RE: top flite corsair build questions
Great job, Mistral. You've built a really nice bird! Don't forget to shoot some video of the maiden-and good luck.
Posted on: 11/15/2009 12:11 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9254510

RE: improved vibration
My 120SP may have been an exception to the norm, but it was tame before a gallon of Omega 10 was run through it and will idle indefinitely at around 1400rpm. I switched to CoolPower 10 after that 1st gallon of Omega with the same results. Judging by my experience with this engine, I'll stick with the SP engines for all of my scale projects. The only real problem I had was with the muffler vibrating loose with each run. I replaced the muffler with a coupling and a straight pipe of stainless steel and haven't had any problems since. I did beef up the firewall of my TF Corsair to handle the expected vibration.
Posted on: 11/13/2009 8:41 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9252077

RE: top flite corsair build questions
. You should only have to adjust the main screw to your weather conditions. Hope this helps, Joe
Posted on: 11/1/2009 9:37 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9220634

RE: top flite corsair build questions
bdraper, As I remember, I inletted the wing leading edges so the oil coolers would fit flush and just CA'd them in.
Posted on: 11/1/2009 4:44 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9220615

RE: 30% nitro in a RCV120SP???
It will stay together, Scott. Just keep running it and it will get smoother and smoother! As a precaution, I would check the tightness of all the screws occasionally.
Posted on: 11/1/2009 4:27 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9220575

RE: 120SP idle question
Hey Mistral, I guess there aren't many people watching this forum these days. Give this a try. It might work for you. Start your engine up as you normally do and let it warm up for about a minute or so. After it is warm, take it to full throttle and adjust to max rpm with the main needle screw. Once you've found max rpm, richen it with 3 or 4 counterclockwise clicks of the main needle and throttle back slowly and see how low it will idle. I'm guessing you are either running too rich or too lean. If after you've done this, it will not idle at around 1500 rpm, you may need to tweak the idle screw. If you do it, only move it 1/8 turn max at a time. It's pretty sensitive. RCV says that the idle screw is usually pretty close to correct from the factory. You will probably need to shut it off to make these idle screw adjustments.
Posted on: 10/1/2009 7:36 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9139648

RE: top flite corsair build questions
The idle screw is on the opposite end of the carb from the main needle screw. If you have been idling good and are now having problems, don't touch the idle screw yet! Did the idle problem start after the muffler problem? Has the weather changed recently? Has your fuel been left open for a while? Have you changed fuel brands? A friend of mine was having terrible idle problems with an O.S. engine. As it turns out, he had bad fuel. It had been left open and had absorbed moisture from the air. With a weather change you may now be too rich or too lean. That main needle adjustment does affect idle. Just check the idle screw to be sure that it is not loose and takes some pressure to turn it. I wouldn't adjust it yet. At this point, I would just tinker with the main needle. What I did was set the main needle 4 clicks to the left of max rpm.
Posted on: 9/29/2009 7:49 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9132459

RE: top flite corsair build questions
Mistral, I haven't tried starting mine from the front, but I think it would start easily. I'm using CoolPower 10 exclusively now. It seems to run a little cooler and I haven't had any drop in performance with it. Sounds like you've gotten her broken in nicely. Did you have any problems with the muffler coming loose? After I had the back end welded on, the threads on the front of the muffler stripped. I discarded it and replaced it with a straight pipe with a reducer fitting on the back to give me back pressure for pressurizing the fuel tank. The exit hole diameter is the same as the stock muffler. It's a little louder, but I think it sounds nice. I believe that the aluminum muffler expanding at a different rate than the steel header pipe is the root of the loosening problem. I have not had any problems with my steel straight pipe coming loose.
Posted on: 9/27/2009 11:36 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9128876

