I'm currently in a temporary holding pattern with the 109K-4 as I am waiting for an aftermarket set of Revi gunsights to replace the one that got lost to the Carpet Monster. So I pulled this off the shelf and thought... hey, it's a Corsair, maybe the guys will let me participate in GB33. If not I totally understand.
Pretty simple stuff. I don't expect this build to take too long as it is just a little diversion before I get into some more elaborate projects. It won't be super-detailed but I may do some "things" just to make it more appealing to my eyes.
I've build a couple of these Cute Models by Tiger and have been pretty impressed by them. I consider them a notch above what I would normally consider a "kid's model". One nice thing is that Tiger provides both adhesive-backed stickers AND water-slide decals for the markings. A nice choice aimed at us enthusiasts. Only one set of markings... one of Ira Kepford's mounts.
The clear sprue is clear but there is no choice when it comes to canopy position. The connecting pin molded to the inside of the windshield does not align with the frame so it will be visible from the outside. I may trim it off completely.
This black sprue holds some of the rotating stuff like wheels and prop. If it is like the other Tiger kits I've built, this black plastic is very soft, almost like a vinyl so sanding to a smooth finish is harder than normal.
Two sprues of blue plastic hold the rest of the airplane. Molding is pretty good.
A separate one-piece cowling... I like! The wings are supposed to be foldable but I'm not real enthusiastic about that... will probably glue them in place.
Jumping right into it, the cockpit is made up of four parts. Interestingly, the "shelf" for a gunsight is provided but no gunsight itself.
I dug into my spares box and found an Allied gunsight that I attached to the empty shelf. The kit provides two instrument panels, one with some dial relief and another smooth one to accept the IP decal. I chose to paint the molded one.
The seat comes molded with some harnesses so I just painted those in-place. I dressed up the empty side consoles with spare decals and added an oversized red button on the control stick.
A better view of the gun sight in place. I'll add the reflector glass right before I put the canopy into place.
After the cockpit is painted, it's time to glue the fuselage halves together. Told you this was going to be quick! The rudder (also movable) is trapped into place when the fuselage halves are glued together. The same thing applies to the tail landing gear/arrestor hook but I simply cut off the attachment plate so that I'll be able to add it later.