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Drew Tarter
27 articles

Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1 Corsair

March 27, 2013 · in Aviation · · 9 · 2.9K

Here's my version of 's -1 'birdcage' , finished in the nondescript markings of a Marine squadron based in the Solomons in 1943.

This build was almost straight 'out-of-the-box' - the only things added were seat belts, and some brake lines to the main gear. These kits are real treats to build - if you are careful, you won't have to fill a single seam. I know a Marine Corsair based in the Solomons would be probably not have the wings folded, but I really like the look of a plane with dropped flaps, folded wings, open canopy, etc. I also kept weathering to a minimum, mainly because I don't know how to portray a heavily weathered effect properly.

These Tamiya Corsairs are clearly the best in 1/48 scale, maybe in ANY scale - I just wish they'd do a -4 version...

Reader reactions:
2  Awesome

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


9 responses

  1. Outstanding, Mr. Tarter...your attention to detail is superb!

  2. It could be a Corsair that hasn't been sent to the Solomons yet. 🙂

    If you look through the articles here, you'll find a Marine Solomons Corsair I did. If you check it out, you'll see that it's not really as hard as you've told yourself it is to get that look. If you have the skill and talent to do this (and you obviously do), going the distance isn't really hard at all. A little research looking at photographs is all it takes.

    Excellent model here.

  3. Thanks for the encouragement, Tom. I've long admired your work, so I'll be sure to check out your Corsair build on here.

  4. Really nice job Drew.
    N.

  5. Very nice Corsair!
    Gary

  6. said on May 19, 2013

    Drew, the details on this model is of the utmost perfection, from the gauges/instruments, to the "tape" on the cowling .. it looks like it could be photos from an air "fly-in"show ! the photography of the bird is ... as my granddaughter would say .. FANTABULOUS !

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