XF4U-4 Corsair
Upgrade & Build with CMK, Quickboost and Verlinden
The choice of the TAMIYA kit (1/48) was a one-way street for the F4U-4 Corsair version, as there is no significant commercially available kit for this variant. Fortunately, CMK Executive Company offers the conversion set 4064, specifically for the Tamiya kit, which covers almost all the requirements for the conversion.
Contents of the conversion kit:
All front engine parts
Fusion with excellent detail in the wheel arches
Full cockpit with improved canopy
Four tabs with stickers
Disadvantage:
The application on the wing tips requires putty, as shown in the relevant photo.
More details can be found at the link:
Modeling Madness review
In addition, a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-42W resin engine was added, from the Quickboost set 48421, offering an even more realistic result.
Construction – Historical Fidelity 1944-1945
The goal was to render a Corsair as it was maintained at the end of World War II:
A Verlinden resin parachute from a pilot set was added
The rudders were cut at the end of the shaft to give a more dynamic feel
The hook was lowered manually and JATO (Jet Assisted Take Off units) were installed, from a TAMIYA F-84 kit
Painting & Weathering
After engraving the rivets, Vallejo Surface Primer Grey was applied.
Note: The aircraft was not in active operational service and was stored indoors, which explains its “clean” and well-maintained appearance.
Paint steps:
Alclad ALC-101 Aluminum – as a base for a metallic feel
COLOURCOATS US Navy Blue (US-08) – for the center panels and upper fuselage
Deck Blue (US-10) – for the perimeter areas of the panels
Tamiya XF-3 (Yellow) & XF-7 (Red) – for individual details
Black Ace – made by masking and spraying
Scraping with a metal scraper – to show the Alclad under the blue paint
MR Hobby Clear H-30 varnish – protective coating
Mix 50/50 H-20 & H-30 – for a semi-gloss finish
Weathering with AK Interactive Washes – AK 2076 & AK 2073
XF4U-4 Corsair