WAR Corsair Flys !!!!

[@Dynodon64]

I want to thank everyone for their comments and congratulations. There were too many comments to respond to all of them this morning. Over 600. I answered a few, but it took me an hour to just to get through them all. I will do a follow up video later today to address some comments and let everyone know where I'll be going from here. Thank you all.

[@markflint1619]

Don? ive been watching you for years now and i've always appreciated your attention to detail, patience and professionalism! I was grinning ear to ear when you lifted off, just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS! and THANK YOU!! for allowing all of us Dreamers to fly with you!!

[@dylancoppola349]

I'm so freaking happy four you buddy this has made my week iv been watching you from the start ur living my dream

[@brettgasper326]

Been patiently waiting to see how your progress was coming along and happy to see its maiden voyage. It would be exciting to see an old war bird take to the sky.

[@waderussell764]

I shed a tear of joy when she lifted off. Man what a great run Don! I'm so proud of what you've accomplished. Well done sir....well done!

[@duaneedwards5439]

I couldn't have said it any better! Outstanding!!!

[@chucksdesk]

This is a a big day for anyone who builds their own airplane. It took me 8.5 years to complete mine and I know many thought it would never happen. I invited a couple dozen friends out for the first flight on the 13th of November 1994. I provided marshmallows for everyone just in case, so the day would not be a complete loss if things didn’t work out well. Everyone seemed happy it didn’t turn out to be a marshmallow roast. Congratulations to you!

[@ayrwynharrison898]

Congratulations, your War Corsair flew and looked great ! I've got to admit I was a bit nervous on the landing, it looked like you touched down a little before the numbers, but she made her back triumphant. I am very happy for you. Cheers

[@MitchellPetersoncustomdrone]

Beautiful to see. 12 years of work comes together. SWEET!!!!!!!!

[@nickbarsby3378]

You had a bunch of guys down here turning blue! Bloody Well Done Don!

[@tonyf9076]

You Sir are a steely eyed missile man 🔥

[@flightnavigator8999]

I’ve heard that before 😮

[@tonyf9076]

@@flightnavigator8999 Apollo 13 movie 😉

[@guyoreilly5670]

Congratulations! Next stop: Oshkosh 2025 - Warbird Arrivals!! It was a privilege to see your progress and methodical approach to problem solving. Happy Landings always!!

[@billstewart5421]

GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!! Great flight!!! Beautiful landing!!

[@NateG3678]

I’ve been watching your build for at least a decade. Seeing her fly by your hands made me smile, thinking how pleased you must be finally seeing your dream come to fruition! Hats off sir! Very well done indeed!!

[@Airsally]

Thats awesome! God speed and safe landings.

[@MA-iv7ol]

Once you get to where the gear can be retracted we need some chase plane video footage. I'll bet she looks amazing in the air, this is easily the most correct looking Corsair of all the kit planes I've seen built. Well done!

[@280zjammer]

There's nothing better than finally realizing a long awaited moment.

[@neiltryhus2867]

Congratulations Don!!! I have enjoyed watching your build and trouble shooting to make sure you have the safest plane possible. To everyone that thought it would never fly, I say put your ass in the plane if you do not think of everything that could possibly go wrong. I doubt they would be in the cockpit! I love to see success stories and your story is one of those. Thanks for sharing your journey and I hope you have thousands of safe flights with your new baby! Congratulations again!!! Keep us updated on your plane and flights.

[@LittleManFlying]

Absolutely gorgeous and huzzah! Congratulations, Don! The sky is yours!

[@jevanpolock]

Congrats on your maiden flight. Your patience in making sure your plane was ready to fly was well worth it. Keep up the great work.

[@carterscoconuts6224]

I am proficient in ASL and I agree with our statement of the non believers in you don. Your are an awesome guy

[@djohnson4274]

A thrill! After watching for a what seemed like a long time, it finally flew!!! I'm so excited for you!

[@liviou2004]

What a huge emotion, seing your fabulous plane climbing the air...I'm so impressed for your great perseverance...What a reward for you after such an enormous work.... Thank you so much for having share with all of us.

[@toniwilson6210]

A worthy project to follow to completion

[@BugsyMonkey242]

It's been so long since ive watch this man's video's and i am so happy to see this plane flying congratulations mate 👏

[@dt10539]

Congratulations for getting your plane up in the air! Blue skies and tailwinds.

