1/48th Tamiya F4U-1D as Vought XF4U-3B
Here's my latest model completion. It's the 1/48th Tamiya F4U-1D kit converted to an XF4U-3B. That version was an attempt by Vought to boost the Corsair's top speed by way of a supercharged engine. The plane never went into production as the new F4U-4 version offered roughly the same performance.
The conversion was done with the fine resin offering from Rieth Creations. Mike did his usual excellent work with this XF4U-3 conversion set. Mr. Color lacquer paints were used and the black tail marking decals were ink jet printed on decal paper. The national insignia markings came from the decal stash box.
Once I got over the initial cutting of the forward part of the kit fuselage, things went rather smoothly as the resin parts fit well with only a bit of putty needed to seal the joined areas.
If you want an XF4U-3 in your Corsair collection, Rieth's conversion set is the way to go. That set can be used on the F4U-1 Birdcage model too if you want an earlier Corsair version for your F4U-3 build.
All comments welcome.
Nice conversion. Something we don't see every day!
Thanks Chas and that modification surely changed the Corsair's appearance. Not a bad looking bird but just different.
A great conversion indeed, Jim @bentwing
I was not aware about this supercharged version of the Corsair, thanks for sharing.
Thanks John, I appreciate your comment. There were three airframes that were modified with that big supercharger installation. They were F4U-1 02157, F4U-1A 17516 and F4U-1A 49664.
Beautiful build! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, David.
I like it, nice and oddbally
Thanks George. That version is indeed a bit different.
Jim, congratulations on the completion of an excellent conversion. The model really stands out and the added bonus of a photo of the real bird ices the cake. Two thumbs up sir!
Thanks Clark. When I got that XF4U-3 conversion kit, I knew I was just going to have to build it. I debated on whether to use the F4U-1 or the F4U-1A or -1D kit as the base model. I finally decided to model the 2nd of the -1A's. Mainly because I had some decent photo coverage of 49664 and very little on either of the other two. Building from a photo gives you a much better chance of getting it right.
Very neat work to make this rarely seen version of the Corsair.
Thank you, George.
Nice work on the conversion, first time I have seen this version of the Corsair built as a model. Beautiful work!
Thank you, Bob. That's the first time I've finished a model using Mr. Color for the primary paint. I'm a long-time user of Model Master enamels but have finally accepted that the option to do that is fast disappearing.
First time for me too seeing this version modeled, Jim. Looks really wonderful, up to your usual standards.
Congratulations!
Thanks, Spiros and I always enjoy seeing your models too.
That doesn't look like an easy conversion. You've done excellent work here and gotten a really outstanding result.
Thanks, Tom. Anytime one has to saw up a perfectly good kit model there's surely a bit of apprehension but to my pleasant surprise the resin parts fit very well when following the on-line instructions that Riethcreations made available. The large bottom piece that went on the underside of the fuselage fit just like it was a kit part. The two-piece nose section was a bit fiddly to align but it fit well and took only a little filler. The build was a bit of a challenge, but it was fun too. Next up on the build schedule will be the Hasegawa 1/72nd P2V-7 Neptune. What a beautiful, graceful bird that was.
Another good looking bent wing bird Jim. Wasn't aware they tried install a turbo charger on a Corsair totally changes the look.
Thanks, Tom, I appreciate your comment and indeed it did change the looks of the 'standard' Corsair configuration.
Great work on the conversion! That's an interesting look for the Hog with that big intake - I think I'm glad it didn't go into production!
Thanks, Greg and I tend to agree with your comment about it not going into production.
Nice to see some color with all the usual blue. Nice job, Jim!
Thanks, Gary, and like some of Vought's other 'X' birds, it was indeed colorful. A couple of the XF4U-4's are quite tempting too.