WIP: Tamiya 1/72 F4U-1D Corsair

Thanks for the thoughts on thinner for washes Bish and Ernie.

Ernie, you are probably right, my mix might be off. The only color I've really tried is black, and I have no idea if I ever got the ratio right. Maybe playing with some other colors might help me learn the proper mix.

Thanks for the wonderful response and thoughts LeeTree. It is indeed nice that we are able to, at the very least, reproduce some of that lost history in our hobby. It's certainly one of the unique characteristics of scale modeling that many just don't quite understand.

I've encountered a welcome bout of motivation lately and, as such, I have made some decent progress on the Corsair. The fuselage halves are together. A little seam work was required. Touched up with some Mr. Surfacer 500/1000 and then lightly sanded. I test my seam work by "drawing" along them with my trusty Testor's Silver Paint Marking Pen. This reveals any further blemishes very well. A touch of Mr. Surfacer here and there and a finish of wet sanding and polishing. The wing halves are also glued together and currently undergoing the same seam treatment. No, the wings are not glued on yet. I'm simply doing a bit of test fitting. Thanks for having a look folks.

It's startin' to have the looks of an airplane!! She's lookin' real good so far Joe! BTW.....don't you ever elude to me building 1/72nd scale aircraft in conversation again. That aint happenin'.

Yep, you slap those wings on and just like that, you got that Corsair look going on.

Looking good, Joe.

Corsair is looking good Joe. Need to get another one in my collection. 

Thank You Joe, Greg & feldgrau. It is much appreciated.

mustang1989

BTW.....don't you ever elude to me building 1/72nd scale aircraft in conversation again. That aint happenin'.

Now Joe, how on earth could you possibly think that I would ever "elude" to you building in 1/72. Not even. Why would I "elude" when I will actually resort to guilting, blackmailing and coercion.

Once you put those ubiquitous gull wings on, you know it's a Corsair!  It's looking great so far!

Toshi

Thanks Toshi. It's definitely is beginning to look the part.

JOE RIX

Thank You Joe, Greg & feldgrau. It is much appreciated.

 

mustang1989

BTW.....don't you ever elude to me building 1/72nd scale aircraft in conversation again. That aint happenin'.

 

 

Now Joe, how on earth could you possibly think that I would ever "elude" to you building in 1/72. Not even. Why would I "elude" when I will actually resort to guilting, blackmailing and coercion.

 

Joe and Toshi, 

I think once one has acquired quality airbrushes, painting becomes more a matter of trial and error (thinning properly for specific paints, establishing the proper psi, etc.). For me, at least, that's the key. I still have trouble finding the right ratio of paint to thinner AND psi since I haven't written anything down and relying on my fading memory banks is not working as well as it should. 

I did start my airbrushing with some cheap brushes but I soon found out the purchase, at least for me, was not worth the money. I've since bought and continue to use 3 brushes that do everything I need - and could probably do a lot more than I have the skills to utilize. 

Sorry for diving back into the beginning of this thread. 

Joe, your Corsair is coming along brilliantly. I know I can't work in 1/72 and am barely able to see - even with visors - some of my 1/48 parts. So, the distaff part of your family certainly is a smart cookie. As you said she is "...the possesser of much wisdom (and power)."

[URL=http://s36.photobucket.com/user/1943Mike/media/_current%20brushes_zpsdyvv6bjc.jpg.html][/URL

Mike: Thank for replying. Sorry that I'm late on the comeback. That is indeed a sweet trio of airbrushes. Boy, can I relate to you in lacking the skills to get the very best out of my airbrushes. I still practice as often as I can to see what I'm able to do with 3 airbrushes that I use. And sure enough, that Patriot is one versatile tool. I love mine. 

I've made some modest progress on the Corsair. I've got the wings, tail planes and forward canopy glued in place. A smidgen of putty was required along the wing roots and some work with putty and sanding was required where the oil coolers fit into the wing. Otherwise, all has gone quite well. I've started the masking in preparation for prime and paint. Thanks for having a look everyone.

This build is coming along in a fantastic way.  It just looks like a 1/48 kit that you're working on.  I would have never guessed that this was 1/72.  I believed it was 1/48 in that I just had Mrs. Toshi purchased a Tamiya 1/48 Corsair kit!  

By the way, your Tamiya 1/72 Corsair is coming along amazingly highly detailed!  Wow!  I swear it's was a 1/48 all this time until I happen to glance at the header at the opening of the thread and saw 1/72!  Wow!  Wow!  You're doing a fantastic job on the Corsair.  This is something else!  I wish I can do that with 1/72 kits.  I have a important question for you.  What do you find and how many items do you find most challenging when working with this Tamiya Corsair kit?  Thank you in advance and thank you for your continuous support in my projects, especially the read and replies!  I so enjoy our conversations!

Toshi

If I may reiterate back to AB, as every forum member has, they have a particular and very personal favorite type and brand of AB.  For this, there are no wrong or correct answer for this.  Some will tout a Harder and Steinbeck, Grex, or Iwata.  So on and so on!  By the way, I am no AB specialist and do not tout this.  I'm just stating my preference and this is just my humble opinion since we were on the very important conversation of particular AB.  Forgive me if I upset you with this conversation sir.  I just have a passion for AB as I'm a gadget fan like you!  LOL!

