Build of the Month WW-II Mini-Series - April 2025 Edition
I hope you enjoyed last months BOTM WW-II Mini-Series 6th Edition on the De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito model. If you have an RC model that you would like to see featured in this section or feel others may find interesting, please let me know and I will make every attempt to find scratch build plans, photos, and maybe even a published build article, which will then post in a future edition. Just send me an email @: Build of the Month.
Ok, now lets see what I have for the month of April 2025. Continuing with the “BOTM WW-II Mini-Series,” for the 7th Edition we will move back to the Pacific Theater again. How about a fighter with a production run that was the longest of any U.S. piston-engine fighter. So given these requirements, this 7th Edition of my BOTM WW-II Mini-Series features the Vought F4U Corsair, a fighter initially manufactured by Chance Vought.
The Corsair is single-seat and single engine fighter/fighter-bomber for day and night-time, featuring a characteristic inverted gull wing (Similar to that of the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka and the Loire-Nieuport 40) and a very long propeller-blade. The development of the Corsair began following a request by the US Navy for twin and single-engine fighters in 1938, with the single-engine required to obtain the maximum speed possible and a stalling speed of no more than 110 km/h (70 mph), and a long range. Interestingly, the initial requirements comprised the aircraft to carry anti-aircraft bombs to be dropped on enemy formations. That same year, Vought – the builder company – was awarded a contract to start with the development of the Corsair, and due to their great demand, additional production contracts were given to Goodyear, whose Corsairs were designated FG, and Brewster, designated F3A.
The Corsair was designed and principally operated as a carrier-based aircraft and entered service in large numbers with the U.S. Navy and Marines in WW-II. It quickly became one of the most capable carrier-based fighter-bombers of the war. Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter and U.S. naval aviators achieved an 11:1 kill ratio. Early problems with carrier landings and logistics led to it being eclipsed as the dominant carrier-based fighter by the Grumman F6F Hellcat, powered by the same Double Wasp engine first flown on Corsair’s initial prototype in 1940. The Corsair's early deployment was to land-based squadrons of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy.
There were problems with its carrier landing performance which was why the Navy had to opt for the Hellcat, but eventually the handling issues were resolved. The Corsair was rugged, and it boasted of speed, maneuverability and firepower which made it capable of going toe-to-toe with the legendary Zero. It was often referred to as the “Whistling Death” because of its distinctive sound. Although it's an exceptional machine, it was difficult to maintain. Nevertheless, it earned a legendary status in aviation – not only did it gain the fear and respect of its Japanese opponents, but it made quite a name for itself during WW-II, more specifically in conflicts in the Pacific Theater but it also participated in the Korean War and some French-related Cold Wars.
The Corsair was the most effective fighter the US Navy and the USMC had from the moment it was introduced and entered combat in the Solomon Islands in 1943. It was appraised by the pilots due to its performance and its capacity to remove the threat posed by the Mitsubishis A6M Zeros, as well as to break Japanese bombing raids. It was also capable of out-flying and out-fighting any land-based aircraft. It was capable of performing interception, bombing, ground-attack and fighter missions. The Corsair was a fighter that was also an ace-maker, with Kenneth Walsh (21 kills), Gregory “Pappy” Boyington (28 kills) and Joe Foss (26 kills). It was under Boyington lead that his squadron, the “Black Sheep” were the most effective squadron, scoring 97 kills and 103 damaged airplanes on the ground. Noteworthy to remark, the Corsair was also appraised by Admiral Nimitz giving its performance.
The Corsair served almost exclusively as a fighter-bomber throughout the Korean War and during the French colonial wars in Indochina and Algeria. In addition to its use by the U.S. and British, the Corsair was also used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, French Naval Aviation, and other air forces until the 1960s. From the first prototype delivery to the U.S. Navy in 1940, to final delivery in 1953 to the French, 12,571 F4U Corsairs were manufactured in 16 separate models. Its 1942–1953 production run was the longest of any U.S. piston-engined fighter.
The Corsair saw action in post-WW-II conflicts such as the Korean War, the Indochina War, among others. Many served with other air forces as surplus or donated aircraft, where it served more than 30 years after WW-II was over, when it scored its last air victories and gave an honorable closure to an era past gone. Ten F2G “Super” Corsair series also served as civilian racers after the war.
