1/72 Tamiya F-4U1A Corsair

by Eric Bade

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The F-4U Corsair family does not need to be introduced to anybody with the slightest interest in aviation. Most would know about the bent wing aircraft, thanks to the famous "Ba, Ba, Baa Black sheep" TV series starring Robert Conrad as Papy Boyington.

The Tamiya models of the F-4U1 Corsairs easily are the best start to build an early Corsair. They have been released both in 1/48th scale and in the smaller 1/72nd scale. These kits are simple, accurate, sharp and easy to build. Several sub versions have been released by Tamiya in the bigger 1/48th scale (F-4U1 Birdcage, F-4U1A, F-4U1D), but to the date only the later F-4U1D has been released in the 1/72nd scale. Other versions would be easy options for Tamiya but they have not made the step yet to release them.

After I altered the Academy model to an F-4U1 Birdcage and an F-4U1D (see article ARC page) http://www.arcair/Fea1/301-400/Fea322_Corsair_Bade/Fea322.htm

I now wanted an F-4U1A in the mid war three colour camouflage and this time, my starting point had to be the Tamiya offering. 

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The model 

This kit is a little wonder. It is well detailed, accurate, plastic is sharp and well engineered, yet the kit is simple with relatively few parts. It clearly is a down sizing of it's 1/48th big brother and as such it was produced with the possibility to derive different versions. Tamiya has not released any other boxing yet but conversion to the A subversion is extremely easy.  

Building 

Building starts with the cockpit and this model needs no aftermarket item be it resin or PE. Out of the Box is the name of the game. Yellow zinc chromate was used overall with black on consoles and instrument panel. I just added one or two bits of plastic card. Instruments are instrument decals from my spare decals box. They were punched in shape using my Waldron sub miniature punch and tie set.

Next sub assembly is the small PW R2800 engine. It is very sharp as is and I just added a few lines from thin fuse wire. The rest was a matter of paint job. Overall colour is aluminium, with a medium grey crank case, black details and an oily finish achieved with a wash of Tamiya Smoke (black translucent paint)

I then detailed landing gears. Main gears received small springs that I made from very thin electric wire. Brake lines were added. Tail gear was detailed. I added a tie down ring. I also shortened the tail gear to depict an early F-4U1A.

From this point construction was very straightforward. There are relatively few parts and all adjustments are perfect. The one area I modified was the recess area for canopy adjustment behind the pilot head. This recess is present on most Corsair models, to allow fitting of the canopy in closed position, but my documentation indicates there was no such thing on real machines. Il filled this recess with putty. 

Painting 

As I wanted to build a three tone camouflaged F-4U1A, I had to buy an after market decal sheet as box includes stickers for two overall sea blue F-4U1D. Choice was wide as nearly every decal manufacturer released decals for Corsairs but I elected nr 29, the aircraft of capt Ira Kepford. I was happy to find photos of the real machine that confirmed some details (no radio masts, short tail landing gear equipped with its tail hook). I used Gunze paints for this project and the three camo colours were easy to find.

As I wanted to depict an operational machine, colours were altered so as to blend them somewhat, as they were under operational conditions prevailing under the warm Pacific sun.

White was used as is, medium blue was mixed with white, sea blue was mixed with medium blue. That is for base camouflage colours. I then sprayed spots of different hues of these basic colours to achieve a blotchy aspect.  

Decals are from the Eagle Strike range and they adhere very well. I used Microsol and Microset combination to good affect, just to be sure my decals would conform to the small model and to avoid silvering. This stage went quite fast as there were relatively few stickers.

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Finishing 

Next step was weathering. I wanted a model with an operational look. I therefore added small spots of silver paint to depict chipping of paint. I then went on with enhancing panel lines with a wash of Sepia oil paint. Once this was done I sprayed some light coats of matt varnish. Final operation was using sand coloured powder over the airframe, insisting on wings where pilots and mechanics would walk. 

Completing this model allows me to add another Corsair to my collection. The Tamiya model is a very nice model indeed and a pleasure to build. Now I would like Tamiya to release a Birdcage Corsair from the same tooling. 

Just in order to complete my wish list let all know that we need an F-4U4 in 1/72nd scale.  

I also enclose photographs of the Academy F-4U1D (#82 that appeared in my previous feature on ARC). I also wanted a model with a more operational look so I took it from the shelves to receive a new application of weathering.

Eric

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Photos and text © by Eric Bade