Every builder personalizes their plane but this is an example building and customization to the extreme! You can finish a WAR F4U in as little as two years if you stick to the plans and maintain a steady work schedule. I've been working on mine way more than two years. (Life happens) The major detour for my project has been the development of a scratchbuilt seven cylinder radial based on HCI Aviation's design. To build the "stock" version of the plane check out my FAQ's link below for tools/skills required.
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT AN ENGINEER, A&P OR CERTIFIED WELDOR. THE OPINIONS VOICED ON THESE PAGES ARE MY OPINIONS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FACT UNTIL VERIFIED. GET PROFFESIONAL ADVICE AND THOROUGHLY RESEARCH CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS BEFORE BEGINNING THIS PROJECT. OBSERVE ALL SAFTEY PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT.
Although I am not affiliated with WAR replicas and have nothing to gain by telling you this, BUY THE PLANS NOW WHILE THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE! (See WARbuddies site for address) Why do I say this? There was a time when the company (WAR) was in limbo and no sets of plans were available. In 1995 I made a pilgrimage to Oshkosh in search of any leads to a set of used plans. (At the time WAR was in limbo) I had been actively searching for a set of plans for three years without luck! At Oshkosh I found the RFA (Replica Fighters Association) and became a member. Between the squadron leader and other resources I was able to locate the new owner of WAR and get a set of plans in mid 1996.
WAR replicas are a sturdy design and if built and flown well will give little trouble. Almost every WAR replica has had some kind of accident. The Corsair has had it's share of landing gear problems and accidents. Fortunately no one has ever been killed or injured in a WAR Corsair! (Unfortunately this does not hold true with the other WAR replicas) With the new landing gear revisions and a conceincous effort to "build light" the WAR F4U should prove a durable and fun aircraft.
Thanks to the Internet there is an online discussion board where builders and pilots can communicate. Anyone who has built and/or flown one of these planes should be regarded as a treasure trove of knowlege. People like myself who are still building may have good ideas but you should listen to the guys who have finished flying planes for the best advice.
My pages on landing gear construction reflect the admonitions of veteran Corsair builders as well as my knowlege of machine shop practice.(and references) The landing gear is most certainly something not to be tackled with hand tools. Machine shop equipment must be used to construct it if you expect the landing gear to function reliably.
On my pages you will see a lot of equipment and may wonder if it is necessary to have all of these "toys". No, it is not required to have a machine shop or a TIG welder etc... Your builder's manual gives a pretty good list of the required tools and equipment which are mainly woodworking tools There are suggestions on the Main Page on how to build the metal parts with little investment.
