F4U-1 “Birdcage” Corsair 126 – “Tojo Eats Shit”
The choice of the color scheme was itself a piece of the puzzle. It appears to be one of the early two-tone designs with Blue Gray (FS35189) and Light Gray (FS36440). The timing of the markings also confirms this pattern. However, the outer surfaces of the fixed wings clearly show a blue-gray tint. So what is the darker color on the upper surfaces of the wings?
This led to the thought that this might be a particularly dirty, three-tone variant pattern, using Sea Blue (FS35042) — a choice that attests to the harsher and more “warlike” weather conditions of the Pacific. This F4U-1 appears to retain its original factory color, with additional Sea Blue passes in front of the wings.
We do not know if it had stars (“star & bar”) on both wings, as the Barracuda shows us on the decals. What is certain is that this is one of the first Corsairs received by the USMC in 1943, and the photo was taken towards the end of 1944 — in a typical Pacific environment. The aircraft operated from makeshift runways on coral islands, where the sand from the corals rubbed and wore out the planes severely.
Even when it rained, they never washed them. Water was precious and was only intended for drinking. So, instead of cleaning, the Corsairs were painted over. The quality of the paints at the time was rudimentary and they used gasoline instead of solvents.
Modeling Work & Paints
I worked exclusively with Model Master paints and matte varnish from Hobby Color. With only one photo as a reference, I spent a lot of time weathering, piece by piece:
Phase 1: I brightened the base colors with white oil, highlighting the panels.
Phase 2: I washed with AK Sand & Desert.
Fuel from the tank: With Burnt Umber oil.
Exhaust smoke: With Hobby Color H-343 Soot.
Mud on wheels: With H-346 Rough Sand.
Engine area: With AK Engine Oil and AK Kerosene.
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Under the fuselage: Wash with Yellow Ochre from behind the cockpit to the tailwheel.https
Fw 190 Focke-Wulf Access Ladder