WAR Corsair Taxi test report 5/13/2024

Got a chance to get the plane out for the first start and taxi test of the year.
Test were very promising, and I feel it is finally ready for tail up test then a first flight to follow.
Engine was running perfect and gear toe out seems to be working great also.
Shouldn't be long now for the first test hop or flight.

[@portnuefflyer]

I got to know a former Marine naval aviator, who was 95 at the time, who logged 2000 hours of Corsair combat time in the South Pacific, and then went on, after the war, to have a 50 year career as a crop duster pilot, and after he retired from that, flew a Super Cub on his Nevada ranch for 14 years. I was installing a off grid solar system on his mountain property, that had a fairly steep and twisty driveway, but one section was just long enough to land my RANS S-7 on I decided. I asked Jim, he said sure, have at it, but then he called that night and said he had had seconds thoughts, and was I SURE I could pull it off? I told him, Jim if I screw the pooch it's all on me, and he said Ok, see you after you land. The next day, I landed it, I have over 4500 hours of mountain off airport time and was confident I could do it safely, but what I wasn't ready for was when I told Jim the hardest part was the loss of viz over the nose on short final due to the slope and the narrow road, and how I had to get it all lined up just right before committing. He, who had never talked much about his Corsair time or anything about the war, said something I have never forgot, "when we were on short final for the carrier, the whole thing disappeared." The picture I took of him that day, standing next to my plane with a big grin, is one of my favorite of all the ones on my hangar walls, he's now gone, anyway.... great homebuilt!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks for that story. Wish I had met someone like that.

[@ronnydowdy7432]

❤ I was hoping for better weather.

[@Zubeneshemali]

Curious how no one refers to the Corsair as the Wildcat any more!!

[@Dynodon64]

@@Zubeneshemali The F4F was the Wildcat, F6F was the Hellcat.

[@massmike11]

Why would anyone call a Corsair a wildcat?

[@jimstrieby4998]

Your bird looks absolutely awesome with the deployed flaps and the stance. You gotta' be proud!

[@Dynodon64]

That's why I dropped them for this video, and to try and get a good thumbnail.

[@canucklehead70]

@@Dynodon64 beautiful, maybe nicest plane I've seen. that thing is sexy

[@Conn653]

Each day shows progress in getting airborne. It may be slow but, being meticulous to detail is important and rewarding in the long run 🙂

[@Dynodon64]

I'm at the end of the list on touch ups. Now getting it up to speed and in the air is next.

[@cookingwithcuyandotherfuns6238]

You will love the 6" tailwheel! Great move. You'll be very happy with the 6" over the 4".

[@Dynodon64]

I think so too.

[@brianlundberg5163]

That is a beautiful Corsair! It keeps getting better.

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@g.l.g.6064]

What a great looking aircraft in the sun light.😎👍👍

[@Dynodon64]

But it gets real hot to the touch. Have to be careful with the sun exposure.

[@brandons9398]

She’s one well designed & built Corsair

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@tinyskustoms]

Getting closer and closer! Thanks for the update!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks for dropping bye.

[@superpapascott]

The excitement builds!

[@Dynodon64]

It's feeling real good now. Very happy with the test runs today.

[@gregvarn364]

Wow it looks super in the sun light !!! What a beauty !!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@scottgorman7166]

I have been watching and waiting for the LIFT OFF! When your ready Ill be here with all the energy of a little kid. That plane is a beauty and she is looking great with flaps deployed and just standing there waiting fo you to start her up and airborne

[@Dynodon64]

Shouldn't be long now.

[@Kickinpony66]

It looks better, now that you've knocked the dust off of it!

[@Dynodon64]

It's feeling better every time I take it out.

[@samscott5230]

I would recommend against any high-speed or tail-up taxi testing. I’ve seen many airplanes damaged doing high speed taxiing and there’s little/no information to be gained from doing it. If it’s controllable at low speed, it will only get better with more airflow over the tail. Airplane looks fantastic.

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks for the input. The plane will let me know when it's happy.

[@slipstream5542]

completely agree i didnt do fast tail up taxi tests in my mustang 2 for that very reason. always make sure she is airworthy of flight during ground tests because if she lifts off just fly the pattern gives you more time to feel it out rather then a hurried forced back on the ground with an inadvertant lift off FWIW

[@Dynodon64]

@@slipstream5542 I agree.

