David H Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 (edited) Hi everyone, After about 18 months, 2 job changes and a death in the family, i've finished my second 32nd scale model. This is the much-loved Tamiya F4U-1 "Birdcage" variant, converted to F4U-2 standard. I built this for Bob Brunson in Estes Park, CO, who flew the real plane aboard USS ENTERPRISE in Spring of 1944. (The above photo was taken of Bu Aer No. 02710 earlier in its career on USS INTREPID, prior to the torpedo hit that mandated transferring VF(N)-101 to ENTERPRISE. Upon reassignment to CV-6, the skipper ordered the VF(N)-101 squadron decal removed) The basic model uses the Barracudacals F4U Corsair cockpit placard set, and the Resin diamond-tread tyres. The parts that make it an F4U-2 are a mish-mash of bits and pieces from multiple conversion kits. The radome comes from the Lone Star Models conversion, which dates from several years back and was designed for the Revell kit, which has a thicker cross section wing. The flame dampening exhaust stacks are part of an all-new resin F4U-2 conversion coming from Harold Offield of AMD resin. These stacks are about 25% smaller than the Lone Star ones. The Radio Altimeter antennae are made in photo etched brass by OWL Models of Czech republic and i highly recommend them, though they are delicate. Resin is simply too brittle. Gotta give my thanks to OWL, since they're a bunch o' people who really dig night fighters of all kinds. You can also see how some people would infer the flanks of the plane were painted black and not semi-gloss sea blue as seen here. There was a simple VHF whip antenna on the spine and an IFF antenna on the belly. both made from .010 Plastruct rod. Here are some closeups of the antenna installation on the rudder. I get a lot of questions about this.... This was my first big test of using Tamiya Acrylics on a model and for the most part they worked well. They are however, delicate and are easily rubbed off places like wing trailing edges until the paint has been overcoated with Future, or equivalent. Photobucket is giving me a lot of hassles so, send me your technical questions and if i can I'll send along more photos to augment my answers. And now, for something simple. Like a Tamiya Tomcat. I need a rest.... -d- Edited May 24, 2017 by David H 50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Well that really is outstanding work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted December 10, 2016 Author Share Posted December 10, 2016 If you are interested in curing your insomnia, i did an extensive build narrative of this model over on Largescaleplanes.com: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=56654&page=1 You have been warned. david 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight_Flyer Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Very impressive build and paint finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polo1112 Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Great and convincing work!!! Bravo. Polo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Simply outstanding! Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave N Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Amazing. You must be rightly proud of that one. Thanks for sharing your textbook/ museum quality/classic work with us! Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMC Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 A real beauty and top notch photography also. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antb Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 That is one awesome build and finish. Super work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Very very nice. The U-2 is a bit of a favourite of mine in Corsairs & I really like how you've done that. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) MY Favorite bent WINGY thingy.. your Corsair is STUNNING and very NICE. Edited December 11, 2016 by HOUSTON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Fantastic build David and very impressive. Anymore in the pipeline? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spad Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 You can never have too many Corsairs. This one's an absolute beauty Lovely work - looks like you got the Tamiya paints well sorted. Thanks for showing some great work and attention to detail. ATB Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 A lovely example of a classic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 38 minutes ago, 85sqn said: Fantastic build David and very impressive. Anymore in the pipeline? Hi Nick, Well, i have a 72nd scale FG-1D that's nearly finished (needs the undercarriage, exhaust streak, and antenna rigging)..... and there's my model of 02153- the first F4U-1, later converted to F4U-2 standard- that has been waiting on a first-generation tailwheel. Now that Uschi Van Der Rosten has come out with that 48th scale Compass Rose, i'm hoping that will be the KUTA for me to get that one done. Interesting fact: Both of these models predate the 32nd scale Tamiya kit; the FG-1D i actually started in Iraq during the tail end of Iraqi Freedom, and the 48th prototype got to the state you see here when the Tamiya Birdcage came out. In case you didn't know, this is my second 32nd scale Corsair, so both of the ones you see here have been effectively sidelined for at least two years, probably longer. I have a couple of 48th scale Tamiyas with the interiors sprayed green and the wing components assembled.... but i need a break from Corsairs for a while. I have the new Tamiya Tomcat in the pipeline now. -d- 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Really nice Corsair there, great job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Ah good stuff David! I have a few more lined up in FAA colours again but need to get the workbench sorted after moving house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruudster Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Great looking F4U2 David! I hope all is well and things have settled down for you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 I had no idea there was a birdcage night-fighter Corsair! Shows what I know. Anyway, that's a superb model, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Stunning builds - the 1/32 and the 1/72 both! I admit, it took me a while to figure out what KUTA means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Please inform me as well. KUTA ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 KUTA: Kick Up The (We have to keep things kid-friendly) Vulcanicity: The F4U-2 was the very first Carrier Based, Night (what we could call "All Weather" now) Fighter. It had a fairly unremarkable showing, but it paved the way for the much more successful F6F-3N/ F6F-5N that came afterward. -d- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 On 12/12/2016 at 3:19 PM, Vulcanicity said: I had no idea there was a birdcage night-fighter Corsair! Shows what I know. Anyway, that's a superb model, thanks for sharing! My knowledge is as deep as the Marianas Trench and as broad as a razor blade, LOL -d- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 How did I miss this? Excellent stuff, David! And to think I don't have a Corsair in my collection - got three in the stash though, I think. Best I get to work! Cheers, Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark4700 Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Fantastic work. Very nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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