- Actual Aircraft Specifications:
- Crew: One
- Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
- Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
- Wing area: 314 sq ft (29.17 m2)
- Empty weight: 9,205 lb (4,238 kg)
- Gross weight: 14,670 lb (6,654 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 14,533 lb (6,592 kg)
- Power plant: 1 – Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W radial engine, 2,380 hp (1,770 kW)
- Propellers: 4-bladed
- Maximum speed: 446 mph (717 km/h, 385 kn)
- Cruise speed: 215 mph (346 km/h, 187 kn)
- Stall speed: 89 mph (143 km/h, 77 kn)
- Range: 1,005 mi (1,617 km, 873 nmi)
- Combat range: 328 mi (528 km, 285 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 41,500 ft (12,600 m)
- Rate of climb: 4,360 ft/min (22.1 m/s)
- Guns: 6 – 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns 375-400 rounds per gun
- Rockets: 8 – 5 in (12.7 cm) high velocity aircraft rockets
- Bombs: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
Images Source: RCGroups Forums Webpage, and Extracts from Top Flite Plans.
The Top Flite F4U Corsair is a sport scale model of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair, and the plans were designed/drawn by David J. Ribbe. This model may be built as a sport model for sport flying, or detailed out for sport scale competition. Either way, the model possesses a very good scale outline. NOTE - This RC model aircraft is not for beginners, and doing a scratch build using the Top Flite plans is not something for a scratch build beginner. I say this because the Top Flite plans do not contain profiles for all the wing ribs, but the instruction manual does have images of all the die-cut parts. These could be used, if resized to match the full size plans, to make the needed rib templates. Additionally, the wing sheeting on this model is complex and will require some experience in working with balsa sheeting.
The Top Flite Instructions show an OS .61 2-stroke engine side mounted at a 45 degree inverted position. It also shows a Top Flite internal muffler (TOPQ7915). This power package should work very well. The instructions also show the installation of an OS 1.20 4-stroke engine. Even though it is shown mounted inverted, it could also be mounted upright or on its side; the decision is yours. Flexible exhaust systems are available for most 4-stroke engines and there is more than enough room inside the Corsair's cowl to route the exhaust out the bottom. You would also have to change the cowl mounting.
You must decide early in the building process if you are going to use operating wing flaps. These are not required but do add to the Corsair's appearance and flyability. The flaps as described in the instruction manual work very well, giving super stable slow flight with virtually no trim changes. Obviously there is some extra work and craftsmanship required to fit operating flaps to the model. If you use operating flaps, you will need to have (2) standard servos and small Robart hinge points (ROBQ2508) available during the build.
You will need to decide early in your build whether you intend to use retractable landing gear in your Corsair. The Top Flite Corsair is designed to work with the Robart ninety degree rotating retracts (ROBQ1815). Century Jet Models ninety degree rotating retracts (CJMQ3055) are specifically made for this model and will work equally as well. The Century Jet retracts include functional struts as part of a complete kit. Finding retracts may be an issue. There are many reviews and forums on the web that discuss this further.
The Top Flite F4U Corsair is a great flying sport scale airplane that flies smoothly and predictably, yet is highly maneuverable. It does not have the self-recovery characteristics of a primary trainer. Therefore, you must either have mastered the basics of R/C flying or seek the assistance of a competent R/C pilot to help you with your first flights.
- Top Flite F4U Corsair RC Model Specifications:
- Aircraft Type: 1/8th Scale Warbird
- Wing Span: 62.5″
- Total Wing Area: 700 square inches
- Wing Location: Low Wing
- Airfoil: Semi-Symmetrical
- Wing Platform: Double Taper
- Fuselage Length: 50.5″
- Number of Channels: 6 - Throttle, Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator, Flaps, and Retract Gear
- Ready to Fly Weight: 8.5 - 9.5 lbs. depending on power system selection
- Glow Fuel Engines: .60 - .80 2-stroke .90 - 1.20 4-stroke
- Electric Powered: Output of 1,200 - 1,800 Watts, 80-100 Amp ESC, 6 cell 45C LiPo pack of 5,000mah
The Vought F4U Corsair RC model in this months edition can be built using a set of Top Flite Plans and Instructions available @: “Outerzone”
A Top Flite F4U RCM&E Build Blog with Pictures.
Outerzone Vought F4U Corsair Webpage.
I hope you have enjoyed this months selection, and just maybe, I have spurred some interest in trying your hand at building an RC model airplane.
Until next month - Keep the Balsa Dust Flying!!
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