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

[davegee]

Still shopping around. As I mentioned up above, 17740 of VMF 214 is tempting as she seems to have been a survivor. Can't find her on the list of wrote offs or losses. She also seems to have been an insignia 'transition' airplane, according to the picture so I could get away with leaving the roundels on. Again, pilots were not assigned an aircraft, they took whatever was available, at least in the early days, so other than the number, they just looked weathered and beat up. I'm leaning toward that airplane.

Grossman56

I did a quick search of your airplane. I found a pic online that shows it as a F4U-1A, and not a F4U-1. This photo also shows it with the improved bubble canopy over the "birdcage" of the earlier F4U-1s. Here's a link, for what it's worth:

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Corsair/VMF214/pages/Vought-F4U-1A-Corsair-VMF-214-USN-Bureau-No-17740-Torokina-Strip-Bougainville-1943-01.html#google_vignette

See what you think. This early model F4U-1A has the earlier roundels on the bottom of the wings, but I'm guessing you might want to consider another plane that was truly a birdcage F4U-1, that you have the model of. Just my two cents' from a quick internet check.

Cheers

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Yep, you're right, I'd looked through that collection but missed that pic. Still interesting that it has stars and bars on one side and roundels on the other though.

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Now here's one right up my alley:

8 Ball/Dangerous Dan!

Sounds like a winner to me. For those who don't know, my name is Dan Gross, or Dangross slight mods to it and you get Dangerous. Cool!
And Callie even has the decals!


Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Started 'riveting' ala Papa Boozer and tried a little weathering with chalks. I'm using a very thinned out brown to paint the panel lines as well, it takes a few washes and wipings (?) but the effect looks good. You probably can't see it from the pics but I used a coral pink color for weathering as well, make sense to me.



Several months later... which is why I wanted a winter project!
BTW, using a scotch brite pad to weather the decals worked well!

Grossman56

[Aros]

Looks great!

[Elbee]

Grossman56 (aka "Danger"),

ditto, my friend.

Best, Steve

[jetfool]

Weathering looking great. The model becomes real the more weathering you do. They didn't have time to worry about keeping them clean in those hectic days.

Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Yep, you're right, I'd looked through that collection but missed that pic. Still interesting that it has stars and bars on one side and roundels on the other though.

Grossman56

That was quite a busy time for the Marines operating out of those remote islands in the Solomon Islands, as you well know! It is possible that some markings were updated when possible, but I'm sure there were several instances of mixed markings during that time, and other times during WWII.

I like your suggestion of the "8 Ball" Corsair. That would be a good one for the markings and your F4U-1 birdcage Corsair. You've got a good start on the weathering. Looking good!

Cheers

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Yep, lots of fun. Now, regarding the cockpit. I know absolutely NOTHING about 3D printing! Now, I know a few of you guys are lucky enough to be into it, so I'm hoping that, for a price, someone would be kind enough to volunteer to print the cockpit parts for me??
So many cool things to get into with this plane. Now its not going to be as great as Elbee's, but I want it to be something that I push myself to make it the best I can do. Eventually, I'd like to get the strut covers and of course, the Robart tires and that cool pilot that Elbee has. I considered the Aces of Iron pilot (Of which I have 3) but he doesn't come across as 'Pacific' enough to me.
I'm also going to try the 'salt trick' on the prop blades, I'll use a broken prop at first just to see.

Stay tuned!

Grossman56

[davegee]

Yep, lots of fun. Now, regarding the cockpit. I know absolutely NOTHING about 3D printing! Now, I know a few of you guys are lucky enough to be into it, so I'm hoping that, for a price, someone would be kind enough to volunteer to print the cockpit parts for me??
So many cool things to get into with this plane. Now its not going to be as great as Elbee's, but I want it to be something that I push myself to make it the best I can do. Eventually, I'd like to get the strut covers and of course, the Robart tires and that cool pilot that Elbee has. I considered the Aces of Iron pilot (Of which I have 3) but he doesn't come across as 'Pacific' enough to me.
I'm also going to try the 'salt trick' on the prop blades, I'll use a broken prop at first just to see.

Stay tuned!