RE: top flite corsair build questions
I would think that, if properly balanced, they would fly pretty much the same. Though, with the 120SP you would have more available power and torque at your disposal. It's nice to know you have some extra power available to get you out of trouble. I think there is some 10 oz. difference in the engine weights. I would just throw the big engine in and throttle back. Plus, spinning a big prop is the reason I bought the RCV anyway. Remember, these kits tend to build tail-heavy. My Corsair balanced with the big engine without adding any additional weight, and that was with Juice's prop hub and SoloProp blades (around 16 oz.). That extra engine weight will probably be of great value to you when you balance your plane. Did you add extra ply to the firewall? If not, I would go back and do that just for piece of mind.
Posted on: 9/23/2009 6:55 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9118681

RE: top flite corsair build questions
to get your cooling duct directing air over those fins with ample escape for the hot air. Good luck, Joe
Posted on: 9/23/2009 8:05 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9117489

RE: exaust manifold
RCV used to sell a header bent at 100 degrees (I think) along with their standard header. I don't know if they still offer the in-cowl header. I just bend and thread my own now.
Posted on: 9/15/2009 6:58 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9098419

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Excellent job, Kurrikan. I knew you would get it done. Looks like it works nicely! I know I had to fiddle with mine to get it just right, but once you get it set up so the doors will fully close, it's rock solid. Luke Zolner showed how it was done on one of his old Corsair threads. He's a very talented builder and can make just about anything work.
Posted on: 9/7/2009 10:22 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9077521

RE: help !! my RCV 90SP without power!!
, Joe
Posted on: 8/29/2009 8:07 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9055084

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Kurrikan, Here are tail wheel pics from my Corsair build. Although your tail wheel is slightly different from mine, I believe you can work out the details. The Corsair is a .60 size so the tail wheel door width should be similar.
Posted on: 8/27/2009 7:45 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9050369

RE: Hanger 9 Corsair aftermarket gear?
John, I went with Sierra. They weigh 1 lb. (not including the air tank and valve) but are very rugged. I heard the Lado's are very good also (electric-no air tank). I've heard good and bad about the Century Jet retracts and lots of bad about the Robarts. I don't think you will find any mechanical rotators that are up to the task.
Posted on: 8/25/2009 11:52 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9045521

RE: Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt ARF .60-.91: Building & Mods
Kurrikan, How did you finally get those tail wheel doors to work? On a previous Corsair build, I used threaded rods and ball links attached to the tailwheel to open and close the doors. It should work the same for the P47. I was going to put some pics up to show you, but it looks like you solved the problem.
Posted on: 8/25/2009 10:14 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9045258

TF Corsair with 120SP maiden video
I had an experienced flyer friend maiden my highly modified Top-Flite Gold Edition Corsair about a month ago. It's stuffed with lots of goodies and is very heavy. We shot some video of the flight and I sent it to Juice for editing. He did a fantastic job cutting out the really rough spots and setting it to music. The plane features the 120SP turning Juice's custom designed 1/8 scale prop hub and SoloProp 18" blades, Sierra rotating retracts with operational gear doors and retractable tailwheel, rotary aileron drivers, panel lines, and is glassed and painted. All of this is heavy, and at over 13 lbs., I didn't know how it would fly. Juice posted it on the warbirds forum, but I wanted fellow RCV owners to see this engine in action. Check it out. [link=http://www.rcuvideos.com/video/Corsair-Maiden-Flight-Crash-Hap]First flight[/link] This is my first time linking on this forum, so I hope this works.
Posted on: 8/20/2009 6:24 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9031885

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
Well done, Josh. I'm surprised that you were able to get that much footage from what I sent you. And the music went perfectly with the action. Very nice! Next time, I promise my videographer will have a tripod.[:D] For all of you that got one of Juice's hubs, put 'em in the air. You'll be highly impressed!
Posted on: 8/18/2009 11:05 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9027111

RE: 1/8 scale TopFlite Corsair Mods
I made my own rotary aileron drivers using circuit board standoffs, some circuit board material, and an existing round servo arm. Just drill out half of the standoff to fit your driver rod and drill and tap the standoff for a set screw to hold the rod. Next, cut a piece of circuit board material to fit the servo arm and drill it to fit the servo arm with screws and nuts. Drill a center hole through the circuit board material for a screw into the standoff. Cut another piece of circuit board material drilled like the first, but oversize the center hole such that the head of the screw that goes into the standoff fits inside the hole. This piece is a spacer. Assemble parts to the servo arm (already attached to the servo) and you have a rotary aileron driver. It works very nicely. Also, I wicked a little CA in around the driver rod for insurance.
Posted on: 8/15/2009 9:13 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9017973

