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Revell 1/48 F4U-4 Corsair

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  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Revell 1/48 F4U-4 Corsair
Posted by mustang1989 on Sunday, November 16, 2014 9:33 PM

   I bought this kit during the spring time for a project to do with my son , I bought one for me and one for him to build together at the same pace. After we got started we both realized that this wasn't the kit to have a beginner on so I shelved it and bought something a little easier for him. The reason behind this build was a meeting with my mentor at a church function we had over early summer. He used to build models but cant any longer due to a slight shake he has in his hands which makes him unsteady. I had asked him what his favorite WWII aircraft was(because he's into that kind of stuff) and he responded almost right away with "The Corsair".  I kept that in the back of my head until September 26 when I put the wheels in motion on building this kit.  What I didn't know was just how much of a challenge this build would be with all the gaps, misfits and alignment issues. I literally slaved away on this thing to get it done in  time to present it as a Christmas gift by next month for him with anywhere from 30 min. to 4 hours a day being spent on it. This is the kit I'm taking about to  give you all a visual (and to properly warn any innocent bystanders out there) of what I bought.

The fit issues alone where enough that I actually had the thing in the trash can twice! I knew if I did what I wanted and went for the Tamiya 1/48 kit that I would have had a lot better looking build with more detail but I wouldn't have been able to finish it by Christmas because thats how I am. The more detail, the more time it takes to get it done. I built her as flown as part of Black Sheep Squadron VMF-214 operated off of the USS Sicily (CVE-118) , Korea in 1951. Any ways here are the finishing photos;

and a shot of it on the display base without the acrylic glass top on it. (It's actually a shadow box with the glass removed, mirror cut to fit and a acrylic glass top made by a local plastic glass shop.

I'd like to thank every one in the Pacific Carrier Group Build for their words of encouragement that kept me on track so I could get this thing done. I think my good buddy Pat will be ok with it.Wink

                   

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  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Sunday, November 16, 2014 9:54 PM

Excellent job! My son and I built his first one after Christmas last year. We got it together and on the finished shelf ok, but then his 3 year old brother got into the act and painted it for him....with Testors cement......ooowwwwww!!!!

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:02 PM

Thanks mississippi! Hate to hear about the demise of your Corsair. Eeek!!

    There were a couple of things I just couldn't leave OOB. I added a set of Eduard color seat belts, some True Details bombs and  scrounged a set of OOB wheels/ tires from a spare Eduard Hellcat I have that I'll be using the resin parts for on that build so I won't be missing those on down the line. Exterior paint is all Vallejo Air and exhaust weathering is dry brushed on ground up pastel.

                   

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  • Member since
    December 2013
  • From: Greenville, TX.
Posted by Raymond G on Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:39 PM

Yeah, that kit was the first one I build out of the gate last year, after 25 plus year gap in model building.  I was proud of it then, but I'm seriously thinking about attaching a couple of rocket motors on it to see how far it'll fly.  Yeppers, I laugh at it now.

That said, I don't know that I could've picked a worse model to start with.  Like you said, gap issues everywhere!  The cockpit window was a joke, and I will not even talk about the wings...

For such a poor model, you did an excellent job.  It's almost enough to make me want to go back and giver'er another try... ALMOST!!!  Yeah, I'll spend the extra $20 or so for the Tamiya kit ;-)  It's a dream to build!  Again, great job!!!  How old is your boy?  I miss getting to do stuff like that with mine.  He's soon to be 23...  Oh, well... Maybe there'll be grand kids sometime in the next 15 years.......  Thanks for sharing!!!!!!  Raymond

On the Bench:

U.S.S. Arizona (Revell)

P-51D Tribute (Revell)

57 Chevy Bel Air

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Sunday, November 16, 2014 11:04 PM

Same story for me as well. That's the first one I built after being gone so long and it was a rough build. The fit issues are just horrid. I keep thinking I should do another and do it better but I clear my head and say, nope, not again. Great job, it looks fantastic. !!

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 17, 2014 8:09 AM

Thanks Raymond! Man you don't know how many times I almost got a Tamiya kit. I was just too far along with the Revellogram to turn back. You're definitely right about the gap issues and the wing guns............good Lord!

 Joseph is 10 years old and has built on here before in the last Weekend Madness GB that stikpusher hosted. He also has built a Revellogram Zero using tape and magic marker. lol

  He doesn't know it yet but I've got him a small set up with a beginners carousel paint rack, some military colors, basic set of paint brushes, sprue snippers and a small cutting mat for Christmas. He's riding the fence right now with the hobby because he hasn't had his own work bench and supplies but hopefully this'll sway him to the good side of "the force".

  Hopefully you can pass the hobby down to either your son (there's still time) and to your future grandkids. Again , thanks for the kudos.

                   

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  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 17, 2014 8:10 AM

'Preciate it Brandon. Don't feel bad about wanting to do another one. I bought another one of these things. lol

                   

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  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Monday, November 17, 2014 8:54 AM

Nice looking build Joe. Your paint work always comes out super smooth. I like the look of the wing fold on one side only. Very nice exhaust staining and weathering. No need for you to deck out a kit with AM just to look nice. You did this one justice right outa the box!

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 17, 2014 9:07 AM

Thanks Nathan! Yeah the one wing folded actually saved me a ton of work on the side that is now folded. Extending the wing was actually a major part of the build. If I would have shown an engine with this one there woulda been a ton of AM involved but I kept this one rather simple to finish it within the deadline of Christmas.

                   

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  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Monday, November 17, 2014 10:23 AM

Very well done!

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 17, 2014 10:27 AM

Fly-n-hi

Very well done!

