JayW

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

I can only second what everyone else has said. That is one magnificent Corsair Jay, well done.
 
Derek

I go away for two weeks and then this happens!!!!! Jay that is truely spectacular!!!! As you know, nailing "the look" is my primary goal of my current project and you have well and truely nailed "the look" of the Corsair..... 
 
I doubt there is a more accurate representation out there
 
Well done Sir, you must be absolutely chuffed.
 
Craig

Damn.  Now there’s no reason to check Works In Progress three or four times a day anymore.  I think I have this post partum thing going on.

So great! Congratulations on the finish line! I didn’t know you were so close! 

Outstanding work, congrats. Cheers.

Stunning work, and a great and interesting WIP! Thank you.

What a journey! you can be exceptionally proud not only of this build Jay, but what you brought to the forum over the years it took
 
seminal moments like i remember you not only making a twin row radial literally cylinder fin by cylinder fin, but also your first tentative steps into skinning and 3D and overcoming your fear that it was 'cheating'
 
Not only have you become a better modeller, but we have all become better watching you
 
Thank you & bravo
 
Peter

What an absolutely incredible transformation of a build. Almost a shame to see such a project finish, but I'm sure there's something great in the future to follow it
 
 
 
Matt 

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Walk....away....slowly....!!  This thing has consumed nearly five years of my life.

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Now that is high praise indeed.  Thank you Kevin.  A statement perhaps made in haste - I think I can identify a couple of F4U builds that have resulted in some serious shock and awe on LSP (John aka Thunnus comes to mind).  This one though is kind of a different animal.  1/18, and with a ton of features that large scale allows.
 
I could have waited on this post, but I got the radio aerial antenna wire done much sooner than I thought.  So put a fork in it - the 4.5 year Corsair project is complete. 
 
Antenna details:
 
     
 

 

 
The wire is .005 inch diameter fishing line.  The black cylinder near the rudder tip is a rubber spring (made of .8 mm brass tube).  An alternate config had a steel coil spring.  Then you see two light gray insulators (also .8 mm brass tube).  Honestly - I have never seen an aircraft with so many variations in radio antennas and masts.  Search the web, and you will find just one configuration after another.  Even my VF-17 book shows a host of different antenna configs, including attachments to the h/stab.  And you would think the same unit would be consistent.  Anyway, you may recall that it was not clear what Hedrick's aircraft had, so I guessed.  Am positive it lacked the forward mast - check.  Am positive it had the wire spanning the rudder tip and the attachment just behind the sliding canopy (RH side) - check.  Am NOT positive it had the VHF mast behind the canopy on the centerline; MOF I suspect it had the whip antenna instead.  But the model has the VHF mast take it or leave it.
 
Here is the before/after compare I have done in the past on different projects:
 

 

 
Much has changed!  The toy however provided a darn good platform in which to modify and improve.  Now I present a bit of a photo extravaganza of F4U-1A Bu No 18005, Roger Hedrick's #17, Jolly Rogers fighting VF-17:
 

 

 
A reminder that this thing has an R-2800 inside ( year-long project itself):
 

 
 

 

 
It also has a cockpit that took me the better part of a year to build up:
 

 
 

 
 
Continuing the walk-around:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
I hope all my followers like what you see.  I am proud of it.  Mostly because it was a gigantic effort, and I learned to do alot of things that I had never done before (skinning, airbrushing, heavy weathering, and of course 3D printing).  It has been by far the most difficult and time consuming project I have ever undertaken.  
 
I will post the link to the RFI once it is prepared.  Thank you all so much for being terrific followers, with terrific comments and suggestions.
  

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Amazing Jay, beautifully done!
 
 

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Ha Thomaz - You have been here from the start; we've grown old together.  Hedrick would say "I never had that antenna mast!".  Or, "nice tires - too bad mine didn't look that nice".  Or "You do know I had that belly window; why did you cover it?"  Better - he would say "Bravo on the cowl flap field mod!".  Seriously - it was pretty involved trying to make sure this thing got the right stuff.  I did not always succeed.  Thanks so much for your very considerable help on this Corsair.
 
 
Well I appreciate from the bottom of my heart how so many of you stuck with this build literally for years, and helped keep me motivated.  
 
