Corsair (oz9549)

About this Plan

Corsair. Radio control semi-scale aerobatic model.

Quote: "Everyone wants a trainer that actually LOOKS like a real live aeroplane. Well, here it is!
A 59in span semi-scale beauty for .61 motor and 4 function radio...
LIKE just about everyone else who is learning to fly radio controlled models, I did not like the look of all those boxy trainers, and felt I should be able to design a model that would 'look like the real thing' yet still take me over my early stages of multi-function flying. (I had built and flown many single-channel machines before this, you understand). I therefore chose to base my design on the Corsair partly because the shoulder-wing layout would give it trainer-suitability, and partly because I liked it anyway.
For intermediate training (rudder, elevator, throttle) I built some dihedral into the wings. Only when I got used to flying rudder !elevator did I start to use ailerons. I flew it a great deal in this latter mode (which is presented here) and it was only when I eventually went over to low-winged FAI acrobatic pattern models that I pensioned it off. But it did not stay pensioned off for long. It came out of retirement very shortly when I presented it to my local club, where it served to train many intermediate fliers in the niceties of acrobatic flying.
Now, I am quite aware that theoretically it is not the best policy to design/build a model that is not of simple, tough and rugged structure, if it's intended as a trainer. But, as I said - everyone wants an attractive looking model, or they feel they are learning on a railway sleeper! And, in any case, though my prototype was used for rudder/elevator training initially, the real capability of the Corsair is in acrobatic training.
Let us be clear, however, that an 'acrobatic trainer' means a model for training non-acrobatic pilots in the art of aerobatics - NOT a trainer for beginners that also happens to be capable of acrobatic performance. The difference is most significant.
The model is of all balsa construction, and follows fairly conventional methods. As will be seen in the photographs, my original Corsair had its wing held in place on the fuelage by means of the time honoured rubber bands and dowels, but the plan shows the more sophisticated nylon bolt system. How you fit the wings largely depends upon how you feel about your landings - or those you may be going to teach!
It is best to commence with the wing, so that the wing-seat in the fuselage can be made to match it accurately later on. The root and tip rib templates are given on the plan, and the wing ribs should therefore be made by the 'sandwich' method..."

Corsair, Radio Modeller, April 1977.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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