Juggernut Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 (edited) I managed to finish one this year but my excuse is I didn't have a workshop/bench until September. This F4U-1A was one of Ira Kepford's assigned aircraft and is from VF-17. The kit is out of the box (including the rubber tires...) with the exception of Radu's US Seatbelt set.. I just cannot get PE seatbelts to look convincing. I used the EagleCals sheet for this one as Kepford's aircraft has always been one of my favorites. I discovered, based on the Bureau No. (17684) provided on the EagleCals sheet, that this was a very early F4U-1A and I had to make some "changes/omissions" to the Tamiya kit to more accurately represent such an aircraft. I used both Dana Bell's books on the Corsair to track some of the changes and others were taken, albeit with a healthy does of skepticism, from the Tamiya instructions. The changes I made were as follows: 1. Seat and selected components painted dull dark green in an otherwise interior green cockpit. 2. Deleted landing gear/dive brake handle (just didn't put it on). Tamiya gives you the early landing gear actuator lever just below the gun charging knobs on the lower left side of the instrument panel. 3. Replicated wooden trough "risers" that were used prior to metal ones being developed (just painted the Tamiya parts in a wood grain texture). 4. Chopped the flare pistol from the battery and sent it to the bin. 5. Early style R-2800 ignition system (unpressurized). 6. Cowl flaps around entire engine cowl (these may have been fastened down but I have no reference to indicate which is correct so I followed the Tamiya instructions for Tommy Blackburn's "Big Hog" which is also an early F4U-1A.) 7. White lite on upper right wing per Tamiya instructions for "Big Hog". 8. Short tail wheel strut. 9. Landing light on left wing underside. 10. Antenna per Tamiya as I don't have the references to determine which type of antenna is correct for this aircraft. I used Tamiya paints and used Mig Ammo heavy chipping and weathering fluid to create the wear patterns on the wings. Oil stains are by Floquil "Oily Black" and exhaust is black and grey pastel. I may add some more staining to the fuselage around the fuel tanks (the caps for which I forgot to paint red). The only problem I had with this kit was breaking off the damned pitot tube every time I looked at the kit.... Oh, and the photography. I'm still learning how to use this Nikon DSLR and the auto settings with room lighting don't exactly yield the best results as you can see, even with a tripod. Oh well, subsequent builds may get photographed better as I learn. I managed to sneak this one under the wire for 2018 and am eyeing my stash to see which kit will be next but may hold off in anticipation of the Ki-45 from ZM. Edited January 1, 2019 by Juggernut florin13, Bill Cross, Wouter and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Nice one , luv your stainage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennismcc Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Classic, just classic Cheers Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Cross Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 The stains and wear are excellent, but without some dirt/dust, a bit incongruous. Still, an excellent build all the same! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 22 minutes ago, Bill Cross said: The stains and wear are excellent, but without some dirt/dust, a bit incongruous. Still, an excellent build all the same! The dirt and dust will come when it gets mounted on its diorama base. Thanks for the comments! Bill Cross and Uncarina 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Cross Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 59 minutes ago, Juggernut said: The dirt and dust will come when it gets mounted on its diorama base. Thanks for the comments! Then it's going to make some noise at competitions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Nice! Very well done indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 On 12/31/2018 at 9:54 PM, MikeMaben said: Nice one , luv your stainage Thanks for the kind words. I sometimes overdoo the stains then it's kind of tough to "unstain" it. Shep Paine always said (and he wrote in his books on weathering) and I'm paraphrasing here; "When you think just a little more would do, it's time to stop." Remembering the words is easy...putting it into practice, not so easy. MikeMaben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 On 1/1/2019 at 6:01 AM, dennismcc said: Classic, just classic Cheers Dennis Thanks Dennis, this one brings back the old Revell Corsair boxtop images although with a slightly different paint scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Out2gtcha said: Nice! Very well done indeed Thanks Brian, I haven't really built a model (to completion) in over three years. It was a goal to get this one off the bench but not necessarily before the new year. I've got plans to put this one on a crushed coral hardstand (or so to speak) with a solitary figure and some more wear and tear.... It just looks too clean up top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimW Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Beautiful, especially the weathering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John1 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Really nice job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 20 hours ago, TimW said: Beautiful, especially the weathering! Thanks so much. At 56 and although I've been doing this a long time, I'm still learning techniques. I did run into a few minor issues with the weathering that caused me some stress but I was able to cover them up or repair the damage done so it's not readily visible. I think I might add to the oil stains from the engine. The R-2800 is a notorious leaker (as are all radial, reciprocating engines). I learned a long time ago that if the engine isn't leaking oil, there's no oil in it. With that in mind, I may decide to add more, I just don't know at the moment. I still have the Shep Paine montra going in the back of my head saying "just a little bit more is not needed..., you've got enough." Maybe some fuel stains on the upper fuselage may help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 19 hours ago, John1 said: Really nice job! Thanks John; I've been watching your build as well. You've got me beat by a country mile with all the added details that I just didn't want to delve into in this build. I've also got one of those -1D's in the stash and it's slated for a set of Fundekal's, VMF-312 decals. It may be awhile before I get to it though.... I just can't build the same kit back-to-back; I'll lose interest and it'll end up on the shelf of doom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepsGunsTanks Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Amazing! Just the right amount of crud! It looks like its ready to take off for a mission in the Solomons, or just finishing one up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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