 
Craig - you are meeting your goal with the Fort, that's for sure.  "Nailing the look" is no guarantee when one chooses to modify a toy as opposed to a more accurate scale model, or starting from scratch.  Some things you just can't fix, doing it that way.  Kudos to Blue Box for manufacturing a toy that had the potential to do such a thing convincingly.  Two things that helped nail the look on this effort.  3D printing the nose cowl to a shape closely approximating the real thing in place of what the toy provided (however modified), and making parts when possible per the engineering drawings that define them (my subscription to Aircorps Library is literally priceless).  You don't even have to worry about nailing the look when making something like the drawing - by definition it will happen.  Thanks - a true complement.
 
I know I will, but not yet.  I have to take a good long breath.  This thing has been a big feature of my life for 4.5 years.  As a fairly busy fellow anyway, my typical day over that time period became that much more busy trying to wedge in bench time.  I have a sense of calm right now.  But the next project is gonna come soon enough.  I hope it will interest many on LSP.
 
 
Hey Jim - I didn't either!!  It surprised me.  That's happened more than once on this build.  I am not very good at estimating the time or the intensity of an effort.  Some things are much more involved than anticipated, and some less.  Like the antenna wire - I was dreading it, and it was a snap.  Bonding on those big wings - about 15 - 20 minutes each.  Something that practically gave me sleepless nights.  You have been watching this build for a very long time - sorry to pull the rug out from underneath you!  
 
 
Peter - the kindest of words.  I got great help from a number of folks here on LSP.  But none more than you.  Boy do I appreciate your kindness and patience.  You sent me a PE instrument panel for free, years ago, even designing it to my drawing.  You sent me a lifetime supply of litho alum sheet, refusing compensation.  And then proceeded to teach me how to do it from the ground up!  The custom decal production, and I have probably forgotten other things.  You are the one who convinced me to take up Rhino modeling - maybe the biggest contribution.  And you also were the last little impetus that got me to purchase my Saturn 2 3D printer.  You all are going to see alot more come out of that thing, and it appears to have had quite an impact on your own business.   And like many others, you provided cheerleading at every turn - helping me stay on task when I just wanted to give up on it.
 
Many thanks my friend.
 
I know!!  Funny about that.  Tell you what though, there are a whole lot of stunning build efforts on this site.  Just amazing.  And stay tuned for my next effort starting up before long. 
 
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Tim Perry - who made so many 3D print parts for me.  This model would not have "the look" as Craig says without those expertly produced parts. 
 
LSP is so great because of the help we receive from others.  It makes everybody better.   I thank every one of my followers!        
 

Now that is high praise indeed.  Thank you Kevin.  A statement perhaps made in haste - I think I can identify a couple of F4U builds that have resulted in some serious shock and awe on LSP (John aka Thunnus comes to mind).  This one though is kind of a different animal.  1/18, and with a ton of features that large scale allows.
 
I could have waited on this post, but I got the radio aerial antenna wire done much sooner than I thought.  So put a fork in it - the 4.5 year Corsair project is complete. 
 
Antenna details:
 
     
 

 

 
The wire is .005 inch diameter fishing line.  The black cylinder near the rudder tip is a rubber spring (made of .8 mm brass tube).  An alternate config had a steel coil spring.  Then you see two light gray insulators (also .8 mm brass tube).  Honestly - I have never seen an aircraft with so many variations in radio antennas and masts.  Search the web, and you will find just one configuration after another.  Even my VF-17 book shows a host of different antenna configs, including attachments to the h/stab.  And you would think the same unit would be consistent.  Anyway, you may recall that it was not clear what Hedrick's aircraft had, so I guessed.  Am positive it lacked the forward mast - check.  Am positive it had the wire spanning the rudder tip and the attachment just behind the sliding canopy (RH side) - check.  Am NOT positive it had the VHF mast behind the canopy on the centerline; MOF I suspect it had the whip antenna instead.  But the model has the VHF mast take it or leave it.
 
Here is the before/after compare I have done in the past on different projects:
 

 

 
Much has changed!  The toy however provided a darn good platform in which to modify and improve.  Now I present a bit of a photo extravaganza of F4U-1A Bu No 18005, Roger Hedrick's #17, Jolly Rogers fighting VF-17:
 

 

 
A reminder that this thing has an R-2800 inside ( year-long project itself):
 

 
 

 

 
It also has a cockpit that took me the better part of a year to build up:
 

 
 

 
 
Continuing the walk-around:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
I hope all my followers like what you see.  I am proud of it.  Mostly because it was a gigantic effort, and I learned to do alot of things that I had never done before (skinning, airbrushing, heavy weathering, and of course 3D printing).  It has been by far the most difficult and time consuming project I have ever undertaken.  
 
