Spinning the Propeller on Tamiya's 1/48 Corsair with a Micro Electric Motor

[@KyleGlendinning]

This is just brilliant. That fuel tank battery system is very well thought through and the result is genius. I also really like how the whole front end can be disassembled for any maintenance. Excellent work and congratulations on the documentary commission.

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you, Kyle. I think the end result provides everything that is needed from an operations and maintenance perspective. Now to get on with the build and weathering so we can test the filming.

[@tinmansscalemodels]

That's some well thought out work there

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks...it did take a little while to work out all the kinks.

[@tinmansscalemodels]

@@FlyingSModels . I bet you were super impressed with yourself when it all worked out. I'm currently building an Artesania Latina 1/10 Stage Coach and some of the steps are very challenging

[@FlyingSModels]

I was happy that it did, that's for sure. There were some touch and go moments here and there :)

[@organicpaul]

Look forward to seeing that film and featured models!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks. I'll keep you posted here.

[@scottbuildsthemall5124]

Very nicely done! I am going to need to visit Amazon!

[@FlyingSModels]

And it’s pretty dang cheap too. Thanks for the feedback! Good luck on yours.

[@stenalbertsen2440]

Great stuff 👍

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks 👍

[@robertflorquist7024]

Wow, how cool is that! I have built models using larger electric motors but like you said, they need an external power source. Very cool tip, thanks.

[@FlyingSModels]

Hope it helps, Robert. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check out the video and provide some good feedback.

[@jamiesworkshop3198]

Wow, I remember putting an electric motor and battery in a 1/48th scale P-40 when I was a kid back in the 70's. I filmed it with a 8mm movie camera.

[@FlyingSModels]

Awesome. You were way ahead of your time! You still have the video?

[@mmouseav8r402]

Thanks, I might do this with Tamiya’s P-47 Razorback to depict the ones that launched from an aircraft carrier

[@FlyingSModels]

That would be an excellent idea. Would love to see some pics when you get that completed.

[@eddielane72]

Once again another tremendous video showing your amazing abilities. Great job. Bravo sir!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks, Edward. Was fun coming up with a way to make it work out.

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

Really well done! You’ve given me some great ideas.

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks! I hope that they help.

[@FlyingSModels]

And great channel on your end. Just sub'd. Look forward to more videos!

[@PJHamann1]

Nice! I did something like this with a 1:48 Monogram P-47 Razorback, but I used a AAA battery inside the fuselage and a small magnetic reed switch in the rear fuselage to turn it on and off. I buried a magnet in the display base, but you could use something like you did and put the magnet in the drop tank.

[@FlyingSModels]

Another great idea. I'm sure that P-47 turned out great!

[@pglx68]

Very nice! Thank you for the information. Looking forward to the finished model and the film.

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you. I'll be getting a build video of the model (and others) up here as soon as I can finish them.

[@thepresident1971]

The legend is backkk🔥🔥🔥

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks! Getting harder and harder to find all the time I need to crank out these videos.

[@kenshin73himura70]

OUTSTANDING! I am simply baffled at the simplicity in which you went about it. Simple and reliable...been looking for a way to do this, almost called NASA for ideas!...lol. Will be studying this video closely, THANK YOU! PS. Ravell Iron Maiden spitfire been on hold for this.

[@FlyingSModels]

Glad this little idea can help. It is pretty simple and I've updated it just a little since the video was made with some small gold pin connectors from Mouser electronics that work even better. If you want to check those out, they are P/N 617-09670005576 and 617-09670005476 for the male/female halves. Look forward to seeing your Spitfire "in action".

[@kenshin73himura70]

@@FlyingSModels Will do. Once more, thank you for the having your channel. Most will agree when I say, you've taken our modeling skills to a new level. 👍🤘🙌

[@jrgreiner]

Thanks for this, Chad! Definitely the easiest solution to a challenging problem. Still requires a lot of patience and exact measuring (with the magnets, etc), but well worth the work. Looking very forward to the finished product(s)!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks! I appreciate the comment and I hope that it looks even more convincing when I get the full build complete and loaded up.

[@Riverrockphotos]

Man I want to watch this Documentary. The Corsair is by far my favorite plane although the SR-71 is a very close 2nd. My ex wifes grandfather flew Corsairs in the war.

