Here
is my F4U-1D Corsair. I added the Eduard Zoom photoetch,
primarily to help me with the cockpit instruments and used the most sober of the
kit decals corresponding to a plane flown by Lt Phillip De Long, who later went
on to serve with distinction as a Captain flying F4U’s in Korea. The photoetch
is worth it for the main parts, but be warned that there are loads of massively
fiddly instrument levers in the kit. I saved supergluing
my fingers together and passed on these fiddles – this was just a quick build
while I was waiting for things to dry off on the F-104 I had in the paint shop.
Fit
and construction on the Tamiya kit were up to their
usual high standards. There were a few ugly visible ejector pin marks in the
cockpit and undercarriage areas that needed attention. The cockpit with the look
through clear floor was pretty nicely done. The wings needed a little care to
fit smoothly as the kit is designed with a wings up
option, but fit together pretty well. The external fuel tanks were fine, but the
interface between the tanks and fuselage is ‘pants’ (English for
‘disappointing’): a common failure with otherwise excellent Tamiya
kits.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
After
slightly thinned Mr Surfacer 1000 undercoat, I used Xtracolour’s
excellent FS15042 Gloss Sea Blue for my base colour.
I’d tried pre shading on previous builds, but had been warned that this is a
bit of a waste of time on Corsairs given that sea blue is so dark. Instead I
tried post shading with black for a first time: I was quite happy with how it
worked out and it has given me confidence to try it on more complex color
schemes. I also sprayed a thinned grey/smoke mixture around from the engine, but
nothing too much bearing in mind that this was a pampered Navy Bird.
All
in all it was a fun and quick build that helped me complete my more complex
Zipper. Sitting them side by side, and next to my diminutive Spitfire, really
makes you realize what a huge fighter the Corsair is! A big target, but a good
thing the performance was superb.
Simon
|