Hasegawa F4U-1 Corsair

This is part of a Corsair batch build — I didn’t call it that at the time — and it’s my first batch build, which I define as building multiples of the same kit or subject at the same time, typically 4-6.  Since this one I’ve completed Hurricane and Spitfire batch builds and I’ve got another of each “in work”.  

This is Hasegawa’s venerable kit, it has no vices and goes together quite easily.  I’m not an expert on the Corsair but it looks the part even if the cockpit is a bit sparse and the wheel wells are shallow.  

The Subject

Ken Walsh‘s mount from VMF-124 on Guadalcanal.  His was a unique career and he did so well I decided long ago I wanted to do both of his Corsairs.  VMF-124 was the first USMC Corsair squadron, arriving at Guadalcanal in 1943 via the aircraft transport ship (a “jeep” carrier) USS Kitty Hawk in January 1943.  Lt Walsh quickly ran his tally up before his tour ended in September, his tally standing at 20 kills — he was the first USMC Corsair ace and received the Medal of Honor as a result of two missions.  One in which he took on 50 Japanese aircraft, downing 4!

Lt Walsh later returned to the Pacific Theatre flying from Okinawa, where he downed his last kill; for a final tally of 21.  That is the subject of another Corsair model.

The Model

As noted above, Hasegawa F4U-1 Birdcage boxing.  It went together with no difficulty, I remember completing construction over a weekend.  Painting, however took a bit longer…

I didn’t record the paint as it was nearly 20 years ago that I painted this kit.  Given the timeframe, it’s probably Gunze acrylics, Intermediate Blue and Light Gull Gray.  Today I realize these are the wrong colors and when I redo this subject I’ll use Non-Specular Light Gray for the undersides and a M-485 Blue-Gray for the uppers.  Plus, I can paint the interior the correct colors (salmon for one).

The decals are from Superscale, sheet number 72-314 “USMC Corsair Aces”.  I had zero difficulty with them using the Microscale system of blue bottle to get the decal initially down, then red bottle to finish.  All of this is on a base gloss coat of Aeromaster gloss (I don’t use that anymore) and sealed with Future (Kleer).

Summary

I’ve two more of these in my stash: an F4U-2 boxing with the radome for night fighting, and an FAA Corsair I boxing.  As the recent Revell F4U-1A kit appears to be engineered for a future F4U-1 birdcage variant, I may wait for it, but if I get antsy, I’ll just get another and do an early VF-17 subject.

Some may ask why I’m not getting the Tamiya F4U-1?  Price for one matter, and this kit meets my needs nicely.