Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1 Corsair - Work in progress

Post by **Nikola** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 2:42 pm

Well gents,

1/32 WWII birds currently being my favourite modelling subjects, it is time for the next one after Hase's 109. Also, a radial bird will be a refreshment after two V's.

This will be my first Tami's big bird, probably my favourite WWII aircraft.
For the extras, and for the first time, I will be using Barracuda's resin wheels, HGW fabric seatbelts, EagleCals' decals and HGW standard cockpit stencils.

I will be trying multiple chipping method on the wing roots which I have previously done only once on a 1/48 Stuka. Challenging stuff to make it look right, at least in my experience

I will probably be doing the box art bird, Jolly Rogers 17-F-13. So far I have only one reference photo of this plane so if anyone has more please share or direct me to the source. It would be much appreciated!

Best,
Nikola

Post by **digger303** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 3:07 pm

It's the year of the corsair

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Tue Jul 18, 2023 7:33 pm

Yeah, another Corsair in 1/32 scale, and with beautiful add on!

Post by **krusty69** » Wed Jul 19, 2023 4:58 am

you know i got a bonus at work i've been thinking of doing another tomcat but maybe a corsair

Post by **digger303** » Wed Jul 19, 2023 5:36 am

krusty69 wrote: Wed Jul 19, 2023 4:58 am you know i got a bonus at work i've been thinking of doing another tomcat but maybe a corsair

I've got one too, but I've got so much other stuff on I don't feel I could start another.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Jul 19, 2023 7:54 am

I'm getting a real sense of deja vu looking at that kit and extras!

You are going to have a great time Sir.

Post by **Nikola** » Wed Nov 29, 2023 12:11 pm

Hi guys,

I am about to finally begin actual work on this beautiful kit and I have a question about the wing root exposed primer. I read that for the early Corsairs, prior to mid 1943, the inside of the cowl, rear tail wheel bay, etc. are in salmon pink, but I am not sure which primer should weathered wing roots show. As I understood, the pink salmon was actually intentionally modified YZC second coat so that they would be sure that the aircraft recieved two coats of primer.

I ask because I have only seen models with YZC showing on the wing roots.

Thanks in advance,
Nikola

Post by **Nikola** » Wed Nov 29, 2023 5:55 pm

Maybe two coats of primer were applied only to areas where no further paint was to come.

Post by **Nikola** » Thu Nov 30, 2023 3:37 pm

I found this excerpt about Birdcages from Dana Bell's book:

"The aircraft was expected to have two coats of primer over most assemblies. The first coat was untinted (yellow) zinc chromate; the second coat was to be tinted to ensure that there were no 'holiday' areas that received only one coat. As such, there should be salmon nearly everywhere.

The inside of the engine cowl also needed an additional finish coat to reduce the possibilities of flash fires. This was usually the same Light Gray camouflage lacquer used on Corsair undersurfaces."

I guess that the inside of the cowl flaps was also light gray.

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Nikola** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:19 am

Some initial progress...
Cockpit, tail wheel mechanism and engine parts ready for primer.

Best,
Nikola

Of course I managed to break both 0.3 and 0.4mm drill bits so it is what it is with 0.6mm in the end.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 4:11 pm

Nice
You have my attention

Post by **smokeriderdon** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 9:05 pm

Not a big WWII guy, as I have mentioned before. But I do like the Corsairs a lot. Did the 1/48Tamiya and have the 1/32 Revell. This one has interested me, so definitely watching.

Post by **digger303** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:36 pm

I love those tungsten drills for there sharpness, but they are so easy to break and I have broken a few lately. It's usually because I try to do a quick hole just using my hands. If I use my electric drill I don't break so many.
Love the sharpness of details in these Tamiya kits. I know it's a limitation of molding technology, but if it's one thing that could be improved on the engine it would be the heat fins on the cylinder heads. Still the kit parts are amazing.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:12 am

digger303 wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:36 pm I love those tungsten drills for there sharpness, but they are so easy to break and I have broken a few lately. It's usually because I try to do a quick hole just using my hands. If I use my electric drill I don't break so many.
Love the sharpness of details in these Tamiya kits. I know it's a limitation of molding technology, but if it's one thing that could be improved on the engine it would be the heat fins on the cylinder heads. Still the kit parts are amazing.

Agree. The engineering of the kit is incredible and the detail is right on the edge of what is possible with injection plastic.

Post by **Nikola** » Fri Dec 29, 2023 10:56 am

Hi gents,

Some progress with the office and the engine. Not much and there is still a lot of work to be done, but this is it for now until I get back from vacation.
I intentionally slightly overdid the seat hoping that when the seatbelts come it will all be visually balanced.