[@richardehair-kz9np]

She looks great as always, keep the updates coming.

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@Jimbo-in-Thailand]

WOW you're gettin' close now as all the little niggles seem to be corrected. Hope you get some great 1st flight weather soon and that your maiden will be buttery smooth and safe. 👍👍for your excellent craftsmanship and also patience to get her done right, before the maiden! 😁

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks, shouldn't be long now.

[@georgeradebaugh7293]

I like the look of the paint job in the sun

[@Dynodon64]

It's original colors, and Thanks.

[@danielhipp5541]

Beautiful aircraft Don ! Awesome work 👍🏻

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@darrylwalker1867]

Looks fantastic!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@darrylwalker1867]

@@Dynodon64 looks like the bird of prey that she is. And loving all the videos, and the sensible approach to getting you and her ready to fly.

[@_Oddball_1212]

absolutely amazing looking aircraft don! excited to see more!

[@Dynodon64]

I try to put up at least one video a week. Thanks

[@riegel3454]

super cool! cant wait for the maiden flight when its all ready and safe

[@xfirehurican]

She looks even better in the 2024 springtime sunshine!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@larrykbaird840]

AWESOME AIRCRAFT, Don you have done an extraordinary job. It looks so good with the flaps deployed!! Can’t wait for the day you are airborne!!

[@petermichel462]

Super sharp plane!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@raybame5816]

Thanks for the tail wheel info. Take your time, I know you're anxious. BTW she looks fantastic just setting there; been a while since we saw her.

[@Dynodon64]

No hurry, but it is feeling very good now. All positive results.

[@kevinjames8206]

It does look great with the flaps down.

[@downrangewarbirds]

Awesome progress! Glad you got her started up with a successful few runs! Can't wait to watch the videos once you get em in the next tests!

[@Dynodon64]

Shouldn't be long now.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

I got to the airport before sunrise to perform taxi test and eventually first flight. Early morning is perfect for light winds and no people. Towered airport, so I had ATC in my headset, which was comforting. Mine is a Zenith, so many flying examples. Not sure I have seen many of this design? Nevertheless, looking forward in watching you progress!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks for dropping by. It's getting interesting now.

[@tatumdaniels]

Man it’s looking beautiful Don

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@wn6904k]

I hate it when something should work and then does not. It is always something simple, and I have all night to work it over in my mind (zero sleep however) Plane looks great outside, more taxi testiing then a tail life to go. Getting there sir, thanks for sharing Don

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks, it's feeling real good now. The plane is talking to me with positive feedback.

[@ual737ret]

50 mph, eh? You are getting close to being airborne, brother.

[@schigara]

Lol! One would think that but be wrong. This will drag out years more.

[@Dynodon64]

I believe it will take at least 60 mph+ to lift off. I'm only pushing 1/4 throttle at 2800 rpm. It will go to 5800 rpm.

[@ual737ret]

@@Dynodon64 Well, I look forward to seeing your maiden flight and wish you luck.

[@Dynodon64]

@@schigara Why don't you just leave, and come back in a year then?

[@schigara]

@@Dynodon64 I did......a year ago and I will again and I am betting in a year from now, it still will have not left the earth.

[@marvinspates924]

Wow looks fantastic with the flaps down! Will you give us a heads-up in advance of when you're going to fly it???????? It might be asking to much for you to do a live feed? But I do hope you will have someone filming the event!!!!!!!👍👍👍

[@Dynodon64]

I'm sure the first flight will not be planned. It will just happen by itself. I always say that the plane will tell me when it's ready to fly. It's best to not have a crowd to watch the first flight. It causes you to push yourself if something doesn't feel right. Which may lead to trouble. It's better to just feel it out. When it's right, it will happen without pressure to make others happy.

[@marvinspates924]

Yes I guess you're right! I hope that by that time you will have a Gopro on the wing or the belly for some video!👍👍👍

[@slipstream5542]

Don she looks absolutely amazing great job !!! 👋🏼 waving from Fallon Nevada M2 driver

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@glennlane6599]

What a beautiful airplane!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@JohnSchiavoneJrBSEERN]

Looks AWESOME Don!!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@4kgaming608]

Your plane is really looking great!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@Flyingtiger1726]

Beautiful !

