FG-1D Corsair #94-“Big Hummer” at Reno 1971 / Pilot ~ Bob Mitchem.

FG-1D Corsair “Big Hammer” – Reno 1971

A Vintage Build Revisited: Handcrafted Tribute to a Racing Legend

This is the first public appearance of one of my older but deeply personal builds. The “Big Hammer” Corsair is my tribute to the golden era of air racing and the mechanical bravery behind the modified warbirds of the 1970s.

 Inspiration Behind the Project

The concept was born from the iconic Reno Air Races of 1971, where a radically modified FG-1D Corsair, nicknamed “Big Hammer”, stood out from the pack. I set out to recreate it using the TAMIYA 1/48 F4U-1D Corsair kit, taking advantage of its simplicity and clear engineering to craft a diorama that captures the aircraft’s spirit in a runway setting.

 The Conversion – Step by Step

• Engine Upgrade
  The original Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8W was removed and replaced with a more powerful R-2800 CB-16, accurately reflecting the real aircraft’s race-ready configuration.
  A custom four-bladed propeller and spinner were sourced from a P-51 Mustang kit.

• Fuselage & Exhaust Modifications
  I sealed off the lower exhaust exit with plastic sheet and putty.
  Then I scratch-built new upper exhausts, just like the real “Big Hammer,” using rolled plastic rod and careful shaping.

• Cowling Flaps & Intakes
  Cowling flaps were reconfigured into the closed position.
  A new top-side air intake was added on the engine cowling.
  I also reduced the oil cooler inlets under the wings for accuracy.

• Folding Wings & Airbrakes
  I cut the folding wing tips and fixed the airbrake’s mid rudder in place, simulating the static, parked configuration typical for air race prep.

• Surface Detailing & Rivets
  Full surface riveting was applied to bring texture and realism to the skin.
  The aircraft’s body was covered in aluminum foil, using Micro Metal Foil Adhesive, creating a polished, race-ready look.

• Cockpit & Pilot
  A pilot figure from an F-4 Phantom kit was used to match the 1970s aesthetic.

• Figures & Accessories
  All figures and accessories came from the Hasegawa 1/48 Carrier Crew Set, providing a lively scene with mechanics and crew posing in authentic maintenance or loading positions.

• Base
  The runway base is fully scratch-built – crafted by hand to resemble a temporary air race staging area with period-correct weathering and ground textures.

 Painting & FS Color References

FG-1D Corsair ‘Race 94’: From WWII to Reno – History, Conversions & Modeling

 Final Thoughts

If I were building it today, I would definitely use aftermarket detail sets for the engine and cockpit to enhance the fidelity. But the goal back then was to capture the feeling of the era – raw, fast, and bold.

This “Big Hammer” Corsair is more than a model. It’s a time capsule, a love letter to the golden age of warbird racing, and a creative escape into another time.

https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-news/a-history-of-the-warbird-heritage-foundations-great-lakes-corsair-for-sale.html

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/pratt–whitney-double-wasp-r-2800-cb16-2-row-radial-18-engine/nasm_A19580058000

https://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=71621&start=15