Official FlightLine F4U-1A Corsair 1600mm (63") Wingspan

[Elbee]

Hello Corsair Cognoscenti,

Hah, word of the day is a good thing.

Below are a few pictures of the wing 'weathering' progression.

The first pic in the garage is weathered using pastels and rubbing with sponges, p-towel, and just my hands, no top coat finish.

It is amazing the tones and gradients you can produce with just those items.

So much easier for this guy than airbush techniques, though airbrushing would have accomplished simialr results in much less time, I presume.

Anywho, the second pic has 3 light dustings of Krylon Art Fixative. The key seemed to be very light dusting to acheive one coat of coverage rather than just one light coat.

You can see there is some loss of intensity from the first picture, but I had 'over done' the look a bit anyway, counting on some loss.

Additionally, another benefit is the overall blending of color which never ceases to impress me whenever I matte coat an airframe.

I also added some 'prop wash paint chipping', which feels over done, but I hope once the the wings are reunited with the fuselage, that will become moot, we'll see.

I've been dabbling on the fuselge, and that will be more subtle I think, but has to at least match the wing to some degree.

In the actual photos I've referenced, the fading is all over the place, sometimes heavy on the fuse side, other times non-existant on the fuse but still heavy on the wing.

I really do not think there is any right or wrong here, just pick a reference photo and go with it, make it your own so to speak.

Big fun, just terminally slow, but it is a hobby afterall and it's my hobby of choice these days.

Best, LB




,

[davegee]

Hello Corsair Cognoscenti,

Hah, word of the day is a good thing.

Below are a few pictures of the wing 'weathering' progression.

The first pic in the garage is weathered using pastels and rubbing with sponges, p-towel, and just my hands, no top coat finish.

It is amazing the tones and gradients you can produce with just those items.

So much easier for this guy than airbush techniques, though airbrushing would have accomplished simialr results in much less time, I presume.

Anywho, the second pic has 3 light dustings of Krylon Art Fixative. The key seemed to be very light dusting to acheive one coat of coverage rather a just one light coat.

You can see there is some loss of intensity from the first picture, but I had 'over done' the look a bit anyway, counting on some loss.

Additionally, another benefit is the overall blending of color which never ceases to impress me whenever I matte coat an airframe.

I also added some 'prop wash paint chipping', which feels over done, but I hope once the the wings are reunited with the fuselage, that will become moot, we'll see.

I've been dabbling on the fuselge, and that will be more subtle I think, but has to at least match the wing to some degree.

In the actual photos I've referenced, the fading is all over the place, sometimes heavy on the fuse side, other times non-existant on the fuse but still heavy on the wing.

I really do not think there is any right or wrong here, just pick a reference photo and go with it, make it your own so to speak.

Big fun, just terminally slow, but it is a hobby afterall and it's my hobby of choice these days.

Best, LB




,

Looks great, Steve! For South Pacific birds, I don't think you can go wrong or too over the top with weathering, although I suppose that is possible. I periodically "refresh" my Corsair with more chalks, and I'd like to try some of that Krylon Art Fixative after my next "refresh" as I have foam coverings that go over all the outer wing and tail surfaces and they act as a little "eraser" with my overall paint and weathering scheme. So the outer wings and tail are less weathered than I'd like because of the foam travel panels. I'll give this a try.

Cheers

davegee

[f4u ausie]

Personally steve,, i think u r right on the money,,inc the chipping.. its all just opinion... but if ur going to do it ,, it may as well b reasonably accurate,, ive not seen a corsair hellcat pic from the islands up north that did not look similer.. carrier born were a different kettle of fish.. dont uderdoo the fuse ,,, or it wont match...,, just sayin... and i really really .like the chipping

[Coconut]

Davegee, what are you using for foam coverings?

[Elbee]

f4u ausie davegee

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I think it looks really good so far and the fuselage is a much smaller area to weather.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Amazing Elbee! Once you start the chalk process the transformation in my minds eye takes over and lets me replicate the shading, fading of paint, shadows of light and dark aeras on the subject plane that I chose. With added fuel, oil stains, chipping . dust ect. our model planes become miniature aircraft. Thanks to Davegee for pushing me to try this technique.
I believe you are producing a Museum Scale Master-p[ece. Can't wait to see it finished

Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

Hah, museum?

