For my birthday yesterday, my little sister offered me a Vought Corsair F4U5 Revell 1/72nd fighter model... I will turn it into the F4U14-1 high-wing asymmetric racer...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr002_zpse7b8fbf3.jpg&hash=da0b6c6e44d701c88b0384870521468eaa19f321)
Below is the intended principle of my transformation. The goal is just to have fun, not to win Reno race nor a beauty contest...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr_F4U_14_zps4549c4df.jpg&hash=5d658f526f7728f2d8838714bf2c2ba8ff2771a4)
hou la la :thumbsup:
Wow. Crazy cool ! Look forward to seeing how you add the wing and engine.
:cheers:
It could work as a biplane, too, if you happen to have a suitable extra wing.
(google sorceress biplane)
Quote from: perttime on December 28, 2014, 09:20:39 AM
It could work as a biplane, too, if you happen to have a suitable extra wing.
(google sorceress biplane)
if I remember well, our friend Alvis 3.14 built such a biplane Corsair, with M and W wings one upon the other... This was a marvel, my one will be worse, for sure.
:o Talk about different aircraft... that sure fits the bill!!
I'll be watching this one! :thumbsup:
:cheers:
My dear Tophe, we seriously need to get you and Burt Rutan together! I like where you're heading with this.
Quote from: KiwiZac on December 29, 2014, 11:22:44 PM
My dear Tophe, we seriously need to get you and Burt Rutan together! I like where you're heading with this.
ROTFL! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The aviation world would never recover! :lol:
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 30, 2014, 12:52:04 AM
Quote from: KiwiZac on December 29, 2014, 11:22:44 PM
My dear Tophe, we seriously need to get you and Burt Rutan together! I like where you're heading with this.
ROTFL! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The aviation world would never recover! :lol:
Can you just imagine the conversation though ;D ;D
Quote from: NARSES2 on December 30, 2014, 08:03:52 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 30, 2014, 12:52:04 AM
Quote from: KiwiZac on December 29, 2014, 11:22:44 PM
My dear Tophe, we seriously need to get you and Burt Rutan together! I like where you're heading with this.
ROTFL! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
The aviation world would never recover! :lol:
Rutan : AWESOME!
Tophe: Mais Oui.
Can you just imagine the conversation though ;D ;D
;D
"Scaled Composites LLC is proud to welcome Chistophe Meunier, our new Chief Designer..."
Thanks for your jokes, while... Scaled is designing uncommon aircraft that can fly, and I prefer crazy aircraft impossible to fly... There would be no order at all from pilots/companies/armies.
Before butcherizing starts, I built it normally with my 5 year old son Jacky-Jemsey:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr006_zpsc4089e26.jpg&hash=e1ceaf518954e51d1c81fddfd4466d285a9e701d)
Great photo Tophe :thumbsup:
Nice one Tophe ! Father-Son time is the best part of life :wub:
And what a great idea, build it 'rw' first, then bash it ! Two models for the gift of one !
:cheers:
Your son looks quite happy with his results. Best part of all.
Don't get me wrong Tophe (I'm not wanting to offend you) but i'm mildly surprised your lad doesn't have an asymmetrical face...
;D
Nice pic. He looks happy to be doing something with his dad. One of my earliest memories is of my father building me an Airfix 1/72 EE Lightning which I then tied on a string and towed round the garden.
Yup I to have fond memories of my dad "helping" me make early Airfix kits. I think we both got high on the old tube glue :rolleyes:
Dad wasn't really interested but he gave me a hobby that's stayed with me for my whole life. Cheers Dad :thumbsup:
Quote from: zenrat on December 31, 2014, 09:58:35 PM
Don't get me wrong Tophe (I'm not wanting to offend you) but i'm mildly surprised your lad doesn't have an asymmetrical face...
;D
After the new year celebration, the butcher is no more asleep...:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr_001_zps0e52fe06.jpg&hash=f308545512dea691b42c6fe3788330a0c21e052a)
putty time now...:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr_006_zpscced706c.jpg&hash=b83453864132d0ff10f213cb5d7d8cbf50c4949c)
there is so much matter to add, sanding will be later, far later.
