Can't wait to see her fly. My only comment is more about content. Once in a while you could get a camera stick and show yourself with the airplane behind you. I watch a lot of aviation channels and we can always see who is talking. Your channel is fantastic and the Corsair is stunning. Just an observation.
I never liked videos where the person doing the talking was always showing themselves. Always thought they were just wanting attention. Now it's normal. I'll see what I can do for the next one.
My congratulations. I occasionally check on your progress. I was part of the original W.A.R. team and was going to build the Corsair. For many different reasons I bailed. I will tell you our test pilot Mira Slovak had a problem with our FW190 on high speed taxi testing. At the 90 mph mark the FW did a ground loop. The tail wheel collapsed. If you shake the tail side to side and just watch what the tail wheel does. Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong, I'm just sharing our testing experience. Best of luck Craig Horton
If you were with WAR at the start, that shows your age. There is so little info on these planes to look at. I am talking to a guy in Alabama who has owned and flown 5 different planes. Corsair, P-47, and Folkewolf. You may know him, Kevin.
@@Dynodon64 ya I'm 72 next week. I have some old war stuff when the co. first started. Its in the garage in a box I'll take a look for it. I have a picture of our very first mock up. If i can I'll attach it.
The WAR Corsair looks relatively short too, so the wheelbase is shorter than on for example the full size one, right? Maybe that also affects the taxi behavior? Would locking the tail wheel after getting lined up on the runway, help? Although that would make the tail wheel setup more complex and thus add weight.
The length is pretty close to scale. The tailwheel has a centering spring in it to help hold it straight for take off. I'm going to try a stronger spring next.@@rc-fannl7364
Hey buddy, I know your plane has a tiny bit of toe out on the main gear, I had the same issue and changed it to toe in. Made a massive difference! Try it. Great work on your project. Well done!
I'm not as experienced building airplanes as you are but I still feel inspired when I watch your videos. I started putting together the materials, tooling and hardware I need to build an Affordaplane. I'm taking my time and letting everything settle in my mind before I let my imagination get me in trouble. When I talk to people I know, they make me feel like I'm not doing it fast enough but watching your videos, I feel like I'm doing it at the correct speed. I'm thinking a lot about coverings and the engine. My sense of safety makes me want to build it as an experimental because some of the limitations I face to make weight as an ultralight make me somewhat uncomfortable. I believe I need more power to perform in my environment and certain instruments would feel counterintuitive to be without. So I think a lot about stuff. I worry that some changes like using a lighter weight engine would change weight and balance. There is a piece of hardware that is in the instructions for the wing ribs which isn't made anymore and my aluminum supplier says the indicated wall thickness for that tube isn't a real size and that the alloy indicated isn't supposed to be bent like the instructions say. They say I should consider a different alloy and wall thickness. Dave hasn't answered my questions probably because I sound dumb or crazy but who should I trust when the aluminum experts say what I'm supposed to do will cause the ribs to be weak and possibly fail? Are there any other material changes I could or should make or do I stick to the recipe with blind faith? What are the odds that Dave made a mistake in the written instructions and actually used the other aloy? Anyway I'm comforted by the time you spend on each detail and your willingness to let logic combined with trial and error help iron out the things that need to be corrected. I'm not cheap, I just like the Affordaplane and I want to build the best one I can.
Good luck with the build. Make videos and lets us know. If you need advice, just ask, I am always willing to help others. That's why I do these videos.
I have 1000 hours taildragger time , cassutts, midget mustang, RV, your high speed taxi is not a good thing , if you where to lift the tail off (65mph?) with your short coupled plane, you are going to have your hands full getting it back to the runway, !!!!!!! With your type of plane you better have a lot of experience ......... what is yours
Thanks for the update. Looks like some crispy but fabulous flying weather there. Even though extra clothing layers were required, it was always my favorite flying weather because greater performance and most days, less turbulence and less air traffic. Good luck with the fast taxi routine. Risky business there!
