[yet another] 1:48 Tamiya F4U-1a

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

For what its worth that looks darn good to my eyes. A real old faded salty corsair from the SWPA of operations. 

Edited May 9, 2018 by Corsairfoxfouruncle

[Johnny1000]

10 hours ago, MeneMene said:

Wonderful work. Could you review again your method for working the hairspray chipping with MRP? The exact steps and materials? I've been trying it and can never get it to work, it dries too hard/impermeable and I can't get the water to activate it.

 

Another thing; I can see how you did the paintwork on the wings, but what about the fading on the forward/upper fuselage? Is that chipping with two different shades of blue?

 

Thanks @MeneMene

 

The procedure for chipping with MRP basically hinges around getting in quickly before the paint has fully set, and being a little more aggressive with the brush than with more permeable materials. For hairspray, I used TreSemme 3 which has enough hold to keep the paint down, but not so much that it can't be easily corrupted.

 

Lay down your undercoat color. If it's water based, you'll want to seal it. Then hit it with a couple light wiffs of hair spray straight out of the can at arm length (don't bomb it! Practice on scrap because if you do bomb it, the aerosol will kill the undercoat). Dry with a hair dryer, and then a couple more wiffs. When it's dry to the touch, come back with your overcoat.

 

MRP, does dry hard (generally a virtue) but if you don't wait to chip, and go a little lighter it's not so bad. If it's not budging, it can also help to breach the surface with a gentle gentleman's parts from the point of a craft knife or needle. For this, I rubbed in with an old brush, kind of scraping a little with the end of the ferrule, especially against engraved detail. Once it starts coming up in one spot, the general area is easier to work with--I'm guessing the moisture permeates along the hairspray layer under the paint. 

 

For the fading on the upper fuselage: no, that's all just working lighter and darker tones in semi random patterns in a variation on black basing (only, not necessarily using black as the base). I used an airbrush stencil set marketed to airbrush artistes for getting organic textures (h/t Will Pattison), but you could probably also do it freehand. What's nice about the stencil is you can go really fast and get a lot of variation without over thinking. I did a light pass with straight MRP sea blue, then added some light grey, and then a bit more light grey, then a mist pass with darker etc. It's a fine line between looking faded and worn, vs looking like a sloppy paint job.

 

I hope this helps.

-J

 

[Azgaron]

Excellent work! Looks great!

 

Håkan

 

[Johnny1000]

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

 

Had some time this weekend, and made some progress. We’re getting there, in fits and starts. 

 

First up, the panel detailing on the forward top of the fuselage. In the process of cleaning up the seam between the two fuselage halves, the fuel tank cover got a bit chewed up. This is an area that is messy in a lot of people’s builds, so I was kind of going to let it slide, but as I get closer to finishing, it was standing out as a real weak spot. I also noticed that it should only have an inner ring of rivets, not both inner and outer as rendered by Tamiya, and was considering how to address that.

 

I’m using lacquers (MRP) to paint, which are very sand-able, so it’s easy to feather out and then blend back in, which means you always have a lot of control and it's not a big deal to go back and fix things.

 

Here I’ve started sanding down and filling with CA. I was originally tried selectively re-scribing the lines and rivets, but it didn’t quite look right, and CA is hard to scribe with any control. I decided to wipe it out and start over. While I was there, I also noticed that the small square panel right behind the cowl isn’t shown on any reference I could find, so I deleted that as well.

 

My first attempt at a template for the rivets. The thing about this method is that it’s nearly impossible to line up precisely with the panel line. So, I filled again, this time with sprue goo, on the basis that it’s styrene, so it scribes well once it finally sets. 

 

In search of a more precise method, I spent most of an evening getting almost Budzikian with a plan to photo etch a template of the cover with rivet holes, which I would temporarily CA in place. My etching skills aren’t really dialed in yet, so that didn’t work. I eventually figured out that if you do the rivets first, it’s easy to line up the guide around them. 

 

Here’s the cover re-scribed cover. I had let the sprue goo set over night, but should have really given it more time because it was still a bit soft in spots. 

