Testor's Quick Build F4U Corsair

Let's start off with the fact that this is not my first experience with this kit. In fact, I have another in the spares closet right now. Breanna and I built one back in late 2010. I had purchased it for her so she and I could build a couple of models together.

It was when I was helping her that I realized that this kit had plenty of potential.

First, though, are the flaws. To be clear, I do not consider the lack of landing gear to be amongst these. It has two antenna, the aft being woefully wrong. Second, the propeller is somewhat thin. There is a minor dihedral problem where the starboard wing is up slightly higher than the port. The most noticeable problem, though, is a clear lack of mark. The forward cowling looks as if it came off an AU-1, but it lacks the hardpoints under the wings. In other words, it has features of both an AU-1 and an F4U-5.

On the plus side, it has a fairly nice though simple interior. The engine, whilst incomplete, is adequate enough, and the panel lines are engraved, though perhaps a tad too deep. Still, it goes together very well (as a snap together model should) and is actually something of a joy to build. What must be remembered throughout, though, is that this is a kit meant for beginners and novices. 

I chose to build mine up as an F4U-5, which meant that the cheek intakes had to be added. This was done using scrap from a plastic receipt paper spool and some Squadron Green Putty (vile stuff that I really should avoid, to be honest, due to my chemical sensitivities).

The other modification to the airframe was the aft antenna; it was reshaped from a thick "T" to a more normal appearing type, though it will probably be deleted altogether. The model was finished in overall Testors Acryl gloss Dark Sea Blue. 

The markings included in the kit are for two birds, including an F4U-1D from VF-84, basically the same as for Testors re-pop of the classic Hawk kit. The other markings are for a much later bird though somewhat nondescript. They closest resemble those found on Corsairs stationed aboard the USS Wright. I chose to base their positions following the example found at the Vought Heritage site. 

The end result was certainly pleasing enough, especially when one considers that we are still in the midst of a move and a goodly amount of my tools are packed. 

Now, let's see what can be done with the other.