F4U-1A Corsair- 9/30 - DONE!

[deafpanzer]

Good! Get back to work you slacker! LOL

[JimD]

Is this one done yet?

[wing_nut]

Jeez guys! You're starting to sound like a certian Field Marshall

[wbill76]

Glad to hear you got the replacement you needed Marc. Now all you need is a few inches of snow...

[Rick]

Glad you got the canopy sorted out Marc. All those goodies , I'm sure you'll turn out another masterpiece. Like you said, there's been a number of great Corsairs lately and I got to thinking. Building for over 40 years and I don't think I've ever built a Corsair. Hmm.

Rick

[wing_nut]

With the winter 109 on the shelf I can turn my attention back to the Corsair. Hopefully all the issues with not paying attentions and the lapses in judgment are out of my system. Time will tell.

I think to start I am going to work on the Vector R2800. As you can see this is a build all unto itself. I counted 78 parts in the tiny little plastic pouch.  The level of detailing is incredible. My only concern is that I hope it fits in the cowl. My only other experience with a Vector engine was for a 1/48 Helldiver. Even after thinning the inside of the cowl i still had to carve away the tops of the cylinders a bit to get it to fit. Can't see any of that but it was painful to do. I am already thinking of doing one of these on a display stand and do another museum vignette like the 38(t). Now If I could just fond some reference pics of this engine. Since it's tough to do sarcasm in a post... Google the R2800 and see how many photos come up. O.M.G.

There are choices to be made for different version of the engine with different carburetors and ignition rings. The castings are very clean. The little bits inside he cylinder vanes clean up easily with an old suede brush I keep handy. A great tool by the way that's get a lot of use on my bench.

[JimD]

That is some impressive stuff. I'm going to let you sort it out and if it doesn't give you headaches I will consider one when I do this kit....It's gonna have to fit perfect though. I don't think the kit engine is bad at all...but that's a nice little upgrade I think.

[deafpanzer]

DAMN! This is sick... no way I will do that myself! LOL

[wing_nut]

I agree Jimmy the kit engine inst bad at all. But I figured, what-the heck.

Andy, would love to see what you world do with one of these.

[Leon]

WOW!! Alot of nice detail there Marc.

[JimD]

I'd never fault anyone for wanting some added resin fun.

Yeah. We need to get Andy his Eagle Scout wingy thing merit badge!

[TRM]

I know what I would do with it...but it probably wouldn't be too pretty!! Nice looking donkey Marc!! Looking forward to you making some dust on this thing!! Thought I was going nuts and missed a bunch of stuff back to the 4th...btw....sweet a$$ office!! All caught up now!! Bring on the motor!!

[wing_nut]

The apst few dyas bench time has ben scarce. Not so much cuz I am busy but more cuz apparently I have not gotten the "no paying attention" that plaguesd me on the 109 build out of my system.



A few days ago I set about removing the acsting block for th crack case. The fornt has a row of very fine bolts cast around the edge. But of course I only noticed then after I had semi-crushed some of them while sanding the back of the piece. (note to self... glue the front piece on first next time )

Last night I felt it was time buck up and get back to it, but didn't get mich done. Long day and tired. The ingingation ring is extremely delicate but Vector was nice enough to cast in the smallest of dimples where the wires go. I drill then out with a #80 bit.



After gluing the font piece on so I didn't F'up more of the bolts ( )

[Leon]

WOW!! Looking good Marc.

[wing_nut]

Thanks Leon

That was weird... my last post was there twice and when I deleted one it took half of he other one with it

Whatever. It wasn't much. All I did was drill holes where the mark on the crank case for the push rod tubes were located. the thinking is it will be easier to have a little wiggle room instead trying to cut 36 piece of wire to fit between the crank case and the rocker arm. I slapped the kit engine together as a guide sine the Vector instruction sheet is nothing more than a mall drawing on a 3x3" piece of paper.

[deafpanzer]

WOW! So many details... can't wait to see how it compares to the kit engine!

[JimD]

Said it once, but that's some nice looking chunks of resin. Things are coming along nicely. Just remember it's not a race...so if you're not feeling it, don't force it. That's my motto....which is why I've slowed a bit the past couple of weeks...but I've learned nothing good can happen when I try to work with my mind wandering

[bbrowniii]

That is a sexy looking engine Marc. Glad to see this one back underway.

[wbill76]

Nice start to the engine...remember not to crush any more bolts!

[wing_nut]

Work on the R2800 continues.


Crack Case is painted and dry brushed.





1st to do after that was drill 108 holes in the cylinders[]... 6 holes in ea. of 18 cylinders. 2 pilot holes for the spark plugs then drilling that out to the final size and then the holes for the little handles or guards or whatever they are.

Next was to make 18 pieces of wire exactly the same and size. I made a quick jig with some sheet styrene. Push the wire into the depression, bend the sides down, trim and Bob's your uncles... a perfect match and fit.






The cylinders were painted with aluminum Alclad and given a black oil wash on the cooling fins. Here where it is at the moment. I can't do the wiring yet since I have to wait for some tiny metal hex nuts from Scale Hardware.

[wbill76]

Neat little trick on the jig for those wires...don't envy you those 108 holes, but at least that's out of the way. Fantastic work on the engine so far as usual.

[mrt51]

That jig is an inspiration.  I learn something every day.

Thanks!

[wing_nut]

Andy, Jimmy, Boyd, Bill... and Bill again

I cut and paste this from word and forgot to acknowledge your comments with hearty thank you. I've been careful Bill, don't worry

[JimD]

That's a work of art. Wow. Seriously great stuff. I admire your patience with the dri but, boy did it pay off

[wing_nut]

Thanks 51.

[wing_nut]

Thanks Jimmy. we must have posted at the same time. I just hope the damn thing fits.

[JimD]

Mar 3, 2015 12:34:07 GMT -5 wing_nut said:

Thanks Jimmy. we must have posted at the same time. I just hope the damn thing fits.

I hope it does too. The kit engine on the birdcage was snug for me, but it fit. Hopefully it doesn't give you too much trouble...are you planning to leave the cowling off or at least keep it removable?

[wing_nut]

Cutting a few dozen, 54 to be exact, of these little rings from aluminum tubing and finishing the wiring took most of my snow day yesterday.





Here is the nearly completed engine. I still need to work out the exhaust pipes since there is a difference in the set up for the Vector engine from the kit engine. But I think the kit parts will meld into this well enough, with some modification, to be able to mount the engine to the firewall with what will essentially be following the kit instructions.

Of the 78 resin parts in the bag, I've used 48 here. Total parts count after all the wiring, fittings, spark plugs, rocker arm oil lines etc. 221. I made the stand and base to display it, at least until it's time to install into the fuselage, since it is a completed model unto itself.

[Leon]

WOW!!! That is some awesome work Mark .I applaud your patience on drilling all those holes.

[JimD]

You can take your incredibly awesome engine and shove it right...up...um...your Corsair's cowl. Awesome job. Best I've ever seen. Congrats man...all that work was worth it.