Corsair Tail Lift question?

[Jerry O'Neill]

Hope someone can help.
We're starting preparations to move the Corsair (FG-1D) in Stratford, CT off it's memorial pylon for a restortation job and I'm not sure of the proper strength needed for the bar that will be inserted though the lifting tube just forward of the elevators.
When the aircraft was originally placed on the pylon in 1971, it was lifted by a crane from the the two lifting rings on the engine mount in the accessory section and a bar through the rear lifting tube. Basically a four point lift.
We want to remove it the same way, but most of the people who put the thing up there originally are not aeround today, so I'm looking for some data on the bar so we can lift it safely off the pylon.
Any help would be great.
Thanks.
Jerry

[skymstr02]

When I do a gear check on the F4U-5, I use a 1 1/4 dia steel rod thru the tube. I then hang about 970lbs of ballast on the rod to keep the nose from flopping over.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Thanks for the info.
I'm not sure we need the ballast, as the aircraft has no landing gear and the old photos show it being lifted up on the pylon with a slight nose down angle, maybe 2-5 degrees.
I guess I need to make sure that what ever we use has some sort of solid attach fittings for the lift so that it doesn't shift.
Jerry

[Gary Norville]

You need the ballast, the gear is aft of the engine and spar. I would suggest you get a manual before you go for your lift, it will show the rigging and lift points and what ballst is needed.

Gary
http://www.AmericanAeroServices.com

[Gary Norville]

I need to correct myself, if you lift at the lugs on the engine mount you will be fine without ballast, if you lift at the spar you'll need your ballast.

Gary

[corsairboss]

I say put some good fuel in Her, maybe change the spark plugs, "Champion" REB37E would be the recommended, 10 degree of Flaps, lock the shoulder strap, get a good Mag Check, and Fly Her OFF of that Pole. Get Her air-borne, make sure you pull that Big Silver Shinny handle by your left Knee, and Put the Gear Down.... Home Free...!!!

Oh Yeah... check the Tail Wheel Lock... she might get a little "Wiggly" if it is UnLocked.



Jerry these will be ready soon... do you know about these...contact me for the info. Hello Gary...wife wants to know how the Camel is doing...!!!

[Jerry O'Neill]

Gary;
We were planning to lift by the lugs in the normal manner. That's how she went up. One concern is the condition inside and whether the engine mount and lugs will acctually hold the wieght.
We're going out tomorrow to open up the accesory panel and lifting tube to examine what we are going to have to deal with.

Mint,
Many of would like nothing more than to fill'er up and fly'er out!
Wish we could, but she is VERY BAD in the corrosion department.
I'll PM you about the coin.
Jerry

[corsairboss]

Maybe to reduce some of the weight you may want to entertain removing the engine first and getting rid of about 1500 lbs. Lifting at the engine and the tail tube might even put pressure right behind the cockpit where the two half come together, you may even get a sandwich affect which would not be good.

Just my 2 cents...

[corsairboss]

I would remove the Prop also...that is another 600 lbs..

[Steve S]

Just curious- If you remove the engine while she is still on the pole could that affect the CG and possibly through her off balance enough that mounts to the pole are stressed in away they are not designed- would hate to see her rip herself up before you even get her down.

Just a thought.

[corsairboss]

I think there alot of "what If's" they need to look at alot of stuff since this corsair has been sitting up there. If the engine was taken off that would be alot of weight off of the whole thing when they remove her. They could even have another Lifting boom on the back to help hold her still while the engine was removed. If she has been sitting there for some time, You lift on the front and lift on the back...the bolts in the middle may not like that.

Jerry has to look at alot of things to remove her with less stress.
'One Thing" for sure the Wings are Locked in the Down Position...!

[famvburg]

Were they a division of United Aircraft Corp. when the Corsairs were built?

I say put some good fuel in Her, maybe change the spark plugs, "Champion" REB37E would be the recommended, 10 degree of Flaps, lock the shoulder strap, get a good Mag Check, and Fly Her OFF of that Pole. Get Her air-borne, make sure you pull that Big Silver Shinny handle by your left Knee, and Put the Gear Down.... Home Free...!!!

Oh Yeah... check the Tail Wheel Lock... she might get a little "Wiggly" if it is UnLocked.



Jerry these will be ready soon... do you know about these...contact me for the info. Hello Gary...wife wants to know how the Camel is doing...!!!

[corsairboss]

Yep...this is the logo that was on the ID Plates Located in the Cockpit.
I believe that United Aircraft was Vought and Pratt Whitney when they built Corsairs.

[Pat Carry]

Forgive me if this has been discussed previously but where will the Corsair go after its restored? Hopefully inside somewhere!

[Jerry O'Neill]

The plan is to fix her and then place her back on the pole.
Since it's been discussed before, all I can say is that it is better to do that than to do nothing at all. She's a VERY sick aircraft.
Jerry