 

The end result. I’ve got to go back and touch up a few spots—a bit of goo sitting proud that I didn’t quite catch around the starboard side, and then pocks where the styrene wasn’t quite ready to be worked. Even still, as is it’s way better than it was. 

 

But in the meantime, it’s time for markings! I do not like decals for insignia if I can help it. Here I’m trying Maketar masks. That ID number is too big. I removed and used smaller. 

 

Here I’ve got the white bits masked, and am getting the insignia blue on. You can see the smaller ID number already on, but it’s not still not right—for one, the spacing should be tighter. 

 

This looks okay, but could look a lot better. I’d like to get closer to references (both shots from VMF-115, the squadron I'm referencing). I have a plan. 

 

I didn’t wait long enough for the Insignia white to set before masking (sensing a theme here?), so I’ve got some remedial work to do to fix, but it’s starting to look like a Corsair. 

 

I’m really excited to finally get to panel lines and weathering. Just not sure when I’ll get time at the bench next… so it goes! Thanks for looking.

Cheers
-J

Edited May 21, 2018 by Johnny1000
fixed a bit

[Azgaron]

Nice work re-scribing the cover, and nice paint job!

 

Håkan

 

[Johnny1000]

Hello! Greetings from Shanghai, where I’ve been on assignment for the past week. I had a little downtime this afternoon, and figured I’d cobble together a post.

 

Sorry for no update, or general participation on the forum. Same boring stuff—life/work. But even at my glacial pace of scale model construction, I’m probably overdue. This update won’t be interesting, but the next one should be. I also didn’t do much documenting, so apologies for the lack of pics.

 

We left off last time with fixing the big circular fuel cover in front of the windscreen. Even after everything, it still didn’t look right. So I sanded it back, filled with CA, sanded and primed, and filled, sanded, primed some more until the surface was baby butt smooth to give a properly clean canvas. 

But now it was looking a bit flattened off. Uh oh. Holding up a straightedge showed a flat area about .5mm/.125” deep extending maybe 2.5 cm/1”. So I filled with a couple sheets of .010 styrene, and then shaped that. A few more rounds of priming/sanding, I was ready to scribe the panel and punch rivets. The scribing went okay, but getting the rivets perfectly aligned in the circle was not. 

 

More filling, sanding, and priming. While I was at it, I also sanded the side markings, wanting to get better ID numbers and to fix some little things with the insignia.

 

After trying everything I could think of in terms of jigs and paper guides, it finally occurred to me to try cutting a guide in vinyl with the Silhouette Portrait I recently got for cutting masks (among other things). I really, really wish I had taken a pic. I first scribed the outer circle using a metal template. Then, using the dimension of that circle, I created a template in Illustrator (which I’ve been using for work for 25 years, so it’s really fast for me—you could do this with the Silhouette software, I’m sure) and exported to the Silhouette plug in. 

2 minutes later, I had a perfectly cut guide in semi translucent vinyl, the exact size of the panel. Super easy to align. A few minutes with a beading tool and I had my rivets. Bang! I also used this to cut new masks for the ID numbers and insignia. 

I also filled and re-riveted along the nose, and finally attached the engine and cowling, which required still more filling, sanding and re-scribing. None of this is documented.

 

I know a lot of people say this is a shake and bake kit. And I believe them. But either I really suck at fundamentals of model construction (entirely possible) or we have really different standards for the level of finish and polish we’re looking for. Probably the former.

(You’d think I’d have taken a pic.)

 

I added Quickboost exhausts. In retrospect, I could probably have just thinned out the kit exhausts. Live and learn. Mr Surfacer 1500, followed by a thin wash of Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown, then various pigments. The exhaust stain will get detailed with oils later, but I started it with Tamiya X-19 Smoke thinned 1:10 with Mr Leveling Thinner built up slowly, and masked just behind the raised panel step approximate 1/3 back from the leading edge of the wings.

