Question 25: "Hey Richard, Just found your site. Need some help my friend! I'm building a Giant Scale Plane F6F. What retract gear do you recommend for the bird. I fly from a nice and flat grass strip. Thanks,"

Richard: "I would recommend Sierra Precision rotating retracts for this plane. Sierra retracts are high quality, well made, and can take the day-to-day abuse."

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Question 26: "Hello, I’m ready to move up, which to say no more trainer. I have been in love with the Corsair by Hangar since I have seen it. The problem is the man at my local hobby store is trying to push me more in the direction of the Mustang for more ease of flying. Is the Corsair that much more difficult to fly? I’m looking at the 60-90 kits "

Richard: "The Hangar 9 Corsair is not much more difficult to fly than the Mustang. However, since it's a warbird, proper throttle, elevator, and rudder management is a must during take off and landing. I would recommend flying a low wing taildragger first for a couple of months before switching to a Corsair."

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Question 27: "Richard, am looking for a arf to put a quadra 35 into. I have looked at the hangar9 corsair which is my top choice. Some of the adds show with retracts & some without. Any sugestions that you feel would work.Price is also a factor. Jack C."

Richard: "The Quadra 35 is way too big and too heavy for the Hangar 9 Corsair, which is a light plane. This plane flies great with any .91 or 1.00 ci four stroke engines. Anything bigger means adding extra lead to the tail and compromising the structural integrity of the plane."

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Question 28: "hi richard, i was wondering if there is any good quality zero arf's, that are not giant.... i have a super tiger 90 engine and i want to attach to a zero... it will be great if you could help...
thank you and great site.very professional....bob."

Richard: "Hi Bob, The Super Tiger 90 two stroke would work in both the World Models 60" span Zero Fighter ARF and the CMP 70.8" span Zero Fighter ARF."

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Question 29: "Hi Richard, Greetings from New Zealand. I have just done Google search trying to locate a supplier of CM Pro Arf`s in USA. My search lead here. Are you able to advise one or two reputable suppliers for this brand of ARF. I am specifically interested in catching up with a kit for their unpainted 80" AT-6. Are you able to help? Thanks, Alan"

Richard: "Jet Hobbies (http://www.jet-hobbies.com/) is a reputable supplier for CM Pro ARF's, and they do have the 82" AT-6."

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Question30: "Hi richard, my question is what will be a better choice for a p-40 arf, the hangar 9 or the sportsman aviation?
i know that hangar 9 have very good arf's and then i saw the sportsman aviation one and it looked good..... plus, i know that flap are very helpful in landings warbirds and the hangar 9 p-40 doesn't have them...maybe the sportsman aviation p-40 comes with flaps?
thank you erez. israel"

Richard: "I don't have any experience with the Sportsman Aviation P-40, so I can't comment. However, I don't think the Sportsman Aviation P-40 comes with flaps. The Hangar 9 P-40 doesn't have them, but most Hangar 9 .60 size warbird ARF's are light and land slow anyway."

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Question31: "Richard, I have a WM P-51 .60 size. I have about 50 flights on it and it flies great. However, the original mechanical retracts leave alot to be desired. They seem as if they are loosening up and becoming a little "wobbly". This is my first aircraft with retracts. What is your recommendation for upgrading both the struts and the retract system? I have heard that oleo struts would add stability, but I know little about them or selecting & installing them. I appreciate your forum and enjoy your responses. Thanks! Mark"

Richard: "Oleo struts would help a lot, and they are not difficult to install. You simply cut your existing wire struts, leaving around 5/8" for the oleos to grab onto. Then cut the oleo struts to proper length, tap and drill two holes for #6-32 set screws, and slip the oleos over the wire stubs. Either straight or offset oleo struts would work. Go with pneumatic retracts if you are looking for something more stout and more robust."

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Question32: "Hi Richard, I have a Hangar 9 Corsair with stock retracts and upgraded dubro ball links. However, when I come in for landing, the stiff wire gear seems rough on the plane that flies so smoothly in the air. I've been looking at putting VQ offset oleo struts in place of the wire, but I'm not quite sure how they work. Is there a wire that comes out of the top of the strut or is there a sleeve that slides into the retract mechanism? Looking for a simple explanation if possible. Thanks! Joe"

Richard: "You want to get straight oleo struts for your Corsair. Either Robarts or VQ would work. First, you must cut the existing factory wire struts, leaving about 5/8". The oleo struts come with adapter bushings that allow you to slip the struts over the wire stubs. Each oleo strut must then be drilled and tapped for two #6-32 set screws, which secure the strut to the wire stub."

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Question33: " Hi Richard, I have seen some bad comment on the H-9 P51 retracts being not up to a usable standard - is this the same for the H-9 60size Corsair ARF kit which includes rotation retracts? I think I am a reasonably competent flyer so I should not have too many hard landings - but even so do you think they should be replaced to make this plane useable?Thanks for providing such a great community service!
All the best,Nathane"

Richard: "Hangar 9 has upgraded the rotating retracts in their .60 sized Corsair ARF. Thus, they should hold up much better than the first generation rotating retracts. Richard"

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Question34: "Richard, I am very interested in the VQ MiG-3. I would appreciate your opinion as far as construction, assembly and finish/covering of the aircraft. Thank you in advance."

