Wen Mac Corsair - Paint

rsv1cox Fri Jul 01, 2022 8:20 am

Thought I would start a new thread on this rather than pawing though the first one again.

Made a belly pan for it. I dislike those open-bottomed fuselages. Problem is, once I button it up, it stays. I will open a drain hole under the engine before doing so, might even use a brass eyelet in the hole. Light coat of paint, after I get everything assembled I will give the whole thing a final coat. Have to as the fitted belly pan will have an unpainted line. Cement in the belly pan then sand to the fuselage outline. Probably epoxy but I may use canopy cement which I used on the balsa to plastic runners.

The bell crank is external to the pan, leaving it red to match the prop.. I got the tail wheel off but couldn't remove the mains and feared breaking old plastic. Will have to paint the tires black when finished. I love this paint! Best paint for WW2 era Navy airplanes that I have seen!

Somehow I will have to mask off the engine before the final coat.

rsv1cox Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:20 pm

I couldn't use the silicone tubing, to thick to clear the mount. Switched to some that I got from Bernie years ago. I still get a kick out of just three mounts molded in for the screws. I would like to construct a 90 degree elbow for the tube. Otherwise I may need to cut a slot in the pan to clear.

Cut to length and slipped on. Post on top of tank keeps it from being crushed. I won't have to cut the pan.

944_Jim Fri Jul 01, 2022 8:47 pm

Bob,
That is one awesome restoration!

I've seen this paint in the local Lowes and wondered how well it resists fuel.
If you could, please-please spray a test panel for fuel proofing. Then, in two weeks, test for how well it resists melting from glow fuel.

Thanks in advance!

rsv1cox Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:59 pm

If you could, please-please spray a test panel for fuel proofing. Then, in two weeks, test for how well it resists melting from glow fuel.

Good idea Jim, will do, but if I forget, remind me.

Story about that fuel line sticking out the front (picture above.)

After putting it on the tanks nipple I went back later to check on it and it had twisted off. Torque did it. I had to pull the engine and put the curve back toward the fuel tank. I secured it with a drop of CA. Put on the belly pan and cemented with 560.

Still trimming to do, build a half moon filler for under the starter, final paint and decals. I think I can use computer paper slipped around the engine to protect from paint.

Somebody find me a canopy. Smile

944_Jim Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:23 pm

rsv1cox wrote:

Somebody find me a canopy.

Bob
What is the wingspan for that plane? How wide is the cockpit opening from side to side? How long is the opening from front to back?

Any chance the corner of some obscure, around the house, about to be emptied plastic bottle could sacrifice a corner to make one?

I'm looking at a small bottle of SoftSoap and see the "shoulder" of the bottle as being a potential canopy:

rsv1cox Sun Jul 03, 2022 6:19 pm

Thanks for the interest Jim.

The opening for the canopy is 1 5/8" front to back, width is about a consistant 7/8", wing is 13 1/4".

I have made a couple of canopies out of balsa with varing degrees of success. Made this one for my R/C Corsair, outsized because the receiver sits in there.

I watched that video of the fellow making a buck and a canopy, beautiful job, but I don;t have that kind of talent.

Went to Walmart this morning and found the paint that Levent suggested. Ought to do well. I just sanded down and sealed with sanding sealer the fuselage pan that I put on the W/M corsair. Can take a hit. After my ham handling it for the last few days, sanding etc. I washed it with soap and water getting it ready for final paint and it still looks good. That paint can take a hit.

Under it sits the makings of the Bipe. One project at a time.