SPA Modeler

Man that's some crisp detail on that engine buddy. Lookin' good.

Nice progress and great cooperative problem solving, well done gents.

Regards,

Thanks so much, guys. I really appreciate the kind words on this. I’m really happy with how this model is shaping up and I’m grateful for your encouragement.

This project, for me, is like taking the accuracy of the build and moving it up to a bigger level. It began when Carlos passed along a link to me concerning how to accurately portray the interior of American aircraft of the period, as the Corsair most especially has its own idiosyncrasies. This bit here became something of a stone tablet for me when I set out to work on the aircraft:



It’s where I got the idea to faux-prime the gear bays with Tamiya Yellow-Green and then over-spray with white just like they did to the real aircraft, and chip the paint. Just that right there was a big leap for me in terms of learning new stuff. I’m appreciative to Carlos for that guidance.

And of course, I’m appreciative to Bruce for his weighing-in on engine color. That would’ve probably killed me -literally- had I discovered that photo he shared after I’d buttoned up the cowling and painted the aircraft. Oh man...

And again, I appreciate all the encouragement and constructive feedback along the way. All you guys are great and I’m really glad to be here in this community.

I’ll also say this. We all know I’m a “Messerschmitt Guy.” A “109 Guy” in particular. I love that aircraft. But I gotta tell ya, these badass American aircraft, these Corsairs and Hellcats, they do it for me too, just on a different level. I was speaking about it to my wife the other night. She’d come in to hang out and keep me company and listen to music while I was test-fitting parts, and I told her how much I was enjoying building the kit, and reading about the aircraft. I also told her I liked the Corsair just as much as my favorite: the Emil.

“Really?” She asked. “You love those Nazi planes. What is it about this one that makes you like it so much?”

And I thought about it a minute, and then secured the wings with Tamiya tape, held it up for her, and said “Well babe, look at it. It’s like a huge, flying dick with wings and a 2,000 horsepower engine and heavy armament and an 11:1 kill ratio. What’s not to like!?”

She laughed heartily.

The Hellcat is like that too, and it sometimes has a psychotic shark mouth painted on it!

So yeah, what’s not to love about these American warbirds?

Think of the 109 to F4U as a roadster to a muscle car. One is smaller, sleek, and full of “zip”, while the other is pure beefy brute power.

YES! Precisely.

And buddy, I have a big-ass garage with room enough for both of them, and I need both of them.

YES! Precisely.

And buddy, I have a big-ass garage with room enough for both of them, and I need both of them.[/quote]

Corsair

http://www.platinumfighters.com/fg1dn72nw

Not quite a 109. But probably as close as youd get without doing the resto job yourself.

http://www.platinumfighters.com/buchon402

Man I wish I had my own actual 109... my wife says I should build one...

Carlos and Bruce, I shot my regular Tamiya Clear (a good semi gloss) at the engine today:



I may do some subtle washes, I may not. I’m guessing them boys kept the engines at least nice and clean. It also looks lovely just how it is...

Yes, it does look good... but give it a wash... radials are notorious for oil leakage/seepage... plus it will help those bolt heads stand out...

Awesome. I’m using these new Ammo washes I got. Gonna wait 24 for that clear to cure before I try them.