The Official F4U Corsair Group Build 4/01/08 - rolling end date

Welcome aboard, thunderbolt.  Don't worry about the first page.  I get kinda busy and don't have time to check in as often as I'd like and occassionally miss stuff.

Have fun and post pics.

-Fred

Hi all,

I dug down my stash and found this interesting birdie, from the 1969 Central American "100-Hour War":

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It looks like the cammo job on one particular airframe, FAS-219, which did not survive the war. The moldings look pretty nice, very good recessed panel lines, but, this being Hobbycraft, the cockpit is a bit basic and other details feel a bit soft. I've heard there's -1D cockpit by Aires but I've not been able to locate one yet -- is it still in production? I have True Details wheels that'll fit, and I can get their underwing rockets. Can anyone recommend an R-2800 for the 1D? The kit engine is certainly there, and one doesn't see a heck of a lot through the cowling, but if AM is okay for the build I might as well look at everything that's available.

I'm also looking at an Academy F4U-4 and a ProModeller F-4U-5, both in 1:48 as possible contributions for this GB -- I'm a Corsairaholic!

I checked out page 1 and I notice I've not been added to the list. I posted my wish to join a couple of weeks ago -- I'd better check, am I clear to come aboard???

Cheers,

TB379

Thanks, Navypitsnipe.  Some years ago I came real close to signing on at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy to earn my rating as an engineroom Officer on the Great Lakes boats.  Had spent a number of years in the '70's/'80's as a mechanical designer on fossil and nuclear power plant projects all across the U.S.  Alas, I was getting too old to be able to put enough years into Great Lakes shipping to qualify for a decent retirement.  Came as close as going to pick up my uniforms when they gave me the news...

Glad to see you're working on your Corsair.  I'm having a good time with mine and am sure you will enjoy your build too!

piperjoe wrote:

Navypitsnipe: (what exactly IS that?)  Sounds like you've got a real winner too! Thanks, Frank!  What a neat site to visit and look through all the aircraft paintings/prints. I appreciate the link.  Some great Corsair images there.  I believe you selected the best one.

if you're referring to a navy pitsnipe, it's an engineer who works down in the engineroom on steam ships. nowadays we're all Machinist Mates, but in the past they were also Boiler Technitions and Boiler Repairmen. The Symbol i use as my "avatar" is the Boiler Tech. rating symbol

    Well my F2G kit finally arrived from squadron so i can now officially join this group build. i'm going to start with the wings tonight and installing the 20mm Hispano's into them. i think i might change the markings i'm going to use since i don't know if i'll be able to find/make markings for an El Salvodorian Corsair, but i should have plenty of time to decide.

rlawson wrote:

Hey simpilot34 There was a SuperScale sheet (72-674) that has VMF-214 and -332, plus VF-193, all Korean vintage.  Don't know where you could find one, but you might get lucky. Good luck Dick

I went straight to Hannants, where I have pretty good luck searching for items, and found the decal sheet you mentioned and have ordered one straight away. Thank you very much for the tip!

scottrc wrote:

Hi, Just checking in since I work a lot and don't get a lot of bench time.  Harv, I need to make a correction to one of my last replies.  The landing gear I got are not from AIRIES but from Scale Aircraft Conversions. There are some great builds going on here from all of you, I can't wait to see them completed.  Scott

  Scott, thanks for clearing that up. That explanes a lot. Are they 1/32? Are the Revell that bad? Do I need to order more stuff??

 Fred, excelent work so far. Keep it up, my friend.............Harv
 

Well, here's what I've been up to for the last few days:

I've put the ammo bay in the wing, assembled the wings, trimmed off flaps, cut the one wing for the folded wing conversion, sribed the fuselage and back filled them to a better depth.

May be a while till the next update.

-Fred

Hi,

Just checking in since I work a lot and don't get a lot of bench time.  Harv, I need to make a correction to one of my last replies.  The landing gear I got are not from AIRIES but from Scale Aircraft Conversions.

There are some great builds going on here from all of you, I can't wait to see them completed. 

Scott

Guys,

Hope the builds are going well?

I'm glad that we have 12 mths for this as speed is not my greatest asset.

Thats what happens when you got Kids 

I'd hoped to be able to post some pics of the P&W,BUT was not happy with the way the igtniton wires turned out,me thinks will go thinner with the rebuild, and not entirely happy with the paint job so back to the drawing (painting) board. for round two,however on the lighter side the pit is starting to come along,by this I mean undercoated and  looking to add (maybe) a few scratch built bits. 

PiperJoe have the same FSM Special its great and is a fantastic resource Have open ion that build all the time

Cheers

Chris 

Hi, guys!  Checking in with a report:  Found a great article in the FineScale Modeler Special Issue called How to Paint and Weather Scale Models (Summer 2007).  The article is titled Detailing Tamiya's F4U-1D Corsair.  I'm adding the cockpit trim wheels, levers, and some detail as shown in the magazine pics.  Don't have a punch set so I am using brass tubing (1/16") with the inside diameter sharpened via knife blade and attaching these little trim wheels with tiny pieces of brass wire for pins.  The real trick is holding those tiny disks and drilling the pin hole in the center with a pin vise!  Am not using any PE parts.  This is all new ground for me but so far is turning out real neat.  Gives me a new appreciation for magnifiers!!  And I keep finding those tiny 1/16 dia. x .010" styrene disks that didn't make it all the way to the cockpit !  When I first started trying to make these teeny parts they flew all over the workbench so I knew if I kept at it and installed 'em in my Corsair it would fly real good when finished....  Will post a pic when I get a few more pieces in place.

Found a GREAT reference book at the LHS you might want to check out:   Paid $14.95

   F4U Corsair in detail & scale by Bert Kinzey  D&S Vol. 55 (8255)  Squadron/Signal Publication       Part 1:  XF4U Through F2G     Great Detail Pics and Information!