G'day Don, Good stuff mate. It occurs to me that Tail-down at 40mph on not much more than Flight Idle power..., That's when your Fin & Rudder are blanketed by the Stalled Wing, and the Propeller-blast is barely Tickling the Rudder... They call that Combination the Groundloop Zone... Sailplanes can be diabolical, in that one Mainwheel and a Tailwheel with no Engine means that if, on the Rollout, one diverges more than 10° in Yaw, then insufficient Rudder Authority exists to be able to straighten up. Secondary-Effect of Aileron Is "Adverse Yaw..." But if you find yourself reaching for Opposite Aileron when the Rudder quits, After a Crosswind Gust arrives while teaching yourself to fast-taxi Tail-down at 35 to 45 mph... You might find yourself regretting not having had a bit more Power, Going a bit faster, and Having the Tail up, with the Rudder in the Slipstream, Rather than being blanketted by the stalled Wing-Root's turbulent flow...(?). There's not much to be Safely learned by hanging out in the Groundloop Zone, really ; The trick is to learn to have one's Centre of Mass Tracking directly through the Centre of Rolling Resistance. (Ideally, on the Centreline, between the two mainwheels..., as modified by Engine-Torque & "Body-Roll" when turning, both of which will cause more force to press onto one side or the other...) Basically, with a functional Engine, You can rescue an incipient Ground-loop with a blast of Prop-wash over the Tail, with which to be able to regain (Momentary) Rudder Control - while straightening up, before Again Attempting to slow down in a Straight line. Some Aeroplanes demand being Full-Stall 3-point landed, 3 inches above the Ground, Others require being Flown onto the Ground, then having the Power Cut. So the Stall happens when the Wheels are already rolling. Talk to someone who's Flown a WAR Corsair Replica, to find out What they like to try to do. But, at the moment, you're almost hanging yourself out and Daring some pesky Crosswind to come and Frighten you, when you have the Least ability to Influence the outcome... A bit slower, Or a bit faster, Either way you'll have more Control Authority...; At least, in my imagination (?) ! Such is life, Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !
Agreed! He’s playing with fire doing high speed taxi with the tail down.. either fly it or at least get the tail up to lower the AOA so it won’t fly. I hope he gets some tailwheel training and the required tailwheel endorsement. Even with a fresh endorsement, this is not a plane for the beginner.. short couples and squirrely.. with a free caster tailwheel. I really hope he gets a qualified and current tw pilot.. preferably maybe a Pitts pilot.
@@thomasaltruda G'day, Thanks. Well... The thing is that the person who Knows the Most about this Aeroplane is Don, because he Built it..., and wherever he didn't agree with the Designer he's had no problems with Altering whatever he didn't like the look of... So, anybody with Pitts experience would merely be busy trying to Transition from the Expected to the Actual... Whereas Don isn't "Used to it" doing thus or such at "This speed", or "this throttle setting" or "this Attitude"...; so Arguably he's in quite a good position to Listen to the Aeroplane And feel what it's telling him As to what's going on. When I began Test Flying what I'd built, It was 10 calendar years since I'd been Off the Ground at all... And that was 2 weeks & 15 hours getting my FAI "A" & "B" & "C" Gliding Certificates....; and I did the Gliding about a year after I had 2 hours & 4 landings worth of Aerobatics Instruction in a Pitts S-2a (VH-FFF), about a year after I'd been selling Joyride Tickets for Oz' first woman to hold a Commercial Rotary-Wing Licence, after assembling new Piper Aircraft, and Aerospatiale Helicopters, and detailing & assembling Cessna's out of Shipping Containers for a bit of a Scoundrel who later almost went to prison for Fraudulent Conversion (!), Before that I'd been scraping Paint off a Tiger Moth, wiping hot Rocker-box Grease off a Sopwith Pup Replica, and Hand-Propping a 145 Hp Warner Scarab powered Fokker Dr-1 Triplane. So, that was my path to making the Maiden Flight in a New Prototype, which I'd redesigned & rebuilt. My thoughts are that Don's doing very well in having resisted the temptation to go up over the fence too early...; But Tail-down, Rudder blanketted, At 40 to 50 mph is Dangerous Transition Zone, Worth setting up for Every time, and spending Minimum time Within... Get all lined up, Then Slow down. And be an REALLY FAST On the Rudder be Pedals, But, with an Engine, Many mistakes may be Corrected. And, in the end, Don built it for Himself to fly, So he has to get it done at some point. But When...., Is his Call... Have a good one. Stay safe, ;-p Ciao !
