Profile Photo
Emmet Molloy
14 articles

Tamiya Vought F4U-1A Corsair 1/48 scale.

August 15, 2023 · in Aviation · · 27 · 286

I had built this quite a while ago but did not like the orange peel in the paint so I got rid of it and bought this one which took me about four days. Krylon matte midnight ink spray paint bought at Lowe’s. Supposedly the way they looked off the Gilbert Islands, late 1944 U.S. Marines. I had tried to delete my previous article on this and hit the delete but it would not go away. No matter.

Reader reactions:
5  Awesome 1 

2 additional images. Click to enlarge.


27 responses

  1. One can never have too many Corsairs. Well done.

  2. Looks good. Nice paint job from a spray can!

    • Thanks, not exactly historically correct unless perhaps they went to the all blue paint in late 1944. Box top art shows it in the tri color blue. But I could never paint it that. I just have fun.

  3. Thank you. I usually use the small cans of modeling spray paint as I never had an air brush, but I saw nothing at Hobby Lobby or Michaels that suited me. So I went over to Lowe’s and bought this can of Krylon matte midnight ink.

  4. A really nice Corsair, Emmet!

  5. well done @bmolloy! Sharp looking Corsair- cant go wrong with the Tamiya kit. Looks like you've mastered the art of spray cans- last time I tried using them I ruined my build 🙁 yours looks great!

    • Thank you. I use a spray can only because I never bought an airbrush and tried to use it. With the can I shake it for about two minutes, test it on the paper or plastic bag which I have it on outside in the yard. You can’t do it with any heavy wind present. Hold the can about ten inches away and make complete sweeping passes until you are satisfied with the covering. I personally don’t recommend spraying it again right after the first coat, especially if the paint is not dry.

  6. Great result with the spray can, Emmet.

  7. Nicely done, how long did it take for the Krylon take to dry?

  8. Nice work, Emmet.

  9. Good job. One of my favorite planes. I have had good luck with cans and sometimes still use them for small parts like props or tires. Saves cleaning the air brush after a very small job.

    • Thank you, this is my favorite aircraft of World War II, followed by the P51 Mustang which in my estimation is just about the best kit that Tamiya offers. Only thing for me that makes the Corsair kit more difficult, if you want to call it that, is the assembly of the wings to wing roots.

  10. The blue paint you used looks good, like it might be a close match for the blue used in the Korean War

Leave a Reply