1/32 Trumpeter F4U-1D

[fastzx]

Most models I've seen were painted white, but I was under the impression that they were painted aluminum. (Not NMF)

I could be way off on that though...

 

 

I read that they were painted same as top color at first but later not painted or stripped to improve radar signal (can't recall where)

I think they were made from some of the first plastic or fiberglass material.

This makes sense as the radoms on new jets used to say "do not paint"

 

 

Tom Cleaver's take on the radome........

http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/all...ver/tmcf4u2.htm

[fastzx]

Hey Jon,

 

By the look of those pictures and captions, I can see you also have the Richard Abrams book F4U Corsair at War published in 1977. I have a stack of Corsair books and this one is still my favourite.

 

Allan

 

Allen,

yes it is that book, very good large B/W photos and refs for all makes of Corsair including FAA British Corsairs.

[fastzx]

These were apparently rare birds.

 

 

* When the US Navy came up in November 1941 with an urgent requirement for a night-fighter based on the F4U-1, the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia took 32 (some sources claim 12) stock F4U-1s and converted them to a night-fighter configuration with the designation "F4U-2".

 

The F4U-2 was equipped with AN/APS-4 centimetric radar, fitted in a radome on the right wing. One of the three machine guns in the right wing was deleted to balance the radar. Although the radar pod apparently did not greatly interfere in the Corsair's maneuverability, the radar set was relatively fragile, and Corsair night fighter pilots were not inclined to jink their aircraft around unless absolutely necessary. The exhausts on the bottom of the cowling were extended to prevent the glow of the exhaust from being seen by potential victims, giving the F4U-2 something of a scruffy "beard" just before the leading edge of the wing. A number of F4U-2s saw combat in the South Pacific. Apparently there were two field conversions of F4U-1s to F4U-2 standard as well.

 

F4U-2

 

Next came the F4U-2. This was a nightfighter, using M.I.T.'s AIA (Airborne Intercept Radar). Thirty four were modified from -1As at the factory, and two more were converted in the field by VMF(N)-532. The radar was mounted in a pod on the right wing. To counterbalance this, one gun was removed from the opposite wing and the overall ammunition load was reduced. Also, flame dampers were added to the exhaust stacks, and a radio altimeter and autopilot were installed. The F4U-2 was operated by VMF(N)-532, VF(N)-75, and VF(N)-101. VF(N)-101 was also the first squadron to operate nightfighters from a carrier.

[fastzx]

Official Vought site

 

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/uniquecoll...LTVhistory.html

[Derek B]

Nice work Chris. It looks like you are getting the best out of this kit before you even use the AM parts. A night fighter Corsair is a very interesting and unusual choice (Korean war I am guessing?)...mind you, I am already a little partial to night fighters myself .

 

Derek

[ChrisS]

This will be a 1944 bird, first unit to deploy F4Us on carriers was VF(N)-101 flying F4U-2 nightfighters I am going to build everything BUT the turtledeck (hint hint) next.

 

[Kaeone57]

VF(N)-101 was the first unit to operate fully on Carriers, 4 aircraft detachment on CV-6 U.S.S. Enterprise, 4 aircraft detachment on CV-11 U.S.S. Intrepid. VF-17 Jolly Rogers was actually the first Carrier based Corsair squadron on board CV-17 U.S.S. Bunker Hill, who should be credited with bringing forth all the changes that made the F4U-1"A". They were taken off ship once they reached the PTO only due to insufficient spare parts in the fleet. I am not trying to say your wrong either, just adding to what you said. I hope you don't mind, I will remove this if requested. My Apologies in advance as I wish not to offend you or any one.

 

Sorry for "Hijacking" Chris, Corsairs make me a little nuts , but yall probably know that already. I am trying to get some stuff squared away after my relocation so I hope to join in on the fun with an F4U-1"A" or an F6F-3. I wish.

 

 

as always Peace,

 

Alfonso

[fastzx]

VF(N)-101 was the first unit to operate fully on Carriers, 4 aircraft detachment on CV-6 U.S.S. Enterprise, 4 aircraft detachment on CV-11 U.S.S. Intrepid. VF-17 Jolly Rogers was actually the first Carrier based Corsair squadron on board CV-17 U.S.S. Bunker Hill, who should be credited with bringing forth all the changes that made the F4U-1"A". They were taken off ship once they reached the PTO only due to insufficient spare parts in the fleet. I am not trying to say your wrong either, just adding to what you said. I hope you don't mind, I will remove this if requested. My Apologies in advance as I wish not to offend you or any one.

 

Sorry for "Hijacking" Chris, Corsairs make me a little nuts , but yall probably know that already. I am trying to get some stuff squared away after my relocation so I hope to join in on the fun with an F4U-1"A" or an F6F-3. I wish.

as always Peace,

 

Alfonso

 

 

I'll have to check my reference (F4U Corsair at War by Richard Abrams) to be sure but this is what I found about the Corsair firsts....sorry this is long winded.

