1/32 Tamiya F4U-1 birdcage

[Kov1985]

This was the first real 1/32 kit I built. The engineering and detail tamiya put into their 1/32 series kits is amazing. The only drama I had was attaching the landing gear right at the end. I’m of the opinion it was completely my fault although I have heard a couple other people comment on the same thing. I used the following aftermarket goodies…

HGW belts

HGW wet transfers (bit of drama with that, I’ll explain later)

Eduard Brassin wheels

barracuda placards

 

Kit engine. The engine details though are scratchbuilt with copper wire.

 

 

 

obviously took a huge amount inspiration from someone’s  work on his and copied his double layer chipping process to the letter. Very happy with result. Also did a sick amount of research into primer colours used on these early gulls, and sprayed accordingly salmon colour along bolts and panel joins, yellow zinc chromate on rivets and in between. And after all that you can barely see it under the very subtle chipping in did. These things didn’t chip that badly compared toJapanesemachines etc.

 

 

 

For the tape around the panel joins at the fuel tank I used the kit’s thick stupid decals and didn’t use any solvents. It’s tape, it’s meant to cover the panel lines, not show them off. So luckily the kits decals got used somewhere.

 

 

barracuda cockpit placards in action.

 

 

tried pigment for the exhaust smoke. This is the result. Not a fan. At least I know now.

 

 

scored a win with this one in its category last comp. very happy about that.

 

 

 

When using HGW wet transfers, I found out the hard way that best way to go about it is to promptly ignore the instructions where it says, “use mr mark setter or mr mark solvent”. When it came time to remove the film off the decals, I found that the solvent had melted the thing into the clear coat. And film wouldn’t remove. I had to gently and carefully carve off a corner with the scalpel to remove the film. Use water. Remove film and then maybe decal solvent.

 

for the base I took a panel of hard insulating foam (wall and door interiors) from hardware shop, cut out a chunk and surrounded it in balsa panels. I used mig ammo acrylic terrains light earth, and a 1/35 scale field repair shop from a brand I don’t remember for the various items featured. A bit of black oil paint for the oil leak, and burnt umber thinned to stain the balsa. A couple rocks from my driveway for the tire chocks and that was a wrap.

 

highly highly recommended this kit. I’ve got the 1A and the 1D sitting there now it was that good. And they aren’t cheap kits. Completely worth it though.

 

Edited November 14, 2021 by Kov1985

[Alpha Delta 210]

Wow! A sensational rendition of a well-used Corsair!

[Dave Spencer]

Very nice. Will it be oils and inks for the exhaust stain on the next project?

[Kov1985]

3 minutes ago, Dave Spencer said:

Very nice. Will it be oils and inks for the exhaust stain on the next project?

Hey mate, I did this a couple years ago. Since then I’ve gotten more confident with my airbrush. I use tamiya red brown, then black. It’s very thinned. I use 2 drops of colour, then 1.5ml of methylated spirits as thinner. In fact I only use metho for thinner unless it’s a lacquer obviously. 

[Norman]

Another excellent creation and another that made my judging day when i was confronted with it !!!

[Bertie McBoatface]

Well, that's a filthy old wreck! Or at least a lovely model of one. Well done.

[bigbadbadge]

What a stunner, great work, love the paint and weathering effects.  

Chris

[Remus389]

It's difficult to differentiate between your model and the real thing, just by looking at it. Cool

 

🙂👍

[RMCS]

Superb finish 

[TonyOD]

Spectacular. Well done, sir.

[Autle]

Very nice in all respects, no wonder you picked up an award. Love the diorama as well.

[Sky Keg]

A most impressive display. 

 

Mike