I will not add putty alone without supporting frame, but the fuel tank seems there for a new nose...
(written by my son jacky jemsey)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr_012_zps2f9024df.jpg&hash=0b64a9207cffb7258ebd696398ee075f83afde45)
Nice to read about time spent with dad. :wub:
She's really coming along now Tophe !
:cheers:
Thanks!
With extra support for the putty (from sprues), the nose looks like scratchbuiling...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr_002_zps036123d5.jpg&hash=638c0cc886845050b712f4b48e3cad8f1ac7946d)
Are you planning on filling in between the sprues with more putty ?
Yes, probably I should not leave a hole in the middle (for all would break down during sanding). I have ordered yesterday 3 tubes of putty... ;)
Lots of putty might make the nose heavy? Maybe the tail needs some added weight too, if you want it to stand on its landing gear?
I consider putting the tail wheel under the nose... :-\
This is very interesting... :thumbsup:
:cheers:
Thanks!
You may wonder what use I will make of such a huge nose... :unsure: Well, military enthusiasts would include in it a 155mm giant gun or something, but I am a naive pacifist, so... I may use it for an observer (as I paint all canopies black without transparent final aspect). And I said this could be a racer, so the second crewman/woman may be a cyclist with legs pedaling to increase the speed of the propeller thus the speed of the aircraft... No?
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Ft_F4U_15_zps6af3438a.jpg&hash=c952a0ca77b9f037fa71323a16517aa746c2ba51)
I think you should have the cyclebooster crewmember on his/her back. It is hard to get a prone position that does not restrict breathing. If you look at recumbent bike and trike designs, almost all have the rider in a laid back position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhv0jrsAW5w
Thanks! With this precious (and crazy?) piece of engineering, we are going to win at Reno! ;D
The F4U14-1 Corsasym would be of course second at Reno after the Twin-Corsasym F4U14-2 (with 1 pilot and 3 pedalling crews)... but I will not build it: I got a single F4U model gift and I should honor it as it is somehow. No problem, it was fun drawing the double, at least ;)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2Fr_F4U_16.JPG&hash=f30818ba2029b634c9c0a5eb9b3934d0fc3e796c)
Putty addition goes on and on...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr012_zps7cfe6a10.jpg&hash=ab90adf3b782c241315e58bd3fb9ade6a317f593)
I have not started sanding yet (scheduled for saturday & sunday) but...
Quote from: perttime on January 06, 2015, 09:40:29 AM
I think you should have the cyclebooster crewmember on his/her back. It is hard to get a prone position that does not restrict breathing. If you look at recumbent bike and trike designs, almost all have the rider in a laid back position.
Yes, this is very right perttime: no need of view backward, the "cyclebooster crewmember" on his/her back would need only a window above, and this is more pretty for the airplane. Thanks! The model will be like this:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr_F4U_17_zpsc1d612a1.jpg&hash=b9e1413396183d282aa597d57a25eb01b7b53011)
That parasol type with the clear noses looks pretty cool !
:cheers:
Thanks Captain!
The first sanding is done (my son liked that at first, but then he found that a little boring...), but this is not good enough and there will be putty/sanding again (and again?)...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2Fr002_zps5cc7aaea.jpg&hash=b110af7a38bbc8e308d337064d28a1d47307fe9b)
I don't think anybody likes sanding. Funny how often we do it tho ! She's really coming along Tophe. Nice work !
:cheers:
You have to admire that sanding :thumbsup:
Thanks!
The 2nd sanding is finished, and I have glued the wing and added supports for it, before it breaks...
(my son made the photograph, I made one also but bad, not showing the supports - my son is becoming the expert of the family, as far as models are concerned...)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2F2015%2F003r_zpsjt78pr6i.jpg&hash=46b011dcfdc61611d149919cb0dc52799423355e)
The F4U14-1 prototype is taking shape...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2F2015%2F001r_zpsvx0luxgq.jpg&hash=a92e893e4322d60433de481e2697bc0c7b013ea5)
Uh... the engine is not "simply" parallel to the centerline because... asymmetry is not enough to counter the huge torque of this very big engine, so it is mounted oblical (like on a Bloch fighter, I remember)...
