Current Activities and Projects
by Jim Goodemote
Photos below show the progress
that Jim has made in the
construction of his Corsair F4U-1
Fuselage crutch on risers
This photo shows the fuselage crutch on the risers.
The crutch on the risers with the formers and engine box sides glued in.
Click on photo to see larger image
Dewey purchased a full wood kit for the Corsair from "Precision Cut Kits" of
Ewing, NJ.  All the parts are laser cut (beautiful and accurate).  The plans
are from Nick Ziroli.
Wing Span    93"
Length   72"
Wing Area  1650 sq in
Weight    28-32 lbs
Jim plans to use his Brison 106cc for power.
The bottom of the fuse is sheeted.  I put a sheet
of MonoKote where the tail wheel doors go and
layed up 3 layers of 6oz fiberglass for the doors.
After I put the MonoKote on, I
waxed it to act as a release for
the fiberglass.
View of the wing saddle
Left side of the fuse with the first balsa sheet on.
I wet the balsa, taped and clamped it to the fuse
waiting for it to dry.
This is the right side - the balsa is glued in place.
When I get these two pieces on I will lay-up the
tail wheel doors and then install the tail wheel.
Starting the horizontal stab
This is the completed stab, but not
hinged
The finished rudder
Another view of the rudder - notice
the leading edge is a full radius
with the hinges countersunk
Starting the wing folding hinges,
which are made of printed circuit
board material
The hinges are in the center
section with the locking mechanism
Another shot of the same
Still another shot
This is a shot of the center section
with the flap hinges and ribs
The flap center hinge assembly
The inner hinge
All flap hinges are made of 1/8" brass tubing.  I reamed two #4 flat washers to 1/8" ID for spacing between the
sections.  The hinges are held in place with a 2-56 screw & a miniature nylon lock nut.
Double click on above photos to see a movie of the wing folding in action.
(Depending on your internet connection, it may take a while for the movie to load)
Temporary fitting of horizontal stab
and elevator
Note fixture that Jim made which
will hold tail flat or on edge
Right elevator with booster tab
Close up of booster tab in the right
elevator
Trial fitting of the elevators
The horizontal stab ready for
sanding
Bottom of stab with hinge seal in
place ready for trimming
Stab routed out - ready for ply
cover
Bottom view from the back
The arrow shows the tail wheel
retracted
Side view of rudder linkage
What a nightmare!
Top view of the rudder linkage.
The only way I could get under the
cockpit was to step it down.
Top view of the elevators.
The arrows show the ball links for
the elevators
The next step for Jim is to detail
the instrument panel and cockpit.  
He needed a small lathe, so he
built this, using his Dremel tool for
power.
Two more views of Jim's new lathe.
To see the plans for the lathe (click here)
The Instrument Panel
Sure looks good!
This is the right side of the cockpit
with many circuit breakers on the
side.
Top view of the right side panel.
Views of the completed cockpit interior
The workmanship is outstanding Jim.
Click on above photo to see a movie
of the sliding canopy mechanism.
Above photos show the dummy radial engine Jim has created, complete with spark plugs.
This is the process I used for making the canopy frame.  See
photos at right.

1. Taped wax paper under the canopy.
2. Taped down the canopy to the fuse.
3. Masked off the canopy where the glass windows go.
4. Waxed the part where the frame is so I could separate it.
5. Layed up one 6oz layer of fiberglass, let it dry, and then add
another layer of fiberglass.
6. Sand, prime and paint the frame.