Teeny Weeny Corsair

[Sr71fan]

I've been having so much fun with these micro models, I decided to try a stand-way-off scale Corsair.

Bob Selman provided the undercambered constant thickness blue foam wing panels, gearbox, and actuator housings. Thanks Bob!

Span 16.5 inches, gross takeoff weight 34 grams, M20 motor with 3.33 gears, 100cm (3.75 in) plastic FF prop, 230 Lipoly, RFFS-100 receiver and ESC, DWE coils in the new Jones/Selman actuator housings. Plenty of power and very maneuverable.

Gary

[Sr71fan]

Before detailing was complete, I HAD to go see if it would fly. Here it is coming at me in the local gym. What a thrill to fly! My photo.

Gary

[Sr71fan]

A very kind spectator named Stephanie took this photo while I was having fun. Too bad I hadn't put the National Star Insignia on it yet. Thanks Stepahie!

Gary

[Blackhawk]

Bravo Zulu SR! Tell us more about the wings.

Pat

[Sr71fan]

Pat,

It's just blue foam hot-wired to an airfoil shape 1/8 inch thick. Here's a panel before shaping to the desired planform.

Gary

[Blackhawk]

SR71

Nifty wings--are they commercially available?
What material is the fuselage made of?
Neat decal sheet --did you print it or buy it?
I need to make one of these jobs--really cute.

Pat

[Sr71fan]

Pat,

I don't know if the wings are available, or not. I'll check on it. The fuselage is 1/8 balsa. Tailfeathers are 1/16 balsa. I printed the decals on sticky-back paper from Office Max.

Have fun!

Gary

[yeeehaw]

DANG!!!!!!
That is pretty cool.

do actuators work like servos. or do they only move 1 distance.
that is pretty interesting can you get that foam at a hardware stoor or at wal-mart.

cool plane
Matt

[Sr71fan]

Pat,

The wing panels are available from Bob Selman. Specify the constant-thickness panels if you are going to taper them to a particular planform. The panels with Gary W. Jones's very nice airfoil are more suited to constant-chord applications. Here is a photo of the two panels. The Corsair wings were made from the lower one.

Matt,

The actuators are fully proportional, like servos, but they don't have as much power. The blue foam is available at many hardware stores, lumber yards, and home improvement (DIY) centers.

Gary

[Sr71fan]

Got a chance to fly in Lake Dallas Saturday night. Kirby Pople captured some nice images of the Corsair in flight.

[Sr71fan]

Strafing run. Photo by Kirby Pople.

[Sr71fan]

Photo pass. Thanks Kirby!

Gary

[t-turley]

Gary,

Love the plane!! Those photos are awesome, too.

Tony Turley

[Sr71fan]

Thanks Tony,

It's been a lot of fun. I flew at a new base recently. The Speed Zone indoor RC track, here in Clovis. Low ceiling and support poles every 30 feet are no problem with these little models. Photo by Stan English.

Gary

[Sr71fan]

Here's another shot by Stan at the Speed Zone. Many thanks to Brad, the owner, for letting me fly there.

Gary

[yeeehaw]

I am curious, could I build a micro/indoor model using the same equipment(excluding motor) as my gws slow stick and Hitec feather electronics w/ 270 mah battery pack.

I would love to build one of these models for windy days outside and when I am not flying my slow stick.

Matt

[Sr71fan]

Matt,

If you mean a slightly larger and heavier version of these little micros, the answer is ABSOLUTELY. Just scale it up to fit your equipment and desired wing loading for outdoor flying.

Good luck!

Gary

[CalmAir]

SR71,

That is just too cool!

Dale

[yeeehaw]

thanks for the info. I need to design one of these. just wandering how do you shape the wings?
and can you make this entirely out of meat trays or do I need to go buy the foam.
thanks alot
I will post my designs to se if you can help me

Matt

[flyinhigh]

Hey SR71
Thats a nice looking plane,does it fly like a corsair?I noticed a roll of wire,do you wind your own actuators?
You build some of the coolest lil planes:)
Take Care
MIKE

[Sr71fan]

Dale,

Thanks. I'm surely having fun with it. Several crashes under its belt now, but a dab of CA, and it's going again. I love these lightweights for that very reason.

Matt,

I shaped the wings to the planforn I wanted by using a sharp #11 blade and a metal straight edge. My wing panels came from Bob Selman designs, and already had a constant thickness airfoil which was hot-wired. He sells them for $5.00 a set (two panels). The fuselage is 1/8 balsa, and the tailfeathers are 1/16 balsa. You can use meat trays if you want to.

Mike,

Thanks for the comments. I've never flown a full-scale Corsair, so I can't answer for the flying characteristics, except to say that it will tip-stall if slowed down too much. As soon as I release some elevator, it's flying again after loosing about two feet of altitude. I usually try to fly it in for a gentle wheel-landing to avoid the stall. HECK NO, I don't wind my own actuators! That's too much work. :D I get 'em from Bob Selman and Dan Hurd. Try one... you'll LIKE it! :D

Gary