1/48 Tamiya F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair – little to no weathering
This is my second attempt to build a Corsair, I tried something new to me: highlighting with the airbrush. Started from a black base, kept the paint inside the panels as tight as possible along the panel lines, than added some tan to the base color and covered with it a smaller area of each panel, all in all four passes adding more tan each time. Next step was a black pin wash and then a gray enamel filter. To me it looks like bleached by the sun. The build was out of the box, no problems and no improvements as far as I didn't know how this highlighting will go. Hope you'll enjoy the pictures.
P.S. I forgot to "bleach" the canopy, there is visible the base color, Tamiya XF-18.
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on June 19, 2022
Looks wonderful, George!
Steven Brandon said on June 19, 2022
That's an excellent looking hog! Obviously the canopy was damaged at some point and was recently replaced.
George Damian said on June 20, 2022
I am sure that was the case, if someone digs through the archives I bet he'll find the documentation on the canopy replacement! 🙂
George Henderson said on June 19, 2022
Turned out great, other George
gary sausmikat said on June 19, 2022
Great look, George. Well done.
Harvey R. said on June 19, 2022
Looks really good, it's very tempting to go with all the weathering options but a clean Corsair model is a great piece to see. Makes me want to do another Birdcage, something about that early scheme looks so good on the American birds.
Tom Cleaver said on June 19, 2022
The paint job looks excellent, @georgedamian. I'm going to try your paint idea myself.
If you add in some oil and exhaust stains (assuming you would want to, it looks fine as is) you would have a "Solomons bird" for sure. Here's a couple photos of what I did with mine awhile back.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
George Damian said on June 20, 2022
I try to build my base of skills one step at a time, at some point I'll sure try to simulate the stains and leaks, thanks for the inspiration.
Greg Fabian said on June 19, 2022
Looks like you did a fine job. Here's a picture of a Corsair taken at the National Museum of the Marine Corps last week. No weathering here (nor on the Dauntless in the background)...
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Robert Knaack said on June 19, 2022
That is a great weathering technique, one I might try on a project soon. Beautiful Corsair!
David Butler said on June 19, 2022
Looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing the info on the technique you used. Like many of the other comment I will have to give this a try!
Eric Berg said on June 19, 2022
Nice and clean airbrushing. Terrific looking birdcage.
Justin Bronk said on June 19, 2022
Looks lovely - very nice use of airbrush weathering for tonal variation! Love it!
Walt B said on June 20, 2022
That is a really excellent looking Corsair, I love the effect you achieved. It really does look great, and has that sun faded, worn out look that you would expect in the South Pacific. Great job!
John vd Biggelaar said on June 20, 2022
Excellent result, George @georgedamian
The bleaching effect looks really nice.
George Damian said on June 20, 2022
Spiros, George, Gary, Harvey, Steven, Tom, Greg, Robert, David, Eric, Justin, Walt, John - thanks guys, glad you enjoyed it!
John Healy said on June 20, 2022
Nice work, George.
Greg Kittinger said on June 20, 2022
I like it - that technique came through for you! I'll try it as well - working on a S. Pacific P-40 right now, so that seems like a good canvas for the sun-bleaching.
Enrique Lopez Galindo said on June 20, 2022
Great Corsair George. And with your technique has a great finish.
Congratulations
George R Blair Jr said on June 21, 2022
Your technique produced great results, George (@georgedamian). Looking forward to your next build.
George Damian said on June 21, 2022
John, Greg, Enrique, George - thank you guys, glad you enjoyed it!
Marcello Rosa said on June 22, 2022
I really like what you did here. Congratulations
Gary Brantley said on June 26, 2022
@georgedamian, Great looking Corsair! 🍻 I like your results from the painting technique too; so many ways to skin a cat! Thanks for sharing her with us here. 😃