Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1 Corsair - Work in progress

Wait. What? Two Corsairs at the same time? Nice.

oortiz10

Wait. What? Two Corsairs at the same time? Nice.

 

Arrr matey!

You're going to love building this model.  It's easily the most fun I've had building plastic model airplanes.  The fit and detail are just incredible.  I used HGW belts and wet transfers.  Montex mask instead of the kit decals.  Only regret is I used the kits vinyl wheels instead of aftermarket.  Looks like you got the wheels covered.  I'll definitely build this again.  Enjoy.

Found some pictures of that build.

wpwar11

You're going to love building this model.  It's easily the most fun I've had building plastic model airplanes.  The fit and detail are just incredible.  I used HGW belts and wet transfers.  Montex mask instead of the kit decals.  Only regret is I used the kits vinyl wheels instead of aftermarket.  Looks like you got the wheels covered.  I'll definitely build this again.  Enjoy.

 

Thanks Wpwar. I am very eager to start! :)

wpwar11

Found some pictures of that build.

 

Nice! Thanks! Great inspiration.

Hi guys,

I am about to finally begin actual work on this beautiful kit and I have a question about the wing root exposed primer. I read that for the early Corsairs, prior to mid 1943, the inside of the cowl, rear tail wheel bay, etc. are in salmon pink, but I am not sure which primer should weathered wing roots show. As I understood, the pink salmon was actually intentionally modified YZC second coat so that they would be sure that the aircraft recieved two coats of primer.

I ask because I have only seen models with YZC showing on the wing roots.

Thanks in advance,

Nikola

Maybe two coats of primer were applied only to areas where no further paint was to come.

I found this excerpt about Birdcages from Dana Bell's book:

"The aircraft was expected to have two coats of primer over most assemblies.  The first coat was untinted (yellow) zinc chromate; the second coat was to be tinted to ensure that there were no 'holiday' areas that received only one coat.  As such, there should be salmon nearly everywhere.

The inside of the engine cowl also needed an additional finish coat to reduce the possibilities of flash fires.  This was usually the same Light Gray camouflage lacquer used on Corsair undersurfaces."

I guess that the inside of the cowl flaps was also light gray.

Best,

Nikola

Some initial progress...

Cockpit, tail wheel mechanism and engine parts ready for primer.

Best,

Nikola

Of course I managed to break both 0.3 and 0.4mm drill bits so it is what it is with 0.6mm in the end.

Looking forward to seeing your work on this bird.   

Stay safe.

Jim 

Hi gents,

Some progress with the office and the engine. Not much and there is still a lot of work to be done, but this is it for now until I get back from vacation.

I intentionally slightly overdid the seat hoping that when the seatbelts come it will all be visually balanced.

I also decided not to scratch build the inside of the cowl flaps due to lack of enough free time. Thus I am going AM with this:

Cockpit almost done.

I f'd up some stencils and didn't use them in the end. This is my first time working with them so now know what to do next time. Lesson learned. 

Left to do - some more dry brushing, chipping, scratches, seatbelts, etc. I might even do some wiring. I'll see.

Best,

Nikola

That is one of the best looking pits I have ever seen Nikola! The photo work is great too.   

Stay safe.

Jim 

fox

That is one of the best looking pits I have ever seen Nikola! The photo work is great too.   

Stay safe.

Jim 

Thank you very much Jim! Appreciated. Very glad that you like how it turned out. :)

Best,

Nikola

Seatbelts in place.

Only some idiot didn't read the text under the headrest which clearly says that the belts must go over the brace tube! 

Excellent work!

Weeeeeeeellllllllllllll I'll tell you what. I won't tell anyone if you don't.   

Stay safe.

 jim 

The cockpit detail is fantastic. You are doing a great job.

Thanks guys! Appreciated. :)

Best,

Nikola

Engine plumbed and ready for weathering:

WOW!    

Stay safe.

Jim 

Its really coming along nicely.  Good luck the rest of the way.  

Amazing how that looks like a real engine!

Thanks guys! Appreciated. :)

Best,

Nikola

I am using AM open cowl flaps and I found some room for slight improvement by adding flap mechanism cables made from stretched sprue:

Hi gents,

Some progress with the Corsair...

I know that weathering might not be completely accurate for this particular navy bird, but I had to have some fun with it, and as you know Corsairs are perfect for that, so don't hold it against me. 

So, after 223 hours of work ( I timed every minute ), she's all glossed up with the main decals on.

Next are washes and leaking streaks. Then flat coat followed by further colour modulation with filters using stencils, exhaust stains, pigments, pencils and all that jazz...

That bird is looking great! It's going to be a really awsome plane! 

I like that stand too. Took the info off it and going to check it out a little more.

Stay safe.

Jim