Corsair tribute model. Lt. James Wilkins, VMF 225

[Woody V]

 

When I lived in Miami I met and befriended a gentleman who flew Corsairs during WWII and Korea. Lt. James Wilkins was assigned to VMF 225 and this is my tribute to his service. Incidentally, he flew Corsairs with VMF 312 in Korea where he unwittingly participated in another aviator being awarded the Metal of Honor. Google his name for the whole story.

 

Of course, built out of the box with the exception of HGW belts and Barracuda cockpit decals. Paint is Gunze Mr. Color and AK Real Color lacquers, hairspray chipping, pastels, watercolor wash and oils for weathering. I also made my own data stencils (Tamiya got it wrong) and national insignia decals so I could fade the colors. You can see the build over in WIP, here.

 

I'll be 80 in December, '26 and I do intend to keep building, but simple things for fun. I started this back in 2022 but had a couple health issues that put my life on hold for an over a year and a half. Thanks to some great doctors I'm doing well, but age is playing havoc with my hands so I'll keep building as long as I can. I love this hobby - I'm an addict.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 19 by Woody V

[Furie]

What a gorgeous machine!

You really captured the beastly look of this aircraft, and your paintwork is absolutely stunning.

The paintwork above the engine cowl all the way back to the cockpit looks incredibly realistic.

I love it!

[Rod Bettencourt]

My goodness that looks outstanding! Woody I can only pray that I will be able to build like this when I get to that fine age. Thank you for sharing this.

 

Rod

[Kagemusha]

Amazing rendition, will have to read your WIP.

[denders]

Wonderful model, Woody!

 

Glad to see you're back at it.

[crobinsonh]

Wow - great build and finish!

[chuck540z3]

Beautiful Corsair Woody!  I can smell the oil and fuel leaking from this wartime machine with your awesome weathering.  Glad to have you back and keep on modeling!
 

Cheers,

Chuck

[scvrobeson]

It came out wonderfully Woody!  Sorry about the age-related issues, but I'm glad that you're still able to build. Especially to such a high level.

 

 

Matt 

[Greif8]

Outstanding build and very eye-catching aircraft Woody!  The back story you mentioned to look up was very interesting as well, thank you for that.

 

Ernest

[RCPlym]

Outstanding! 

[Woody V]

22 hours ago, Furie said:

What a gorgeous machine!

You really captured the beastly look of this aircraft, and your paintwork is absolutely stunning.

The paintwork above the engine cowl all the way back to the cockpit looks incredibly realistic.

I love it!

Thank you. I saw a photo somewhere that showed one dirty like that. 

 

16 hours ago, Rod Bettencourt said:

My goodness that looks outstanding! Woody I can only pray that I will be able to build like this when I get to that fine age. Thank you for sharing this.

 

Rod

Thank you! I'll be building until the grim reaper pries my cold, dead fingers off my tools. 

 

16 hours ago, Kagemusha said:

Amazing rendition, will have to read your WIP.

Thank you!

 

14 hours ago, denders said:

Wonderful model, Woody!

 

Glad to see you're back at it.

Thanks for your help Dave. 

 

14 hours ago, crobinsonh said:

Wow - great build and finish!

Thank you!

[Woody V]

10 hours ago, chuck540z3 said:

Beautiful Corsair Woody!  I can smell the oil and fuel leaking from this wartime machine with your awesome weathering.  Glad to have you back and keep on modeling!
 

Cheers,

Chuck

Thanks Chuck! Good to be back.

 

6 hours ago, scvrobeson said:

It came out wonderfully Woody!  Sorry about the age-related issues, but I'm glad that you're still able to build. Especially to such a high level.

 

 

Matt 

Thanks Matt! Not dead yet.

 

5 hours ago, Greif8 said:

Outstanding build and very eye-catching aircraft Woody!  The back story you mentioned to look up was very interesting as well, thank you for that.

 

Ernest

Thanks Ernest. It's an interesting story and Jim's experiences as a POW were hard to hear.

 

2 hours ago, RCPlym said:

Outstanding! 

Thank you!

[LSP_Kevin]

Welcome back, Woody! Fantastic model.

 

Kev

[PEYSSON Gilles]

Good evening, Woody.
Your Corsair is absolutely fabulous. 
I admire it... and I love it. 

 

Gilles

 

 

[wingman777]

 I'm so glad you were able to complete this and honor your longtime friend, I just wish he was able to see it himself.  The weathering is very realistic to my eye.  I look forward to seeing what projects you'll be doing in the future.