A quick reference check shows the exhaust cuts sharply off there, then gradually reappears farther down the fuselage. When I go back, I need to get a tighter scallop shape in the stain. 

 

And finally, I finally started the landing gear, which is the last major sub-assembly. One detail of note, is that Eduard supplies replacement PE for the scissor mechanism which has the virtue of including lightening holes. However, they have the wrong cross section, which should be quite hefty. My solution was to rough out the lightening holes in the kit struts, and then CA the Eduard pieces over. 

I’ve been trying to get into machining with a Taig micro lathe, so I thought I try milling them out as a learning exercise. This worked, kind of, but I’d have been better off just drilling them in the conventional way. I was hoping I’d have more control with the cross slide, but the area is just so tiny that it doesn’t really make a difference.

 

You can kind of see the finished result here. These are waiting for a wash and weathering. 

I’m also going to try to replicate the springs that run from the base of the support bracket up to just above where the hydraulic piston meets the strut. I’ve tried a few things as proof of concept, and think I can get close to the right scale diameter and tightness. Will report back on that.

 

And here’s the gang. Ultracast wheels got masks from the Silhouette. I tried masking the old fashioned way, and after spending 15 minutes trying to get a clean cut in Tamiya tape with a compass cutter, realized that this could be way faster. 3 minutes later, perfect vinyl masks. The tires are Tamiya XF-1 with a drop of XF-80 Light Grey. They’ll get a little XF-57 Buff, and then washes for hubs and diamond tire pattern.

 

And that's it for now. Thanks for looking/comments/advice.

-J

[DMC]

Good to see an update on your Corsair.

 

Dennis 

[Johnny1000]

Thanks Dennis!

[Johnny1000]

I got a little work in the other morning, so a quick update. 

 

The main struts, now with break lines, covers, and a dirty wash (Black Tamiya Panel Line Accent FTW). I also got the masks on the covers, cut with the Silhouette. 

 

Quickboost resin wheels. The rubber is approx 90% XF-1 to XF-2, followed with a light mist of Buff with a little black added. The treads then got Dark Brown Tamiya Panel Line Accent. The hubs get black TPLA. 

 

Starting to detail the panels on the wings: black for active panels (moving panels such as ailerons, or gun access covers) and a mix of dark brown and grey for passive joins. I’m trying to avoid the uniform, all over panel line effect. 

 

I’m almost ready to get a flat coat down, and then will start in with oils for more fading (esp the insignia, which are a bit hysterical at the momemnt) and grime. 

Thanks for looking!
-J

[DMC]

Wheels and gear looking good.  Taking notes.

 

Dennis 

[MeneMene]

On 7/2/2018 at 6:47 PM, Johnny1000 said:

I also got the masks on the covers, cut with the Silhouette. 

 

 

What material are you using to make the stencils? I have a stencil cutter as well, but haven't found a stencil material that I'm 100% happy with. Either they're too sticky, or too thick/stiff.

[Johnny1000]

Oramask 810 from https://anteupgraphicsupply.com/

 

I'm not sure I'd say I'm 100% happy with it, but it works pretty well. Not too thick/conforms to curves well, etc. Not super expensive. 

[Johnny1000]

A bit behind in posting... Before we move on, it’s a quick trip back into the rabbit hole!

 

Somehow the rudder antenna mast broke off. Rather than craft a new one from styrene, I decided to machine one from brass (I’m learning how to use a micro lathe, so am always looking for opportunities to play).

 

First I turned to the diameter, then filed to shape. (I’m not very proficient with the lathe, so this took a few tries.)

 

I drilled a hole and CA’d in. Black rubber infused CA from Bob Smith to fair over.

 

But after all this messing about with the rudder, I’ve lost pretty much all the ribbing detail, and the trim tab actuator is a bit mushy.

Silhouette to the rescue! Kind of. I traced a blue print of the rudder in Abobe Illustrator.

 

I didn’t want to blow through too much styrene messing about, so cut .015 evergreen sheet bit shallow, but then was able to use the Silhouette cut lines as a guide to cut out with a knife.

