopy.

[19000rpm]

These are the most significant visual changes in the Super Corsair mod: Making the fuse more or less straight from cowl to vertical stab and adding the P51 style canopy.


Quite a bit of foam to cut out.

Then I had to cut a V from the tail forward so the skin would come together.

I guessed right and all came together just behind the cockpit. First coat of light weight spackle filler applied.

I cut down the fuse behind the pilot and we now have a Super Corsair profile less the canopy.

[Solitaire]

Hmmm, not sure why you wanted the P51 canopy over the stock Corsair one.

[19000rpm]

If you check the photos of the Super Corsair, you'll see that they used a P51, or Bearcat style, canopy not the malcom style bubble canopy used on the F4U's and some of the P51 B's. Don't know which for sure. I need to find more reference. The bottom line is going to be finding something close that fits.

[dubehigh]

golly gee bob got a camra, wow. congrats bob. your up to date. looks good, i have been to busy working in the garage with spring tune ups to work on anything. but more $ for hobbyzone ;D

[19000rpm]

I've been posting more pictures than a paparazzi following a movie star. ;D You've been too busy to notice. ;D

I've got quite a list of parts for HZ. You better get there quick before I've bought everything you need.

Ray has helped me out with my motors so next week should see a motor installation.

I've contacted Callie and she's doing the graphics.

Paint will be on soon; as quickly as I can get the filling and sanding done.

[19000rpm]

Motor and electronics testing: I put the Turnigy C35-42 1100 kV motor in the F4U Corsair yesterday along with the 40A ESC and 25C 2200 mAh pack with the PKZ 9.5x7.5 prop as a test for the Super Corsair set up. I'm be using the AR500 Rx and stock PKZ digital servos for the control surfaces.

The bench test shows a lot more power over stock, which isn't a surprise. Unfortunately, the weather isn't cooperating for a test flight for the next few days.

The flight test objectives will be primarily to see how the motor and prop changes will affect performance, but I'm not going crazy with WOT maneuvers, etc., since the F4U isn't sufficiently reinforced to handle it.

After the test with the 9.5x7.5 prop, I'll try a 10x7, 10x8, etc. and some 11&12 x3 and 4 blade props to see where the plane has, individually, the best speed and thrust performance. I'll settle on one prop for max speed and another for max thrust and a 3rd, compromise blade, for overall performance.

Airframe improvement: Since I will always have an occasional noseover upon landing, and also to handle the extra stresses of high speed maneuvers, I've strengthend the vertical stab by adding two toothpicks inserted from the top edge of the stab and will insert CF running from the fuse up into the stab. I will epoxy the entire stab prior to painting.

Other airframe improvements to follow.

[akent]

I'm looking forward to hearing how it flies!
I love that plane!

[19000rpm]

I've flown the F4U a couple of times with the Turnigy C35-42 and 40A ESC. Conditions weren't ideal for a test, too windy to really accurately judge performance, but the plane does fly with much more authority than the stock set up even with the 9.5X7.5 prop.

I think this is going to be a good power system for the Super Corsair.

When the winds calm, maybe in the next 3-4 days, I'll go ahead and test some different props.

[19000rpm]

Well, I haven't tested any new props yet, being a lazy retired guy has its drawbacks, but the big Hobby Lobby 4 blader is waiting...It looks absolutely awesome.

I've had a change in plans on the "Super Corsair" plane. I decided to honor a plane with a less beautiful paint job, but more successful, race version of the converted F2G; The 1947 Thompson Trophy winner the "74".

The Thompson Trophy Races started pre-WW II, and were eventually discontinued. The Reno Races took over and are still the premier single direction pylon races in the world.

Of course now, the P-51's dominate as the supreme racing examples of converted WW II aircraft. But, back in the day, it was the converted F2G's that stopped the clocks and the hearts of the air race fans worldwide.

www.airrace.com/corsair74.htm