Wing Pylons for bomb drops

One of the fun things to do with a scale plane is to drop bombs (not real ones if the FAA or Transport Canada are listening).  These are somewhat disposable as they do not last too long but it is great fun to put a bulls eye on the runway and see who can come the closest. There has even been the odd wager made on this to add to the excitement. Anyway these  pylons are simple and have a very small servo in them that releases the bomb (hopefully) when the switch on the transmitter is thrown. I am just getting them ready for paint and mounting to the wing center section. More pictures later.

Here is a short video of this Corsair at last years air show. Note on the landing at the end my tail wheel steering cable had broken and the tail wheel was hard over. Why is it that when your flight is videoed something always happens. LOL :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzGYUleTixA

Engine cooling

One of the problems that was encountered last summer was the motor was running too hot. Experience with these motors by other owners was that a baffle would help. I was hoping not to have to do this but have decided to proceed as the motors is too valuable to risk and a dead stick on a 55 lb plane not for the faint of heart if you know what I mean. It is in aluminum right now but to save weight I will cut it out of 1/8 inch light ply with a layer of light fiberglass on either side.

Big Corsair maintenace time.

Sorry for not being on the blog lately but with Christmas etc. things get in the way. I have however been in the shop. With the A-10 out of the way for now I am focusing on the yearly maintenance of the F4U Corsair. The plane got 3 hours of flight time on it last summer and some little issues came to light. Total time on the plane is now about 6 or 7 hours so I consider that pretty good. The hardest working part of the plane is the 250cc Moki Radial motor and as with all of these types of motors being full scale or as this one is they require attention . The valves need to be reset and all the bolts re torqued. Exhaust tightened and push rods and tappets oiled. I find the work to maintain this little beauty a labour of love other than the odd skinned knuckle.