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RNZAF F4U-1A NZ5347 "Re-Painted Corsair" *** Finished ***


LDSModeller

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Hi All,

 

This Group Build has arrived :lol:

 

This post is a Place holder till Saturday, when it officially kicks off.

 

I have a few RNZAF Aircraft on the go, but for now just this build and go from there.

My choice of kit the old Frog F4U-1D Corsair - given my dismal GB ratio this year,

I'm hoping I can finish the kit reasonably quickly:whistle:

Couple of Photos

61a87d66-07ce-45db-a3dc-44d08e7338fa.jpg

 

d453b2dc-1d50-4478-b669-d73f86fd85c4.jpg

 

See you all Saturday

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

PS Mods _ I might have jumped the Gun, this looks to be in the wrong place

Edited by LDSModeller
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nup you're just very early, I was only just reminded that this is coming up and I'm the host!!

 

So welcome aboard and with a real classic! :thumbsup:

 

I love the scheme you've chosen, it'll be good to see some RNZAF in a build for a change.

 

Good luck with the build with luck you should be able to finish this one. :D

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This’ll be good viewing - a Kiwi Corsair built by one of NZ’s go to question answerers. I’ve never seen the Frog kit parts so hope it all holds out well enough in the end. Good luck with it Alan.

 

Cheers. Dave

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On 9/2/2018 at 10:42 PM, trickyrich said:

nup you're just very early, I was only just reminded that this is coming up and I'm the host!!

 

So welcome aboard and with a real classic! :thumbsup:

 

I love the scheme you've chosen, it'll be good to see some RNZAF in a build for a change.

 

Good luck with the build with luck you should be able to finish this one. :D

 

16 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

This’ll be good viewing - a Kiwi Corsair built by one of NZ’s go to question answerers. I’ve never seen the Frog kit parts so hope it all holds out well enough in the end. Good luck with it Alan.

 

Cheers. Dave

Hi Rich and Dave, Thank you for your welcome and kind words.

 

Dave - The academics are good - I only hope I can deliver a good and proper final product :whistle:

 

This will be the second time, I have built this kit, the first time was when I was about 11 or 12 in

what we call here in New Zealand "Intermediate School" ( in between Primary and High Schools, roughly years 7-8)

in a school model club, built OOB colour scheme and all (didn't know any better then:D)

 

This build won't be I'm sorry to tell the masses, be using the Frog "Colour Scheme" as  it didn't exist ever.

Having looked at the Kit, it could be built as either an F4U-1A or early F4U-1D (doesn't have the under wing

hard points)  The following photos show the narrower chord Prop blade on both 1A/early 1D

c4174d6e-e6fc-45d8-a386-dd213f4fd758.jpg

 

Also the rear wheel bay gear doors are missing the half curved hump found on later F4U-1D's/FG-1D's

 

b6dbe5a0-de42-4c4c-af3a-fb689becd4e4.jpg

 

With that in mind, I have decided to build instead an RNZAF F4U-1A being NZ5347

as in this photo from my collection - showing an upper re-paint of either Glossy Sea Blue or NS Sea Blue

with white lowers and Intermediate Blue outer lower wing panels - still some thing different:D

And Yes I will "Edit/amend" the title too :giggle:

 

NZ5347

19928b2e-60e8-4da0-a6c8-c353ad82abd3.jpg

 

The other Re-paint at the other end of the line is NZ5350 "Struggle Buggy" which is currently another

build sitting aside while I decide to try and finish the 1/32 Revell Engine or buy an aftermarket one.

 

I have discovered one issue with the kit, and that is this - Note the funny  looking molded dip in the wing next

to the main wheel well - What were Frog thinking :doh:

 

fabeb41f-13a1-4032-ae66-a2653802a3fc.jpg

 

Well, will now need to wait for tomorrow to arrive and we are into it:viking:

 

As an FYI, I will have a second build in the GB - Please check out my RNZAF 40K build

(once I have posted it:lol:)

 

Thanks/regards

 

Alan

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Hi All.

 

Thanks for your comments:D

 

So the first week is fast coming to a close, and I can gladly report

plastic has been cut and the build begun.

 

Sprue shot - not a lot of parts

a7ca1408-b2e8-49e7-a397-477a04f559ec.jpg

 

Canopy looks Okayish, I'll dip it in future and see how it goes

1e7b8856-a0fe-4c64-9ffc-a1b4dbeb1700.jpg

 

The Kit has a one stop cockpit all molded into one, as you can see there is a fit problem

57364be1-ad0f-465b-a0d2-7eab42da4180.jpg

 

I'll scratch build a new basic cockpit to sit in the opening.

