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David D.
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F4U-1A Corsair VF-17 “Jolly Rogers”

November 28, 2012 · in Aviation · · 22 · 5.1K

This is my Scale -1A painted in the markings of Lt. JG. Danny Cunningham during his first tour with VF-17 flying out of Ondongo Airfield in the South West Pacific.

Hope you like it.

David.

Reader reactions:
4  Awesome

8 additional images. Click to enlarge.


22 responses

  1. Fine attention to detail in the cockpit and under the cowl flaps, Dan. Really beautiful Hog ya got there. May I ask what paints you used for your blues?

  2. Hi Erik,

    Thanks for having a look. I used the Tamiya navy blue and medium blue from the Tamiya spray can line. I decanted the paint and lightened the navy blue with the medium blue as it was too dark. Of course when decanting the paint I had to let it sit until the aerosol evaporated out of the paint before I could use like regular acrylic paint with my airbrush. Kind of a pain but I got through it.

  3. Very nice! I really like the restrained weathering.

  4. Wow, very nice Dan. Decanting spray paint is something I've yet to try... like the salt chipping technique, it just sounds a bit scary. Like things could go south in a hurry.

    • Oh yeah. I was worried too. After I decanted the paint into a clear plastic cup it just sat there cold and began to bubble up. I left it for a good while. until it was room temperature and and all the bubbles had evaporated. I then could start mixing it to lighten it to the colour I wanted.

  5. Very nice model, but I'd like to know who did the decal sheet, since they managed to screw the pooch on the national insignia (one of the simplest and most well-known insignias around, how bleeding hard is it to get the fershlugginah proportions right?) Not a complaint about your work, which is great.

    • Hi Tom,

      Thanks very much for having a look at my build. I used the sky models decals for the decals except the national insignia. I believe I used the Tamiya kit decals because I read somewhere that these were the correct size versus other aftermarket decals.

      cheers,
      Dave.

  6. How do you know the insignia isn't "right"...? Do you have an actual photo you can post of that specific airplane at the time it was flown..?

    • Craig,

      Thanks for checking in and having a look. I believe I used the correct national insignia but who knows. They look right to me.

      Dave.

      • David, the insigna looks right to me also.. I promise, I don't think we post on here to try and get validation from anyone. looks good to me.. just let each of us alibi our on stuff.. not to worry..

        • Wayne,

          Thanks for having a look at my build. I try and be accurate with my builds hence the selection of the Tamiya national insignia versus the sky models ones though I only read that the Tamiya ones were correct. The Sky models one may be too as well. I have not seen any comments on line or in reviews indicating they were not accurate.

          All the best,
          Dave.

  7. Yes! Another Corsair. And a damn good one too! Love the restrained weathering. Excellent build of the best airplane in the war. IMHO.

    • Hey George,

      Thanks for having a look. The Corsair is definitely one of my favourite Airplanes. I particularly like the the F4U's that served in the SW Pacific battling the Imperial Japanese Navy up and down "The Slot".

  8. Yes, another Corsair. Dark single-colored camouflage schemes are particularly difficult in terms of producing convincing results, and you have done great job here.

    The "rastered" chipping on the air intake panels makes me smile, proves a good knowledge of the subject! Not to mention that massive fuel spill.

    • Thank you Sir. This is my first aircraft I have done since returning to the hobby. It was very enjoyable to research, build and paint.
      I am glad you like it.

      David.

  9. Are we related or something?
    Same last name, same interest in the corsair and VF-17?
    You have built what I plan to- did you use the Aeromaster sheet?

  10. Hi Dan,

    Great to see we have some things in common. My last name is Portuguese perhaps yours is spanish?

    I used the sky models Corsair Decal sheet for the markings but used the Tamiya National insignia decals that came with the kit as mentioned above.

    Thanks for having a look!

    Cheers,
    Dave.

  11. Going through posts on sites as I prepare to build my Tamiya Corsair in 1/32 came across this build, nicely done!

    • Thanks Rob,

      The decals for Danny Cunningham's Corsair were only offered in 1/48 scale but HGW has come out with a set of 1/32 decals for the Tamiya 1/32 Corsair and they have Cunningham's decals in their set. I have never seen his plane done in 1/32 scale.

  12. Thanks for the Tip David I see Victory Models has the set I may just have to check them out!

  13. David D,
    What did you use as a source for your color and markings?
    Thank you Randy Adams

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