Tamiya F4U-1A in 1/32

[Edbert]

It should be obvious that I set the Corsair aside for a while. I was very satisfied with my decision to have the wings folded. The kit has amazing detail with push-rods, hinges, and hydraulics in the gap, and I seldom see them built this way. That I realized I had folded the wings on a USMC build (who flew almost exclusively from land in 1943) it was too late to change.

Or was it?

It was not pretty, and the final product is very weak but holding. I took the snips and cut those main spars, then nuked the details on the inside of both wing halves. By using a Frankenstein combo of parts meant to both configs I was able to cobble it together. Why did I do this? Two main reasons. The wings wobbled when the air-conditioning was on, the alignment of the wingtips was off by about 1/4 inch. I could not abide.

This is about the last picture before the snipper-massacre.


From the Police files.


And the current state. I have a short list of items to complete on both of these. Then on to the F-16 you might have seen in the background. Although I'll probably squirrel back and forth a few times on that plan.

 

[Edbert]

Well, I decided that having nine kits "active" at one time was too much. I've put aside a few of them that were under construction, including some that were 60-80% done in order to try and finish the four that were 90+% done. That would be this Corsair, but also the Mig-21, F-16 and Spit V.

I found this kit to be an amazing experience, some parts literally snapped together. I had one major issue with the engine (not a fan of building radials) that I could not repair without cutting lots of stuff away. The other big problem was the wings, when folded they were wobbly as heck. I took a video but cannot post it here. They would move when the AC turned on, and the tips did not align perfectly. So I decided (months ago) to chop that up too and just glue them on in the down position. They look okay but are very weak, I think that if I picked it up by each wingtip they might break off.

Without further ado, on to the the final pictures.












The problems I had with the engine, more specifically the remedy I chose to solve that problem forced me to mount the front cowl where it is clocked to one side. It is best seen from underneath where the cowl flaps are not centered. Only obvious if I point it out (I think) but once seen it cannot be unseen. That is my only major regret, I consider it pretty serious, and it is not a good testimony to the kit itself or the $130+ it cost, the blame is on me. Looking back...I bought this as my 1st kit to build after finishing my 1990s stuff. I could be called overly optimistic, maybe egotistic, or just expecting too much. This kit showed me my weaknesses.

But now with the Spit and the Corsair done, I move on the the F-16 and Mig-21. I promised myself to finish them before going back to the others.

 

[kevin]

Well done, I really like the paint job and weathering....... makes me want to go watch some Baa baa Blacksheep reruns!

 

[blakeh1]

Excellent work. Love the results with the colors