RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
Hill202, I have a DLE55 in mine and I probably have 4lbs of lead pellets fiberglassed in the front lip of the cowl in order to get the CG right. I originally had probably 1/2lb more, but have removed some as explained below. The cowl itself is plenty strong. The weak link, at least with all that weight attached, is the wood plate that attaches the cowl to the firewall. I had a slow speed nose-over (caused by my soon to be replaced sloppy ESM retracts in combination with our rough grass field) that resulted in the wood plate breaking in one corner where it mounts to the firewall. I remade this plate with 1/4" hardwood plywood and glassed in onto the cowl. Seems super strong now. And since this added more weight up front, I then took some more of my lead pellets out. My plane seems to fly nicely with the CG as spec'd in the manual. For now my bird is a lonely hangar queen awaiting her new legs. Jim
Posted on: 9/7/2012 11:14 AM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220839

RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
Doug at Robart sent me a youtube video of the installation of their retracts. The video shows their electric retracts (I am staying with pneumatic) but it gives you an idea of how they fit and look. http://youtu.be/ODcIOwCwg2M
Posted on: 9/5/2012 12:24 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11218489

RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
Captain Ron - You might want to give Doug at Robart a phone call about your existing Robart retracts and see if he can help you with them. I spoke with Doug earlier today and ordered a set of retracts for my Corsair to replace the ESM ones. Robart has put together a set of retracts that will fit our bird - they are still working on a slight modification to the mounting flange but that is something that we should be able to do ourselves. Doug was very familar with our Corsair and the "issues" with the ESM retracts. I will be in the same boat as you as soon as I get the Robarts delivered and installed. I will be selling my ESM retracts and wheels - will post on here at that time. Jim
Posted on: 9/4/2012 10:34 AM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217075

RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
Higharc, I bent an axle in one of my early nose-overs when I hit a pot hole in the grass. Was able to straigten it out, but figured it was now weak and ordered a replacement from these guys: https://www.arfpros.com/contactus.sc that I had bought the plane from. Haven't had any axle problems since.
Posted on: 8/22/2012 9:43 AM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11202168

RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
Retract question for you guys. My ESM air retracts have developed quite the slop in the rotating mechanism - when extended you can wiggle the wheel from toe-in to toe-out almost 1/2". If I get the landing attitude the slighest bit nose down on touchdown, the wheels toe out and once the speed bleeds off (quickly on our rain soaked grass runway) a nose over occurs. The amount of toe-in required to prevent this excess toe-out makes the plane almost impossible to taxi/take-off. Anyway - was thinking about replacing the gear with some Robart air retracts. Thought I saw on here that one or more have installed the Robarts. If so, a couple of questions: 1. Has the rotating mechanism held up well such that you don't have much/any slop? 2. Was there any serious modification required to the mid-wing retract area to mount these? 3. Did you use the 150 series or the 148 series Robart retracts? Thanks for everyone's help.
Posted on: 8/22/2012 7:19 AM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11202008

RE: Where can I find Stihl Ultra Locally
Do you have Ace Hardware stores there? That is where I get it.
Posted on: 7/14/2012 6:03 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11155470

RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
At first I was unhappy that they changed from the aluminum tubes to the wood wing joiner. But it looks like they did a decent job in how they changed the inner wing support for the wood wing joiner. The fit is good and the inner structure seems quite strong. One positive to this change is the wood joiner acts as a further anti-rotation device for the wing. So overall, I think it is a net neutral. I epoxied the wood joiners into each outer wing panel. I added a small thru-bolt/blind nut in the center wing panel such that when the outer panels are fitted, the small bolts are screwed in via the retract bay thru the wing joiner structure and the wing joiner itself. I did this as extra assurance that the wings stay together as well as it helps keep the wing sections tight to each other. I still need to harden all the wood in this area with CA as well as add some extra epoxy in a couple of areas. The build continues (slowly).
Posted on: 12/14/2011 7:04 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10860042

RE: Looking for some help with 50cc Corsair from ESM
Marc, Thanks for the response. That is odd - my inner and outer wing panels have been altered to have a slot for the "new and not improved" wood wing joiner. And it appears as though they did a pretty good job of building a decent support structure within the wing panels for the wood wing joiner. I wonder if somehow you got a plane that was in transition from one style to the other. If you have the round hole in all three wing panels, I would be inclined to order two aluminum or carbon fiber wing tubes and go with that. Jim
Posted on: 12/8/2011 5:27 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10850664