[@josephperry6822]

I had to drop another comment because I'm freaking out a little! I've been following for so long that I'm kind of getting emotional that she's airborne Don. The pride you must feel right now after all your hard work has got to be overwhelming! I just can't say enough because I'm choked up! She's absolutely beautiful Don! You are the man!!!!!!

[@SgtE5]

This was a pleasant surprise, Don. I knew you'd fly it when you were ready and you knew the plane was ready. It's been a great journey following you through this build. Congratulations, Mr. Don.

[@NottinghamshireNick]

Congratulation Don- can’t believe I didn’t see this until now. Been following your progress- great achievement and looked really smooth. You must be thrilled. All the best from the Uk

[@scottkelly1918]

To Boldly go... Congratulations, you are a test pilot !

[@KenBlackRifleAmerica]

It was an absolute thrill to see her lift off and watch that skyline as she effortlessly took off. What a great day for you and "Suzybelle"....she's a winner!! Thanks for taking us along on your first flight!! Good on ya!!

[@SmithWhitey]

YA HOO, My man! Congratulations & well done!

[@WadeStarkenburg]

Congratulations!! The excitement you are still feeling is followed by the excitement of all of us that are happy for you and the hard work you put into this beautiful aircraft!! You deserve a huge round of applause for all the hard work you put into this build and now get to enjoy the next chapter of enjoying the wild blue yonder.

[@wainjohnson5474]

Outstanding Don, thank you for letting me take part in watching this build from the beginning. Can't wait to see it.

[@edwardstephens247]

Don, I love the place where the camera is located on this video except for the wind noise!

[@paulbowling7459]

Well done Don! Never doubted you'd fly her! Wish you'd had someone filming from the ground too to document this epic maiden takeoff! Happy Landings!

[@stevenfrazier8939]

That is a good feeling to see the fruits of your labor come to fruition

[@Plee1061]

Woohoo!! Congratulations Don. Wishing you many happy hours flying Suzybelle.

[@dflynn2499]

Beautiful..... Loved the view from the tail (a little bit shaky, vibration, with flaps down). Love the Corsair, My Father was a Naval Aviator and flew the F4U-4 & 5 in the late '40's early 50's then transitioned to the A1-HD Skyraider. Stay Safe and keep a level ATTITUDE 🛩

[@bakurathewerewolf8121]

So happy I finally got to watch Her take off. I've been waiting for it for years.

[@ILSRWY4]

Fantastic! Something to be very proud of! Took about damn time... but NEVER took short cuts and always put safety first and never went until you were damn ready... and it paid off! Super cool!

[@chuckintexas]

Absolutely WONDERFUL !! _Congratulations !_

[@aSpyIntheHaus]

The important people of KZbin have waited with baited breath for this video. Great work mate!

[@fntsmk]

WOW! At least 12 years in the making from what I can tell from the videos on your channel. What a great accomplishment! Well done! What a beautiful airplane!

[@terrymortimore1041]

Congratulations Don, you should be very proud of your accomplishment. You did it right, waiting until both you and the plane were ready. Terry

[@sabertoothanimations2912]

Its awesome to see it fly after all this time, but hey don't ever feel pressured to just prove them all wrong, your safety trumps there desire to see something happen

[@alandaters8547]

Exactly right! Don's videos show a builder who has respect for every aspect of construction. Homebuilt aircraft are no place for rush jobs and a "this must be OK" attitude.

[@abates3747]

YYYYEEEESSS!!! congrats!! I greatly appreciated the lack of rush just to fly it, making sure all was correct.

[@flightnavigator8999]

Nice work Pappy, I’m in awe here my heart was racing incase yours wasn’t. Wow great flight!!!

[@kevinreynolds5068]

Congrats on your first flight! 👍

[@RobloxianPilot457]

I have loved watching the progress of this project. Glad it is getting to fly!

[@kellyrohrbachsbvmhanger9912]

Congratulations Don, I build big Rc models and I know what I put into them, Just not myself. Look forward to many more videos.

[@dannyortman5125]

Congratulations, it was well worth the wait to see this baby fly!!

[@melvinschmecklebak3766]

Very nice job. Hand made and it flies. Congradulations Don. UL pilot from Canada here

[@thatguy83ful]

Big congratulations to you Don. Ive enjoyed many of your videos over the years. Thanks for taking the time to bring us along with you on your journey. 🎉🎉🎉

[@Friskee62]

Love that gesture, I'm Italian...