I will post the link to the RFI once it is prepared.  Thank you all so much for being terrific followers, with terrific comments and suggestions.
  

Now that is high praise indeed.  Thank you Kevin.  A statement perhaps made in haste - I think I can identify a couple of F4U builds that have resulted in some serious shock and awe on LSP (John aka Thunnus comes to mind).  This one though is kind of a different animal.  1/18, and with a ton of features that large scale allows.
 
I could have waited on this post, but I got the radio aerial antenna wire done much sooner than I thought.  So put a fork in it - the 4.5 year Corsair project is complete. 
 
Antenna details:
 
     
 

 

 
The wire is .005 inch diameter fishing line.  The black cylinder near the rudder tip is a rubber spring (made of .8 mm brass tube).  An alternate config had a steel coil spring.  Then you see two light gray insulators (also .8 mm brass tube).  Honestly - I have never seen an aircraft with so many variations in radio antennas and masts.  Search the web, and you will find just one configuration after another.  Even my VF-17 book shows a host of different antenna configs, including attachments to the h/stab.  And you would think the same unit would be consistent.  Anyway, you may recall that it was not clear what Hedrick's aircraft had, so I guessed.  Am positive it lacked the forward mast - check.  Am positive it had the wire spanning the rudder tip and the attachment just behind the sliding canopy (RH side) - check.  Am NOT positive it had the VHF mast behind the canopy on the centerline; MOF I suspect it had the whip antenna instead.  But the model has the VHF mast take it or leave it.
 
Here is the before/after compare I have done in the past on different projects:
 

 

 
Much has changed!  The toy however provided a darn good platform in which to modify and improve.  Now I present a bit of a photo extravaganza of F4U-1A Bu No 18005, Roger Hedrick's #17, Jolly Rogers fighting VF-17:
 

 

 
A reminder that this thing has an R-2800 inside ( year-long project itself):
 

 
 

 

 
It also has a cockpit that took me the better part of a year to build up:
 

 
 

 
 
Continuing the walk-around:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
I hope all my followers like what you see.  I am proud of it.  Mostly because it was a gigantic effort, and I learned to do alot of things that I had never done before (skinning, airbrushing, heavy weathering, and of course 3D printing).  It has been by far the most difficult and time consuming project I have ever undertaken.  
 
I will post the link to the RFI once it is prepared.  Thank you all so much for being terrific followers, with terrific comments and suggestions.
  

Wing installation - a BFD!  Already I have shown how I beefed up the attachment features at the wing fold.  From there, I used a combination of normal Testors tube glue, two-part epoxy, medium viscosity CA, thin CA, and Tamiya putty.  The putty (which I can attest is very strong stuff) was used to fill all the sloppy gaps that the stub spars were to slip into.   
 
First, the port wing:
 

 
Hope you are enjoying this - I sure did!  My simple fixtures are in use to assure proper wing dihedral on a level airframe.  
 
Let it cure overnight, then the starboard wing:
 

 
There are gaps, but not bad.  And perhaps consistent with actual aircraft.  The joins appear to be quite robust.  Yay!
 
Bottom:
 

 
Top:
 

 
I believe that is an acceptable paint match.  Hope you do too.
 
It then became time to install the last of the remaining parts - these:
 

 
Not much left!  All those parts except the main tires will be simply inserted into their respective holes.  That way if I break something, it will be more easily replaced.  The wheels however are permanently installed using - wait for it - the axle caps.  The 3D printed axle caps have been waiting around for literally years for just this moment.  I take great pride showing them off  :
 

 
Symbolic of an essentially complete Corsair.  SH.
 
I am going to resist showing a full set of pictures of the model until I get the long wire antenna rigged in the coming days; just picked up some 2-pound test fishing line for the purpose (0.005 inch diameter).  But here are a couple just to whet the appetite:
 

 

 

 
This is why we model.  I am extremely pumped.  Next post will be the final in the build thread.  Then I switch over to RFI.  Don't leave me just yet! 

Now that is high praise indeed.  Thank you Kevin.  A statement perhaps made in haste - I think I can identify a couple of F4U builds that have resulted in some serious shock and awe on LSP (John aka Thunnus comes to mind).  This one though is kind of a different animal.  1/18, and with a ton of features that large scale allows.
 
I could have waited on this post, but I got the radio aerial antenna wire done much sooner than I thought.  So put a fork in it - the 4.5 year Corsair project is complete. 
 