Richard: "I never had the VQ MiG-3, but I did own the first generation VQ Zero, which was very similar in design and construction. Assembly and finish/covering were pretty good. Back then, the covering was somewhat brittle and would tend to crack or puncture easily. The plastic parts would also tend to crack. VQ has made an improvement on the plastic parts and the covering since then."

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Question35: "Hi Richard, I am in the process of purchasing a 60 size “World Model” P-51. I am curious if the factory installed retractable landing gear is sufficient or should I change it out to a Robart? If I go with Robart, which one should I get and how difficult is it to switch? I am a beginner pilot but had some experience building planes in the past (15 years ago). Thank in advance for your help. Gary"

Richard: "The factory installed retractable landing gear on the WM P-51 will be sufficient if you fly from a paved runway or if you are good at landing a P-51. If you decide to go with the Robarts, which are not difficult to install, get either the 511RS or the 551RS."

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Question36: "Richard: Am building an ARF Mitsubishi Zero, and kit came with a non-typical pointed spinner which is not the correct look for the plane. Am searching for the rounded (or domed type )spinner used on real Zeros..........cant seem to find any. (also should be for 3-blade prop). NOTE: plane is being built as static model only, so only need this for the "proper look". Any ideas?
Thanks, Pete"

Richard: "How big is the Zero ARF? If it's 60 or 90 sized, then the FW190 aluminum spinner from Skyshark RC will be close to what you want."

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Question37: "Richard, I have been building my corsair very slowly after reading all yours and other posts on different forums. Very helpful as I am very new to building.. I have a question on the century jet retracts that I just receieved. I noticed on your corsair that your built had the mounting of the retracts about flush with the wing, and in another project someone had them set about 1/2 inch inside the wing. I was just wondering if there is any reason for this? I want to do it right the first time and not have to re-do or have problems later...Also how do you move the retracts up and down without air hooked up? I got mine out of the box and can't seem to find a release to unlock them.Thanks for your help, Jamie"

Richard: "Jamie, My retracts are flush with the wing because the wing is not deep enough to house the wheels had I set the retracts any deeper. You want to set the retracts deeper into the wing if you plan to use gear door covers and thin wheels. You can manually operate the retracts by using a small screwdriver to move the short brass rod that's attached to the air piston. "

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Question38: "Richard: Thank you for putting together such a great column + website. This is great for anyone interested in this area of the hobby - very well done. I'm hell-bent on a warbird as my first R/C airplane. I've had past experience with gliders, various full-sized simulators since I was a kid, and am fairly knowledgeable of fixed wing flight principles. I've been flying various planes in the G3 including the P51, ultimate bipe and whatever that red sportster/pattern plane is called. It bugs me a little that the stall characteristics seem all too similar between the various aircraft; subsequently, it leads me to believe there's a lot more that I don't know - but need to!

I know most folks start with some overwing trainer that's slow and stable. I am going with a warbird as a trainer. I was thinking either the Kyosho P-40 or the Hangar 9 P-40 (both 60 sized) would be a fair choice; however, I've always liked the P-47D's offered by some other companies. Unfortunately, they're a bit larger and have an elliptical wing. I've heard that elliptical winged planes/models like the spitfire are a bit more tricky since they needed to land and takeoff fairly hot (otherwise one wing drops like a stone and bad things happen): I'm guessing the P-47's have similar characteristics. I'm thinking the P-40 due to the perceived stability.

I can't be convinced to change my plans for my "trainer". I'm looking for some advice for plane selection (and manufacturer), engine selection, G3 simulator pointers and anything else to help me avoid nosing into the dirt on my maiden flight. Given the limited amount of workspace in my house, I need an ARF. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks Chris"

Richard: "Chris, The P-47 is easier to fly and land than the P-40, even though it has a semi-elliptical wing. In fact, the P-47 is considered by many to be the easiest warbird to fly. I would highly recommend the Hangar 9 P-47 ARF as your first warbird. It flies great, lands slow, and has no bad tendencies. Plus, it can be assembled in a fairly short amount of time. A good engine for it would be the Saito 100 four stroke. "

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Question39: " I was just given a Hangar 9 Corsair (with a slightly worn left wing). I have an OS FS70 from a previous project. Would this be adequate for this plane? Thanks"

Richard: "The OS FS70 will be barely enough to fly the Hangar 9 Corsair. I would go with at least an .82 four stroke."

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Question40: " Hi Richard, Nice website. I just purchased/built the hangar 9 corsair and installed the saito 100 four stoke engine. It is ready for the sky. My question is how difficult is it to fly. I have been flying the hanger 9 mustang for sometime now with ease and hanger 9's j 3 cubs. Any hints i should know before i fly it? Take off maybe?? Thank you very much... Tom"

Richard: "Tom, The Hangar 9 Corsair is one of the easiest Corsairs to fly. If you can fly the Hangar 9 Mustang, then you can certainly fly the Hangar 9 Corsair. Take off and landing are just a tad more difficult, but I think you can manage. On take off, be prepare to use a lot of right rudder to keep the plane going straight down the runway. This plane also likes to land slightly faster than the Hangar 9 Mustang, so try not to chop the throttle too soon. Otherwise, it's a fine flying plane."

