Walnut Scale

[WIDDOG]

Decide to go with a built up Balsa nose cowling.

[sandman]

Looking good WIDDOG. I set the top and bottom keel extensions to the front while everythings still pinned to the board. I scratch two former halves for the nose a little smaller than former B-1 and call it B-0. Then I splice a nose extension piece to the front of the side keel once it is set. This keeps everything nice and true before I take it off the board and also allows me to set some right/down thrust. Look forward to see how this turns out I love the 500 series but have also been trying the 400. I love freeflight. Keep building on!

[WIDDOG]

Wow Sandman great pic and model! Thanks for posting. This video is what has me so interested in nose blocks.

https://youtu.be/7B1HL5nkceQ

[WIDDOG]

This is a pic of the built up nose block. I have a couple of plastic cowlings on order. I will build another Zero and use the plastic cowling. I will be doing a lot of flight ops with the Guillow's Zero.

[WIDDOG]

I am starting to figure out these 500 Series kits. I am thinking they like a 5.5 inch diameter prop. The funny thing is they go straight for the trees.
https://youtu.be/Ap_WVw25Jeo

[WIDDOG]

Well the Rufe is actually intended to have floats. That may be why the plans only call for a 5/8 inch dihedral. I think kit 509 flies better. Due to a bad launch I broke the wings. I will have to rebuild them. Than I can get back to testing. https://youtu.be/Xj2Bjca-ci4

[WIDDOG]

Making good progress with the kit 509 wings.

[WIDDOG]

Here is a pic of my nose assembly. I have also been using a small split ring as a Crocket Hook. It's been working out ok.

[sandman]

Good idea with the split ring! On my 509 the rubber motor would rub the top of the wing and I never got it to fly well. I think I would increase the stab area if I do another one and move the thrust button and rear peg up to clear the wing. I've had good flights with the 500 series 109 and spitfire. Not so much with the p-40 but im looking forward to building a zero out of the rufe kit. I love the wing area on the 900 series mustang and had good flights with that one as well. I like the consistency of a mono wing so shy away from the private planes with the left/right wing connected to the cabin. Thanks for letting me post!

[WIDDOG]

Thanks for posting Sandman. I am thinking about my next 500 series build. From what I understand the Hellcat flies the best and the Stuka is worst. The weather was kind of bad but I did get in a couple flights. The first one is kind of interesting. Split ring seems to work.
https://youtu.be/yan88dO3M_E

[WIDDOG]

When I was testing out a 7 inch prop I used the orange China prop.
Tomorrow I will re test with a 7 inch Peck Polymer prop.

[WIDDOG]

Well here is 3/16 inch thick rubber at 2 loops. Didn't work out so well. Next up I'm going to try rubber thread.
https://youtu.be/sZ26ycKGdgo

[WIDDOG]

I have always wanted to build a Guillow's 500 series F4U Corsair. Since they don't make a kit yet I will do the next best thing. I reduced the plans of a Comet 20 inch wing span model to a 16.5 inch wing span model. Seeing as Guillow's owns the plans. I started thinking if this works out well maybe they could use these plans in the design of a 500 series Corsair. I will build the reduced Comet kit and see how it flies. After looking over the plans it seems that the model should fly well. It was designed for rubber power and looks like it.

[WIDDOG]

As i build the Corsair I think it is more like a 900 series kit than a 500 series kit. There is no doubt that the 500 series kits look great and are scale models. However, I like the 900 series better. I fly with rubber power and that is what the 900 series kits are designed for. The Corsair is also designed for rubber power.

Even though the 500 series kits sell so well. I think Guillow's should add more kits to the 900 series kits. IMHO the hobby is now more rubber power.

[WIDDOG]

I'm still trying to trim the Comet Corsair. I was able to video a couple of flights.

https://youtu.be/D6GujFzESDU