Antenna details:
 
     
 

 

 
The wire is .005 inch diameter fishing line.  The black cylinder near the rudder tip is a rubber spring (made of .8 mm brass tube).  An alternate config had a steel coil spring.  Then you see two light gray insulators (also .8 mm brass tube).  Honestly - I have never seen an aircraft with so many variations in radio antennas and masts.  Search the web, and you will find just one configuration after another.  Even my VF-17 book shows a host of different antenna configs, including attachments to the h/stab.  And you would think the same unit would be consistent.  Anyway, you may recall that it was not clear what Hedrick's aircraft had, so I guessed.  Am positive it lacked the forward mast - check.  Am positive it had the wire spanning the rudder tip and the attachment just behind the sliding canopy (RH side) - check.  Am NOT positive it had the VHF mast behind the canopy on the centerline; MOF I suspect it had the whip antenna instead.  But the model has the VHF mast take it or leave it.
 
Here is the before/after compare I have done in the past on different projects:
 

 

 
Much has changed!  The toy however provided a darn good platform in which to modify and improve.  Now I present a bit of a photo extravaganza of F4U-1A Bu No 18005, Roger Hedrick's #17, Jolly Rogers fighting VF-17:
 

 

 
A reminder that this thing has an R-2800 inside ( year-long project itself):
 

 
 

 

 
It also has a cockpit that took me the better part of a year to build up:
 

 
 

 
 
Continuing the walk-around:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
I hope all my followers like what you see.  I am proud of it.  Mostly because it was a gigantic effort, and I learned to do alot of things that I had never done before (skinning, airbrushing, heavy weathering, and of course 3D printing).  It has been by far the most difficult and time consuming project I have ever undertaken.  
 
I will post the link to the RFI once it is prepared.  Thank you all so much for being terrific followers, with terrific comments and suggestions.
  

Wing installation - a BFD!  Already I have shown how I beefed up the attachment features at the wing fold.  From there, I used a combination of normal Testors tube glue, two-part epoxy, medium viscosity CA, thin CA, and Tamiya putty.  The putty (which I can attest is very strong stuff) was used to fill all the sloppy gaps that the stub spars were to slip into.   
 
First, the port wing:
 

 
Hope you are enjoying this - I sure did!  My simple fixtures are in use to assure proper wing dihedral on a level airframe.  
 
Let it cure overnight, then the starboard wing:
 

 
There are gaps, but not bad.  And perhaps consistent with actual aircraft.  The joins appear to be quite robust.  Yay!
 
Bottom:
 

 
Top:
 

 
I believe that is an acceptable paint match.  Hope you do too.
 
It then became time to install the last of the remaining parts - these:
 

 
Not much left!  All those parts except the main tires will be simply inserted into their respective holes.  That way if I break something, it will be more easily replaced.  The wheels however are permanently installed using - wait for it - the axle caps.  The 3D printed axle caps have been waiting around for literally years for just this moment.  I take great pride showing them off  :
 

 
Symbolic of an essentially complete Corsair.  SH.
 
I am going to resist showing a full set of pictures of the model until I get the long wire antenna rigged in the coming days; just picked up some 2-pound test fishing line for the purpose (0.005 inch diameter).  But here are a couple just to whet the appetite:
 

 

 

 
This is why we model.  I am extremely pumped.  Next post will be the final in the build thread.  Then I switch over to RFI.  Don't leave me just yet! 

Well hang onto your hats - things are on the move.  
 
Weathering of the (3D printed) ailerons was straight forward, until I broke a trim tab horn fitting.  A microscopic repair, and we're good.  Here:
 

 
This is what I accidentally fractured with my clumsy fingers:
 

 
The balance tab:
 

 
The actuator/mid hinge fitting:
 

 
And my aileron actuator rod:
 

 
As a reminder, in real life the ailerons are made of wood. 
 
Then there was nothing left to do but install the ailerons:
 

 

 

 

 
Well, I was after a saw-toothed trailing edge, for some reason.  And I got that in spades.  I have the port (LH) aileron about 7 deg down, with the balance tab around 10 deg up.  I have the starboard (RH) aileron about 10 deg up, with its balance tab around 13 deg down.  Even the trim tab on the port aileron is not centered.  Note I have added balance tab control rods with their forward connections to wing-side flap hinge fittings, as I mentioned a while back.  It all integrated OK.  Also, I added some more dirt and fading to the wing fabric panels; might add a bit more.   
 
Well you all know what is next.  Stay tuned.