FAA F4U-1A Corsair
- Thread starter otftch
- Start date
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Coors9
Senior Airman
Nice job dude.
N4521U
Colonel
Yep Dude..... really nice. Speshulie for 1/72. Big smile here.
A4K
Brigadier General
Nice work Ed! Personally, I would have sanded down those rivets first though.
Yep, nice looking model. The Corsair has always been a favorite of mine.
A4K - Right. The Corsair was spot-welded from the empennage forward. No rivets were used. The empennage was standard rivet construction utilizing flush riveting throughout. No button-head (protruding) rivets were used at all on the exposed (slipstream) part of the airframe. What might appear as rivet indentations (pinched skin) on the forward fuselage were simply the individual spot welds. This technique saved a lot of weight and gave a smoother aerodynamic to the exterior skins. Spot welding was a technique developed by the Naval Aircraft Factory and Vought. I don't know why it wasn't further developed as a universal construction technique on "disposable" combat aircraft where thru-skin access wasn't necessary.
Model makers take certain liberties with their moulds. This one obviously missed the mark but I'm guessing the lack of knowledge on the modelers end contributes to these "mistakes". Modelers want detail, moulders answer the call. I say that because moulders must first get their details, measurements and specifications from the actual aircraft prior to machining their moulds. They know everything there is to know about each type before mould-making drawings are even started. Evidence of this is the older raised panel lines, which I prefer because they're easier to sand off than it is to fill the exaggerated recessed panel lines of currently produced kits. One day true-scale accuracy will be available from one or more companies. It's not there yet.
A4K - Right. The Corsair was spot-welded from the empennage forward. No rivets were used. The empennage was standard rivet construction utilizing flush riveting throughout. No button-head (protruding) rivets were used at all on the exposed (slipstream) part of the airframe. What might appear as rivet indentations (pinched skin) on the forward fuselage were simply the individual spot welds. This technique saved a lot of weight and gave a smoother aerodynamic to the exterior skins. Spot welding was a technique developed by the Naval Aircraft Factory and Vought. I don't know why it wasn't further developed as a universal construction technique on "disposable" combat aircraft where thru-skin access wasn't necessary.
Model makers take certain liberties with their moulds. This one obviously missed the mark but I'm guessing the lack of knowledge on the modelers end contributes to these "mistakes". Modelers want detail, moulders answer the call. I say that because moulders must first get their details, measurements and specifications from the actual aircraft prior to machining their moulds. They know everything there is to know about each type before mould-making drawings are even started. Evidence of this is the older raised panel lines, which I prefer because they're easier to sand off than it is to fill the exaggerated recessed panel lines of currently produced kits. One day true-scale accuracy will be available from one or more companies. It's not there yet.
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Crimea_River
Marshal
The scheme is for Hammy Gray, VC who lost his life while sinking a Japanese destroyer.
nice one Ed, on my to do list is Hammy Gray's Corsair !
brucejscott
Staff Sergeant
Love it. Very nice!
Nicely done!
copcheck
Airman 1st Class
Once again another nice build Ed.
Jon
Jon
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
As always Ed, nice work sir!!!
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Good one Ed.
dirkpitt289
Master Sergeant
Another fine build Ed. Keep them coming
