1/32 Tamiya F4U-1 Corsair "Birdcage" - Reluctant Dragon - VMF-213

[Brett M 727]

Here is my finished 1/32 Tamiya F4U-1 Corsair "Birdcage" as "Relucant Dragon". Beautiful kit and a joy to behold when complete with all of the detail that Tamiya sticks in it. Of course, I added more! I wasn't able to find any images of the actual aircraft, instead only finding artist interpretations of what it could have looked like. This plane was flown by 1st LT Alonzo Treffer of VMF-213, based in Guadalcanal from what I can find. 

 

https://www.aviationillustration.com/hikashop-menu-for-categories-listing/product/7467-13-f4u-1-corsair-buno-17675-no-1-reluctant-dragon-flown-by-1-lt-alonzo-b-treffer

 

https://vmf-213.com/

The men of VMF-213

 

 

 

1. Vector resin cowling
2. Barracuda resin wheels and tires
3. HGW Fabric and photoetch harness
4. Barracuda cockpit stencils
5. Montex Masks and decals

7. HGW Wet Transfer Stencils

 

Paints are a mix of MRP and AK Real Colors, with Tamiya Acrylics thrown in here and there.

 

The build can be found here:

 

 

The wings are permanently attached, which may prove troublesome later for space and transport. I also wish I had used the closed canopy spine pieces so I could have the canopy closed to prevent dust. 20/20 hindsight! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 04:10 AM by Brett M

[Brett M 727]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 23 by Brett M

[JeepsGunsTanks 244]

Wow, what an amazing looking build! The Bird cage Corsairs have always been my favorites. They were the model that earned the Corsair a rep for being problematic. 

 

Just a fantastic build, you should be proud. 

 

I love that bottom window. 

Edited March 23 by JeepsGunsTanks

[AlbertD 214]

I've enjoyed following your build. The results are absolutely spectacular. 

[LSP_Kevin 28,243]

That's up there with the best Corsair builds I've seen, Brett!

 

Kev

[aircommando130 441]

Wow! That's awesome! Well worn but carrying the fight to the Japanese in the Pacific! 

 

Cheers...Ron

[chuck540z3 6,256]

3 hours ago, LSP_Kevin said:

That's up there with the best Corsair builds I've seen, Brett!

 

Kev

 

Ditto, which is hard to do since there are so many great ones.  Also, as I mentioned in your WIP thread, this is pure art at its finest in modeling and like any art, there won't be another Corsair that looks just like this one.

 

Bravo,

Chuck

[reconspit 1,969]

...plain beautiful...., great job!!!

[MikeC 2,670]

Very nicely done. 

[LSP_Ray 6,939]

Turned out absolutely gorgeous!! Weathering is spot on!

[machine_marty 147]

Beautiful build, really inspirational 

[MikeMaben 5,971]

That's reeaaaal perty Brett.  Doesn't get much better than that.   

 

 

[Lothar 1,885]

That's undoubtedly one of the best LSP models I've ever seen - I take a deep bow

Lothar

[Miloslav1956 4,353]

Very nice Corsair! 

[Warbird 936]

Brilliant, especially the camo fading/tonal variations and the chipping.

Congrats