1/32 Tamiya F4U-1A

[Dave Williams]

Having both kits, here are the plastic differences the -1A kit from the first -1 release.

 

-1A kit adds sprues:

 

P&Q - Clear parts (canopy, windscreen, etc.)

R - Cockpit parts, tail wheel doors, IP, long tail wheel leg, and spine behind canopy (suspect this sprue would also be used for a -1D release)

T - Second IP, short tail wheel leg, tail wheel doors, bomb and centerline rack, centerline drop tanks, teardrop magnetos, and new ignition harness. (This is probably a -1A specific sprue)

 

Sprues deleted from the -1 kit:

 

E - IP, tailwheel doors, spine behind canopy with window cutouts, and some cockpit parts.

L - Birdcage clear parts.

 

Notes on the -1A kit:

 

- the landing light is still under the left wing.

- the prop is the same in both kits (K sprue).

- only the IP on the T sprue is used in this kit.

- same choice of top cowl flaps or fixed top panel. VF-17 option only uses full around cowl flaps.

- VF-17 and VMF-214 options use new T sprue ignition harness. VMF-111 uses harness from -1kit.

- VF-17 and VMF-214 options use new teardrop magnetos. VMF-111 uses round magnetos from -1kit.

- only VMF-111 option uses long tail strut. Others use short strut.

 

The above seems to imply that the VF-17 and VMF-214 birds are early -1As with the original ignition system (since the parts in the -1kit are actually for the later ignition system) and short tail wheel strut.

 

HTH.

Edited November 27, 2014 by Dave Williams

[Urs]

BIG HOG and L.A. City Limits seems to have these landing lights - both l want to build.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Urs

[Pete G.]

After reading both of Lee Cook's extensive books from Schiffer on VF-17, it makes sense that the squadron's F4U-1A's we're the very early (if not THE first) production block of -1As.  Vought apparently understood that VF-17 would make or break the Corsair as a carrier-qualified fighter and worked intensively with the squadron on design improvements.  Vought promised the Navy to have -1A's delivered to VF-17 prior to their deployment on Bunker Hill.  When Bunker Hill returned from its Caribbean shake down cruise, where VF-17 was flying birdcage Corsairs,  Vought had the squadron's entire component waiting for them to pickup at Stratford.  They then deployed with the -1A's and the rest is history.

 

There we're replacement aircraft during the squadron's two tour's in the Solomons of course.  One of the most notable was Kepford's original 29.  The 29 that is the subject of all the famous photos is a later production aircraft.  How much later I do not know, but it obviously had the water injection because Kepford used it in the famous story where he outran all of those Zekes in the squadron's last major engagement where he got credit for kills 13-16.

 

Cheers!

 

Pete

[Alburymodeler]

How about those ID Lights on the upper surface, two at 3.5mm and two at 1.6mm? They are a bit hard to see on pictures, primarily RNZAF and FAA being my particular concern.

[Juggernut]

I have been examining my Corsair kit and I have concluded that the later style landing light is in fact, included in the kit.  At least the lens is.  From reading my references, it is true that the landing light was moved on most -1A's to the leading edge of the left wing.  Tamiya has, from what I'm seeing in the instructions, given us the clear lens for what was then called an approach light.  It is part P6 and is installed in the outer left wing panel just outboard of the wing fold.  There is another such clear piece, P5 on the right wing which I am thinking is the gun camera lens.  Now all we have to do is find a convincing and relatively easy way to eliminate the underwing light and add the rib/tape detail.  The fabric texture is not that noticeable and if we're careful, we may be able to add what looks to be a length of strip to match the triangular (cross section) shape I'm seeing on the wing.  I'm nowhere near building this kit yet but when I do, I'm going to do just that and see what happens.  Take note that there are very fine details at the aft end of each of the rib details which look like drain hole grommets but I don't have my magnifiers on at the moment so I cannot be entirely sure.  Anyway, that's my take on the landing light situation and a possible fix for those of us who'd like to model later bureau no. F4U-1A's. 

 

REFERENCES:

 

Kinzey, Bert. 1998. F4U Corsair in Detail & Scale, Vol. 55, Part I, XF4U through F2G. Squadron/Signal Publications, TX  p. 31

 

Morrissey, Rafe and Hegedus, Joe. 2010. The Vought F4U Corsair, A Comprehensive Guide. SAM Publications, Bedford, United Kingdom. p. 34

Edited November 30, 2014 by Juggernut

[DougN]

Dana Bell previously posted on HS that all you need to do is paint the light lens the underside color, as he said that they just put a metal plate over the hole when the light was moved for lots of "1A" airframes.

[Pete G.]

Thanks for the info on the Bu Nos Jennings.  I decided just for the heck of it to thumb through the books and see if I could spot any tail #'s and found a few.

 

Tom Blackburn's Big Hog VERY fuzzy, but maybe 17649???

Mel Kurlander is standing next to 17677

Whit Wharton's Lil Julie 17678

Chico Freeman's LA City Limits 17932

 

Pete

[ScoobyDoo]

I've seen a great method for covering the landing light, a friend of mine has done this on 1/48 scale kits and the method works well. He glues in the light lens and fills the seam with Mr. Surfacer, which he wipes smooth with the appropriate thinner.

 

That gets rid of the circular seam. He then uses several layer of thick decal paper to replace the ribs.

 

On a 1/32 kit perhaps thin strips of plastic card can be used. This method eliminates any need to sand any fabric detail off. No sanding is required.

[Vandy 1 VX 4]

Does any one making  or are there any 1/32 decals for Chico Freeman's LA City Limits F4U-1A?

[Urs]

Vandy, I suggest to buy AJ Press Fighting Units No.3 which includes a decal sheet of some VF-17 a/c including LA City Limits. Ist a good reference and contains many color shots.

 

http://www.hyperscal...kreviewrk_1.htm

[Urs]

or Eagle Cals EC#20 VF-17 Jolly Rogers

[Urs]

L

 

L.A. City Limits had that nose art shown on both side of ist tail fin.

[Vandy 1 VX 4]

Thank you URS  I'm not sure how i missed Eagle CAL decals     I just received an order from them to  

Funny thing is to I was going to hold off getting the new F4U-1A. But all these great builds going on. My nick name being Chico and living so close to LA I just ordered one. Dam no will power

 

Cheers

Danny

[happy1]

Brovo52 Go here he's got them on sale for $159.99 +8.95 shipping chespest price I've seen. http://www.shop.plasticmodelworld.com/TAMIYA-1-32-Vought-F4U-1A-Corsair-TAM60325.htm

Paul

[LSP_Ray]

Don't forget to check Hobbylink Japan, hlj.com, who are a sponsor here. With the strong dollar against the yen, I got the -1A for less than $84US on their Black Friday sale, plus shipping which worked out to be about $37 when shipped along with a Raiden, so a good deal!

Even at regular prices, the -1A is under $93US, so is a great price even considering the $37 for EMS shipping (which again is actually for two kits).