1/48th Tamiya F4U-1A ‘Sally’
Years back, I read an article in Air Classics telling the story of ‘Sally’. That Corsair was a salvage job constructed from the remains of several Corsair hulks from the boneyard by mechanics of Marine Service Squadron Eleven out in the South Pacific. The plane was used as a squadron hack and was eventually given the tri-color paint scheme. It did not see combat use and in fact, carried no guns. The Tamiya F4U-1A model is an OOB build with the exception of the weighted wheels and custom decals. It was airbrushed with MM Aluminum and flat black. This model dates back several years but I wanted to share it with the folks at imodeler.
5 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on June 9, 2014
Gotta love those Tamiya Corsairs and this one looks just as good as the others you’ve shown. I’m willin’ to bet you don’t even glance at the directions anymore. Nice work, Jim.
Jim Sullivan said on June 9, 2014
Thanks Craig and I do check the instructions at times as my aged brain wants me to be sure I haven’t missed something. A case in point is the over-engineered HobbyBoss F4U-4’s. Unlike the Tamiya Corsairs which pretty much go together smoothly, the HB Corsairs are a royal PITA.
Ulrich Schütt said on June 9, 2014
Nice job!
Being Dutch I have some trouble understanding…… What is a squadron hack ?
Best regards;
Ulrich
Jim Sullivan said on June 9, 2014
Hello Ulrich….A squadron hack is a plane that is used as a utility bird for things like observation or trips to nearby bases. Most hacks were older war-weary aircraft no longer suited for the strains of combat.
Ulrich Schütt said on June 10, 2014
Thank you for your answer!
Robert Bausch said on June 9, 2014
Jim,
Very well done, and an interesting story. Kind of goes with our recent exchange. Thanks!
Jim Sullivan said on June 9, 2014
Thanks Bob, that aluminum painted Corsair certainly stands out from all the other blue ones on the shelves.
Simon Whitney said on June 9, 2014
Nice and sweet Jim.
It makes a change to see one in a NMF.
Well done Jim.
Jim Sullivan said on June 9, 2014
Thanks Simon.
AL HOFFMAN said on June 9, 2014
That is one unique Corsair. Good work.
Jim Sullivan said on June 9, 2014
Thanks Al.
Victor Digiorgi said on June 9, 2014
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Congratulation, Jim. Your model is really nice and I am very much impressed by the beauty of this specific Corsair. Besides that, I have a question for you.
To your knowledge, was the real Corsair aluminum dope painted or was it striped and cleaned off paint down to the bare metal ?
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Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
Thanks Victor. It is my understanding that the airframe was stripped to bare metal followed by an aluminum paint job.
Tony Prince said on June 9, 2014
Wow! What a difference a coat of silver paint makes. Great job Jim.
Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
Thanks Tony.
Gregor d said on June 10, 2014
Striking Corair with a great story to boot. Great work Jim.
Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
Thanks Gregor.
bob mack said on June 10, 2014
another killer jim
Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
Thanks Bob, that one just had to be modeled as it was so unusual to see a ‘silver’ Corsair.
Wojtek Bulhak said on June 10, 2014
Sweet Corsair!
Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
Thanks Wojtek.
Jim Thanks... said on June 10, 2014
for sharing such unsual paint scheme!!!
Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
You are most welcome.
Frank Cronin said on June 10, 2014
Jim,
This is beautiful and just another example of how great the Corsair looks. Even with out it’s blue clothes it looks good. You did and excellent job on this and I really like it.
Jim Sullivan said on June 10, 2014
Thanks Frank…I share your appreciation of the Corsair for sure.
Bryan W. Bernart said on June 10, 2014
Nice build, but looks nekkid. Like a hairless dog, or my bald head. Good research and history lesson.
Jim Sullivan said on June 11, 2014
Thanks Bryan and yep, I can identify with the bald head!!!
George Williams said on June 11, 2014
It seems you can’t go wrong with a Tamiya Corsair on this site, and this one is just that little bit different with the silver finish, very nice.
Jim Sullivan said on June 11, 2014
Thank you George.
Milos Gazdic said on December 12, 2019
Beautiful build Jim
Did you make decals yourself or purchased them somewhere?