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@user-mi3dc8rk8v]

Sweet, very nice work. This project plane is the coolest thing.

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@EllsworthJohnson-ui1xm]

Beautiful job!!!

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks

[@bruceyoung1343]

Glad to hear a good day.

[@peterpatten5043]

Thank you for the up date : )

[@Dynodon64]

More to come.

[@user-ii4su2sn2w]

Огромная работа была проделана. Молодец мужик. Привет из Сургута

[@Dynodon64]

Thank you.

[@brettwoodard167]

Looking good Don!

[@kellyrohrbachsbvmhanger9912]

hope the maiden goes awesome, been watching this channel for many months now. What is he scale compared to the full scale. Im working on an RC model that is 1/4.5 scale. Power is my a Moki 5 cylinder engine swinging a 32" dia 3 blade prop., putting out about 15 HP. love the corsair

[@Dynodon64]

Thanks, this is 1/2 scale.

[@anatoliybelyankin]

If you are in doubt whether to fly or not, do not fly. The closer the flight, the more excitement, but you don't need excitement, you need sureness. If there is no sureness, there is no flight. Leave the excitement to the watchers, that's why we're watching.

[@Dynodon64]

I have no doubts about flying. Just being cautious.

[@jerryclayton4616]

Another great update…

[@Dynodon64]

More to come.

[@thomascarmichael6760]

Can’t help but love the stand of a F4U! Looks great with the flaps deployed. Those little gremlins have gotta be driving you crazy. Are you gonna take her up the first time, or are you going to have a test pilot take her up?

[@Dynodon64]

I'll be test flying it myself.

[@Robnord1]

She looks awful good out there in the sunshine Don !!! I looked online for the Pilot's Operating Handbook for this bird so I could see all of it's various 'V' speeds plus comments on general handling characteristics, and could not find one. Did they supply that with plans or are you on your own?

[@Dynodon64]

They don't exist, you need to build one up yourself.

[@Robnord1]

@@Dynodon64 Well then, what an adventure into the unknown it'll be! Possibly you will be the one to develop a POH and a series of checklists for each phase of flight. As cautious and detail oriented as you are, I'm sure you'll do a great job of it.

[@HombreDeLaNorte]

Judging from what I’ve seen over the years, I think Don should consider making a hobby out of this !😂 He’s great!

[@jerrygrappi4676]

Find a camera man to get video's of the taxi runs and finally take off & landing. Beautiful Corsair , one of my favorites.

[@Dynodon64]

Most of the time I come out, people are at work. But I will find someone to get video of it on the runway.

[@xfirehurican]

Don, are you developing a POH for the Corsair? Especially fuel consumption (taxi, departure, climb, cruise, etc.), common safety procedures, and so on.

[@Dynodon64]

I have a basic one written right now, that I will update as flight test come along.

[@bobbyduke777]

Still waiting to see her in the air.

[@Dynodon64]

Shouldn't be long now. Everything is working great.

[@bobbyduke777]

@@Dynodon64 Fantastic, excited for you, such a gorgeous craft

[@monostripeexplosiveexplora2374]

cute plane

[@traingod6248]

1000/10 0.5 scale aircraft!

[@Dynodon64]

1/2 scale

[@twillison8824]

Howdy Don, I've been watching for a while now, but I've never caught what the weight of this bird is.

[@Dynodon64]

Just under 900 empty. Gross is set to 1200.

[@twillison8824]

@Dynodon64 thank you sir. I appreciate you sharing your journey, and headaches with us.

[@jamesbarner5872]

Curious, what's an estimated test flight date! 2029? Great looking model!

[@kevinfrerichs8589]

👍👍👍

[@NbKXStorm]

Are you still planning to replace the bubble canopy? I remember it was a bit too low some long while back.

[@Dynodon64]

Yes, I will make a bigger one. I said that when I made this one. Just not needed for first flight.

[@chriscalovini1258]

Nice gokart! How many miles do you have on it now?

[@tametigere6375]

maybe hire someone else to fly it

[@Dynodon64]

Not an option. I'm almost there, why would I pass it on to someone else? I just needed to get the little things fixed. Now it's ready.

