1/48 Tamiya F4U-1D #69, USS Franklin (Completed)

Got this one in my stash and looks to have Tamiya's typical high quality and great parts fit. Great idea to use the prop blur. Some guys don't like this product but it looks very realistic and want to add those to a 1/72 scale Super Connie I want to build soon.

Great work. More more

She's really looking good!  Keep up the good work!!!

Agreed.  Your engine looks great!

Steve

Engine looks fantastic!

Well, I managed to finally complete the engine and it's ignition harness. 36 separate wires going to each plug. That was a lot of work but the engine looks much better with them than without. I began by painting the assembly Alclad Airframe Aluminum followed by a dirty wash of Flory Black. I sealed that all in and painted the push rod tubes gloss black and then added the 0.010 dia brass wire to each cylinder's plugs. I followed all that up with a heavy application of Tamiya clear smoke to darken the whole thing down a bit. I like to leave then glossy as it gives the engine an "oily" look.

 I am currently removing seems from the fuselage and should be ready for primer in the next few days. 

I appreciate all the interest and kind words, guys. Thanks.!

I am done with the pit so here is what I did. I followed Lawdog's pit detailing as best I could. I painted the pit in MM interior green and the console in XF-1. I used a cockpit from an un-restored survivor F4 as my paint reference. So the pit walls are black as is the back and instrument panel with interior green everywhere else. I painted knobs and switches as best I could to match the real deal. I also added a few PE details like the knobs on the left console and the control levers on the forward right and a map pocket forward right. The instrument panel is Eduard PE which came unpainted but came out great. The plastic gauges gives the look of glass once it's in place, love it! 

I washed the pit in Flory Black and weathered it a bit with Tamiya's master weathering kit using silver to show some paint and panel wear. I added some small PE pieces to the side panels but they really don't add much in my opinion.  I finished the pit off with MM flat clear to seal it all in. It is hard to see the detail in the photos but I am very happy with how this pit turned out. Now to finish up on the engine wiring and that will be done also. Thanks for looking.

Sweet....I look forward to your thread.  Eduard masks are the best things since sliced bread.

Joe

Brandon,

I have this kit brother.

I'll be watching this build like you were watching my MiG 3.

Sweet!  That's a lovely kit....and a great subject.

Can't wait!

Ah, yes! My favorite aircraft! Looking forward to this build!

Excellent - Can't wait to follow along w/ this one! I'm still having a tough time picking which Tamiya Corsair kit to build  - how'd you settle on this gem?

Cheers,

-Robb

All right Brandon!! I love any one building a Corsair. I'll be following along on this ride. And yes, you will love the Eduard masks. I use them on every one of my builds. Simply an awesome time saver. With that said, Bring It On!!!!