Joe - and Tom - I gave up on the Hobbycraft F4U-2 yesterday afternoon, 15 July, 2024. Despite the kit's warning that it was designed with the intention that the flaps be assembled down, as you have done, I 'knew' that they were most often up while the bird was on the ground, so I tried using the alternate parts. I realized right off that I would not be able to make the numerous cuts HC showed in the instructions (why in the world make alternate parts that have to be altered to use?!), so I removed the offending areas on the wing. Nevertheless, the raised flaps simply do not match the main wing's curves and fit properly as they come, and I could not shave away enough material on the flap edges and wing join area to make them fit on both top and bottom at the same time. My only consolation is seeing that the dropped flaps don't fit all that well either, as fine a job as you have made in the attempt. I'll start the Tamiya version today. At least I have the alternate raised flaps from Ultracast and also their excellent seat, plus the Quickboost landing gear doors. I had made an instrument panel decal for the HC panel, and I can use the radar scope screen from that to fill in the void on the Tamiya decal.
Nice "Fifties" colors. Interesting result with a kit that has "issues."
great job...very pretty
Any air racer is going to get my attention. Well done.
Joe - and Tom - I gave up on the Hobbycraft F4U-2 yesterday afternoon, 15 July, 2024. Despite the kit's warning that it was designed with the intention that the flaps be assembled down, as you have done, I 'knew' that they were most often up while the bird was on the ground, so I tried using the alternate parts. I realized right off that I would not be able to make the numerous cuts HC showed in the instructions (why in the world make alternate parts that have to be altered to use?!), so I removed the offending areas on the wing. Nevertheless, the raised flaps simply do not match the main wing's curves and fit properly as they come, and I could not shave away enough material on the flap edges and wing join area to make them fit on both top and bottom at the same time. My only consolation is seeing that the dropped flaps don't fit all that well either, as fine a job as you have made in the attempt. I'll start the Tamiya version today. At least I have the alternate raised flaps from Ultracast and also their excellent seat, plus the Quickboost landing gear doors. I had made an instrument panel decal for the HC panel, and I can use the radar scope screen from that to fill in the void on the Tamiya decal.