Yes, I've been approached by the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum/Attractions in Grand Prairie, TX

and only if I can get it finished within my lifetime.

Okay, not really and I thank you for the kindest words, Sir.

The pastels are great to work with, but it is a game of patience at least for me.

I will add something late in the day and then see if I still like it in the morning.

This has helped me from 'input overload' and I have done as much subtraction as addition.

I think that is more about my inexperience with Warbird weathering than anything else.

I built plastic model cars and a few wooden ships as a kid.

Airplanes were more a real thing and my interest was always about flying those instead of modeling those.

As f4u ausie, jetfool and davegee have all said, a Pacific Corsair will look very much different than Euro RAF or USN Carrier based aircraft.

With that thought in mind, I believe a Marine South Pacific Corsair needs a bit of 'dirt'.
Best, Steve

[Aros]

Hello Corsair Cognoscenti,

Hah, word of the day is a good thing.

Below are a few pictures of the wing 'weathering' progression.

The first pic in the garage is weathered using pastels and rubbing with sponges, p-towel, and just my hands, no top coat finish.

It is amazing the tones and gradients you can produce with just those items.

So much easier for this guy than airbush techniques, though airbrushing would have accomplished simialr results in much less time, I presume.

Anywho, the second pic has 3 light dustings of Krylon Art Fixative. The key seemed to be very light dusting to acheive one coat of coverage rather a just one light coat.

You can see there is some loss of intensity from the first picture, but I had 'over done' the look a bit anyway, counting on some loss.

Additionally, another benefit is the overall blending of color which never ceases to impress me whenever I matte coat an airframe.

I also added some 'prop wash paint chipping', which feels over done, but I hope once the the wings are reunited with the fuselage, that will become moot, we'll see.

I've been dabbling on the fuselge, and that will be more subtle I think, but has to at least match the wing to some degree.

In the actual photos I've referenced, the fading is all over the place, sometimes heavy on the fuse side, other times non-existant on the fuse but still heavy on the wing.

I really do not think there is any right or wrong here, just pick a reference photo and go with it, make it your own so to speak.

Big fun, just terminally slow, but it is a hobby afterall and it's my hobby of choice these days.

Best, LB




,

The heck with my like option...Where's my love option??!

[Elbee]

Thanks, Bro.

[jetfool]

Elbee and guys,

I wish FL would introduce a new 1600 plane that would entice several modelers to buy and modify like this Corsair brought to this forum. I had so much enjoyment watching everyone's and working on my own plane come to successful conclusion. I learned many new things along the journey. Just my .02

Rex

[davegee]

Davegee, what are you using for foam coverings?

Hi Coconut: I assume you're talking about the foam coverings that I put over the wingtips, horizontal stabilizer/elevators, and rudder/fin? If you're around a Walmart or some similar hobby store like Hobby Lobby, they sell small rolls of 1/2" thick foam rubber in sheets about 3 feet long and about 18 inches wide, or so. I make a paper pattern over these areas to be covered, and transfer them to the foam and trace the outlines with a thin magic marker. I then cut them out, tops and bottoms for each surface to be covered, and use something like E6000 glue (also at Walmarts and Hobby Lobby's). I run a bead along the outside edge of one or even both pieces, and then press them together. Can't hurt to put some pressure like something to sit on them until the set up to dry. Once dry, I usually keep them on the planes in the shop and carry them out to the field in my truck with the coverings slipped on in case the rough road to the field bounces the airplanes a bit in the bed of the truck. I've never had any damage to the airplane with these coverings. One safety thing I added is a red ribbon attached to each foam protector, each one about 6 inches long, just in case I have a "senior moment" and forget to pull one of those off prior to flight. The red ribbons usually get my attention before I try to fly the planes!

Once at the field, I remove all the coverings, and I'm ready to do the preflight and then fly. It's really a very inexpensive way to protect your aircraft's vulnerable areas for transport or storage.

