The first Pappy Boyington out of the mold is flying in Peter MIller's fantastic Ziroli Corsair. This Corsair is modeled after a plane that Boyington ACTUALLY flew, number 740. He is usually depicted in a Corsair numbered 86 and named Lucybelle, but historians have pointed out that was a publicity photo op, and Pappy never flew that particular plane in combat.
Peter really did his research on this model and I was thrilled that Peter chose the Best Pilot "Pappy" to go in the cockpit. The plane in this paint scheme debuted at Frank Tiano's (the man behind Top Gun) event Monster Planes in Lakeland, Florida. Peter's plane, and of course the pilot, garnered a lot of attention judging from the all of the posts on RC Universe!
Peter Miller reading 740 for another flight at Monster Planes 2010
Here is some info on the model from Peter:
Hey Lyle,
Thanks for the compliments on the plane it was a burnout to get ready for monster so quickly but I am happy I got it done and got to debut your pilot.
Its a Ziroli corsair that was orginally built by master builder, Top Gun competitior Corvin Miller (no relation).
Your pilot motivated me to get her fixed and repainted. I made new gear doors and sanded down the original PPG flat. So the new paint would stick.
The Paint is Warbird Colors. The markings are all painted with Testors enamel paint and stencils.
The engine is a First Place (FPE) 5.8.
The radio is a JR 12X.
Lastly the real 740 was flown by at least once by Pappy. And if you look carefully in the picture you see that the markings on the wings are different. The current theory is they took a wing off another corsair (earlier birdcage was the only one with a disc) and bolted it on 740. As you may know, Pappy was notorious for taking the oldest most beat up corsair in the line. Many beleive that this was for motivation for the squadron as a true leader he took the "worst one". However it is also thought that he did it out of superstition that the oldest plane was around the longest and was the most reliable.
It needs some more weathering and if all goes well it will be at top gun 2011.
Thanks again for a great pilot! He makes the plane. Otherwise its just another Ziroli.
- Peter Miller
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