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This
tiny model is the Italeri 1/72 scale Vought F4U-5N Corsair I built almost 4
years ago. It's a nice model and although it has some inaccuracies, it surely
looks like a bent-wing Corsair to me.
One
of decal markings supplied in the box is for the F4U-5N of VC-3 BuNo 24453 during
Korean War flown by Lt. Guy Bordelon, the only non-Sabre Ace during the
conflict. He shot down 4 Yaks and a Lachovin.
I
began the cockpit construction as per instruction, adding control throttle,
side ribs, and seat belt, then painted it interior green. The cockpit has a
floor,
that is correct for the type. After some detail painting and weathering, I
inserted the cockpit into the fuselage half and joined them.
Next
step was joining wings, stabilizer and engine/nose into the main fuselage. I
decided to cut the flaps and stab's control panel and re-contoured the
cut-part to match the main wings. With a lot of filling and sanding, the flaps
installed into the wings. And so was the stab’s control panels.
After
all major assembly was done, it was time to paint the corsair in overall Navy
Blue. I sprayed Tamiya Laquer White from spray-can as a base because I wanted
to try a new weathering style I got from a magazine. Then I air-brushed Tamiya
Acylic Sea Blue overall after the laquer had dried for about 2 days.
Then
it was time for decalling. The new (at that time) Italeri decals worked well. I
was preparing myself to “fight” the Italeri decals like they used to be, but
this time, the decals worked perfectly.
Now,
it was time to implement the new technique, I re-scribed
the panel lines and other areas (including over the decal) using a dull
needle very gently. And, it worked! The chipped acrylic paint was peeled off
exactly what I wanted to see.
To
make the chipped area were not too contrast, I lightly washed an
acrylic-thinner-damp cloth over the paint. And I just loved the result….
I
sealed all my finishing work using Testors Dullcoat spray and added some stain,
more chipped paint, added the antennae, gears, etc to complete this small model
of this famous bent wing bird.
Enjoy
!
Alexander
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