[@tametigere6375]

@@Dynodon64 Sure

[@jamesgilliland6415]

What are you flying now ro keep your skills up?

[@justinwilliams8038]

How close are you to flying it sir

[@rconger24]

Arent you in PA?

[@Dynodon64]

Yes I live by the lake west of Erie. The plane is in Meadville, 30 miles to the south.

[@rconger24]

Ha! Am right here in Warren PA. Your home-built looks great. Best of luck to you, Sir!

[@andrewwoitowitz8242]

When is it going to finally fly ?

[@Dynodon64]

It's coming. Everything is working great now.

[@outlawflyer7868]

If your renting that hanger, keep a tool box there. why didn't you attach the camera to the belly

[@Dynodon64]

I use tools almost daily. Can't keep them at the airport, because I work on other things at home too.

[@mikebuckley46]

amazing, its a credit to you 😊😊😊

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Are you nervous? Want me to fly it for you? It needs to be in the air.

[@Dynodon64]

If your not nervous, then your stupid.

[@9999plato]

Scale rockets would sure look nice to dress her up with her ballroom pearls. You could even put fireworks charges on them to make them spark and smoke at airshows! You do quality work sir. You are a prime example of the American Craftsman. RC scratch building taken to the next step. A lost element for the hobby for nearly all. 95% of RC pilots dont bother to build any more, if they do its a kit, that's OK but from scratch almost never. I still have my giant Quaker in the garage. Today its all Chinese Styrofoam and Chinese electrics instead of quality American, European or Japanese engines and the smell of nitro fuel. sad. The government forcing registrations on RC pilots will be the end of the hobby.

[@David.-_-]

Will this ever fly??

[@Dynodon64]

Absolutely.

[@musicman11]

It will fly when it flies as you say. I just t love the plane, the color all of it. Also watching you overcome obstacles with your mechanical and electronics mastery. Keep up the "wizardry...

[@Dynodon64]

It seems to be ready for air. Everything feels good so far. Calmer weather will go a long way in getting this bird airborne.

[@brianeisner492]

First flight, ?😂

[@Dynodon64]

It's looking good now. Plane wants to fly.

[@schigara]

Update: 5/3/2031: I have almost reached perfection and close to a gaurantee that nothing will go wrong but I am still scared. Maybe I should have just gone into RC flying but their is still a risk of thumb injury from the repetitve motion of the thumbs on the remote. Maybe I will just watch other people fly. That's much safer!

[@Dynodon64]

What ya trying to say?

[@schigara]

@@Dynodon64 Unless you are very dense, you know exactly what I am saying. Grow a pair!

[@Dynodon64]

@@schigara Pair of what?

[@rconger24]

​​@@schigaraWhere is your home-built and your youtube channel where you show the "right" way to do this?

[@cal-native]

@schigara Either you get off on harassing people for kicks, or this is some bizarre attempt at reverse psychology to "motivate" Don. Either way, it is obnoxious, childish, and unwanted. When this thing is up in a few weeks, I look forward to you eating crow publicly. But you'll probably end up disappearing into the woodwork...🤣

[@flightnavigator8999]

Sabotage, someone doesn’t want you to fly this plane.

[@SpottinPlanesForLife]

😂😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@schigara]

Yes, the owner. He wants perfect but perfect will never come.

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

@@schigara because he's too afraid to fly it, lol. this thing will never fly.

[@SpottinPlanesForLife]

@@OnceShy_TwiceBitten 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@thomasaltruda]

I don’t think so.. I think he’s being cautious, as he should. Personally I wish he would have a trained test pilot, or at least actually get some logged tailwheel training from a CFI in a Citabria or preferably, a Pitts S2, but unfortunately I don’t think he’s going to listen. However I don’t think he’s dragging us along for views. I truly wish him success, as I’ve seen every video from his humble beginnings on this project. My prediction is that he’s going to lose the plane on one of these taxi tests, hopefully he doesn’t flip onto its back and hurt his neck along the way. He might lift the tail with the stick and lose it, or the tail may unlock itself from a crosswind. Or perhaps he’s going to just get too fast with the stick in neutral and the plane may get airborne prematurely, he’ll chop the power and lose control. Then he won’t post anything and someone will come across the report on Katherine’s Reports about a ground incident.