 

I filed the rudder part smooth, and then glued on the ribbing with Tamiya Extra Thin. Here we are starting to shape the new detail. This got further refined, along with fixing some of the soft lines in the profile (under the lip in front, above the trim tab, and there’s a flat spot behind the arial.

 

That’s alls I got. I’m really looking forward to moving on to proper weathering, so hopefully will not let myself get too distracted with these tangents. (There is that bomb rack…)

 

 

[Johnny1000]

Rudder on with trim tab, PE actuator (via Eduard), scratch built fairing from .020" rod, and rescribed panel. Also added copper wire for the long trim tab actuators on the elevators, which I had to cut when I removed from the horizontal stablizers. 

 

Looks okay. But after staring at reference photos for hours, neither the rudders nor elevators look quite right. 

 

It's hard to see with the black primer, but the ribs look a lot like the molded kit ribs, but not so much like a real Corsair, where they're super thin:

 

I'm thinking the ribs might be better represented with bits of wire faired in with CA. 

(The problem with references is you can't unsee this stuff.)

 

Also, the elevators don't quite line up. It's not noticable except from below, but as long as I'm messing with them, the molded actuators are bugging me. On the prototype, they have a really distinctive angle shape:

 

I rekon fixing the rudder (again) and elevators will make for a fun weekend activity...

Cheers

-J

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Impressive work to say the least, Very Impressive. This is going to be a killer build when its all said and done. 

[Biggles87]

You've done a great job on the rudder.

I know how difficult it is to depict the rib detail on fabric covered control surfaces without overdoing it, especially in 1/48. I'm on my third attempt to do it on the rudder of a 1/32 Mustang!

 

John

[Johnny1000]

Thanks @Corsairfoxfouruncle!

 

@Biggles87, thanks. It's harder than it looks, that's for sure. I’ll spare you the shenanigans, but I finally decided life is short and I kind of want to finish this build before I hit it’s year anniversary in mid-October. I’ve been traveling a lot for work lately, which makes bench time even more sporadic, so I’ll have to master the fine art of scratch building fabric control surfaces another time.

 

I got another copy of the kit and started over with the rudder and elevators. Now that I had more clarity around how to approach this, cleaning these up was pretty painless. Reworking the tab actuators was also straightforward. For the small ones (left top and right bottom) I used PE from the Eduard set. For the large ones (rudder, top right and left bottom) I used thin copper wire with CA to build up the ‘elbow’ and section of the arm that goes into the tab.

 

Oil paint weathering.  I need to get the cockpit a little filthier.

 

Windsor and Newton artist color titanium white with a little mineral spirits to further fade. A little grey and burnt ochre for grime and dirt.

 

The exhaust stains are interesting. The cooling panel directly aft of the exhausts folds out, creating a little ridge that blocks most of the fuselage, cutting the stain sharply.

 

The above reference has a lot of grime accumulating on the underside fuselage aft of the window. I may build up a bit more there. I did build up some general filth and spatters. The shell casing ports got a bit of diffuse darkening, which better matches what examples I’ve been able to find than clear streaks. The actual gun ports are going to get ‘taped’ over.

 

The only real construction project on this left is the bomb and rack. Will be working on that next.

 

 

[John Masters]

Lovely...splendid work with the oils.  Really captures the life of the thing.

[Johnny1000]

The mighty bomb rack!

 

Tamiya molds the Brewster bomb rack as a single part, with big solid chunks that you embed into the bomb. I’m sure it’s very sturdy.

 

However, it’s not very representational. The rack should feel spindly and crude. There’s a misconception that these were produced in the field by the ground crew, but that’s not the case—they were designed and built by Brewster, who were not exactly known for elegant design (the F2A Buffalo?).

 

I’m going to cut away the bomb holding chunks and replace with brass tubing.

 

We need to get a 1mm tube to bend tightly without crimping too much. The first step is to anneal by heating and gradually allowing to cool.

 

Next, we need something inside the tube (this is called a mandrel in tube bending circles). 0.7mm lead wire will do, plus it’s easy to drill out after the bend.