RE: ARF-MOD: What's the easiest way to add an antenna post to your warbird?
For the antenna wire I like to use black elastic string (the shiny kind kids use to string beads). You can get it at Wal Mart in the craft section. Stretch it just slightly for some tension and tie it with a cinch knot and trim it close.
Posted on: 8/5/2009 9:32 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8993457

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
know that. Good luck, Joe
Posted on: 7/31/2009 9:34 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8980157

RE: Congratulations for a fine engine, RCV.
Andi, I got 4300-4400 rpm with that prop in the picture. Leonardo, I made my own muffler out of steel (couldn't keep the aluminum one on). I am flying it with the prop in the picture. That big, beautiful prop is Juice's creation. It's a scaled-down version of a SoloProp hub and uses SoloProp Blades.
Posted on: 7/23/2009 8:09 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8957115

Congratulations for a fine engine, RCV.
engine, Joe
Posted on: 7/21/2009 12:18 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8950798

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
. It hurts to see a nice flying plane go in but this lion will roar again! Joe
Posted on: 7/20/2009 5:45 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8949714

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
My setup is a 3 blade prop with Josh's scaled down SoloProp hub. The blades are SoloProp Corsair profile blades. Josh, on further investigation I discovered that I shouldn't have used a silicone exhaust deflector. The hot exhaust from the 120SP burned right through that silicone deflector, through the firewall and melted the retract hose and some wiring. Big mistake on my part. But your hub and the big SoloProp blades coupled to the 120SP will easily pull a heavier plane than I have. I lost 2 blades in the crash but, now that SoloProps is back in business, I won't have to look elsewhere for replacements.
Posted on: 7/19/2009 6:39 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8946868

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
so much for this wonderful piece of workmanship, Joe
Posted on: 7/18/2009 10:06 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8944811

RE: Need Info on CMP .40 size ZERO
like it was meant to fly. Thanks much, Joe
Posted on: 7/14/2009 10:17 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8933809

RE: RCV120SP Loose Muffler
I got tired of the loosening during each run also so I did the following. I got a piece of steel pipe with an opening large enough to be tapped M11x.75. I then had a friend turn the outside of the pipe down throughout its entire length to take some weight off. (I had him leave a little extra on each end for thread tapping and welding later.) I then tapped this pipe to fit the exhaust header. For the exit end of this new "muffler" I selected a pipe of inside diameter equal to the exit of the RCV muffler and and had my friend turn it down to fit inside the large diameter pipe. I welded it into the large pipe, tapped the new muffler for 2 nipples, one in front for the tank and one in back for the crankcase vent. While the expansion chamber is not as large as the standard muffler, I have tested the new muffler on the bench and it works fine. No loss of power and good fuel flow. It's also easier to fit inside of my Corsair cowl. By the way, the muffler body pipe needs an inside diameter of around 10mm to allow for tapping. I think the difference in the expansion rates of the steel header and the aluminum muffler is the root of the loosening problem. The new steel muffler will expand at the same rate as the header pipe and should not loosen as easily.
Posted on: 7/9/2009 12:08 AM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RCV Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8917866

RE: Need Info on CMP .40 size ZERO
Todd, I'm wondering about the climb out on the second flight as well. I wasn't expecting it. The climbing is at full throttle with no up input on the elevator. I have noticed when I throttle back the wild climbing stops. That's what made me think of engine downthrust. What is your CG set at? I'll see if I can duplicate that.
Posted on: 7/7/2009 6:51 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8914336

RE: Need Info on CMP .40 size ZERO
to really get a good evaluation of her tendencies. Thanks in advance, Joe
Posted on: 7/6/2009 10:25 PM by Author "Joe Lott" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8912083