I also decided not to scratch build the inside of the cowl flaps due to lack of enough free time. Thus I am going AM with this:

Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:26 pm

Lovely paintwork. The wear on the seat, peddles and foot rests is superb

Post by **Nikola** » Fri Dec 29, 2023 2:42 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:26 pm Lovely paintwork. The wear on the seat, peddles and foot rests is superb

Thank you Stokesy!

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:01 pm

Awesome work so far - the wear and tear in the cockpit is very eye-catching and I love the detailing on the engine

Looking forward to seeing more progress

Post by **Nikola** » Tue Jan 02, 2024 10:53 am

Tomcat64 wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:01 pm Awesome work so far - the wear and tear in the cockpit is very eye-catching and I love the detailing on the engine

Looking forward to seeing more progress

Thank you very much Neil! Glad you like it so far.

Best,
Nikola

Post by **aur0ra145** » Wed Jan 03, 2024 3:12 am

Cockpit parts look to be coming along nicely.

Post by **Nikola** » Sun Jan 28, 2024 11:09 pm

Cockpit almost done.
I f'd up some stencils and didn't use them in the end. This is my first time working with them so now know what to do next time. Lesson learned.

Left to do - some more dry brushing, chipping, scratches, seatbelts, etc. I might even do some wiring. I'll see.

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:23 am

Oh wow!
Awesome cockpit

Post by **aur0ra145** » Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:43 am

That is a seriously good looking cockpit, nice job!

Post by **digger303** » Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:26 am

That is a classy cockpit.

And a very interesting effect on the seat.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:50 am

Beautiful cockpit

Post by **DRUMS01** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:40 am

Excellent modeling so far Nikola, you definitely have our attention.

Ben (DRUMS01)

Post by **Nikola** » Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:04 pm

Thank you guys! Much appreciated! Very glad that you like it so far.

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Garion77** » Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:09 pm

Seems I missed the beginning of this one ! nice cockpit ! really nice ! will follow for sure as I always love the color scheme of those planes.

Post by **Nikola** » Mon Feb 05, 2024 3:27 pm

Thank you Francis. Appreciated!

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Nikola** » Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:18 pm

Seatbelts in place.
Only some idiot didn't read the text under the headrest which clearly says that the belts must go over the brace tube!

Post by **digger303** » Wed Feb 07, 2024 2:34 am

Stuff happens, but geez it looks good.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:47 am

Nice work, they really look the business

Post by **Nikola** » Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:52 pm

Thanks guys! Appreciated.

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Elve1984** » Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:26 am

Nice work, thats a really Awsome looking cockpit!

Post by **WordenB** » Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:53 am

Yes a cracking job indeed, very well done Nikola.

Post by **Nikola** » Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:22 pm

Engine plumbed and ready for weathering:

Post by **cor** » Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:28 pm

wow, that engine looks good

Post by **Garion77** » Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:56 am

Amazing work on the engine. One of the best I've seen !

Post by **Nikola** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:41 pm

Thanks guys! Appreciated.

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Nikola** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:42 pm

I am using AM open cowl flaps and I found some room for slight improvement by adding flap mechanism cables made from stretched sprue:

Post by **aur0ra145** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:38 am

Really nice detail!

Post by **GMahaffey** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:13 am

May I ask what colors you used for the cockpit green? I assume that it's the basic interior green that is used on all of the American airplanes at the time. I've always gone with the US Interior Green.

Post by **Nikola** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:48 am

GMahaffey wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:13 am May I ask what colors you used for the cockpit green? I assume that it's the basic interior green that is used on all of the American airplanes at the time. I've always gone with the US Interior Green.

Hi,

After doing some research on early Corsairs, I used Mr. Color C351 (zinc chromate green).

Best,
Nikola

Post by **Elve1984** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:19 pm

Nice work on that engine!

Post by **Nikola** » Wed May 08, 2024 9:28 pm

Hi gents,

Some progress with the Corsair...
I know that weathering might not be completely accurate for this particular navy bird, but I had to have some fun with it, and as you know Corsairs are perfect for that, so don't hold it against me.

Post by **digger303** » Thu May 09, 2024 12:38 am

Don't stop now it's looking marvellous.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu May 09, 2024 7:16 am

Superb work on the painting and weathering. That engine detail on the cowl flaps is stunning!

Post by **cor** » Thu May 09, 2024 12:20 pm

That is looking really good.

Post by **BigWall** » Fri May 10, 2024 11:08 pm

Wow! What a great looking engine

Post by **Nikola** » Sun May 12, 2024 3:08 pm

So, after 223 hours of work ( I timed every minute

), she's all glossed up with the main decals on.

Next are washes and leaking streaks. Then flat coat followed by further colour modulation with filters using stencils, exhaust stains, pigments, pencils and all that jazz...