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Fleet Air Arm Corsair II - Tamiya 1/32

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  • BarryW
    SMF Supporters
    • Jul 2011
    • 6029

    #1

    Fleet Air Arm Corsair II - Tamiya 1/32

    The Corsair has to be one of the best carrier fighters of WW2 though initially it was rejected by the USN as unsuitable for carrier operations. It was the British FAA that developed the techniques and skills to land these on carriers safely so it is appropriate to build my Tamiya Corsair F4U-1a as a Corsair II of the Royal navy with the clipped wings needed for them to fit inside the smaller British carriers.

    But first - my work area has had some modification. Having switched to spraying MRP paint my spray booth was no longer adequate so I decided to invest in a new Bench Vent booth. There are a lot cheaper solutions but I decided on this one after looking at reviews, yes it is a lot more expensive than some, several times more expensive and I just told myself that it will last years and just costs the same as two of the Tamiya Mossies.....

    Here is what my work area looks like now after my 'between project' deep clean and modifications:
    [ATTACH]286846[/ATTACH]

    A few close-ups:
    [ATTACH]286847[/ATTACH]
    You can see my 'bottle shaker' handy and ready for use to the left. I use the foam board, a large white one under the whole painting area and a black one where most of the spraying will happen. The latter will be swapped (or turned over) after each project while I hope the white board will last for several projects.
    [ATTACH]286848[/ATTACH]
    For good measure here is the build area with the new project out and ready. I will be making a few more modifications to this area in coming weeks to increase the number of MRP paints it holds, reducing the Vallejo and some new drawers.

    While I am at it, how about a few more close-ups...
    [ATTACH]286849[/ATTACH]
    My right lower display shelf with a couple of Tammy Mustangs (1/32 as are all my models) and my Birdcage Corsair.
    [ATTACH]286850[/ATTACH]
    My left lower shelf with a couple of Spittys, a Mk VIII will be joining them which will be the build after I finish the Corsair.
    [ATTACH]286851[/ATTACH]
    A pair of Zeros with at the back a Frank on my top right shelf with a glimps of part of my stash.
    [ATTACH]286852[/ATTACH]
    Opposite left to shelf, my Mig 3 and the HK Models Mossie with another glimps of my stash...
    [ATTACH]286853[/ATTACH]
    The left side of my stash shelf.
    [ATTACH]286854[/ATTACH]
    The right side of my stash shelf.
    [ATTACH]286855[/ATTACH]
    While I was stood on the chair a look down at the build area...
    [ATTACH]286856[/ATTACH]
    And, another look down at the spray area

    Now over to the build about which this thread is all about.
    I have not yet started cutting plastic but I have been preparing the for it.
    [ATTACH]286857[/ATTACH]
    I labelled all the sprues for easy identification. OK it takes a bit of time but save a lot of time later....
    [ATTACH]286858[/ATTACH]
    I have a Techmod decal set and a Montex mask set. I was unimpressed with the Techmod decals I used with the Spitty IX as they splintered so I am expecting to use a mix of masking for the main marking and the decals. I think I will build the top of the three Techmod aircraft you can see under the mask pack. The national insignia are somewhat different to the similar ones in the masks but I think they will work, they are the right size, I just do not spray the yellow and red using white for those areas instead.

    As for the fabric seatbelts - I have failed with these every time just having not got on with them. But, I will try again and have a Eduard Steel set available if needed.

    I will start cutting plastic tonight.

    Paints will be MRP of course, using Dark Slate, Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky for the main colours. I will assume that the interior was painted in US colours and their primers were used.

    What am I trying out new...
    I will use the MRP Silver primer and will not black base this build. I will be using chipping solution, doing a 'double chipping', first Yellow Chromate Primer chipped over the silver primer, that will be sealed then I will chip the camo colours over the yellow chromate.... I am hoping for a very realistic chipping effect. I will not overdo it or the weathering in general, bearing in mind this aircraft operated off a carrier, HMS Victorious. AKI Chipping Fluid will be used.

    I am also thinking that I will equip the aircraft with the centre line bomb that comes with the kit. Yes it is USN ordnance but as the RN were working closely with the USN it should not 'jar'.
    Attached Files
  • dave
    SMF Supporters
    • Nov 2012
    • 1829
    • Brussels

    #2
    Looking forward to the build.

    I use a sheet of foamboard under the spraybooth, but I have some old desk pads (60x40cm) i got from a rep and i use sheets from that to protect the foamboard and replace regularly.

    Comment

    • Snowman
      SMF Supporters
      • Oct 2014
      • 2098

      #3
      Like your office Barry and you like your birds big!

      Looking forward to this Corsair build!