[@767chip]

So incredibly happy for you!! Well done. Wishing you many happy flights.

[@briansilcox5720]

Nice work Don. Lots of patience, persistence with the details paid off with successful outcome. Flight instructor in me says fly that final a little closer to 3 degrees… beautiful workmanship, outstanding achievement!

[@zenatsuryouichi]

Im quite excited to finally see this project take off!

[@dankingjr.2088]

Nice. Good to see her in the air after all the work. Congratulations!

[@sinformant]

Awesome! Congratulations! Never really realized the scale of the plane till I saw it next to that cub. Smaller than I thought it was. So cool!

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

Congrats Don! 39 .4 more hours to go! Git r dun! Glad to see the Corsair fly! ❤

[@mazack00]

Not sure how many years I've been following you... This is amazing to finally see!

[@mickeypittman2623]

Hold on can't go home I can't find my dull pocket knife ,,, shirt tails both of them this time ,,, golden accomplishment sir, Don

[@Bigredbrian]

I have been watching your videos from the beginning. It is great to see your plane fly. CONGRATULATIONS

[@chillywilly934]

OUTSTANDING!! What an accomplishment!

[@jimh2067]

Great job to finally have her in the air. Best wishes for many hours of enjoyment in the air.

[@unclejack123]

Tears of joy for you Don ... she looks lovely in the air ... stalls were very mild .... Flaps look amazing in motion ... didn't expect gear retract but couldn't tell anyway cause rubber indicator/clearance donuts are sucked up into the airstream at all times .... I was really surprised how quiet She got at low power settings in the air also. Congratulations on a relatively gripe free first flight.

[@alandaters8547]

Yes, I thought that the gear was up!

[@brutusbarnabus8098]

DD!!! Magnificent!!! I always believed in you and good for you taking the time to test your bird and take her up when you were ready. Not when the keyboard warriors thought you should. Appeared to be some turbulent air, but the bird seemed to handle it well. Bravo!! I hope that you will give us a pilot debrief for your next video.

[@TonyPaschal]

So happy for you! The video was great and you gave us some spectacular views with the evening sun. Happy landings and keep posting your adventures with the bird.

[@kevinfrerichs8589]

Great JOB Don, all of us that have been watching for years knew this day would come. Can't wait to see more of her flying, she was born to FLY and did a Beautiful job of it, Thanks for showing us. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@billjagers6192]

The corsair is my favorite war bird been watching for some time now GOOD FOR YOU!!! Didn't have any doubt it would fly. Absolutely nothing wrong with being thorough and as for the naysayers we'll said

[@Joeschmo776]

I’ve been following this project since the start and it makes me happy to see it fly

[@jamesparrish3141]

Congratulations! Your dream took wings!!! Restored a 1946 Fairchild 24 W. Replaced the Warner 165 hp radial with a Continental 220 hp radial( everything firewall forward from a PT 17 Stearman, Waco "bumped" cowling.) Within a day, I knew this was out of my league. With a lot of help, time and money, it was done. They said it would only be a two man airplane after the change to a heavier engine but it worked out fine. Your project albeit different, reminded me of the the amount of dedication it takes to see a dream actually come true. I don't know where or what happened to it after selling it a half century ago, nor do I want to. I just bring back the memories and listen to the radial growl and smile. Wishing you many days of making memories.

[@Uhmjazz]

Don you earned it CONGRATULATIONS !

[@vincentgroudeniutes1655]

Dear Sir, I applaude you and its been a priviledge to follow your journey. Many more safe landings!

[@ronheide4198]

Two Thumbs UP !! Great flight

[@omaralfredokloster6708]

Congratulations!! and excellent flights, from now on enjoy and recover the time spent building and testing!! and travel the world !!

[@Will-W]

Congratulations man! Youve done something only a fraction of a percent of people manage to accomplish. I can only imagine how amazing that must feel to actually get it in the air. Awesome job.

[@skrswift]

Dosnt get any better than this I remember the feeling, well done its great to get that first one under your belt, onwards and upwards.

[@brandons9398]

Congratulations on her maiden! So jealous I am, she’s a fine plane for a fine pilot😊

[@donausmus4281]

I remember when I test flew my Kitfox. Brings back memories. Good job!!