[@FlyingSModels]

We are still working on it. I'm getting close to having this Corsair complete and will switch my attention to the 1/18 Corsair and some other models for it as well. Like you, I love both the Corsair and the SR-71. Thanks for the comment and happy New Year!

[@bugler75]

Very well planned and made. You make it look so easy! Thanks

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you. The hardest part was just laying it all out. Now it should be just a "rinse and repeat". Appreciate the feedback!

[@darrenanderson7969]

Great Work Sir!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks, Darren. Now where's that Raiden ;)

[@Tigerslam327]

First in. You rock!

[@FlyingSModels]

That was fast!!

[@TheModelorian]

I was thinking about something similar, but this is so much easier, replacable and adaptable for so many other things! Genius! Thank you for sharing!!!!

[@FlyingSModels]

It works even better than I thought it would. Good luck with yours. If you have any questions, just let me know. Finding the little micro connectors took a little bit of work but they work great!

[@TheModelorian]

@@FlyingSModels I guess I just go with your idea. It's so much better than mine. 😂

[@FlyingSModels]

@@TheModelorian I'm sure yours would have worked well too.

[@mihahorvat1165]

You could make battery contacts with actual magnets. Non-coated ones (like yours) conduct electricity really good. So at the same time they could hold your tank to the plane and conduct electricity ;)

[@FlyingSModels]

Great tip. I'm going to have to change my strategy in the future. Thank you for the feedback!

[@justinhealey2408]

Cool ive been brainstorming this idea for a whil now..thank you for teaching how you go about your art perfecto

[@FlyingSModels]

Hope it helps, Justin! Thank you for checking it out.

[@justinhealey2408]

@@FlyingSModels my pleasure👍

[@bernardberben4852]

That's amazing! It all seems so complicated but I want to give it a try someday

[@FlyingSModels]

You got this. The hardest part was figuring it all out. The micro motor will fit in the kit engine snug enough, I think, that you may not even need those magnets there. That was probably the most challenging part. Good luck and thanks for the feedback!

[@stephenthomas2311]

Great work. I'm building an 1/8th RC Corsair with the VMF-114 livery. I hope you post more videos on this unit and "Cowboy" Stout. Best, LB

[@FlyingSModels]

Wow...that's awesome. I hope you will consider sharing some pics. I'm also sprucing up a couple of 1/18 Corsairs for movie props as well. Maybe I'll have to build a bigger one to keep up :)

[@the.just.able.biker67]

That's a very well thought out installation. I might jave to give it a try. 👍

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you. It worked out quite well for what I was after. Hope it does for you too.

[@infernumdk]

Brilliant work as always Chad thank you for sharing 👍🇩🇰

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you, Philip. Appreciate the feedback.

[@MrObsidian23]

I just found your channel. Great instructional video for us novices out there that want to try this. Good luck and best wishes on your documentary. It looks to be a very interesting subject with one of my all time favorite US aircraft.

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks, Scott. I'm glad you found the channel and I hope that you enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) the content. Appreciate the well wishes on the models for the documentary and I'll be putting up more videos as I walk through the builds for them. Happy Modeling, Chad.

[@septiccalling8341]

Neat. You’re a clever fella! 👍🏻👌🏻

[@FlyingSModels]

Can't take all the credit. I saw a similar solution employed by another modeler. I just had to figure out how to adapt it to this project and make it operable and maintainable. That in itself was a little bit of a challenge.

[@leehughes1587]

Just an update, some of the amazon links are expired, the items are no longer available (micro engines as an example). Im clicking through and adding this to a diorama im building for my dad! Thanks for the notes

[@FlyingSModels]

Appreciate the heads up. Checking the amazon links is something I need to get much better about. Hope your diorama goes well. I'm sure your father is going to love it!

[@marcrainergatmaitan2472]

Found the right video for the job, thank you so much for sharing this! The only problem now is to find an appropriate size of batteries for the centerline fuel tank of my 1/48 J2M3 and some magnets here in our place! Have a sub!

[@FlyingSModels]

Appreciate the sub and glad the video helped out. That 1/48 Raiden tank is a little smaller so a smaller battery will be required. Perhaps an AG1 would work? Good luck with your Raiden.

[@marcrainergatmaitan2472]

@@FlyingSModels which cost the capacity of the battery to be lesser. I found that AG3 would work like a charm, and if it doesnt fit ill make room for it. Now my copper connectors will be the least of the worries, ill show ya when I finished it. Thanks!