This is different! i normally prefer symmetry in aircraft but this has its own place... great concept! :bow:
Looking good Tophe, looking good
Thanks! :cheers:
Now the first layer of sky blue paint is on. Then there will be second layer, then black (including canopies) and wheels.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2F2015%2F009r_zpsna1gjdt7.jpg&hash=1ae17abff678c762cef34038bf614df9a8e36efe)
incredible, as always :thumbsup:
Coming along nicely.
Thanks a lot!
The model is now finished (according to my poor standards, sorry), the drawing dream has turned solid ;D
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2F2015%2Frr006_zpskphemzrf.jpg&hash=0e0aa55552e4fa0affa64a41b9afc1c0d4a9ab25)
My 5 year old son made a very different photograph, showing the asymmetric nose landing gear... :blink: :lol:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv670%2FTophe2712%2F2015%2Fr002_zpspvwwrmhz.jpg&hash=83f089b520f28257a4be94192f54bd273c58fe71)
I have never seen anything like that before! :o
And I don't think it is realistic ... :thumbsup: :lol:
Realistic? Wash your mouth out! :thumbsup: ;D ;D
Dear rickshaw is right: on this planet (in my mind), such an aircraft fly perfectly well, and most of my colleagues here in the psychiatric asylum do confirm: this layout is the best for speed (that is why the doctors around us are jealous and punish us with painful infections, this is torture...) ;)
:thumbsup:
And the Chief test pilot said after its first flight 'It's very handy handy having that damned great engine out of the way so I can see where I'm going!' ;D :lol:
Wicked...!
Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 11, 2015, 02:15:11 AM
And the Chief test pilot said after its first flight 'It's very handy handy having that damned great engine out of the way so I can see where I'm going!' ;D :lol:
Yes! Countering torque is not the only possible reason... ;D
No, "seriously", the design was based on the crew member in the nose, pedalling to increase the propeller speed (through gears and shaft engineering, seriously!) ;D
I love the fact even the undercarriage is asymmetric :bow: :bow:
Quote from: NARSES2 on February 11, 2015, 07:10:53 AM
I love the fact even the undercarriage is asymmetric :bow: :bow:
In fact... (I tell you a secret, don't repeat it, shhht...) I am a very bad modeller, and the little landing gear was badly glued upside down, not vertical properly, but as the aircraft is completely asymmetric, special words did pretend this was voluntary... hehehe... ;)
what do you drink and where can i get some!!!??? because its powerful stuff by the look of it
Quote from: crudebuteffective on February 11, 2015, 10:31:26 AM
what do you drink and where can i get some!!!??? because its powerful stuff by the look of it
I swear all is legal! This is dirty-sock juice or something like that (I don't remember exactly, my brains went away with it)... ;) :party:
With solid model basis and Corel Photo Paint work, a half-virtual model completes the collection: F4U-14.2 Twin-Corsasym
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FT006Tw.JPG&hash=6e757bc8abcb448de620083829471f4bc974c165)
:cheers: :drink: :party: :lol:
Nice one Tophe ! I love the landing gear layout. She looks great as a twin as well !
:cheers:
Wicked looking things!! :thumbsup:
Thanks! ;D
Well, in 2016 I may build a more simple version: the F4U-15 keeping its normal nose with the pedalling crew inside a wing pod:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2Fr_F4U_18.JPG&hash=34779f570f9fe6cd54d81ac17a329eebed7132ed)
These ones (15 and 15Z) had no engine at all, due to the lack of remaining oil (someday) in USA, they were muscular-power all.
Makes perfect sense to me, i've always had to pedal my bolz off to fly with my bmx, don't see why it shouldn't be done to fly aircraft! ;D :thumbsup:
Thanks! This has been done with succesful muscular airplanes, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_Albatross but not in the Corsair family up to now ;)