Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 (edited) Hello everyone … the first two builds of four for my U.S.S.Essex build. The Tamiya Corsair and Eduard Hellcat represent aircraft of VBF AND VF-83 flying off of Essex circa April 1945. I have an Avenger and Helldiver that will follow along soon enough. First up the VBF-83 F4U-1D Corsair. Now the VF-83 Hellcat. Please feel free to ask questions, post comments or visit the second half of my Essex thread. Dennis Edited September 2, 2022 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Nice air wing Dennis. Well done. James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Both beautiful builds indeed Just one question...these particular aircraft didn't have the usual interior chromate green in the wheel wells? Is that specific to the period and the Essex? Just wondering Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Lovely paint job on both of them, Erwin Neat job, you have two "little" gems, there ! Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Winenut said: Both beautiful builds indeed Just one question...these particular aircraft didn't have the usual interior chromate green in the wheel wells? Is that specific to the period and the Essex? Just wondering Cheers Thank you … No standard USN Spec’s. The wheel wells from early in 1942 went to the underside color. That didn't stop until post war. https://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/05/stuff_eng_interior_colours_us_part3.htm 1 hour ago, giemme said: Lovely paint job on both of them, Erwin Neat job, you have two "little" gems, there ! Ciao Thank you G… Erwin ? I think my name is Dennis ? 😉 Edited May 7, 2021 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Two excellent builds! Though to my ex-Grummanite eye, the F6F is more excellent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Nice pair, Dennis! Hope you are feeling much better! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Lovely work Dennis, must get a corsair built for my shelf one day. 🏆 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 10 minutes ago, Romeo Alpha Yankee said: Lovely work Dennis, must get a corsair built for my shelf one day. 🏆 Everyone should have at least one. 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Very nice Dennis, they're both looking pretty special 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Beautiful builds, can t wait to see your Avenger and Helldiver. Which kit is your Helldiver ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 7 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Thank you G… Erwin ? I think my name is Dennis ? 😉 Apologies, I am getting old! I mixed you up with another American fella, @VT Red Sox Fan Sorry Dennis 🤷♂️ Ciao 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Lovely looking pair, great work ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukuryu Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Excellent job, Dennis, very inspiring! Can't wait for the next installment in the series. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 8 hours ago, BerndM said: Beautiful builds, can t wait to see your Avenger and Helldiver. Which kit is your Helldiver ? Not sure yet, my source has both Academy and Airfix. Im leaning towards the Airfix, everything Ive read says it has the better shape. 7 hours ago, giemme said: Apologies, I am getting old! I mixed you up with another American fella, @VT Red Sox Fan Sorry Dennis 🤷♂️ Ciao Hmmm I guess its true …. They say all Americans sound like each other. 😉 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: my source has both Academy and Airfix. Im leaning towards the Airfix, everything Ive read says it has the better shape. Are you nuts? Did your source have both kits? I have both Academy releases and the Airfix kit, and other than a pretty nice Curtiss Electric asymmetric paddle blade prop, there's really no comparison. they are also different versions, with the Airfix kit being an SB2C-5 and the Academy kit being an SB2C-3/4. Airfix kit has really simplified and inaccurate gear struts and wheels, crude cowling, and thick transparencies; the wings have a folded option, but the hinge points are toy-like and you will have to fill and rescribe if you do the wings extended; the slate are molded up, so you can't model it with the gear down unless you cut and extend them, as the slats were mechanically linked to gear extension and retraction. The Matchbox kit is an SB2C-1/2 IIRC, and does come with the three-blade prop and spinner that was fitted to that variant, but is a very simple kit- no interior, open wheel bays, and the famous trenches for panel lines. If you have to have a dash-five, use the Academy kit and do the few minor corrections need to a dash-four kit- they are mainly with the front and rear canopies and tailhook. The dash-three, IIRC, was the first with a 4-blade prop and the dive brakes were perforated, rather than being solid on the earlier variants. The Academy kit also comes with markings for the Essex!I had a Sword SB2C-4, and it was OK, more or less, but when the Academy kit was released, I sold it, as the Academy kit was much better. See the link to a review of the Sword kit. All of the preserved Helldivers are SB2C-5's, BTW Mike https://www.ipmsusa.org/reviews/Kits/Aircraft/academy_72_helldiver/academy_72_helldiver.htm https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_12545.shtml https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_12406.shtml https://modelingmadness.com/scott/allies/previews/academy/12406p.htm http://www.internetmodeler.com/2001/march/first-looks/sword_helldiver.htm Surviving aircraft (taken from Wikipedia) Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver (Commemorative Air Force) NOTE: All surviving aircraft identified by original US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) Bureau Numbers (BuNo). Greece[edit] On display SB2C-5 83321 - Hellenic Air Force Museum, Decelea Air Base.[31] Thailand[edit] On display SB2C-5 83410 - Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Bangkok.[32] United States[edit] Airworthy SB2C-5 83589 - based at the Commemorative Air Force (Cactus Squadron) in Graham, Texas. This late-production Helldiver, built in 1945, makes frequent air show appearances. In 1982, it experienced engine failure and a hard emergency landing that caused extensive damage; volunteers of the CAF put in thousands of hours and spent in excess of $200,000 to restore the aircraft to flying condition once more. As of October 2018, it is still the only flying example in the world.