Global Scale Modeller

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

It's the year of the corsair

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

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

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.

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

You are going to have a great time Sir.

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

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

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

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.

Nice
You have my attention

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

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

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

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

Cockpit parts look to be coming along nicely.

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

Oh wow!
Awesome cockpit

That is a seriously good looking cockpit, nice job!

That is a classy cockpit.


And a very interesting effect on the seat.

Beautiful cockpit

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

Ben (DRUMS01)

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

Best,
Nikola

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.

Thank you Francis. Appreciated!

Best,
Nikola

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!

Stuff happens, but geez it looks good.

Nice work, they really look the business

Thanks guys! Appreciated.

Best,
Nikola

Nice work, thats a really Awsome looking cockpit!

Yes a cracking job indeed, very well done Nikola.

Engine plumbed and ready for weathering:

wow, that engine looks good

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

Thanks guys! Appreciated.

Best,
Nikola

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

Really nice detail!

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.

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

Nice work on that engine!

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.

Don't stop now it's looking marvellous.

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

That is looking really good.

Wow! What a great looking engine

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...