Thanks a lot FLY-N-HI!

                   

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  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Monday, November 17, 2014 11:19 AM

Very nice build, I'm sure your friend will love it!

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 17, 2014 11:25 AM

Thank you Mike. I'm banking on it.

                   

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  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Monday, November 17, 2014 11:55 AM

I like that you don't like challenges stop you, Joe.

That is one fine-looking Corsair and I'm sure your friend will love it. I like the Black Sheep Squadron scheme, very cool.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 17, 2014 11:56 AM

Thanks Greg! Say................aren't you supposed to be in the 109 GB too? lol

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    September 2014
Posted by PlasticTeen on Sunday, November 23, 2014 7:16 PM

Hey mustang1989 I bought the same model and I ended up trying to order the fuselage because it was broken and didn't fit each other but my request was not accepted I was mad and tried to build it still but I'm not that skilled so I just put in the circular file and my father felt bad so he ended up getting me a F/A 18E Super Hornet it has an amazing fit and it has been fun building it. It also has very good detail I remecond it to people how like very detailed models

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Sunday, November 23, 2014 7:37 PM

Simply stunning Joe.  Your persistence definitely paid off.  Thank you for sharing.

Joe

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Sunday, November 23, 2014 7:41 PM

That's a great model Joe.  Beautifully done!Bow Down

Gary


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, November 24, 2014 9:18 AM

Plasticteen: Mine ended up in the trash.................twice! By that time I had so much time invested that I just couldn't waste the efforts and built it. Thanks for the good word man.

Joe: Thanks dude for that. A lot of things you mention in tutorials are used in this build.

Gary: Thanks bubba. Haven't seen you around in a while.

                   

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Houston, Texas
Posted by panzerpilot on Monday, November 24, 2014 9:25 AM

Very nicely done! I like the weathering and the overall sheen.

-Tom

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 1:46 PM

Thanks a lot Tom!

                   

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  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: minnesota
Posted by handiabled on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 2:14 PM

This is one to be proud of for sure Stang!   Really excellent work!

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, December 1, 2014 7:04 AM

Thanks handi!

                   

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  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Thursday, April 7, 2016 9:35 AM

Thought I'd revive my ol' Corsair Completed thread to share with the new crowd.

                   

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, April 7, 2016 11:21 AM

Super nice job there Mustang. The folded and straight wings look cool. 

Guys, is the kit that bad? I've only built the Minicraft and Tamiya Corsairs. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Thursday, April 7, 2016 11:28 AM

Man your finish is so good it looks like the plane came with those colors and you just added weathering.  Terrific build.  I built one of these starting out 5 years ago, and I don't remember all the issues but that was back when I didn't even know what putty was.  I'll have to take another look at it to see if it is a Gaps-R-Us model

 

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Thursday, April 7, 2016 11:41 AM

a fine build on a kit that hasn't changed since the 60's ooop's I'm old now. well the box art and decals changed 

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Thursday, April 7, 2016 3:19 PM

Thanks Gamera, Greatmaker and Crown!!!

Greatmaker: FYI...this.........is THE GapsR'Us kit!!!

                   

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  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Littleton, Colorado
Posted by harp.ta on Thursday, April 7, 2016 10:24 PM

Gamera

Super nice job there Mustang. The folded and straight wings look cool. 

Guys, is the kit that bad? I've only built the Minicraft and Tamiya Corsairs. 

 

Like so many others on here - that was one of the first kits I built when I got back into modeling after a loooooong hiatus (30 years-ish).  At the time I remember thinking it was just over-engineered.  Whats really happening is that Revell decided to make it with moving parts like a toy.  The wings are actually meant to be folded back and forth from stowed to deployed, and - if i recall - the landing gear to go up and down (the fact that the tires don't fit into the wings is so Revellogram it hurts).  

The kit did do one thing for me - it taught me right away how to work around issues.  I had such a hard time with the parts for the retractable wings that I built some out of stock and just glued em in place.  It was also the first kit that I ever "weathered" - by which I did an overcoat of tamiya smoke after the fact, and the first that I ever built stretced sprue antenna wire for.

On the Bench:

  • Tamiya 1/48 A-1J Skyraider (USAF)
  • Tamiya 1/48 He-219 A-7
  • Tamiya 1/48 P-47M

In the Fridge:

  • Modern Times Brewing Blazing World
  • Lawson's Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine
  • Half Acre Gone Away IPA

"Why do they lock gas station restrooms?  Are they afraid someone might clean them?"

- George Carlin

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Littleton, Colorado
Posted by harp.ta on Thursday, April 7, 2016 10:30 PM

You did a great job with a kit that is a certifiable pain in my ---.  If I remember to, I'll post some pics of the revellogram corsair I did just so you guys can have a larf.. and the sucker took me like 3 months.

This kit took me a full month longer than the tamiya F4U-1A - and I didn't weather it (not much anyway), it had a one-tone paint job (compared to the camo scheme I did on my 1A), and the 1A went together better.  The caveat is that I built this kit 3 years ago when I was just starting up modelling again, but still... Tamiya kits will always be my favorite because the level of detail is strong and they are just a joy to build.

I hope you end up building (or have already built) the tamiya 1A variant.  If you did this well with a monogram you will knock that thing out of the park, fsho!

On the Bench:

  • Tamiya 1/48 A-1J Skyraider (USAF)
  • Tamiya 1/48 He-219 A-7
  • Tamiya 1/48 P-47M

In the Fridge:

  • Modern Times Brewing Blazing World
  • Lawson's Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine
  • Half Acre Gone Away IPA

"Why do they lock gas station restrooms?  Are they afraid someone might clean them?"

- George Carlin

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