Vought Corsair F4U-2 (oz4773)

About this Plan

Corsair. Control line scale model. Uses a hollowed-log balsa fuselage.

Quote: "Vought Corsair F4U-2 by Earl Stahl.

PARTICULARLY successful as a fighter-bomber, the Vought 'Corsair' F4U has seen much service against the japs. According to the British, who used them on their carriers through lend-lease, maximum speed of the Corsair is 385 miles per hour. It cruises at 304 and lands at 90. Service ceiling is 35,000 feet and the range 1,700 miles. It packs six 50-caliber machine guns which are equally devastating in aerial conbat or in ground strafing, and when assigned duty as a fighter-bomber, loads of up to 2,000 pounds of explosives are carried.

Keen lines and excellent proportions combine to make the 'Corsair' an unexcelled control-line model. The test ship proved to be swift in flight, yet it was flown with ease by inexperienced pilots. An Ohlsson 23 was installed and this power made possible a speed of around 45 miles per hour. With a larger engine, performance should be substantially increased

Ruggedness is a keynote of the design. This was conclusively demonstrated when, through an accident, the original 'Daisy Jane' got out of hand and dove into the ground inverted. Aside from a broken propeller and scuffed paint on the cowling, it was unharmed. However, the author failed to anticipate fire as a hazard to his pride and joy and this proved to be disastrous. A friend (?) had applied a patch to the wings covering and, after it had been doped, the model was thoughtlessly held near an open flame to hasten drying. Need more be said? Oh, yes, his home miraculously escaped the same fate.

The model Corsair as presented here is adaptable to several methods of construction. On the original, a carved balsa fuselage was used and because of the ease and rapidity with which it can be constructed, it is strongly recommended. The author considers this type of fuselage not only stronger, but as light as the regular type, and what is more it can be made more easily and quickly clean the others; at the same time, it can he finished as well as any and better than most. However, those who prefer the usual built-up, planked body will find the plans adaptable, since they have been designed to serve each problem equally.

To make a hollowed balsa fuselage, acquire a plank 4 x 5 x 25 inches. This should be medium grade, clear, firm stock. Actually it need not be one solid piece but can he a number of sections glued together to get the desired size. Just be sure that the wood is rather homogeneous and take care to make the glue joints firm. Lay out the side and top views of the fuselage minus cowl front and cockpit on cardboard and cut them out with scissors. Now trace these on the block so the outlines can be cut out with a band saw..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics.
Alternate (greyscale, shaded) version of the same plan.

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