**** DONE: 1/48th F4U-1D Corsair - Pacific Theatre of Operations II

dneid · Feb 27, 2014

Hey, Guys,
Thanks so much for the comments. I appreciate you taking the time. Andy, about all I may is add a few more highlights in silver in a couple of panels. Otherwise, I am happy with what I am seeing in the pics.
Now, about those rocket pylons. I have several shots of -1Ds with no rocket pylons mounted on the wing. So, I am ok with leaving this one as a clean bird.

Vic Balshaw · Feb 28, 2014

That looks good Dale.

Wurger · Feb 28, 2014

mikewint · Feb 28, 2014

I'd take the "no pylon" road personally as long as you have no intention of mounting anything on them

Catch22 · Feb 28, 2014

dneid said:
Hey, Guys,
Thanks so much for the comments. I appreciate you taking the time. Andy, about all I may is add a few more highlights in silver in a couple of panels. Otherwise, I am happy with what I am seeing in the pics.
Now, about those rocket pylons. I have several shots of -1Ds with no rocket pylons mounted on the wing. So, I am ok with leaving this one as a clean bird.

I too would leave the weathering alone as it looks very good.

You have to be careful because some late -1As had the overall blue paint, so that may be where you're seeing the pylon-less aircraft. As far as I know, all USN and USMC -1Ds received the rocket stubs. Even if there were some that didn't for whatever reason, the pylons on the bottom of the aircraft should definitely go on. I've forgotten to drill the holes before actually, and they're pretty easy to place on without the holes.

Rogi · Feb 28, 2014

She looks fantastic

dneid · Feb 28, 2014

Thanks, guy. Ok, I do have a question for you all concerning the antenna wire for the F4U-1D. All the pictures I have show a twist of the 2 wires at the tail and a twist at the forward antenna mast. Just how in the hell do you get that twist on that damned aerial wire? I was going to use the extra fine, nylon thread, but now I am not too sure about that idea. I do have a networking cable and I know the individual conductors are close to the thread in thickness. I know I can get a twist that will not unwind with the copper wire, but I am concerned that the needed tension to get the copper to look taut may exceed what the forward mast can take. Any ideas?

As for the rocket pylons, here is a scan from a Squadron/Signal in Action that shows a -1D withOUT the pylons. I have a couple of others as well, and post them if needed.

Catch22 · Mar 1, 2014

Hmm, that's really odd. Most British Corsairs (all that saw combat) lacked the rocket pylons, but it's odd to see US Corsairs without them. Regardless, the large pylons under the inboard wings should go on.

vikingBerserker · Mar 1, 2014

I do not think I've ever seen one with folding wings, very cool!

Crimea_River · Mar 1, 2014

For twisting the nylon, clamp two ends together, twist, then apply thin CA.

Also, how do we know the aircraft in that pic is a -D?

dneid · Mar 1, 2014

Crimea_River said:
For twisting the nylon, clamp two ends together, twist, then apply thin CA.

Also, how do we know the aircraft in that pic is a -D?

The only way I claim it is a -1D is the caption. Otherwise, I cannot clearly make the claim.

Catch22 · Mar 1, 2014

dneid said:
The only way I claim it is a -1D is the caption. Otherwise, I cannot clearly make the claim.

Exactly, we don't. And it's extremely odd that a -1D assigned to a VBF (Fighter Bomber) squadron lacks the rocket stubs. However, by July 1945 if would be very out of the ordinary for a -1A to be in Navy service, and it does have the later canopy. The canopy could have been put on an older plane of course. I guess since this is a weird circumstance, do you mind posting the other photos that you have Dale? This may help figure things out.

Wurger · Mar 1, 2014

According to my references the last 266 of F4U-1D series got these racks for HVAR 127mm. Here is pics of Corsair 1D of the VF-84 embarked on USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) with them attached.

Wurger · Mar 1, 2014

Also I found two shots of the F4U-1D F-107. ... via the net.

And if there is any doubt about the HVAR pylons ... here an enlarged shot of the underwing area. Also a shot of the F-97 of the VMF-913 with the same one attached.

Catch22 · Mar 1, 2014

Beauty photos Wojtek, so it definitely had the HVAR pylons, and apparently the older style canopy. That 266 number seems very low however.

dneid · Mar 1, 2014

Guess I will add the rocket pylons. Damn, and I was ALMOST finished!!!

Crimea_River · Mar 1, 2014

Some hefty paint peeling over the coolers as well.

Rogi · Mar 1, 2014

Wings up, wings up

dneid · Mar 2, 2014

Updated Completed Pics
I went back to fix the aerial. As I was working on the aerial I noticed the pitot tube in the fiddly bits tin! DOH!!! So, added the pitot tube, fixed the aerial and re-shot the done pics. I will update the Finished post as well.

Ok, this one is DONE! I did go back and add the pylons and some additional weathering over the cooler. I stayed with the newer canopy as the couple of references I have do show the newer canopy. Not completely sure on that though. I can go back and mask/paint/install the older 3 piece canopy. Your thoughts?

I plan on getting back on the Jug next. I may come back and add a Hellcat to this group build, but I am not sure yet. I have a real itch to get a Spit on the shelf next, so the additional bird for this GB is up in the air. Having the time between contracts has made for a ton of building time these last 3-4 weeks.

Required Pics: