Mk1 Design Chance Vought F4U-1 detail Set for Tamiya. 1:32

[Shar2]

Chance Vought F4U-1 detail Set

Mk1 Design 1:32

The Tamiya 1:32 Corsair is a beautiful model straight out of the box with perhaps the only real area that needing attention being the magnetos on the crank case, and yet there have been quite a few aftermarket sets released for it and this is yet another one. Mk1 Design are pretty new to the aircraft update scene having mostly concentrated on producing amazing sets for the maritime modellers. This fairly comprehensive set comes in a clear poly sleeve and contains three sheets of etched brass, one of which is pre-painted and a set of resin wheels. The relief etched sheets are nicely produced but not overly complicated. The instructions though are really clear and easy to decipher, unlike some other companies, and are printed in full colour. Areas that need removing or modification are shaded in red and the photographs are of the actual kit with the etched parts fitted.

The cockpit is provided with a whole set of placards, console faces, auxiliary instrument panels and separate switches. The main instrument panel is painted in a black crackle finish, which although looking slightly overdone on the fret, it will probably look good in the cockpit. Each of the panels has a backing plate with the instrument faces painted onto it give the completed panels some depth, but could still do with a drop of Aqua Gloss or similar to represent the instrument glass. Also included in the package is a full set of seatbelts, each with separate buckles and clasps.

The majority of the PE set is used for detailing the engine, (ignition wires), Cowl flaps, with the interiors and hinges, intakes, (grilles and baffles), Wing fold and undercarriage bays, (wiring and pipework). There are also panels for between the tailwheel legs, and the ends of the flaps at the wingfold join.

The resin wheels are very nicely moulded with a well defined blockish tread pattern, but I think they are little too heavily bulged at the bottom, making them look like they are under inflated, and the tailwheel, which I believe is a solid rubber item, is also bulged when there is little deflection on the real tyres. The outer hub is separate, allowing the interior of the wheel to be detailed with the provided etched parts, which should look very good once assembled.

Conclusion
As mentioned above this is quite a comprehensive set that will go a long way to help set off the magnificence of the kit. There is nothing that needs complicated folding and there arent too many fiddly parts either, so would be good for an intermediate modeller to use. The tyres on the wheels are the only real fly in the ointment with their excessive bulges, which are not particularly easy to rectify. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Julien]

Seems the tyres suffer the same as the Typhoon ones.