[33][34] On display SB2C-5 83479 - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia.[35] Under restoration A-25A Shrike/SB2C-1A 75552 - restoration completed by Vultures Row Aviation in Cameron Park, California. The current owner and location is unknown.[36] 76805 - for display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.[37] SB2C-3 19075 - for display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California[38] SB2C-4 19866 - for display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. It crashed on 28 May 1945 in Lower Otay Reservoir, near San Diego, California after engine failure during a training exercise. Both pilot E.D. Frazer and his passenger escaped uninjured, but the Helldiver sank in 90 ft. of water. The aircraft was discovered in February 2010 by a fisherman and recovered on 20 August 2010 for restoration.[39] SB2C-5 83393 - for display at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota.[40] Wrecks A SB2C-4E Helldiver belonging to the United States Navy crashed and burned in foul weather on October 9, 1945, while en route from New Cumberland, Pennsylvania to its base at Naval Air Station Grosse Ile, Michigan after participating in Nimitz Day celebrations held in Washington, D.C. Pilot Frank Campbell and gunner George Cohlmia, both World War II veterans, were killed in the crash. The remains of the plane are still located at the crash site on Laurel Hill in Ligonier Township, Pennsylvania, three miles southeast of the village of Waterford.[41] In January 2010, a scuba diver discovered a SB2C-1C Helldiver that was ditched in Maalaea Bay off South Maui in August 1944.[42] The Helldiver is covered in coral and is missing its tail section. The aircraft experienced problems with its empennage after dive bombing maneuvers which forced pilot Lieutenant William Dill to ditch.[43] It lies in 50 ft of water facing east. The site, which is protected under state and federal law, is in the process of being marked with a plaque by the U.S. Navy. A mooring may be installed at a later point in time to facilitate dives on the site.[44] On 25 March 2010, the Oregon State Police, Tillamook County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Navy announced that during a logging operation near Rockaway Beach, Oregon, the wreck of an SB2C Helldiver was located. Initial responders believe there may be human remains on the scene.[45][46] On 19 December 2011 Scuba divers off the coast of Jupiter, Florida came across an SB2C Helldiver while under water. The aircraft is mostly intact and was found inverted with the landing gear retracted. In May 2012, the US Navy conducted a survey of the aircraft, recovering a data plate from the horizontal stabilizer. The Naval History and Heritage Command's Underwater Archaeology Branch is actively trying to determine if the numbers stamped on the data plate are readable and will identify the aircraft.[47] Edited May 8, 2021 by 72modeler added text and link 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukuryu Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 FWIW, Special Hobby has -5 boxing based on the Academy plastic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 7, 2021 Author Share Posted May 7, 2021 36 minutes ago, 72modeler said: Are you nuts? Did your source have both kits? My info is Duff then, I guess I stand corrected and will have to go with the Academy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 You have some good options in 1:72 for a decent Helldiver: The Cyber Modeller SB2C-4 http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/dml/kit_dml_5103.shtml The Academy SB2C-4 I didn t found a fitting review but the instructions are a good source as well. https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/1/3/6/106136-59-instructions.pdf I have this kit in my stash and it looks pretty good to me. The Airfix SB2C-4/5 Helldiver is ancient but the latest release has well made decals with markings for an aircraft of the USS Essex with the hour glass symbol. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi-r7iOlLjwAhUK-6QKHbwlBxUQFjABegQIAhAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.super-hobby.de%2Fproducts%2FCurtiss-SB2C-Helldiver.html&usg=AOvVaw3lezN0iSMr3XYd7YHbYx7u I have this in my stash because of the decals ( never trust decals from Academy ) This can be a fun build if you like old kits The Sword SB2C-4 Helldiver is also nice but only if you like short run kits http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/helldiverreviewds_1.htm Happy modelling Bernd 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Hi Dennis. Great job on your Corsair and Hellcat. Very well done. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 An excellent pair if Essex fighters Dennis, looking forward to the Helldiver and Avenger. I built the Academy Helldiver a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Nice work on those two, they turned out great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 On 5/7/2021 at 9:32 AM, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Thank you … No standard USN Spec’s. The wheel wells from early in 1942 went to the underside color. That didn't stop until post war. https://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/05/stuff_eng_interior_colours_us_part3.htm Thank you G… Erwin ? I think my name is Dennis ? 😉 Hi Dennis Thank you for the follow up and answer to my query Very much appreciated! Cheers Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
112 Squadron Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 (edited) What a beautiful pair of USN fighters! You did an excellent finish! 👍 Edited September 2, 2022 by 112 Squadron 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Red Sox Fan Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 @giemme, came to Dennis’s build for inspiration and got the mix up—🤣I am honored for the confusion though— @Corsairfoxfouruncle is an amazing and accomplished builder—will be using his builds for reference as I move through my Eduard 1/72 F6Fs—-best to all, and wow, amazing work! Best, Erwin Thank you G… Erwin ? I think my name is Dennis ? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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