1/72 Academy Corsair F4U-1A

by Michel Jacqmain

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Hello,

This Corsair was made straight from the box.  Usually I build 1/48 airplanes.  This time I wanted to build a 1/72 model to save some space on the display shelf.  It was nice to work in this scale; you can pay less attention to details like the cockpit for example. Painting and weathering the model remains the same only it’s smaller.  But the Corsair is a large aircraft, I don't know if painting a Spitfire or a Messerschmitt is as easy in this scale.

Last Christmas I bought a DVD box of the TV series Baa, Baa, Black sheep.  Based on the WWII USMC squadron VMF-214 Black Sheep and the famous aviator "Pappy" Boyington.  On the TV series you see Corsairs in action. That's why I got inspired. (VMF-214 is now VMA-214 and they fly the AV-8B harrier).

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The aircraft was first pre-shaded.  Then painted in the usual three tone camouflage.  The colours were faded with a wash of white, blue and sand oil paints.  To simulate the scratches I used a pale blue pencil from my daughters pencil case.  Dust was applied with the airbrush and pastels.  I had to use a lot of gloss varnish to vanish the transparent film of the decals.

Zeke's better watch there six o clock!

Michel 

Photos and text © by Michel Jacqmain