 

Corsairs of the FAA Royal Navy flew combat operations from the carrier HMS Illustrious with Corsairs December 1943-engaging the enemy in Sumatra on 19 April 1944. FAA Corsairs Squadrons 1834 and 1836 embarked 8 March 1944 on HMS Victorious taking part in Operation 'Tungsten' off Norway against the Battleship Tirpitz.

 

VF-17 a land based squadron, on 11 November 1943 flew CAP from land bases for the carriers USS Bunker Hill, USS Independence and USS Essex, while plane from those carriers used all their planes for strikes on Rabaul. Landing and re-arming and refueling. Then returning to their land bases after providing CAP, Thus becoming the first US Navy squadron to operate from a carrier (in combat) but not assigned or permanently stationed on one. Originally VF-17 could have traded their Corsairs in for Hellcats and have been part of USS Bunker Hill's complement but felt so strongly about their Corsairs they accepted a land based assignment instead.

The Navy brass made the choice for Hellcats due to initial carrier operation trails (but those were being fixed by VF-17 and Vought) but mainly because of supply of spares problems which were geared mainly to "Hellcats only" equipped carriers.

 

VF(N) -101 first Carrier-based night fighting Squadron 7 men 4 planes Commander Richard E. Harmer CO VF(N)-101 went aboard USS Enterprise 16 January 1944. through 22 July 1944 when the unit was disbanded and pilots dispersed to other groups.

 

The first Marine squadron VMF-124 to operate Corsairs (from land bases) was also the first Corsair "US squadron" to operate from carriers on 28 December 1944.

VMF-124 and VMF-213 went aboard the fast carrier USS Essex. Boarding ship in Ulithi Harbor. Both squadrons qualified on the carriers USS Saratoga, USS Makassar Sraight and USS Battan. First strikes were against Okinawa on 3 January 1945.

 

Jon

[TimW]

This is shaping up to be one nice Corsair!

 

I'm doing the finishing touches on my F6F-5N...thanks to a truly horrendous computer problem I've been unable to post pix since before Thanksgiving, but this problem is ending soon.

 

Amazing what software is suddenly no longer available according to customer service when your computer is a scant 4 years old... :angry:

 

TimW

[ChrisS]

Small update..."parts is parts"...nothing ground breaking here.

 

Assembly so far, note spine cut off for birdcage plug (more on that later).

 

Flap/aileron assemblies...the pin/hinge stuff is quite tricky. For those who haven't done this kit yet, go slow and double check as it is easy to screw this stuff up

 

Gotta get through the flaps and center wing assemblies then I'll get back to the turtledecking and show somthing more interesting.

[Derek B]

Nice work Chris - those flap pins look sweet (I can see just why you have to go very carefully on these items). It looks like the whole kit is on the verge of coming together - I look forward to the next installment .

 

Derek

[fastzx]

Nice work Chris!

 

I have both the Trump Corsairs and seeing yours being built is great, I'm looking forward to getting to them.

[ChrisS]

Cowling blues...

 

A few things. First off the Trumpeter cowling does not fit the kit well. Which might account for the whacky cowl flap part Trumpeter made, it hides the bad fit. The revell cowling (which has a better shape overall) does fit...much better. Here are a couple of profiles:

 

Trump cowling is too shallow in profile and has parallel sides (plus the opening is too small).

 

Revell cowling is just right, with a smooth and gradual reduction towards the front and a soft shoulder.

 

I sawed off the Trumpeter cowling mount, and grafted it onto the Revell cowling. Some gap filler and Mr Surfacer 500 added to blend in the surgery.

 

Now the other bad news. The Master Caster cowl flaps have two errors in them:

1. They are not wide enough for either cowling (the diameter is smaller than both), this results in a gap at both sides of the mounting tab of about 1/16 inch when you cut the top and spread the part to fit.
   
2. The internal detail of the cowl flaps does not clear the Trumpeter engine, and thus the cowl flaps cannot be mounted on the Trumpeter kit without major surgery.
   

I cut the cowl flap part in half. I will mount the individual sides to the cowling (may have to sand some of the internal detail down to slide it over the engine) then repair the bottom flap part with card (thus filling the gap).

 

Was heart breaking to snap this little jewel in half. But; are we not men?

 

We'll see how the cowling story ends. I have high confidence though, and the revell cowling has such great shape that the effort is worth it to me.

 

Not sure I'll make the GB deadline, but I'm gonna try. Here she is as of this afternoon...

 

[LSP_Mike]

A bird cage nightfighter? Talk about your retro-fit! I see now that there will be a worldwide shortage of Revell cowls, as modellers scramble to add that bit to their Trumpy kits. Nice work Chris, esp. the flaps.

[big matt]

Nice work Chris. I have about given up on this kit, the frustration was too much. Glad to see more success on yours and am looking forward to seeing a nice cowling and flaps!

 

Matt