Home (contents) → Plastic models → World War 2 plastic models part 2 → Early Corsair

Early Corsair

Tamiya 1/48^th scale Chance Vought F4U Corsair built and painted by Everard Cunion in July 2020

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair view from in front

Air combat in 1/48^th scale

The finished model has a ten inch span and is eight inches long. A pilot is included with the kit, but the ‘spinning’ propeller — a disc of transparent plastic — is not. However, the latter is easy enough to make. I use a soldering iron to make the center hole to fit of the hub, which is the kit’s propeller with the blades removed.

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair view from in front below

Six smoking barrels

I used acrylic paints, including the Hataka Early US Navy & USMS paint set in their ‘blue line’ range, which is optimized for brush application, which I use, rather than airbrush. Expensive, but excellent.

Inverted

Under construction

Unlike many kits, the undercarriage doors of this one fitted almost perfectly in the closed position. Unfortunately, the model is ‘optimized’ for building with folded wings and flaps deployed, which caused me problems in those areas.

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair in hands of constructor

A birdcage Corsair in the hand is worth two in the bush

The Corsair is one of the larger single-engine aircraft of World War II.

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair view from aft above

Lining up for strafing

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair view from aft below

Inverted 2

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair view from below

Climbing out

Tamiya 1/48th scale 'birdcage' Chance Vought F4U Corsair view from the side in front

Low level

The early war color scheme of some Marine Corps Corsair squadrons featured a division between the top and underside colors high on the fuselage sides.