[@FlyingSModels]

@@marcrainergatmaitan2472 Excellent. Have fun!

[@jeffholt9437]

Pure genius!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback!

[@JeiBeeBee]

Great idea, great tutorial. 👍👍👍 Challenge: use magnets to let the Corsair hover over a base?

[@FlyingSModels]

Appreciate the feedback. Now to find some much more powerful magnets for levitation...haha

[@gb373886]

Brilliant idea and techniques. Gotta give this a try..🍻

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks Gary. Hope the video helps! Good luck with yours.

[@christiansifredi7476]

Wow, well done Chad ! Nice and smart engineering, you've just made a simple Tamiya kit to the next level ! I have a 1/48 Tamiya Zero with motors but unfortunately it had small cables running down because it comes with a display base.

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you, Christian. Appreciate the good words. Yep, I wanted (really needed) something a bit more "wireless". I'm thinking this would work well for the Zero too. But if you wanted to do a gear down version on a base, the standard Tamiya Prop Action is a good approach.

[@christiansifredi7476]

@@FlyingSModels Yep, as always sir ! And yeah I think maybe I'll follow the standard instructions with the cables going down. Just afraid If i did all those surgery and modifications it will be irreversible cause I'm not good at electricals and wirings. Just too risky for me 😅

[@FlyingSModels]

@@christiansifredi7476 totally understand. No need to risk it on this one! Have fun building it and I look forward to maybe seeing some pics in the future.

[@dragondrummer33]

more videos please, very informative and entertaining!

[@FlyingSModels]

I keep working at it as quickly as my schedule will allow. Appreciate the good feedback!

[@tonyd9]

Nice one! Great work:) Be very careful with thise tiny wires coming off of the electric motor... I’ve used these in various planes using similar technique and they are VERY fragile... Especially if you can’t make them replaceable Have a good day!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks...appreciate the feedback. You are exactly right, those small wires are really fragile. Another reason why the motor needed to by replaceable. Thanks for sharing!

[@brianc1701]

Brilliant!

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks!

[@MAN394631]

Thats really smart tutorial, thank you

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you! Hope it helps.

[@MVeminor7]

Good morning Flying S. Starting my day with a new video. Fantastic subject. Thanks for the insight

[@FlyingSModels]

I'm not sure that's the doctor's recommended start to the day but I appreciate you doing it anyway. Thanks for checking it out and for the feedback!

[@MVeminor7]

@@FlyingSModels I love waking up to new posts. Its my morning constitutional

[@c123bthunderpig]

Awesome creative idea, I was not aware of the small parts. I assume the extra thickness of painting would not impact tolerances?. Reminded me a bit of the clear Monogram 1/32 scale P51 I think from the late 50s with console you could turn prop, drop bombs and do landing gear. But this is great and covers so many planes. Thanks for sharing. .

[@FlyingSModels]

You bet. I hope that it helps. I'm pretty sure paint won't cause any issue but I will be installing some plugs in the undersurface lugs so as not to get paint up in there. Appreciate the feedback!

[@darkwing318]

Very nice :) Thank you for sharing this with us :D

[@FlyingSModels]

Sure thing. Thank you for the good feedback!

[@davidparker2259]

Very cool, Chad. Will you be featuring the rest of the build as well?

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks, David. I sure will. Going to be starting on that part here soon.

[@acosacca1908]

Hi Chad thanks for sharing your experience!!! It Is truly ispiring...but for me now Is realy top Much!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣✌️✌️✌️

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks. Just sharing some experiences along the way 😀

[@goodtips8973]

Another super video! PS i'm building rafs f-4u 1b right now and i hestitate do i should use us or raf interior color?

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks! Appreciate that. I would use US colors (interior/bronze green).

[@jsonlee01]

Really cool. I’ve always wondered...Do you know what the white lines just in front of the front windscreen were used for?

[@FlyingCrow]

That was tape. It sealed the fuselage panel seems to prevent oil residue from blowing back on the windshield inflight.

[@darrellid]

I've read that was medical tape applied in the field to either prevent oil escaping from the cowling gills and entering the cockpit or fuel from the supposedly leaky tanks splashing on the windscreen.

[@FlyingSModels]

Looks like others have beat me to the punch. The great thing about the community here. Folks helping each other out. Appreciate the good feedback.

