F4U-4 Corsair Old 1980’s Tribute build.

[Mr.Happy]

I just finished up this Minicraft/Hasegawa F4U-4 Corsair from Ed Sey’s MAL HOBBY SHOP aka Junior in Irving, Tx.

 

This was the 1981 boxing of this particular kit. Ironically the same year the kit was released,  glue bombed,(by only God knows) stashed in one of the infamous Ed Seay (Junior) warehouse’s for 30 plus years with no HVAC I might add.  MAL was the place to go for hard to find kits, books, & other hobby related sundries. Unfortunately Ed Seay (Junior) passed away in 2020. 

Back to the kit: 

 

As a result of storage in the infamous Jr’s warehouse of forgotten kits, books, and other curiosities the hot & cold Texas weather had taken a toll on plastic.
 

In a word BRITTLE is most appropriately used to describe this plastic. If we’re one to gaze upon it the wrong way it would snap into many other parts all their very own.

 

The original decals were curled with that of only a 30 year old non HVAC warehouse could provide to make the perfect patina. 

 

The wings were already glued together with an ample amount of tube glue somewhat liberally applied .

 

The fun started when after much cleaning and sanding off the glue blobs off of an already precarious weak surface. As one would imagine with a kit in this state things or rather parts started to come apart in a most unintended fashion. 

 

This meant the kit with such a small part count took on some delicate planing and application. 

 

After lots of parts breaking into pieces from just sniping them off the Sprue gate I managed to get the kit finished.

 

The decals that I used were from Junior’s as well. They are the over 40 year old Fowler Aviation decals.

 

Again as to be expected with old decals there was some breaking.

 

However that being said they for the most part worked. 

 

I painted the Corsair with Gunze Lacquer Midnight Blue cut with Unicorn Tears Mr. Leveling Thinner. 

The yellow was Tamiya.

 

Despite all of the brittle parts and excessive glue blobs to be removed the ol kit built up very easily. The build was out of the torn and frayed box 🗃️ with no aftermarket other than the decals. 

 

You can find these kits at shows for $10.00 or a bit more depending on the vendors. 

 

Get cracking on those kits lads they aren’t gonna build themselves!

 

Mr. Happy

 

 

 

[habu2]

Nice restoration. I used to stop by MAL back in the day. Often you would walk in and the store was completely unattended. That usually meant everyone was out back watching a train go by, as the store backed right up to the tracks. 

[Mr.Happy]

Lol so true habu2!

 

Thank you!

 

Mr. Happy 

[aircal62]

Great build or should say restoration.  Always a nice kit to build.  I saw the markings and was surprised they survived the heat and were still mostly useable.  We did our own printing, never as good as Microscale who were the top printers of the era, but we did our own thing.  We learned never to thin the clear coat and use it as it came out of the can.  We discovered thinning the clear caused problems down the line as the decals aged. As the thinner evaporated out of the clear coat over time, the clear became brittle and would shatter after about two years depending on how the decals were stored.  Without thinning we found the clear coat would remain strong and flexible although a bit more work to print because of the consistency of the ink which was very thick.  Anyway I digress.  Love your build and a great Navy blue finishing on that corsair!

 

Wayne Fowler  

[Mr.Happy]

Wayne,

 

Thank you for your kind comments concerning the build. 
 

I also appreciate your giving and background “Behind the scenes “ history of Fowler Aviation Decals…very cool.

 

Y’all had some great livery’s within your catalog. 
 

The decal sheet I used was from 1980 and was sandwiched between books 📚 in a non-HVAC warehouse for 40 years when we had helped dismantle MAL (A sad day).

 

They performed well considering the conditions that they were stored. I had some breakage but I can live with it. It’s a testimony to your decals & ED SEAY’S MAL shop that they stood the test of time and extreme weather.

 

I am a greatful customer to you both. 
 

Take care Wayne,

 

Mr. Happy 

[jonwinn]

I built a few of these years ago. They look nice when finished. You did a most excellent job on that paint and I think that pilot is what sets it off as "believable! Excellent save!

[southwestforests]

44 minutes ago, jonwinn said:

and I think that pilot is what sets it off as "believable! Excellent save!

I'll second that motion. 😎👍

She does look grand in that blue.

While the seatbelts, seat cushions, instrument consoles, are interesting details and look good done skillfully, having the pilots and other aircrew at their stations adds much to the model.

[Mr.Happy]

Many thanks Jonwinn. 
 

This is my second attempt at the old Hasegawa F4U-4. The first was for my uncle who was a Navy Medic assigned to a -4 Corsair unit at Olathe, KS.
 

I’m liking your old Revell Bf-109 G-10 build. That kit builds up well and I’ve got it on my to do list.

 

Keep up with your updates,

 

Mr. Happy 
 

 

[southwestforests]

Just now, Mr.Happy said:

assigned to a -4 Corsair unit at Olathe, KS.

Ya know, Granddad Wood might have been there.

[Mr.Happy]

Thank you southwestforests.

 

 

[wardog]

Outstanding job on such an old, and brittle kit. 

[Mr.Happy]

Many Thanks Wardog!

 

Mr. Happy