Great video and content as always Don. I thought the camera angle was really good in my opinion. I agree with you about the negative comments, there are a lot of jealous people who don’t have the guts or experience to do what you’re doing. If you don’t fly it till next year so be it. If you never fly it and enjoy doing what you’re doing so be it. It’s your plane and your life do what makes you happy. We’re here enjoying the ride and the updates.
Your plane looks so fantastic! I agree with you on the thermostat issue completely and think that the stiffer spring might be a good idea for controllability also. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go when she’s cold out.😊
Plus the drive to the airport takes 45 minutes each way. It was warm in the plane though. Just a little too gusty again. We have a winter advisory out for tonight and tomorrow. Raining right now.
Dynodon, do you have any tailwheel experience? This would not be a good airplane to cut your teeth on. Highly recommend you get an experienced tailwheel/test pilot for first flights. Get yourself current and comfortable in a tailwheel airplane; a Cessna 140 or Luscombe comes to mind, before you attempt to fly.
You're correct in your thinking about working all the issues out while you're doing your taxi tests, and not flying the airplane until all the issues are resolved. And I understand your desire to fly the plane. But I wonder how current you are, and how much tailwheel experience you have under your belt. If you have a few hundred hours in a close coupled tailwheel like a Pitts, then I would be less concerned. Great job on the build. The Corsair is my favorite WWII fighter. Retired Navy/corporate pilot here,15,000+ hours, 6 jet type ratings, 700 hours of tailwheel. @@Dynodon64
I note that some aircraft, such as the ME-109, was difficult to impossible to wheel land because of its relaxed longitudinal stability. So NO PRESSURE to do envelope expansion beyond what others have already demonstrated with the design. Again, slow and steady wins the race. I forget, do you have cabin heat ? Excellent episode.
Great update, Don! I still say a straight axel on the rear wheel is better. No wiggle room. You'er cold? It only got down to the 30's a couple times here in Virginia. No snow. Great fix on the coolant temp. Sometimes, I hate computer controlled systems. It makes it hard to understand how to fix and engine. Go warm up!🥶
Don, have you gone fast enough for the tail wheel to come off the ground? Not rushing you. just asking. The only tail draggers I've flown were RC models. Stay warm!
Not yet. I've had it up to 50 mph with the elevator half way down, but it still hasn't lifted. It seemed to be getting light. Didn't want to push it full down and have it come up and over on it's nose.
@@Dynodon64 Like I said, I haven't flown any tail draggers (have flown 152's), except for RC's. Cub at that! I would just speed it up until the tail lifted itself with neutral elevator. I was afraid if I gave it down, that when it did start to fly, it would nose over before I could correct it. Letting it start the tail lift with speed ensures that your control surfaces will be effective, both rudder and elevator. Have you gotten any tail dragger training with a CFI?
It doesn’t work that way with power on , rolling down the runway(unless you mash the brakes). The stall speed can’t be much more than that 50 mph you mentioned. Full forward stick as you apply the power . When the tail starts up, relax it a little. It’s a feel you need to develop before you fly it. @@Dynodon64
Was wondering about the quick response to tail wheel. Is any way to just slow down the actual action of the steering to the wheel being it is steerable and or is there too much loose play in steer wheel like a old farm tractor? Kind of like same thought as other mentioned questions and or statements. Have enjoyed seeing your progress on your plane so far on what I have had watched even though I came in to your channel later in home building up the Bird. Every so often I get a Big Rig to Erie and Meadville Pennsylvania. Didn't know I was near such skill and creativity which is beyond my abilities i think anyhow. Keep up the Great Work.👍
The tailwheel is just a full swivel unit. I made a centering ball and spring to hold it in the straight position to help with taking off. I have a stiffer spring to give it more force to hold it centered. Next video will show it.
I strongly encourage you to get your tailwheel endorsement or some tw training if you haven’t had any before you go any faster or attempt to lift the tail. Last thing you want to do is experience a ground loop
@@Dynodon64 With the center of gravity being behind the main wheels I’m not sure eliminating the ground loop is possible. It’s the inherent difficulty with all tailwheel aircraft. This is an excellent book on understanding tailwheel aircraft. The Compleat Taildragger Pilot The title is actually spelled incorrectly but I recommend reading.
@@Dynodon64 Something else that may be helpful to you is on one of your next taxi videos mount the camera looking back at the tailwheel. I’ve done that with my Cub and it’s amazing how much you actually have to dance on the rudders to keep it going straight and not allow any drift.
