CorsairMan Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Hello everyone, Having just completed first model in many years, I am ready to start a fresh one. The previous build's goals were simple; the goals for this one will be a little more challenging: 1) Use resin for the first time (I have to remember to cut/file this stuff outdoors); and 2) Use Photo-Etch for the first time. Keeping with my theme, this time it is the Tamiya F4U-1 Birdcage: As you can see, I will be using the True-Details diamond tread wheels and the complete Eduard PE set. I know this really is not a large use of resin, but hey, it's a start and I really have no idea how to cut them from the blocks yet! Much has been said about this model and most have either built/stashed it or one of the other Tamiya variants. With the exception of the wing joints, I did not have any problems with the assembly of the -1A so I can only hope that I have a similar experience with this model. I intend on painting this the older 2 toned scheme of light grey undersides with the blue grey upper. This will be a 1943 fighter so I will paint the wheel wells and cowl the 'salmon' primer colour. As for the individual aircraft, I am not decided. I am sure the decals will provide me with some choice. I am thinking of having one of the wings folded as well. I have collected some good pictures of the fold area so all the required wiring can be done. I just need to find out for sure what colour the fold area is. There is equally compelling evidence of the salmon or blue grey. Lastly, I really didn't like my 'painted' lights on the -1A. So I will replace the molded lights with some hobby jewels. I think the railroad guys have them in approximately the right size. Hopefully they also have them in the 4 colours. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 Should be a great project. And the best way to remove the resin wheels/tires from the mold stub is to use a razor saw. They're available at most hobby shops. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Look forward to watching this build unfold. I am one of those who have "stashed" this kit, so I will sit back and enjoy the progress! MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Cant wait to see it done, I may have to order one of those Eduard sets for mine. Just a word about the wing fold though, they were hydraulically operated so the wings always folded and unfolded together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Looks Like a fun project... I have thought of using the aftermarket cockpit in the past.. But just couldn't bring myself to do it with this kits detail being really well done... I'm looking forward to see how it goes! Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevenJ Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 I have that same kit in partial completion. I figure this is as good as any thread to ask, but what are my choices for the two-tone early Corsairs? I know the bottom is 36440, but what is the blue/gray top color? I prefer not to mix my paints as Tamiya suggests, so are there any options in Gunze or Testors? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 I have that same kit in partial completion. I figure this is as good as any thread to ask, but what are my choices for the two-tone early Corsairs? I know the bottom is 36440, but what is the blue/gray top color? I prefer not to mix my paints as Tamiya suggests, so are there any options in Gunze or Testors? Good Question... I'd like to know as well.... you would think w/ all the paint that is available today, there would be a ready to use product... Inquiring minds want to know Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cap'n Wannabe Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 I built this kit OOB last year in the 2-tone scheme....ended up mixing the Gunze equivalents as per the instructions. I can't remember what grey I used - depending on where you look, there are at least 2 different equivalents listed - but the blue was H-56. Don't tell anyone, but I didn't use salmon in the U/C bays :huh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted April 13, 2007 Author Share Posted April 13, 2007 I built this kit OOB last year in the 2-tone scheme....ended up mixing the Gunze equivalents as per the instructions. I can't remember what grey I used - depending on where you look, there are at least 2 different equivalents listed - but the blue was H-56. Don't tell anyone, but I didn't use salmon in the U/C bays That is a great looking Birdcage! The guys in the 'Props' group showed me a mixing formula chart for Tamiya paints - both the blue and the grey. I liked using the Gunze stuff last time around, but I really liked the Tamiya acrylics. I am doing a lot of 'bending' of PE right now. Pics to come soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 Update This is taking longer than I thought! So I have only some subassembly pics to show. I have to say is that folding PE is very exacting and at times frustrating work. However, the stuff really makes a difference – so, for me, its worth it. I think I got the proper technique down about half way through the main gear. I learned the most important lesson of PE very early on: Work over a table!! I spent considerable time looking for a long thin pieces of PE that fell onto a light blue carpet. All have been recovered - but they all ate into modelling time. Anyhow, onto the pics: The seat harness was almost a total loss - I was distracted momentarily and dragged the nippers. This turned a perfectly formed harness into a something that looked like the inside of an umbrella. I did manage to slowly and carefully bend it back. Hopefully I'll have some paint to show you next time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Wow, it's been a while since I last posted. Summer is here and there is too much to do! Anyhow - a small update. I managed to get the pit together and I am applying the salmon coat to the gearbays and such. The pit has not been 'washed' and I have not yet picked out the dials and such.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
otis252 Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Great start, CorsairMan. Keep 'em coming. You can never get enough of those "bent wing birds". Chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Awesome Job C Man!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Now that is looking excellent! Lovely work MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted June 7, 2007 Author Share Posted June 7, 2007 Here is a small update: I washed and drybrushed the 'salmon' areas and I washed and picked out the details in the pit. The next step will be to close the pit in the fuselage and finish the build part. One tricky thing will be the modification to the cowl. I want this to be an 'early' F4U-1 so the flaps will go all around the cowling. However this means that I need to complete the rounded fuselage at the front.... Here are the pics... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Nice work so far Mike... I'll be watching this closely as I have that kit in the stash and I plan on doing the same mods to the cowl flaps. Also, What did you use for the Salmon color? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted June 7, 2007 Author Share Posted June 7, 2007 Nice work so far Mike...I'll be watching this closely as I have that kit in the stash and I plan on doing the same mods to the cowl flaps. Also, What did you use for the Salmon color? Mike?? You must be thinking of someone else - I'm Chris. The salmon colour was right out of Brett Green's book: 2 parts flat brown, 2 parts flat white, 1 part flat red and 1 part yellow/green. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Awesome!!!! Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted June 8, 2007 Author Share Posted June 8, 2007 Hello, I put the pit in the fuselage tonight - the rear section lined up like a dream, the 'hood' really didnt. It almost looks 'tented'. Oh well, nothing a little careful sanding can't fix! Also - I want this to be an early F4U-1 so the cowl flaps have to go the whole way around. Those of you who have build the Tamiya Corsairs know there is a 'flap' that allows the cowl to be glued onto the fuselage at the spot where later versions of the Corsair had the cowl flaps removed. Remembering that I have a F4U-1D in the 'stash' and that I am going to be converting that Corsair into a -4 with the CMK conversion set, I cannibalized the missing cowl flaps and the extra rounded cowling. Not so much a scratch as it is a kit bash...... Of course, I broke my personal rule of modeling: No starting of a new project until the old one is done. Oh well, it was a noble rule while it lasted! Anyhow - here are the pics: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Very nice piece of grafting!! Lookin' Great Chris!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulo Jose Simas Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 nice work!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 (edited) Hey Chris.. Any more progress?? Dave Edited June 21, 2007 by Tomcat Tweeker Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 Thanks for asking! Updates: Nothing noteworthy - I should have something posted by Sunday night.... Hey Chris.. Any more progress??Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Long time since last post - I have finished with the flaps, getting the fuse together, sanding around the oil coolers, PE on the flying surfaces, painted the prop... more on that later. Tonight I replaced the kit 'lights' with ones made from clear sprue. First I drilled in some space for the 'bulbs' Then I filled the voids with red and green paints: Finally I attached to both wings: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 The camera quit on me - here are the last shots. Tip lights done: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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