1/48 Tamiya F4U-1A

by Mark L. Rossmann

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We are all quite aware of the quality of Tamiya kits as they have well been written about in many contributing articles.  I was interested in building Ira Kepford’s #29 because of an old set of Microscale decals (48-0038) I had since about 1987.

Lt(jg) Ira Kepford was a member of VF-17 and the highest scoring Navy Corsair Ace of the war.  After his first corsair was written off in a crash landing, this second white #29, depicted here,  shows his final kill tally of 16 confirmed, with 1 probable and 1 damaged.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

Used Tamiya spray synthetic AS-19 Intermediate Blue, AS-8 Navy Blue and Testors Flat White spray paint.  The old decals went on just fine with a little extra soaking and coaxing with Micro Sol.  My model was finished with Testors “gloss” spray.  I am not one to weather my models so I’m sure this “brand new” look is a bit inaccurate. 

You may read more about VF-17 and the chapter on Navy Corsair’s in “Osprey Aircraft of the Aces #8” publication. Note a picture of this Corsair shows a whip antenna replacing the original mast.

Mark 

Photos and text © by Mark L. Rossmann