There's a newer camera that I see a lot of people using on RU-vid where you can pull the front of the camera off and it's About the size of. a lighter and you could clip it to your baseball cap rim or magnetic to Short. I think that would be perfect if not have a little compact mirror that you can use the look at the camera behind your shoulder to see what is Doing Or use selfie mode on your cell phone.
I think the aircraft will handle better once the airflow hits the rudder control surfaces. That big nose and the relatively small vertical rudder make it squarely at slow speed. That's my thoughts. Hope you have enough clearance with your prop. Thanks for your videos
You should talk to Ross at SDS about the computer and the settings.. i believe they use a different fuel map for aircraft. I agree that you need the temperature to be in a certain range to keep it in closed loop mode, but maybe a conversion with Ross would be beneficial..
@@Dynodon64 Just a thought pressure because of the drop in temperature. Mine is noticeable with 5psi difference 40/45 on the mains, I now keep them at 55psi and 50 on the nose gear. Piper I think said 30 psi on the nose, it was an idiot on the runway at 30. At 50 it is better. I have no tail wheel experience so all I can tell you what I have learned flying nose draggers. Good luck, stay warm.
Been watching for a long time Don. I know we were seeing the over your shoulder viewpoint but would a forward facing camera be helpful to you?? I know the full scale F4U did a tail wag on the runway and that you didn't. I was just curious about your viewpoint and whether or not it might be helpful. AirHammer out!!
The cockpit is too small to add anything else. The windshield is very narrow, anything you put up there would get in the way of seeing straight ahead when your flying.
Don - Have you thought about relocating the tail wheel aft? Don't know how difficult that would be at this point, but moving it aft a foot or more could make a huge difference in stability since your gear, typical of the type, is so short coupled. Anyway, glad you got the engine pulsing sorted out. Looks like you'll be flying soon enough. :) Regards from Thailand & Happy Holidays!
G'day, Um..., Are you forgetting that the Aeroplane is an EXACT Scale 1/2-sized Replica, of a F-4u Corsair...? That means that the Tailwheel is Steerable, lockable, Castorable, and Retractable too...; As well as meaning that it HAS TO go where it is located in the Original design, between the Tailwheel Undercarriage Doors. My guess is that he has probably Never considered such a change. He probably hasn't thought of adding a Biplane Upper Wing, or an Underbelly Turbojet, either. Some things are Literally Functionally Unthinkable. In my humble opinion. But, well, it's an original style of idea. Such is life, Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !
@@WarblesOnALot LOL it's certainly not an "exact" half scaled version of the original. If it was "exact", Don probably couldn't even fit in the cockpit and all the instruments and controls would be too small for the full-scale pilot. Haha! Also, where would Don get a functional 1/2 scale P&W R2800 Double Wasp engine to power it. Then there's MIA folding wings, machine guns, tail hook... I could go on and on. In fact, it's a very nice looking 1/2 scale replica with many compromises incorporated to reduce cost and simplify construction, so modifying it to make it safer is entirely reasonable. Have a nice day.
@@Jimbo-in-Thailand G'day, ObieWun Kanobie... I call your Pedantry Bullshit. The FACT that it's a Half-Scale Replica - necessarily distorted By altered Internal Structure & WOODEN/COMPOSITE Construction, with a SUBARU Powerplant..., In NO Way alter nor change the External Stand-off LOOK..., of the Aeroplane. Yes, Don's Helmeted Head will appear to be Oversized when seen in the Cockpit, from the outside, by an observer. But that's both Within the ACCEPTED Rules of the Game, And Unavoidable, unless he has a 7year-old Grandchild who wants to do the Test Flying to satisfy some Pedantic Dreamer who Pontificates about Moving the Tailwheel Back to being completely Behind the Arse-end of the Aeroplane, entirely. Sorry mate, I try to be a serious person. Obviously you dwell within some Counterfactual Perspective, regarding Reality. Good luck with that. Such is life. Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !
Everything and preparation aside, once the tail comes up, you won't be able to help yourself but to pull the wheels off just a little.... I thought everybody learned on taildraggers....,,
Easier said than done. When I completed my MiniMax build, I had only 15 or 20 dual time hours and tried really hard to hire a test pilot. They all refused because 1.they did not personally witness all phases of construction/trust my build. 2. No room in a small plane to wear a parachute. I did my first solo and the maiden flight on my new aircraft in one flight. It went well. Even though not the smartest thing to do, it's an experience I will cherish and recall in great detail until my final days.
