I've gone Corsair Crazy!!
Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:23 pm
I've recently been bitten with the modelling bug again, and decided to focus my, attention on a single type, the F4U Corsair.
I went out and bought a pair of kits, a Tamiya F4U-1a and the Accurate Miniatures F2G-1. While building I also picked up the Revell F4u-4 and the Heller F4U-7.
I knew what to expect from the Tamiya kit. I've never had an issue with any Tamiya kit, they are always top notch. This one is no exception of course. It went together quite nicely, and although it is quite fragile, I'm still happy with the results.
I also knew what to expect from the A.M. kit, though I wasn't looking forward to it. I built an A.M. TBM about 10 years ago, and remember that the kit was pretty bad. Well the same can be said here. The diagrams in the manual were skewed pretty badly, giving no real information as how to put it together. In fact, I abandoned the manual all together, and just built it using the other kit as reference.
In the end, I'm not so happy with this one, but until someone else produces a kit of the F2G, this will do.
The revel kit was next, but with it's odd canopy, and raised panel lines, plus other kits of the same subject, this one became my spares box. Instead, I bought the Heller F4U-7. I've built this kit before, and remembered it being pretty poor, but I gave it a go anyhow, since it's the only -7 kit out there right now. It also had raised panels, so I spent quite a bit of time scribing new panels lines and sanding the originals down. There were also quite a few pits in the mouldings that had to be filled and sanded, along with quite a few misfits with the cowling. The propeller was quite simple looking, so I replaced it with the Revell kit's prop. Even though the cowling is innaccurate (it's missing it's jowls) I'm still pretty happy with the results.
I'm officially hooked now, I've ordered both of the Hasegawa kits, and will probably pick up the other two Tamiya kits as well. However, it's no longer spraying weather in Michigan, so it's back to foam terrain for the next 6 months or so.
I went out and bought a pair of kits, a Tamiya F4U-1a and the Accurate Miniatures F2G-1. While building I also picked up the Revell F4u-4 and the Heller F4U-7.
I knew what to expect from the Tamiya kit. I've never had an issue with any Tamiya kit, they are always top notch. This one is no exception of course. It went together quite nicely, and although it is quite fragile, I'm still happy with the results.
I also knew what to expect from the A.M. kit, though I wasn't looking forward to it. I built an A.M. TBM about 10 years ago, and remember that the kit was pretty bad. Well the same can be said here. The diagrams in the manual were skewed pretty badly, giving no real information as how to put it together. In fact, I abandoned the manual all together, and just built it using the other kit as reference.
In the end, I'm not so happy with this one, but until someone else produces a kit of the F2G, this will do.
The revel kit was next, but with it's odd canopy, and raised panel lines, plus other kits of the same subject, this one became my spares box. Instead, I bought the Heller F4U-7. I've built this kit before, and remembered it being pretty poor, but I gave it a go anyhow, since it's the only -7 kit out there right now. It also had raised panels, so I spent quite a bit of time scribing new panels lines and sanding the originals down. There were also quite a few pits in the mouldings that had to be filled and sanded, along with quite a few misfits with the cowling. The propeller was quite simple looking, so I replaced it with the Revell kit's prop. Even though the cowling is innaccurate (it's missing it's jowls) I'm still pretty happy with the results.
I'm officially hooked now, I've ordered both of the Hasegawa kits, and will probably pick up the other two Tamiya kits as well. However, it's no longer spraying weather in Michigan, so it's back to foam terrain for the next 6 months or so.
Last edited by mazdaP5 on Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:41 pm
Very nicely done!!!
Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:42 am
F2G-1... I am dream about one 
Nice builds
Nice builds
Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:21 am
Nice work!
Any plans for an AU-1?
-Derek
Any plans for an AU-1?
-Derek
Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:47 am
excellent work, right down to the weeds in the cracks of the tarmac!! if i were you i head to f4u detox!! 
i wish i could have the time to do all that again!!
i wish i could have the time to do all that again!!
Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:36 am
Wow! So much nicer than the 72nd scale I built WAAAAAAAAY back when! Then again, the price has gone up a wee bit too! Model shopping with my son is a real eye opener! I used to think $15 was way too much to pay for a kit! Then again, gas was under a dollar then too!!!! 
Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:42 am
Very nice!
Can you clarify your last comment about foam terrain? Weather is still nice here.
Can you clarify your last comment about foam terrain? Weather is still nice here.
Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:48 pm
Django wrote:Very nice!
Can you clarify your last comment about foam terrain? Weather is still nice here.
I Scratchbuild foam medieval and fantasy buldings during the long cold months, since spraying is pretty much out of the question, paint doesn't like to work so much in the cold. Weather is still nice here too, but it won't be by the time I get another kit ready for paint. Check the link in my sig to see some foam built goodness.
viking73 wrote:Any plans for an AU-1?
I really like the AU-1, it's pretty similar to dash 7. Problem is, there are no kits of it in production right now, and the Hasegawa kit is kinda hard to come by. What I still want to build are the AU-1, a Corsair MkI, an F4U-5, and a birdcage dash 1.
Thanks for the kind words guys!
Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:46 pm
Nice job. That AM F2G-1 is a rebox. Can't think who it belongs to right now but it's not an AM original.
Mike
Mike
Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:15 am
Nice job on all of them. I am just getting back into modeling after about 30 years.I too have a fondness for Corsairs and have picked up several kits and a few reference books. All I have to do is find the time to build.
Looks like you live in the same area as me. I'm in Dearborn. I'm wondering where you buy your stuff as hobby shops are getting few and far between in this area. Karl
Looks like you live in the same area as me. I'm in Dearborn. I'm wondering where you buy your stuff as hobby shops are getting few and far between in this area. Karl
Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:33 am
HOLY KRAP!!
VERY, VERY NICE!!!!!
VERY, VERY NICE!!!!!
Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:01 pm
Thanks again for the kind words, DC8, check your PM's!
Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:59 pm
Very nice! Better than my "minis":wink:
(This one is an example of what you get out of the box. Just changed the 3 bladed prop for a 4)
(This one is an example of what you get out of the box. Just changed the 3 bladed prop for a 4)
Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:41 pm
Love the warbird on a stick.