(Hey! Someone got a new cutting mat…)

 

The moment of truth. In the argot of pipe bending, a nail in a piece of scrap 2x4 is our bend die. A pair of 123 blocks are our compression die. You can see the lead wire mandril sticking out of the bent end.

The 123 (1” x 2” x 3”) are nice because they’re heavy and perfectly straight (more or less). I got them for my experiments in machining, but they come in handy for all kinds of things.

 

To cut, roll on a smooth surface with a sharp knife. Because I have an odd shape, I have it hanging off the end of my bench.

 

I’m attempting the mounting holes seen in the reference pic. After locating the spot with a pin, drilled out in a drill press with carbide bits. You could probably do it with a hand tool, but this was quick and somewhat precise.

 

And the bars mounted. These are a lot better than the stock rack, but looking at it here, they’re definitely over-scale. Bother. Not sure if I’m going to redo with a slightly smaller diameter tube, though now I have the procedure down, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

 

I also added a few details to the main mounting part, including the fuse looking thing and rivets. These were done with Archer resin rivets. After getting a coat of primer on, the carrier film was a bit bunched here and there, so I scraped off and re-did with a beading tool.

 

Thanks for looking!

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

2 hours ago, Johnny1000 said:

There’s a misconception that these were produced in the field by the ground crew, but that’s not the case—they were designed and built by Brewster,

From everything I’ve ever read about the Bomb-rack. Brewster copied a design that had been scratched together in the Solomon’s most likely on Guadalcanal. 

[woody37]

Excellent work, first time I've stumbled across this

[Johnny1000]

2 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

From everything I’ve ever read about the Bomb-rack. Brewster copied a design that had been scratched together in the Solomon’s most likely on Guadalcanal. 

Finding specific information on the Brewster bomb rack is fiendishly hard, at least online. I can't come up with a reference at the moment, but somewhere I found something that described how the design was so crude that crews assumed it came from the field, but really it came from good old Brewster. But maybe that's wrong?

 

VMF-111, based on Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands was the first squadron to deploy it. VMF-115 (from which my model is based) followed soon after, with a visit from Charles Lindbergh in the back half of May 1944 during his tour of the South Pacific to help optimize the Corsair as a dive bomber. 

2 hours ago, woody37 said:

Excellent work, first time I've stumbled across this

Thanks so much!

[Troy Smith]

1 minute ago, Johnny1000 said:

Finding specific information on the Brewster bomb rack is fiendishly hard, at least online. I can't come up with a reference at the moment, but somewhere I found something that described how the design was so crude that crews assumed it came from the field, but really it came from good old Brewster. But maybe that's wrong?

I'm pretty certain there is information in the 2nd Corsair monograph by Dana Bell,  

http://www.hyperscale.com/2015/reviews/books/f4u1vol2bellbookreviewse_1.htm   

Quote

Then there was that odd looking bomb rack that looked as if it had been cobbled together by a drunk plumber.  Not so, and the reason for the odd shape is explained. 

mine is not hand, but a @Dana Bell is a member, and this should notify him.But if you like Corsairs, the books are essential!

[Johnny1000]

1 minute ago, Troy Smith said:

I'm pretty certain there is information in the 2nd Corsair monograph by Dana Bell,  

http://www.hyperscale.com/2015/reviews/books/f4u1vol2bellbookreviewse_1.htm   

mine is not hand, but a @Dana Bell is a member, and this should notify him.But if you like Corsairs, the books are essential!

I have that book and it's indispensable. Well done @Dana Bell!

 

There's a bit on the evolution of the bomb rack, but not much on the initial development. 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

My mistake I thought you were going for a field improvised Rack like this. 

I mistakenly thought you were going to modify the tamiya part to look more like this.

I found the drawing and photo on google a while ago. I think its from the ARC forum quoting a photo/drawing from a book about VF-17. 

 

Dennis

 

Edited November 7, 2018 by Corsairfoxfouruncle