@@Robnord1 I just want this fellow to be safe. He’s put a lot into this build and honestly seems apprehensive bout putting it in the air, and I can understand that. I’m just saying…see if there’s someone around that has experience in flying these scaled down aircraft, and if they’re willing to test fly it for him. It’s a common thing where I’m from.
@@westbeachum3160 IMO all first flights will have some level of apprehension, which at some point will be converted to the supreme excitement of being carried aloft by a new bird! Ha ! I hesitated 3 months after completion...until I had 25 sets of experienced eyes go over my plane. Only then did I decide to do that first flight. He'll know when it's the right time on this little beauty.
@@Robnord1 I believe that. It’s got to be scary…and exhilarating. He definitely should have another set of eyes look his bird over. I would suggest an AME…or whatever they’re called in the States..and a couple others as well.
The time for oil change will be determined as the hours are put on. It will boil down to oil pressure at idle and how fast it turns black. So right now I don't have a time set. Should be between 25-50 hours.
Like probably half of us following, we 😀😃😄😁where hoping to see the window view angle 'level off " while you where going down runway. Not trying to be pushy,just hopeful. I know it will happen when it happens. Right?
I'm hoping to see that view also. Keep getting these little set backs. Hope to have them sorted out this weekend, and get in some more fast taxi to test them out.
Just as soon as I get the little bugs worked out. Every time I think I have it ready, something else pops up. I should have the latest problems sorted out this weekend.
If he was at the speed he said (which is probably slightly below stall speed), the tail could’ve come up unless he held the stick back in his lap. Hell , I saw an episode of his taxiing in the grass at less than taxi speed and the tail came up inadvertently.
That's strange, I had no audio either, until I played another video to check the sound, came back, then there was sound! Now I have ta start out at the beginning 😂
Maybe a more rounded tail wheel instead of that squared off one, the current tailwheel also looks solid and not pneumatic. It may be skipping around on runway imperfections at higher speeds, just a thought. Love the project have been following since the start, can't wait to see her fly sir.
If you're getting that much taxi practice at speeds up to 50mph or so and haven't scrstched up your airplan yet you better quit screwing around and add power and fly the darn thing. Get your feel at flying speeds and your confidence level will increase. Make wheel landings with power then slow down slowly while keeping it straight. You're already doing more taxi testing than i ever did in any of the 15 or so taildraggers i taught myself to fly up to a G-44 Gruman Widgeon twin engine. Keep messing around with all that taxiing and your gonna scratch it up sooner or later... I think you're ready to fly.. Good luck..
The 50 mph speed has only happened twice, and both times the engine started breaking up and would not increase speed anymore. Should I have continued to take off? At the same time, the thermostats was sticking and caused the engine to go over 220 degrees,. Should I have taken off? The flap switch was getting bumped and caused them to go full down, Should I have taken off? Radio wasn't working when there were a lot of planes in the air, should I have taken off? It always surprises me when people make comments all the time and didn't hear why I do what I do.. It's like they watched my videos with the sound off. They keep asking questions that are talked about in the videos. Then people complain about repeating myself all the time. But people still ask the questions. It's like they are not listening at all. So all of these issues have kept me from getting any further along. I'm not taking it apart because it is fine. it has to be fixed.
Thank you for replying to my suggestions Don. Your answers somewhat surprised me and I whole hearty apologize if I ruffled your feathers. I only wanted my comments to be more of an encouragement and not a criticism. I've watched you from the beginning of your project an admire your work and dedication to your project. I applaud you steadfastness and look forward to seeing videos of it flying as well as the smile on your face after your dream is realized. Nor would I fly any of my airplanes or the two experimentals that I built if they were not totally airworthy or as you say it, ( "to my liking or standards). I guess after 61 years of flying from my solo at 17 until my 81st birthday (which is today) im anxious as hell to see you succeed and I know winter is upon you guys and I remember how I waited to see you fly before last winter and the snow and ice came and so on... That's my story and I'm sticking to it... I'm 81 now and made probably my last flight this summer. You're doing right DydoDon,,,,, Keep it up, I'll try to be more patient.