[@falconyeager]

Wow! What kind of tubing cutter did you use?

[@FlyingSModels]

I use one from Home Depot as well as one by K&S for smaller tubing. I think there are some links to those in the video description now. Thanks!

[@Leescreativeart]

Do you still check this channel? I’m building a diorama for my dad in a “wrong markings” group build. His favorite was the Corsair but I’m making a 1/32 scale. Do you think that micro motor will be ok with the larger prop?

[@FlyingSModels]

You should have no problems swinging a bigger prop. Seemed like those little motors had plenty of torque for a lightweight plastic propeller.

[@Leescreativeart]

@@FlyingSModelsthanks! Appreciate it! I am traveling a bunch in the next two months and then the group build starts in August, so I’ll try to tag you in some updates when I get it all working, of course stealing some of your ideas 😅😂😂😂. I won’t be as cool but I should be able to post on my dad’s birthday. He would have been 69 or 70 I think this year. He had passed in 2020 so it’s a memorial diorama. Really appreciate the video and I’m hoping to make this special.

[@unclejack123]

excellent solution for the motor/battery install. One minor "nit-pic" ...... the rows of radials should be staggersd so the rear cylinders get better cooling air flow ...... just sayin' ....... ;-p

[@FlyingSModels]

Thanks. I appreciate the nit-pic. They will be staggered, apparently I just didn't have things lined up correctly when I put the engine back together. Thanks for pointing that out. You passed the video test...haha.

[@unclejack123]

@@FlyingSModels thanks - now I'm wondering if this "Cowboy" has any connection to the "Cowboy" in the John Wayne WWII movie Flying Leathernecks?

[@FlyingSModels]

@@unclejack123 That is a good question. I am not sure. I'll have to ask Damon about it. Would be interesting to find out.

[@epicforger12345]

I’m a bit confused on the propeller the propellor should have a hole due to the normal model to attach it so did you fill that on the propeller

[@FlyingSModels]

The propeller in the kit actually has a shaft, not a hole, that slides into a rubberish bushing that is glued into the crankcase. So that shaft has to be removed to allow the much smaller shaft on the little motor to attach to the prop. Hope this helps.

[@chucksteinmetz1743]

Is the documentary out as of yet? I can't seem to find it on the net. Thanks.

[@FlyingSModels]

I'm not sure. I'm guessing now yet. Appreciate you checking in.

[@BobBuesking]

For filming you could have just spun the prop with compressed air, no muss, no fuss,no electrics to go out.

[@FlyingSModels]

That's true if just filming one of them at a time. But for several in a formation flight, needed some independent power sources.

[@bgdavenport]

Danged clevur u must be a ingineer or sumpin'!

[@FlyingSModels]

Hahaha....more like the Sumpin' :)

[@amad9111]

can u send motor detail

[@FlyingSModels]

They should be in the description below the video but here it is: Micro DC motors: amzn.to/2Qxm0q7

[@jeffallen3382]

*B R I L L I A N T !*

[@FlyingSModels]

Thx! Hope it’s useful for you.

[@christiankirkwood3402]

We here are hoping that the filmmaker is as on his game as you are on your's... don't give him the intellectual property rights to show your work here - take the credit where it is due. We have experience in the family with surf - documentaries and maintain ownership over concept development that translates into any idea physically or not manifest in the production and the end result. Whether it ends up onscreen or see's the "editing room floor" if it's your's it's useable elsewhere.

[@FlyingSModels]

Yep, it's all good. Never made an "in action" model before so it's good to try some new things.

[@christiankirkwood3402]

@@FlyingSModels We are so glad to know your work has reach beyond this format... look out ILM!!! Just got a tad concerned that you reap the full reward your art deserves. Love from the harem and I as always mate :)

[@FlyingSModels]

@@christiankirkwood3402 For sure. Thanks for having my back. Say hello to the harem for me! All the best, Chad.

[@rickdee67]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! Great engineering! I’m planning to build a 1/48 C-130 and it must have spinning props. I noticed that you didn’t use a resistor though. Does the engine get warm?

[@FlyingSModels]

Thank you. That would be awesome to apply to the C-130 and easier, given all the extra room you will have to work with for the electronics. The little motors did not generate any heat (or enough to matter). Look forward to seeing some pics of your project if you want to share over on my facebook page or through my website contact. Good luck!