Trumpeters 1/32 Corsair F4U-1D or F4U-4 - Which one to build ?

Guys,

I found a reference in Detail & Scale # 56 on the F4U-4 about the windshields on pages 10 and 11. They even have it broken down by serial number which had the curved or flat windshields. Also they weren't sequential.

Jose, That's an excellent web site. I hadn't seen that one before. According to the site at some point the -4 went to a flat wind screen. In fact as you look through the photo collection you will see -4's both ways. It also indicates that they put in a cockpit floor. So if you're thinking about using the Verlinden or Black Box update set for the -4 don't do it. I would imagine that somebody will come out with a -4 cockput update set at some point. Probably an engine update as well. That's probably about the time I'll cave and go for it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by weebles I'm curious, did Trumpeter model the -4 with a flat windscreen? Dave

Hi, Dave!
I have the kit right here, and the windscreen is indeed flat.

Also, I too thought the -4 cockpit had a floor, unlike earlier versions. Never been in one, so I'm not sure, but that's what I've read!

Hello all!

An excellent resource on the web regarding the F4U:

http://users.skynet.be/bk317032/Part_Corsair_Plane/Menu/openmenu_JDS2_F4U.htm

It has loads of pix of all versions, including detailed looks at the cockpits, engines, wheel wells, etc.

btw, all -4 cockpit pix show a floor.

Jose

The -4 had the R-2800-18W engine. The -5 had the R-2800-32W (Twin Wasp Series E) engine. All the -4 references I have show the curved windscreen. The -5 had the flat screen. None of my references even acknowledge the windscreen change so I can't tell you when this took place. Like Mel said pick your subject and run with it. I'm curious, did Trumpeter model the -4 with a flat windscreen?
Dave

I'm pretty sure some of the first F4U-4's had the curved windscreen. Later ones had the flat windscreen and at some point the split case PW R2800's. Then some had the four 20 mm in the wings too. Not at home to check my references. As in life, nothing is certain. Best bet is having a picture of what your are modeling. Which reminds me a friend of mine gave me a set of pictures of Corsairs during Korea that are a mixed bag of -4's. I'll have to find them and check them out again. I know they had white checkerboards on the cowls and the one hanging in Pensacola has the same plane number. The old Monogram kit with those markings and number 22 come to mind also.

I'm kind of in the same boat. I've been looking at Trumpeter's 1/32 -1D and -4. I think I'm going to do the -1D because I have a 1/32 Hasegawa F6FHellcat and a 1/32 Trumpeter F4F-4 Wildcat. To keep a theme of 1/32 US Navy Carrier Aircraft, I figure the -1D fits best because it was the first 'officially' approved Corsair for US carrier duty (The Royal Navy put them on their carriers form the begining). And as previously stated in this thread, there were more -1Ds made then 4s and the 4s saw more service in Korea then WWII.

And from what I know of -1As, they were not much different than the -1Ds so with a little research and some minor re-working a Trumpeter 1/32 -1D could be done as a -1A.

The -4 differs fromt he -1D in that it has a different cowl with a chin inlet and the exhaust is different. -4's were extremely late WWII. Not sure if they made it to Korea. Good luck with your decision. Either would make an interesting project.
Dave

F4U-4 were used EXTENSIVELY in Korea by USN and USMC. They were workhorses, along with the ADs and F9Fs.

Of note, the wing root undersides were different on the -4 also, due to the chin intake and revised cowl. There is a fairing under each root at the fuselage/wing intersection which smooths the transition from the flatter cowl underside to the round fuselage.

I got the F4U-4 because I was sick of building the old 3-bladed Revell kit!
I just like the looks of the four-bladed prop of the -4.

The -4 also has a 4 bladed prop and a flat wind screen.

There were more -1D's built than -4's. I'm sure you could convert the -1D into a -1A. They are very similar except that the -1A would not have the two hard points under the fuselage or rocket rails. As it stands right now there are more -1D parts available because they were previously produced for the Revell kit. Give it a little time and I'm sure you'll see plenty of decals come out for for -1A's, -1D's, and -4's. Cutting Edge and Tech Models make some -1A and -1D decals which are available at Meteor. Keep in mind that an F4U-1D and FG-1D are the same thing. The FG-1D was built by Goodyear and not Vought. The -4 differs fromt he -1D in that it has a different cowl with a chin inlet and the exhaust is different. -4's were extremely late WWII. Not sure if they made it to Korea. Good luck with your decision. Either would make an interesting project.
Dave