Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1A Corsair Build Thread

Kit: Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1A Corsair (60325)

Paints: Tamiya, Vallejo, AK

Main Colors: Intermediate Navy Blue (XF18:5 + XF2:4), Insignia White (XF2:10 = XF55:1), and Navy Blue (XF17:5=XF8:3+XF2:2)

PE: Ultracast figure, Brassin cowling parts, Barracuda Wheels and cockpit decals (the best), Montex stencils (all insignia's painted), airscale decals, some other stuff I'll add when I remember it all

Weathering: Salt technique, Winston & Newton, Vallejo pigments (primarily 73.102 Light Yellow Ochre all over the upper surfaces and dusted off), just about half of Phil's washes (honestly)...

Tools: Evolution (H&S), Eclipse (Iwata), Tamiya side cutters, ifixit tweezers, Gyros files, JLC saw, etc.

Build Length: About five months overall start-finish.

Note: My son bought this for me as a birthday present more than a year ago...it would become my first 1/32 kit in 45+ years and the fifth model since i returned to the hobby after those 45 years. Joy to build at start, a real engineering triumph but a bit of a slog at the end trying to finish it off (I could not match paint to save my life).   I'd give myself an "A-" grade on the engine, cockpit, and my mini Pappy Boyington, and a C+ to B+ on the rest. I learned a lot and have a lot to learn...but another step towards tackling the 1/32 mossie.  Appreciated the assistance and encouragement I got during the build.

Took three more months to finish...here's the progression

 Tried to do some pre-weathering chip stuff but eventually discarded this and repainted all

 Montex Masks

 I messed up the wing insignia so i redid it

 SIde insignia process

 Result...a little paint lines i eventually painted over w/remask

 Base paint done

 Close up

 Some light airbrush oil-spill weathering (20-1 thinner to deck tan)

 Shine coat and decided I needed Pappy

 First face/figure painting I've done at this scale

 Salt weathering the prop (and I did all the upper surfaces of the plane)

 Final

 Weathered, wired, and more-or-less done

 Additional lead wire work in the wheel wells...but sloppy work

 Cowling wire detail

 Weathering of gas/oil stains done by pouring oil-based brown/black mix down aircraft while it was up on it's wheels and letting things go where they'd go...wiped off excess.

Lookin GREAT, brother!

Slow go...almost time for painting

Nice work!

Cool!  I'll be watching your progress with baited breath.

DiscoStu

Curious to follow as well.  Are you planning on closing up the cowling or leaving the engine open? 

I have one on the shelf of doom that is going to be an in-flight display but there is a sizeable gap on mine at the cowling.  I''m 100% sure it was my own error but can't figure out where it went wrong. 

Mine will be on wheels on the ground with at least one of cowlings open (maybe a small diorama scene...not sure yet).  The fit there is really tight...I have not tried to close it up yet because I have'nt fully attached the engine. I've seen youtubers say it's a bit of a pain. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thx everyone....should have the wings on this weekend...more pics to come.

Very nice!  The cockpit at that scale is so detailed and your painting is great.

Curious to follow as well.  Are you planning on closing up the cowling or leaving the engine open? 

I have one on the shelf of doom that is going to be an in-flight display but there is a sizeable gap on mine at the cowling.  I''m 100% sure it was my own error but can't figure out where it went wrong.

Very nice work on both the pit and radial, well done.

Will follow your build with interest.