I fall into the later category.  I currently own (As you may well know by now) a NEO Gravity Feed Double Action AB by Iwata and a NEO TRN1 Pistol Grip Gravity Feed Double Action AB by Iwata.  I have a third AB that came with my compressor that I purchased from Harbor Freight Tools.  It's a siphon double action AB that comes with a cup, a bottle, (Both of these are compression fitted like the majority of the siphon feed AB) and a AB holder.  This AB of course is a cheap Chinese version AB copy.  

Eventually sometime in 2017, I'd like to purchase the Iwata Eclipse Gravity Feed AB that has a 0.35 needle and nozzle.  I currently have on both Iwata's a 0.35 needle and nozzle.  This size allows me to make a pencile thin line as well as to create a wide spray pattern (This really helps when it comes down to priming and a first coat of base paint especially with a 1/32 model of which I've done and assembled several such kits.  These happen to be my favorite scales at 1/32.) with the 0.35 set.  It's a all around versatile needle set.  

JOE RIX, thank you for allowing me with this AB tirade.  I humbly appolagize yet I'm great full that forum members as well as you would allow me such a conversation that I feel is important and pertinent to any and every build.  Thank you in advance!

Toshi 

I do believe that there is startn' to look like an airplane Joe. I get the heebee geebee's at this point because after this is when the primer has to go on and show whatever flaws may not have been addressed yet. Speaking of that I'm looking forward to that primer, repairs and paintwork that's yet to come.

Its coming around nicely Joe.

I have owned and used the Paasche VL, H, Omni 5000, and the badger 100G. I stopped purchasing airbrushes when I purchased the Iwata Eclipse. It is very versatile in this hobby. I have the HP-C and the Eclipse. The HP-C has too fine a tip to be much use with the MM enamels I like to use. The eclipse atomizes all model paints, wether acrylic or enamel, very well. I love mine.

Toshi: Thank You for the very kind words. As for the kit, well, it's a beaut. The over all fit and detail is marvelous. The couple of issues I've encountered, which may be of my own making, is the mating of the wing root and fuselage. I actually had to scratch my head on this one as the top of the wing did not quite extend far enough up the fuselage to close the opening there. i fiddled with this repeatedly and in the end had to apply some Mr. Surfacer 500 to close the gap. I'll see how I did once I get the primer on. The other was the fit of the oil cooler inserts into the leading wing edge. That took some doctoring to smooth out. Again, the proof will be in the pudding.

No issues what so ever about discussing airbrushes. In fact, I have no issues discussing  anything model related or otherwise on my WIP thread. That's what these are all about. I consider it an open discussion platform. So, relax and feel free Toshi.

Joe: Thanks Buddy. No doubt about applying the primer and the associated angst that goes with it. On the other hand, it is truly rewarding when you shoot the primer and find little or no issues. Then it's happy dance time.

Chris: Thank You for the positive thoughts. My Badger Renegade is a very fine needled airbrush and I have not encountered any issues shooting MM enamels through it. So, I find that interesting with your Iwata.

Well, I've got the socks and underwear on. Now it's time to start getting dressed for the prom. I used Tamiya tape, dense packing foam and silly putty(over the head rest) for the masking.

Am I wrong, or are you about to put paint on it?   :)

M. Brindos

Am I wrong, or are you about to put paint on it?   :)

 

Looking good, can't wait to see it. 

Thanks 7474.

The primer coat of Mr. Surfacer 1200 from a rattle can is on. Very pleased with the fact that all seams and lines look good. Very little to clean up at all. Using a testors silver paint pen to check seams is instrumental for me to getting any gaps or cracks corrected prior to getting the primer coat on.

Yes. That is certainly looking good!

Thank You Mike. I appreciate you having a look.

Hey everyone. It's about time for a long overdue update. First off, I've decided on a scheme for my F4U-1D. Going to try my hand at a Montex mask set. The set is for a Corsair of VMF 512, USS Gilbert Island, 1945:

This will be my first try at painting an insignia from a mask. So, in the meantime, I've painted the ends of the wings and aft fuselage MM white in preparation for the masking of the markings and insignia. Sorry that my pics do a poor job of showing the white paint in contrast to the gray primer.

I've also used copper wire to simulate the brake lines and the ignition cables for the HVAR rockets. I have some PE wires for the rockets that call for them to run from the rocket into the wing just forward of the flaps. Yet, reference photos in by books show that they actually run into the back of the rear launch stub. Hence the copper wire. In addition, I've done some painting on the prop and just need to pain the hub. 

Thanks everyone for having a look at my progress and I hope to grace you all with more progress soon.

Regards, Joe

I'm glad to see an update out of this one Joe. All the details are looking good and I see what you were talking about with the rocket wires now. Good luck on painting the insignia. You're a braver man than I am that's for sure.

I've never used a mask system to replace decals.  I'm looking forward to this technique!

Toshi

Thank You Joe, Johnny and Toshi.

As far as "looking forward to it" I have to say that I'm more apprehensive than excited. It is indeed an interesting sequence involved with their masks. I do appreciate the support though.

Sweet looking scheme there Utah Joe! Good call with the masks. I've used only one Montex paint mask set before for a Japanese subject, but i've used their mini canopy masks sets lots of times, with good results. I just wish they came with some actual instructions or hints and tips for the markings part. Also, they seem to skimp on a few things, my mask set came with the fuselage numbers and Japanese Himonarous, but negleted the tail and fuselage stripes. Does your set come with some masks for the white fuselage stripes?