RE: Looking for some help with 50cc Corsair from ESM
Marc, Did you just recently pick up this plane? If so, can you tell me if your wing joiners are the aluminum tubes or the wooden wing joiner that it appears ESM has now switched to? Thanks, Jim
Posted on: 12/8/2011 2:42 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10850332

RE: ESM 50cc Corsair
Just picked up the ESM 50cc Corsair from ARFPro's this afternoon - they just got in a new shipment. A quick review of parts (nothing missing, no damage) shows that they have changed the wing joining method from an aluminum tube to a wood wing joiner. The instruction manual still shows the aluminum tube. And the rib template included in the kit is cutout for the wingtube, not the "new version" wood joiner. Has anybody else received a plane with this different wing joiner? It appears to be about the same length (14 1/4" long) as the aluminum tube (instructions show it at 400mm). My plan (hope) was to keep this as a 3 piece wing for transport purposes. It looks like the outer wings are held together to the center wing by a single screw into a wooden tab on the front edge of the wing. At first blush, this seems a possible weak link. Has anybody added a second attachment point at the back edge of the wing (and if so, how did you do it)? Not trying to rengineer something if it works fine as is. Just wanting to see what others have done. Thanks for the assistance.
Posted on: 12/8/2011 2:16 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10848704

RE: Giant Aeromaster replacement
If you can find a Sig Sundancer, I think you will be pleased with how it flies. I found it very comparable to the Aeromaster as to flying characteristics. The area where it excels is in the quality of the hardware vs the Great Planes Aeromaster. I also find it easier/quicker to assemble/disassemble at the field (neither of the two being quick, however). And its bright colors (compared to the white of the Aeromaster) makes it much easier to keep track of in the sky.
Posted on: 3/26/2010 9:12 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9614892

RE: Giant Aeromaster replacement
A very similiar plane, as far as size and flying characteristics is the SIG giant SunDancer. I had a Aeromaster that I cartwheeled on takeoff and replaced it with the SIG Sundancer. Much, much better hardware and airframe - flys fantastic with a DL50. Unfortunately, SIG discontinued this ARF. But if you can find one, you will like it (there is one for sale in the classified here on RCU).
Posted on: 3/23/2010 8:45 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9606483

RE: Sig Sundancer Giant Scale
DL50 in mine and built per specs - no weight needed to balance. The DL50 flies this plane like a dream - you will love the plane. It is by far my favorite. When landing, once on final leave about two clicks (above idle) of throttle until touchdown and it will make you look like a pro.
Posted on: 8/10/2009 10:01 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9006317

RE: *New Hanger 9 Pulse XT 60*
Did anybody end up mounting their engine inverted, and if so, any issues of concern, especially as to ground clearance. I am just getting ready to start my build and plan on using an OS 91FX and would prefer to have a clean look to the top of the cowl.
Posted on: 1/18/2009 1:14 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8372239

RE: H9 60 Size P-47: New Thread
Yes - everything as you described. And yes, my problem is after refueling the tank. So problem presumably goes away after some fuel burn (will pay more attention when we go out again). That may end up being my only/best solution - refuel the tank, allow to siphon out the exhaust pressure line until stops then go fly.
Posted on: 7/19/2007 2:48 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6131389

RE: H9 60 Size P-47: New Thread
I have mine set up with the three lines in/out of the tank. The positioning of my Saito has the exhaust at the bottom of the engine, so the pressure line from the tank is therefore way below the tank center line and fuel flows big time out the exhaust. Several at my field warned me of backfire risk with this and the risk of prop injury. The Saito starts fine and although we have only just completed the maiden flight, we had no problems with idle, inverted flight, etc.
Posted on: 7/19/2007 2:07 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6131247

RE: H9 60 Size P-47: New Thread
Brewmanbrett, I am curious what your plan is as far as mounting the fuel tank and running fuel lines to prevent siphoning. Based on your pics, your carb will be below the fuel filler level. I have this same plane and have a Saito 125 mounted inverted at 60 degrees and am having a problem with fuel siphoning into the carb and muffler because of the carb being the filler level. Short of doing major surgery behind the firewall, there is no way to get the tank mounted lower. Would appreciate your (or anybody else's) opinion on how to solve this issue.
Posted on: 7/19/2007 12:47 PM by Author "alfa1023" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6130942