[@chrisambrose8838]

You must be very proud!!! What a beautiful bird!! Blue skies and tailwinds ! 🇺🇸💙👍🙋‍♂️🖖🏻

[@Lopez_rc]

That’s crazy!!! You have been working on it since I was 3 years old!

[@Flyingtiger1726]

Great job Don, Congratulations !

[@petermichel462]

That is so cool. You have to be so proud of what you have accomplished. Great Job!!!

[@petermagoun7457]

Major congrats Don. Really fabulous first landing - don't know how you did so well on the first attempt. Hope you keep posting videos on subsequent flights with landing gear tests, your observations on handling, etc. You should be very pleased with the final payoff of all your efforts over these years. Keep up the good work.

[@MA-iv7ol]

Outstanding sir! I knew it wouldn't be long, I've been following your amazing build since you first started posting. Hard work and careful planning always results in success. Well done!

[@xfirehurican]

*BRAVO ZULU* ! And, to all of the naysayers, gripers, etc, *TAKE THAT* ! Many, many happy takeoffs, flights, and landings to come, Don! *SEMPER FI* !

[@swaits4no1]

Man, yall! CGI is getting really good!!! I could've sworn the corsair did a run up, taxi to run way, and no smack talk just went!!! That be wild, Don!! Gooder job 😂

[@s.spiegel3032]

Crazy, I've been following you for years - and it's so great to see it finally fly. What a great day! Congrats to you!

[@donlarson2535]

Super cool. Congratulations on your first flight. I've been following you from the beginning. So nice to another experimental in the sky.

[@ereid74]

What people fail to realize is the 35 years it took to get to this video and the countless hours of doing things 3 different times just to scrap it and do it entirely different. True piece of art! Congrats Don! Well, well deserved!

[@terryboehler5752]

Congratulations! That's a real accomplishment. I'm going to give you some free advice. If it quit almost anywhere on final, you were going into the trees.

[@alandaters8547]

I thought that too, but on the other hand, Don has run that engine many times and pays very careful attention to every detail of its operation.

[@bernieschiff5919]

Congratulations as well, yes, I was concerned also about what seemed a low approach over the trees. If zero wind you might have tried the opposite runway, perhaps fewer obstructions. Approach stalls look good.

[@aiden4892]

Congratulations! Been watching the process for quite some time now. Beautiful plane. Great job!

[@razortech2000]

Great video and great job on the build from start to finish. You knew what you wanted and made it happen. Not many have that type of commitment to last that many years. 👍

[@billstewart5421]

GREAT FLIGHT!!! I’ve been watching your channel since you were working in your garage at home. You’ve done a great job and your attention to detail and making sure everything was working properly paid off Big Time!!!! Hopefully you’ll have many enjoyable years flying your BEAUTIFUL Corsair!! Congratulations on a job well done!!!!

[@ToddBreda]

Finally! She flies! Happy landings! Been a joy to chart the progress over the years.

[@glideslopeza924]

I am amazed by your perseverance, trial and error and never giving up, you aways found a solution for every problem. I wish you many happy hours in this masterpiece that was worth every year it took to put her together. God speed 🙌🏼

[@loydta]

Fantastic. Been looking forward to the maiden. It was well worth the wait.. Congratulations it looked flawless.

[@oracle1841]

Fantastic Don... you did a brilliant job.. 👏 Congratulations on all you efforts in the biild and successful test flight.. all has paid off.. You must a very proud man.. what a great achievement.. I take my hat off to you..

[@DannyWildmon]

The folks who were saying that you would never fly it have never had any experience flying. The first flight on any aircraft that has had work done to it is always the most dangerous. Especially with a homebuilt aircraft! It's good that you done this the way that you did! Congratulations on proving them wrong. Kinda knew you would!

[@cup_and_cone]

Congrats! Be safe.

[@KyleCowden]

Goosebumps. I felt proud when she lifted off and I hadn't turned a screw. Such is journeying vicariously through your wonderful VLOG.

[@geoffwatson6207]

❤ the "Take that" to the naysayers! It's totally AWESOME!

[@Aberdeenroadie]

Congratulations on a successful maid flight. I was worried about you trying to fly this plane, but now I can breathe a sigh of relief.

[@mikeprince6045]

Good job Ace……nice bird…. Beautiful!!!!!