As you can also see the panel lines need some TLC :D

 

This next photo is a comparison between a 1/32 Corsair wing and the Frog wing.

I can see where Frog were going with this, and have made an "executive" decision

to leave as is, "Corsair Purists" look away now if this hurts :D

(sometimes you just gotta pick your battles :viking:)

 

87c022d9-4904-4086-974c-d1d638494c62.jpg

 

Thanks for looking in, and more soon!

 

Regards

 

Alan

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are you going to redo the panel lines or just leave them as is?

 

You are right about the wing, it'll be a bit more work than it probably worth to fix. if you correct it then you may as well re-do the whole model.....which then sort of looses the appeal of building an old classic like this.

 

I'd be inclined to build her completely OOB, no corrections, just a super tidy build exactly how she was meant to be built all those years ago. I remember these Frog kits, they were really nice back then my brother built heaps of them, I was a bit younger so Airfix OO/HO (1/76th now) tanks and solders were my thing.

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7 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

As a corsair enthusiast i understand the issue. Would i like to see it perfect ? Of course, However in the true spirit of the hobby, I can see why you will build it as is and support your decision. 😉

 

Dennis 

Hi Dennis.

 

Thanks for your words of support:)

 

I ummed and ahhed over how to deal with it, and decided that if I did

attempt to "fix" it, I may do more damage than good.

This certainly won't be the last RNZAF Corsair on my build list (WWII wise and immediate post war),

but for the time being this will do for this particular build.

 

Thanks/regards

 

Alan

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4 minutes ago, trickyrich said:

are you going to redo the panel lines or just leave them as is?

 

You are right about the wing, it'll be a bit more work than it probably worth to fix. if you correct it then you may as well re-do the whole model.....which then sort of looses the appeal of building an old classic like this.

 

I'd be inclined to build her completely OOB, no corrections, just a super tidy build exactly how she was meant to be built all those years ago. I remember these Frog kits, they were really nice back then my brother built heaps of them, I was a bit younger so Airfix OO/HO (1/76th now) tanks and solders were my thing.

Hi Rich,

 

I will sand off the panel lines, haven't quite decided about re-scribing.

 

It was my plan to build OOB, maybe I'll adjust the cockpit to sit a little better,

and go from there.

 

Thanks/regards

 

Alan

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  • 1 month later...

Hi All,

 

An update :D

 

So been busy humming along and I'm happy thus far, no real hard core AMS (I think)

 

The cockpit

I've done some work on it added some extra plastic to the front coaming, and

built a "Metal" seat out of pie plate

a1e83f30-816d-4fd0-861c-e8a99592016c.jpg

 

Added some seat framing and side consoles

369bad87-228d-4baa-8a9e-5edfa5154da2.jpg

 

All one big happy family :D with paint and foil seat belts

3d11daf5-dd20-43b5-a9ca-1615a170f5eb.jpg

 

Paint on the fuselage interior

ad59e588-06ba-4473-a965-a1dd266e951b.jpg

 

Fuselage and cockpit joined together - a few places for filler, so the raised panel lines were sanded off

5d8ec1c5-867d-4518-9e50-15d2f2eeecf1.jpg

 

Wings

Decided to add ejector chutes - hmmn - jury is still out on whether that was a good choice

6109a838-d89a-4a1e-8363-d8991b3d868e.jpg

 

I've noted raised bumps for the wing ID lights - need to sort

42248d16-4af5-460c-a426-786b9b5812aa.jpg

 

So I did, drilled them out looks OK

925b9ef6-91c7-4151-b6c4-aa7dbea0c70e.jpg

 

Well that's all for now, thanks for looking in :D

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

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Hi All,

 

Tiny update today, and thanks again chaps for your comments:D

 

I have painted the engine and "Bronzed" the Cylinder heads -used

Humbrol Antique Bronze to dry brush - though the photo makes it look like its

rusted :hmmm:

caffa520-9396-4bd3-9cb1-2b78ffbdc687.jpg

 

I have drilled out the exhausts (it was bugging me :giggle:)

Also note the putty sanded down - though I screwed up scribing the "Backfire vents" hence the putty

between the exhausts

27a9ed65-44dc-421e-809b-9ae936e5dd95.jpg

 

I have also started adding some wheel well walls, so that the wells are not so open

13f1fab0-c15b-451d-96da-e3ea422fdfe2.jpg

 

Looking from the outside - looking good especially when pressed together

ff573dff-f59b-4447-a804-6162de38aa7d.jpg

 

Thanks for looking in - more soon :bye:

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

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Great work on this 'oldie' kit, Alan. I am itching to build this one some time in the future so am appreciating your 'pioneering' on the details. (The Frog Sea Fury had similar issues with wing radiators and wheel wells that I recently enjoyed working around - I was a bit more coarse using 'sculpted' filler and card). Enjoying this. All the best, Mike.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All,

 

Thanks for the kind comments gents - much appreciated:D

 

Quick but small update.