      Comment

      • BarryW
        SMF Supporters
        • Jul 2011
        • 6029

        #4
        I had an hour session last night and just got this far...
        The office is a model in itself...
        [ATTACH]286884[/ATTACH]
        My sub-assemblies will be led by what can easily be painted and I intend to prepare all the parts needed that are to be pinned between the cockpit sides before I have a painting session - so there is a long way to go just for that stage.
        Attached Files

        Comment

        • Vaughan
          SMF Supporters
          • Apr 2011
          • 3175

          #5
          A good start Barry, there's some great detail in that office.

          Comment

          • BarryW
            SMF Supporters
            • Jul 2011
            • 6029

            #6
            Some more progress
            The seat
            [ATTACH]286911[/ATTACH]
            I will have another go at these having picked up some tips.
            [ATTACH]286912[/ATTACH]
            I applied the decal to the ip rear
            [ATTACH]286913[/ATTACH]
            From the front
            [ATTACH]286914[/ATTACH]
            It fits into the front of the ip with the dials showing through first
            [ATTACH]286915[/ATTACH]
            Below I painted the back of the transparency over the decals as it helps make the dial detail pop from the front.
            [ATTACH]286916[/ATTACH]

            Hopefully I will get more progress over the weekend.
            Attached Files

            Comment

            • BarryW
              SMF Supporters
              • Jul 2011
              • 6029

              #7
              The initial set of sub assemblies are ready for painting.
              I cemented some elements to one side of the fuselage and used masking tape to attach the other half to make sure they dry in exactly the right position
              [ATTACH]287021[/ATTACH]When dry I removed the tape and the fuse halves are ready for paint.
              [ATTACH]287023[/ATTACH]
              Here are the rest of the sub assemblies ready for painting.
              [ATTACH]287022[/ATTACH]

              I will spray the appropriate base colour direct onto the plastic. If I have time I will even be able to start masking to spray the next colour and/or start hand brushing the details in the same session given how fast MRP dries to its robust finish.
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • BarryW
                SMF Supporters
                • Jul 2011
                • 6029

                #8
                I should add that again I did not get very far with the fabric seat belts and they are binned in favour of the Eduard Steel set.

                I think I might still have a set or two of these tucked away with some of my stash and I will give them a go. Maybe I will get at least one set made up.

                One thing I will never do is waste my money on buying fabric seat belts again whether Edward, HGW or whatever. Life is too short.

                Comment

                • BarryW
                  SMF Supporters
                  • Jul 2011
                  • 6029

                  #9
                  [ATTACH]287024[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]287025[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]287026[/ATTACH] In planning the interior the photos Tamiya provide are a great help. These really are the icing on the cake for these fantastic Tamiya warbirds.
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                  • papa 695
                    Moderator
                    • May 2011
                    • 22771

                    #10
                    Cracking work so far Barry

                    Comment

                    • BarryW
                      SMF Supporters
                      • Jul 2011
                      • 6029

                      #11
                      I have not updated for a few days but I have been getting on with detail painting components for the fuselage internals.

                      A few pics of where I am at.
                      I used MRP of course, Vallejo for detail brush work and AKI True Metal wax metalisers. I sprayed a thin coat of MRP semi gloss over the parts to protect the paint from the washes. The True Metal being vulnerable to the enamel washes.
                      [ATTACH]287294[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]287295[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]287296[/ATTACH]
                      Once I have done the washes I will spray a matt coat before dry brushing Uschi metal powders to create the wear and some more localised washes and pigments.

                      An update on the work area. I have remodelled it slightly adding more MRP sized paint holders and replaced the paper towel holder with a new drawer unit.
                      [ATTACH]287297[/ATTACH]

                      One more pic for fun.....

                      a business contact called around for a 'one to one' network meeting as he wanted to see my models. Our networking group are having a competition for 'unusual' one to one photos and this is the pic I took to enter. The caption 'David should have gone to Pybus Opticians' - this firm are members of our group hence substituting them for the well known chai and the owner is the current chairman.
                      [ATTACH]287298[/ATTACH]
                      Attached Files

                      Comment

                      • colin m
                        Moderator
                        • Dec 2008
                        • 8770
                        • Colin
                        • Stafford, UK

                        #12
                        Good stuff Barry. I wish I could do a build log as good as you do. I just can't keep the momentum up. Must try harder.

                        Comment

                        • Guest

                          #13
                          Awesome stuff Barry, cant wait to see more!

                          Comment

                          • BarryW
                            SMF Supporters
                            • Jul 2011
                            • 6029

                            #14
                            Well I have progressed the weathering. Not quite finished, just a bit of silver pencil work to do.

                            The ip
                            [ATTACH]287299[/ATTACH]
                            And some more.
                            [ATTACH]287300[/ATTACH]
                            [ATTACH]287301[/ATTACH]
                            I will start pulling the pit together soon.
                            Attached Files

                            Comment

                            • Guest

                              #15
                              Excellent work as always Barry

                              Comment

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