Freewing FlightLine F4U-1A Corsair "Birdcage" 1600mm PNP

With its inverted gull wing and long nose, the Vought F4U Corsair has one of the most recognisable silhouettes of the Second World War. Built to fly from carriers and land bases, it combined a powerful engine with excellent manoeuvrability. It reached speeds of around 640 km/h and earned an impressive 11:1 combat record over the Pacific.

The Corsair stayed in service into the Korean War era, and several examples are still flown by civilian operators today. Freewing's FlightLine range captures the early three-bladed F4U-1A with its distinctive framed "Birdcage" canopy, finished in its own period-accurate factory scheme. The model is officially licensed by Northrop Grumman.

This Plug-N-Play (PNP) version comes with the motor, ESC, servos, LED lights and retracts already installed. You add your own 6-channel receiver and radio, so you can set up this big 1600mm warbird with your preferred electronics.

Scale Detail You Can See and Use

The EPO foam airframe is moulded to a faithful Corsair shape at 1/7.8 scale. Sharp panel lines, raised surface detail and many plastic parts add scale fidelity and make the model easier to live with. The decals now come pre-applied, and two decal sets are supplied.

Scale split flaps with a rounded leading edge follow the full-size design. DayBright LED wingtip lights and a sequenced landing light finish the look. The main gear closes behind three-panel sequenced moulded plastic doors, and the retractable tail wheel also carries scale detailing.

Strong Wing, Grass-Ready Gear

The wing is built from several materials: foam, plywood ribs, carbon spars and aluminium joints. This makes it stronger than a solid foam wing while keeping weight low and handling lively.

All three landing gear legs retract. The all-new rotating main retract units use metal shock-absorbing struts, a 5mm steel pin and a metal trunnion. Upgraded retract strut pins with a 6.5mm diameter are now fitted. The tall wheels and metal suspension let you fly from grass runways with confidence.

6S Power with a Large Scale Propeller

A 5055 brushless outrunner turns a large 18x12 three-blade propeller at 90% scale diameter. The propeller is fitted with aluminium alignment and reinforcement plates. Power is handled by an 80A ESC with reverse thrust and an EC5 connector.

The Corsair cruises at around 40–50% throttle and loops repeatedly at only 50–60%. Vertical performance is excellent for a scale model of this size. On a 6S 5000mAh LiPo it reaches a level top speed of about 125 km/h (75 mph), with 5–9 minutes of flight depending on how you use the throttle.

Takeoffs are very stable, even without flaps. The model flies all scale manoeuvres and plenty of non-scale aerobatics too.

Balance It for Your Battery

Eight hidden tubes inside the moulded plastic cowl hold lead ballast. Add ballast when flying a 4000mAh pack, or remove it for packs of 6000mAh and up. With a 6S 5000mAh battery, the factory-installed ballast is all you need. See the manual for the recommended CG position.

Plug-N-Play – Easy Assembly

All control surfaces fit to the airframe with screws, and assembly takes about 2 hours. Digital servos with brass ball links and nylon hinges are already fitted on every control surface, ready to connect to your receiver.

Key Features

• FlightLine F4U-1A Corsair with "Birdcage" canopy, 1600mm wingspan
• Officially licensed by Northrop Grumman
• Period-accurate factory paint scheme with pre-applied decals
• Two decal sets supplied
• Plug-N-Play configuration without receiver
• Sharply moulded panel lines and raised surface details
• Scale split flaps with rounded leading edge
• DayBright LED wingtip lights and sequenced landing light
• Electric retracts on main gear and tail wheel
• All-new rotating main retract units
• Upgraded 6.5mm retract strut pins
• Metal shock-absorbing main struts with 5mm steel pin and metal trunnion
• Three-panel sequenced main gear doors
• Grass-capable landing gear with tall wheels
• Multi-material wing with foam, plywood ribs, carbon spars and aluminium joints
• 5055 brushless outrunner motor
• 80A ESC with reverse thrust and EC5 connector
• Large 18x12 three-blade scale propeller with aluminium reinforcement plates
• Integrated ballast chamber hidden inside the cowl
• Digital servos, brass ball links and nylon hinges on all control surfaces
• Flight time of 5–9 minutes on 6S 5000mAh
• Level top speed of around 125 km/h

Specifications

• Wingspan: 1600 mm / 63 in
• Length: 1300 mm / 51.18 in
• Empty weight: 2850 g / 100.53 oz (without battery)
• Scale: 1/7.8
• Material: EPO foam
• Motor: 5055 brushless outrunner, 6S
• ESC: 80A with reverse thrust, EC5 connector
• Propeller: 18x12 three-blade
• Servos: 11, installed (9g, 17g and 23g)
• Landing gear: Electric retractable main gear with metal shock-absorbing struts, retractable tail wheel
• Flaps: Yes
• Lighting: LED wingtip lights and landing light
• Hinges: Nylon reinforced
• Battery: 6S 22.2V 4000–6000mAh LiPo, EC5 connector
• Receiver: Not included
• Radio: Not included
• CG: 100 mm / 3.93 in from the leading edge of the wing at the root
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Completion Level: Plug-N-Play
• Recommended environment: Outdoors
• Age: 14 and up
• Approximate assembly time: 2 hours

What's Included

• Freewing FlightLine F4U-1A Corsair "Birdcage" 1600mm PNP
• Pre-installed brushless motor
• Pre-installed 80A ESC with reverse thrust
• Pre-installed servos
• Pre-installed LED lights
• Pre-installed electric retracts

Required to Complete

• Minimum 6-channel transmitter
• Minimum 6-channel receiver
• 6S 22.2V 4000–6000mAh LiPo battery with EC5 connector
• 6S-compatible LiPo charger

Receiver, transmitter, battery and charger are sold separately. Always power the receiver and onboard electronics through the installed ESC from the main flight battery. The onboard electronics are rated for a maximum of 5.5V.

Birdcage Corsair – Ready for Your Radio at Aerobertics

Few warbirds look as purposeful as the gull-winged Corsair. The early "Birdcage" canopy gives this FlightLine F4U-1A a character all its own.

With its 1600mm wingspan, big three-blade propeller, sequenced gear doors, split flaps and strong multi-material wing, this Corsair offers real scale presence. It also brings the practical touches pilots appreciate, such as grass-capable gear and adjustable ballast.

At Aerobertics, we like giving pilots the freedom to choose their own electronics. The PNP version is the ideal choice if you already fly a favourite radio system.

Fit your receiver, charge a 6S pack and take this classic Pacific fighter into the sky.