SPA Modeler

Ok... I'm going to throw this one up now although I may not be able to give her a proper start for at least a week or two. Like the Tiger II, this one is outside of my wheelhouse but despite the lack of knowledge of US fighters, I'm going to give it a shot. This will be the Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1a kit built as one of Greg "Pappy" Boyington's aircraft, Bu No 17740 of VMF-214, based out of Vella La Vella in 1943.



There are some archive photos of 740 that I was able to scrounge off the internet including...







Fundekals has a great PDF guide to Boyington's Corsairs, of which he is known to have flown several. I'll be using the PDF and included profile as a reference.


Next up will be a look at the kit sprues. It's a good way for me to start getting familiar with the kit and hopefully interesting for you as well.

All reviews say this is the best corsair kit out right now I know you will do a fantastic job of her. Btw is this one of the first runs with the clear engine cowl?

Wonderful John!

This means one thing for the coming weeks!



- Kari

Awesome!

Oh this should be good....

Definitely will be following this one. His stead is not without controversy especially when it was debated as either "Lucybelle" or "Lulubelle". I do understand the squadron really didn't have their own aircraft but took whatever was available at the time. Boyington was a controversial character though and a damn good pilot.

I have seen your work, John, and this is definitely in your wheel house...

Subscribed last night. Here is another angle from the publicity series - more details (cockpit interior visible).

Keep the references coming! The more the better! Like I said, I know next to nothing when it comes to the technical aspects of the F4U-1a. I'll be relying on the color call-outs in the kit instructions for the most part, unless any pertinent information becomes available.

Here's a start at our look at the kit sprues. I'll try and go in alphabetical order.

Sprue A - Wings


The molding detail on this kit is CRAZY. Crisp and super fine. So fine that the details are difficult to register without going to macro level.




Sprue B - Fuselage




Sprue B-1 - Center Wing



Sprue C - Wing and Tail Control Surfaces


Sprue D - Cockpit




Sprue F - Landing Gear

John, This project is gonna be off the charts. First image is one of your reference series, without the crop. The others are of airbase activity.