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Question41: " Richard, I have 2 questions about my World models P 51 60 size warbird.1. I put a Saito 91 in the plane and the spinner that came with the kit is probably scale but is huge(4 inches or more) This covers up a lot of the prop- will this significantly impact the plane's performance? 2. This is my first 4 stroke and I wondered if this engine is prone to flameouts or should I put in an onboard glow system? Thanks for any advice. Jerry"

Richard: "Jerry,

1) The big spinner will not significantly impact the plane's performance. The plane will fly just fine with the 4" spinner and 14" prop.
2) If the Saito 91 is tuned correctly, then it should not flame out. An onboard glow system is not necessary if you take the time to tune the low end. "

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Question42: " Hello I just recieved a new cmp 50 corsair. it has a 58" wing. I plan to use a gms 60 for power. do you or the guys think i should build flaps for this plane? it is basically the kyosho corsair.and will this be enough power. im not a fan of overpowering models but i like having plenty if that makes sense.thanks geary. "

Richard: "Flaps will make the plane look cool and scale, but in this case I don't think you will need them on landing. Plus, flaps and and the servos require to operate them will make the plane heavy. The GMS 60 will be plenty."

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Question43: "I just got the 71" P-47 ARf from Raidebtech and was wondering if a 25cc gas engine would fly this plane. "

Richard: "A 25cc gas engine will fly that 71" P-47 ARF just fine with power to spare."

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Question44: "Dear Richard I have a P51 mustang (150) and i would like to fit a 4 blade prop but i can not find any one who makes them, apc have one but although apc is a good prop, it is not a scale looking prop. Do you know of any body who makes them ? Many Thanks Anthony "

Richard: "Bolly makes carbon fiber 4-blade prop in several sizes."

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Question45: " Dear Richard, I am an italian modellingenthusiast, and I have a question about my Corsair Hangar 9. I have an OS FS120SIII from a
previous project. Would this be adeguate for this planes ? Thanks ! Marco . SIENA - Italia"

Richard: "Dear Marco, Yes, the OS FS120SIII would be adequate for the Hangar 9 Corsair."

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Question46: " Hi, can you tell me if an OS70 4 stroke would be suitable for a Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang 60 size or would it be far too under powered, thanks Graham."

Richard: "Hi Graham, The OS 70 four stroke would be marginal for the Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang 60. I would go with at least an .80 four stroke."

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Question47: " I have been flying on and off over the last 20 years. I have owned numerous trainers to intermediate planes and have owned some form of simulator for all of that time as well. I feel very comfortable flying this level of aircraft at the local flying field ( 30+ miles away), but have recently moved to a 1.5 acre parcel of land outside the city and feel I have ample room for launch and landing of .40 to .46 class planes. I would like to get an ARF or RTF reasonably priced with capabilities of adding at least one additional model in the future.

The plane I am considering for this application is the Hanger 9 P-51 PTS. This looks like everything I could ask for in a simple warbird and with factory installed flaps for slower and shorter take off and landings. What are your thoughts on the quality and ease of flight for this model? I am concerned about the engine quality and size as well. With the experience I already have certainly don’t want to get a plane that lacks the power to do a little showing off, I don’t need to hover. Roger"

Richard: "Roger, The Hangar 9 P-51 PTS is pretty good in quality. It's also very easy to fly and land. In fact, some of our club members are taking training lessons on this plane since it flies just like an ordinary trainer. The equipped engine is adequate. Since you already have flying experience, I would suggest getting either the .40 size Kyosho P-51 ARF or the .40 size Great Planes P-51 ARF. Both of these planes are also easy to fly but are more agile and have more capabilities."

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Question48: "Hello Richard, I discovered your website while trying to find info on the Hangar 9 Hellcat and landing gear issues. This is my 1st plane with retracts and I thought that I would try something that supposedly flies well and has the retracts already installed. After installing the retract
servo and getting the servo arm in the right place I found that one retracts works perfectly in both positions but the other side has alot of looseness in the down position. I tried tightening up the arm that pushes it into position only to find that the retract won't pull up all the way into the wing. So it seems that that adjustment won't work. Now I have been thinking what would work to push the gear harder and tighter in the down position and still give it a full retraction into the wing. One thought was that I should move the pushrod to a further out position on the servo arm to give it more "throw" but I'm just not sure what would work. Or is the retract gear just flawed on that side? Hopefully you can help me with some advice. Thanks for your time, Bill"

Richard: "Hi Bill, Sounds like you need just a tad more throw. Try picking two new holes on the servo arm that are slightly outside of the two holes you are currently using and adjust the retracts for tightness in the down position since the down position is more important. You don't want the gear to collapse on landing."

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