 

The wings and tail feathers have now been attached

 

9a338d9a-baca-4519-b83c-b3882a5b64b8.jpg

 

I rescribed the main areas of the fuselage/wings/tail stabs - the black paint lines are there to help with

the fuselage scribing (not preshading). As you can see there were a few areas that needed redoing ^_^

 

734fbb29-f0f4-42ed-bf67-03ab82e1f2b3.jpg

72f41961-6673-42b6-a628-352317297b36.jpg

 

The wing wheel wells came out well I think - helped to have a contour gauge to help create templates.

As you can see a couple of "Glaring" gaps for filler along the wing/fuselage join:hmmm:

 

1bb470a6-1cfc-4c55-aad6-7aca34034743.jpg

8491e62d-2f41-4a70-bff8-e058c20ce5bd.jpg

 

I have just added for effect (not glued) the cowling with engine to see how it looks - I'm pleased

with the result thus far

 

40003e97-0a76-4204-b23a-f8f8bac51fc7.jpg

 

Next, give it a quick wash down and prep for painting

 

Thanks for looking in, more soon with colour added

 

Regards

 

Alan

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Hi All,

 

Another quick update.

 

So I puttied the wing joins and used Nail Remover to help smooth it out

no sanding :thumbsup:, but my Model smells like almonds :giggle:

6a20b5e0-c558-4035-8503-aa8985259223.jpg

 

I have added some paint (Brushed on) to "try" and simulate a doped fabric using Humbrol 56 Aluminium

Fabric surfaces only - and once dry, I started masking these for the next paint type as a primer paint.

042e3d02-45ca-48f9-9906-16aff3fbbb30.jpg

 

 

Canopy is masked with Tamiya Tape and I have masked the rear of the Cowling interior.

In a Larger model where a proper engine would be installed, the rear of the cowling interior

would be painted a Light Grey (similar to what Grumman used) - This information comes

from the F4U M&E manual the RNZAF Museum has. The forward internal area will be Intermediate

Blue, again from the F4U M&E manual at RNZAF Museum

The canopy seems a little high, especially the blown section, but I can live with it ^_^

d71927dd-9049-447b-b69e-7a6a0c3af024.jpg
 

Thanks looking in, hopefully next posts will be with some colour added

 

Regards

 

Alan

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All,

 

A quick and small update

 

The extra bits, wheel doors, pitot tube, all added and have sprayed the Insignia White on the lower

fuselage/wings

38e12a30-dd7a-4d79-bda0-215b82b167ba.jpg

 

RNZAF F4U-1 Corsairs either had the extended tail wheel added in field, or arrived with it. I have

extended the tail wheel with part of a pin for strength, and removed the arrestor hook, as RNZAF

F4U-1's/FG-1's had them removed by the SU's prior to finally being BOC (Brought On Charge)

ee5367a6-653c-4cdd-bf26-965bc599aa43.jpg

 

Sprayed the Intermediate Blue - I like the way the fabric came out, with need to lighten that some though

I had a bit of an air to ground interface and ended up with a crack in the fuselage seam between the wings

5b69a4a6-d947-495d-96c5-00fd65b962b4.jpg

 

As you can see I had also a bit of drama with the paint scraping off on Starboard wing

 

While I'm here, I thought I share a build of a RAAF Boston III I have had on the burner for some time

(way too advanced for this GB)

ea82b4b7-c7a2-4806-9498-50a3c07edbfd.jpg

 

Model

f0ed2c87-8dba-4b3f-ba4f-6ad45739574b.jpg

 

Markings

aca058ae-4095-41ea-b457-ea88ed9a9e49.jpg

 

Thanks for looking in

 

Regards

 

Alan

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she's coming along nicely, shame about the crack in the fuselage, hopefully that's an easy one to fix.

 

I like the "Lay By Now" sticker and the $1.45 sticker, that certainly shows it's age! The decals look in remarkably good shape for it's age.

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