[PappyB]

Okay, got this one cuz it was on super-sale online and I must say it's pretty darn cool... it's the Corsair with the folded wings, which take some "fiddling" but the end result looks very unique and looks nice with my other 1:72 Corsairs.

If you've been on the fence, and don't mind some assembly sweat, I say this one's a good 'un. (The rest of the bird went together without hitches, and dragon includes the front antenna mast for this one, too.)

I'll post pics later when I have some time.

[stalag8611]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Okay, got this one cuz it was on super-sale online and I must say it's pretty darn cool... it's the Corsair with the folded wings, which take some "fiddling" but the end result looks very unique and looks nice with my other 1:72 Corsairs.

If you've been on the fence, and don't mind some assembly sweat, I say this one's a good 'un. (The rest of the bird went together without hitches, and dragon includes the front antenna mast for this one, too.)

I'll post pics later when I have some time.

I have a very good friend who live close by to the Udvar-Hazy and about once a year we visit the center. Vance loves the F4U-4 that hangs over the main gallery and, since we overnight with him and his wife, I gave him the "Skipper's Orchard" as a thank you gift. He really loves it-sits in a prominent place on his computer desk. However, like you, he had to do a lot of fiddling, especially with the port wing, to get it to hold together. He's so pleased with it that I'm tempted to get one for myself.

[Shawn 507]

What is the deal anyways with the second antenna? Can someone give me the down and dirty on those. Only one in three of my Dragon Corsairs has it.
- Shawn

[Canucklehead]

I bought the "Skipper's Orchid" online a few weeks ago, and am just getting to put it together right now. As PappyB said, the folded wings are a bit of a pain to get together (it was the starboard one that wouldn't sit right in my case), and for me required a bit more white glue than I'm used to using. I'm enjoying the challenge though! It's far more satisfying than just slapping a landing gear on it and calling it "done".

[Canucklehead]

Well, much blood, sweat, tears, and curses later this baby's done. Very nice when it's done, and as long as the glue holds out I like it. I tried to get it to hold before putting the little metal pins in, but it turns out they actually make the process a bit easier. If I had to put another together it would be a lot faster.
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[STARMAN 352ND]

Looks pretty good to me..
I like the folded wing look.
JP

[Black 6]

I don't own one myself (yet), but I'd like to comment on this model after having checked it out at PappyB's hangar. It really is a nice looking model once seen in person and I wouldn't mind adding one to my collection.

However, I found the two "cross-bars" between the wings and the fuselage to be a distraction. I would have thought Dragon could have come up with a better solution to bracing or stiffining the wings than what they did.

That aside, it's a nice plane worth consideration.

[jim]

Re bracing, didnt some aircraft have this type of bracing when stowed below?? I am sure I have seen pictures. Maybe I am wrong. Anybody know about this one.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by jim

Re bracing, didnt some aircraft have this type of bracing when stowed below?? I am sure I have seen pictures. Maybe I am wrong. Anybody know about this one.

Yeah, that's what I thought, too Jim -- I don't have pics to prove it, though.

Mr Park did the same thing with his fabulous custom scratch built Corsiar, too, though --

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Park.htm

[JETFAN]

Yes, the Corsair did have struts to support the wings while in the folded position. International Air Power Review, Vol.11, Page 114 shows Corsairs of VMA 312 with the supports fitted while aboard the USS Bataan in 1952 off the Korean coast. They were probably used when rough weather was expected or if the aircraft were to be parked for extended periods.
I would expect they were installed during maintenence checks on the hydraulics systems too. We have all seen sagging u/c doors on parked a/c when the system starts to lose pressure, so no reason to think wing fold systems wouldn't do the same.