Cheers

Davegee

[Coconut]

Nice, I'll look for that. I use Reflectix. I think that's how its spelt. Cut out the pattern and use gorilla tape to put them together.

[davegee]

Nice, I'll look for that. I use Reflectix. I think that's how its spelt. Cut out the pattern and use gorilla tape to put them together.

Sure, any number of materials can do the job. I still have a piece of green foam rubber that I used for a wingtip on an old 1/6 scale Aerotech P-47D gasser, and now I use it as a rudder/fin cover for my Flightline 63 inch Spitfire Mk.IX. That was 20 years ago, so this stuff lasts and lasts!

Cheers

davegee

[Elbee]

Hey Y'all.

Quick update on the weather.....ing.

Wow, Whoa, and Woe.

I will say that my mind's eye needs to see a cranial optomitrist or something.

There is an art to this and the only da Vinci in my house is in the title of a coffee table book.

Starts and stutters, redo after redo, however, I think I have some sequence for whatever comes next.

All top weathering is done, need to add a few detail bits after I weather the bottom.

That will not be more than some exhaust streaks, grime on the tail wheel assemble, blending from the top weathering, and adding that pesky 3DP Brewster Bomb thingie.

I will overcoat the entire model in a matte clear spray which will tone down some of the grayishness from the pastels.

All in all, quite the adventure, this weathering of Pacific Warbirds. I'd do it again, just not real soon.

Tamms shot a few iPhone pics and I shot a few detail pics.

Let me know, HONESTLY, what you think and remember that constructive criticism is a good thing.

Best, LB

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hey Y'all.

Let me know, HONESTLY, what you think and remember that constructive criticism is a good thing.

Best, LB

I think it SUCKS, (that you are so good at this and I couldn't begin to have the skills to do anything like this). This is perhaps the finest work that we'll ever get the pleasure to see, until your next endeavor of course. If you placed it on dirt/sand with some palm trees in the back, I would think it was a photo taken in 1944 (you can always send it to me and I'll do that for you, no charge). Amazing: Weathering couldn't be better, operating cowl flaps (gimme a break), wheels, sliding canopy (are you kidding me?), the almost functional cockpit and a pilot that looks so real (though can't quite make out the time on his watch) and of course the Hula Girl! And a bunch of other stuff I'm leaving out! I'm speechless (unfortunately something I rarely am according to my CO )! Thanks for sharing this odyssey, it was definitely worth it!

[davegee]

Outstanding work, LB! Weathering looks very believable for a bird flying off of Peleliu,, without overdoing it. I especially like the moving canopy and pilot.

Cheers

favegee

[jetfool]

Gorgeous Elbee! I would like to see a video of it taxing with cowl flaps, canopy opening and closing then the first flight and that sh---- eatin grin on your face.

Rex

[Aros]

My constructive criticism is that it needs to be in my hangar, PRONTO. Hash tag #museumpiece.

Reminds me of one davegee when he put his beauty in a museum. You both are ridiculously talented.

If only Freewing would come out of the box looking like this. I'd buy 5.

[f4u ausie]

The first flight will mean even more your museum peice makes mine look old worn out, and just old hat.. awsome

[Elbee]

Hugh Wiedman davegee jetfool Aros f4u ausie

I am grateful for your replies, comments, and support over the months that became years.

I will leave all the museum work to our talented master builder, Dave G, thank you.

Hugh, Tamms laughed and said, "that would figure" when I told her you had spotted "Hula Girl". OBTW, next odyssey=Freewing Twin 80mm Tomcat.

Rex and Craig, there's got to be and will be that picture of her with full flaps, open canopy and cowl, gear down on approach. Now that will bring a grin to this guy's face.

Todd, the shipping costs to Astoria would be steep and I'd want a little something for my efforts.

We'd be lookin' at a swap at best, I figure a Singer Porsche 964/911 would cover it. Let me know.

Best to all of my Bent-Wing Brethren, Steve

[Grossman56]

Hey Dave, I picked up a bunch of foam squares from work, they were used for packing and they look like they'd be perfect of wing tip/tail covers. I already have a bunch and figured you'd want some as well, price is right!

Grossman56