Gigatron,

Does it count if the kit was started back in '88 and has suffered battle damage (kids & wife)?  

Thanks Darren,

I was a bit confused since the MDC conversion set says:

"For the Tamiya F4U1D Corsair ..."

I am going to get Tamiya 1A kit as planned. 

Greg for a Mk.II you will need the F4U-1 or 1A.

Cheers 

hanks gentlemen ! Great news.

I am going to get this set for sure. One more question for experts though

- what kit to use for a Mk II ?

the choice is: F4U-1A   or F4U-1D ?????? 

Ok Frank, just for you

 Getting the inner and outer wing panels to line up right can be a bit of a bear. So I came up with an assembly sequence that solves any problems (for me anyway). First, assemble the inner wing halves as instructed while adding the wing ribs (B27 & B8) with parts B11 & B25 installed also.

Now, here's the tricky part, glue the outer wing ribs (B9 & B26) to the upper outer wing panel. Once dry, add the outer upper wing panel to the top of the inner wing assembly. Pay careful attention to the flush fit and dihedral as the glue sets. Then I add the lower outer wing panels making them as flush as possible making adjustments as needed. This eliminates any step at the wing fold. The rest of the assembly is straight forward.

Cheers
Drew

DrewH wrote:

gzt wrote: what is : " MDC Corsair conversion pack" and where can I get it ??  I ain't telling Greg!  It's a conversion set made for the Tamiya kit to convert the few changes made to British corsairs from American ones. Namely the radios, seat and harness, centre line fuel tank, air scoops the brits added etc. Get it direct from MDC in the UK here. There is no US distributor for them that I know of. Buffies Best had some at the Nationals last year, but I tried to order some from him and was told he stopped.

Greg I have bought conversion sets and other bits and pieces directly from MDC many times in the past with no problems at all.  They make excellent quality stuff although I admit I have never bought the Corsair set but I have no doubt it will be top notch.

Drew-

Glad to hear you're making progress!  Those Techmod FAA decals look very nice, can't wait to use some of them myself on my next Corsair.

I had never heard of that MDC set, but I sure want to get one now!  If you ever hear of one being sold on this side of the pond, let me know!

Another thing, I remember seeing somewhere your photos and explanation for assembling the Tamiya wings in the down position.  Wold you care to share that with us here?  Thanks Drew!

My Corsair is mostly together, just sorting out a few seams before I start painting.  My girlfriend is on vacation for the next week and a half with the good camera, so no progress photos until she gets back.  By that time, I hope to start painting as I have a lot of bench time this week so hopefully will make a lot of progress.  Stay tuned!

gzt wrote:

what is : " MDC Corsair conversion pack" and where can I get it ??

 I ain't telling Greg!

 It's a conversion set made for the Tamiya kit to convert the few changes made to British corsairs from American ones. Namely the radios, seat and harness, centre line fuel tank, air scoops the brits added etc. Get it direct from MDC in the UK here. There is no US distributor for them that I know of. Buffies Best had some at the Nationals last year, but I tried to order some from him and was told he stopped.

YOOOO!!!!! Hey guys! 'Bout time I joined in this party!

I have started my Tamiya (is that an echo? ) Corsair and will be converting it to a Corsair Mk II. Yes Frank, I have the Techmod decals and will be using them along with a MDC Corsair conversion pack and what ever else I find laying around in my 'corsair box'! (and that's alot!! ) So far all I have is clipped the parts from the sprues and cleaned them up. Hopefully I will spit some paint at it tomorrow

Greg,

The Tamiya kit would make an excellent kit for an FAA Corsair.  There are a couple of things on it to change, most noticably the 8 inches clipped off of the wingtips.  For markings, I have some 1/48 three color FAA Corsair decals from Techmod that I got from a friend.  I'd be happy to send you some for one of the birds on that sheet.

Daywalker wrote:

Greg, I looked through my Corsair decal stash, but didn't find anything.  Let me know if there are any others you are looking for!

Thanks Frank,

I am looking for markings with three color camo (British) Corsair. Would a Tamiya   kit be OK for Britt's A/C ??

I looked for decals on British aircrafts but not much luck here either  

Thanks for the help on the PE question guys!!  I've got to tell you how impressed I am with the PE kit from Eduard!  WOW!!  Never seen so much detail potential in my life.  Well worth the money!  Going to take my time with this to make sure it looks great!  Hope to make yall proud!!

Mark

rlawson wrote:

Hey simpilot34 There was a SuperScale sheet (72-674) that has VMF-214 and -332, plus VF-193, all Korean vintage.  Don't know where you could find one, but you might get lucky. Good luck Dick

Thank you very much rlawson for the info will c if there are any left out there anywhere!

Greg,

I looked through my Corsair decal stash, but didn't find anything.  Let me know if there are any others you are looking for!

Mark I use CA for sticking PE bits and pieces to styrene but when it comes to clear parts and PE I use either white glue, Kristal Klear or Future. 

The biggest advantage of using something like white glue, Kristal Klear or Future is that you have time to position things correctly before the glue dries and you avoid the danger of fogging.

Greg to the build mate, I'll have to go through the decal dungeon to see if I can find any Polish Corsair pilots.

Cheers

gzt wrote:

Since it is a Reverse Polish Wing ( a little joke on my own referring to Reverse Polish Notation in computing ) I would like to join you gentlemen with some 1/48 kit possibly Tamiya. I would love to use markings for some Polish related pilots. Any information on *SKI piloting those birds are very welcome (You know me by now )

Greg- aboard!  Glad you decided to join us here.  As for *ski decals, let me take a look through my stash and see what I can come up with.