Grossman56

Hi Dan: those parts that are designed to be made in a 3D printer have a file name attached to them: STL. If you have parts that are identified as STLs, I cam print them up for you. I just need those files that I can put in my printer/computer, and you'll be all set!

Regards,

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Cool, thanks Dave. Elbee sent me a zip file for the STL's.
I just sent them to you, check your e mail.
Come on over tomorrow after 2:00pm, I should be home by then.

Grossman56

[jetfool]

Dan,
I did the salt treatment on my Birdcage Prop and it came out great. I practiced on some old props beforehand. My grandson printed my STL 3-D cockpit for his industrial class project. There is/was 2 different STL cockpits, One the F4U-1 Birdcage and another for the F4U=1D. Grandson printed both so when I order the bubble top I will have it. Davegee and Elbee both were my motivators in encouraging me to learn new things (weathering and 3-D parts). Following your progress.

Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

Cool, thanks Dave. Elbee sent me a zip file for the STL's.
I just sent them to you, check your e mail.
Come on over tomorrow after 2:00pm, I should be home by then.

Grossman56

Hi Dan: I just checked, I have Elbee's STL files. I'm printing up a cockpit panel now to see how it goes. For my Corsair 4 years ago, I think I had someone back East print me up the files. I'm not sure where he got them. At any rate, I can bring this over to show you when I get a chance to see you again.

I have a big Thanksgiving party to go to tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon and evening so I couldn't make it over to your house tomorrow. Let me know another day this week and I can probably drop by and see your beautiful new bird and help plan the next phases of your build.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

jetfool davegee

Gentlemen, once you print what is in the files, let me know if the fit is any good.

There were/are different sets for each variant and those were modified for each variant.

The point is, I can re-modify to fit to your preference, so let me know.

Best, Steve

[davegee]

jetfool davegee

Gentlemen, once you print what is in the files, let me know if the fit is any good.

There were/are different sets for each variant and those were modified for each variant.

The point is, I can re-modify to fit to your preference, so let me know.

Best, Steve

Hi Steve: will do! I'm printing up the main control panel as a test right now and it if comes out ok, I'll bring it over to Dan tomorrow as a test piece to see how it fits. I'll do this with any subsequent parts from your files and let you know how they fit as is, or might need a small modification.

Cheers

Davegee

[jetfool]

Davegee,

The most difference of the cockpits was on the instrument panels. The birdcage model used a different gunsight vs F4U-1D. My pics/docs showed the differences in many photos I used. Once you determine what plane Grossman uses hopefully photos will show this also. I followed Elbees photos on how he cut out the foam in the cockpit area to allow the full cockpit to fit but didn't cut below the pushrod area or use his lower scale bulkhead. Really happy with how mine fit after slowly cutting foam and pre-fitting everything many times before final assy. Also used Elbees bullet proof glass ahead of the inst panel that was on my scale version. You guys are making me want the bubbletop version to repl[cate one off the USS FRANKLIN, # 69 that I have documentation for.
Best Regards, Rex

[f4u ausie]

3 or 4 helping on one project.. nice to see cooperation,, (not enuf of that these days) any way cant wait to see the resuts.. lookin good so far..

[davegee]

Davegee,

The most difference of the cockpits was on the instrument panels. The birdcage model used a different gunsight vs F4U-1D. My pics/docs showed the differences in many photos I used. Once you determine what plane Grossman uses hopefully photos will show this also. I followed Elbees photos on how he cut out the foam in the cockpit area to allow the full cockpit to fit but didn't cut below the pushrod area or use his lower scale bulkhead. Really happy with how mine fit after slowly cutting foam and pre-fitting everything many times before final assy. Also used Elbees bullet proof glass ahead of the inst panel that was on my scale version. You guys are making me want the bubbletop version to repl[cate one off the USS FRANKLIN, # 69 that I have documentation for.
Best Regards, Rex

Good info there, Rex. We'll keep this in mind for people like you who have already successfully completed a birdcage F4U-1 and any wise words you have for us based on your experiences in the build and modification of the stock model. I have printed a main control panel for evaluation for use in Dan's Corsair he just received recently. I'll probably go over to his house and check it out and give him the printed control panel to make sure we can get it in place without too much surgery!

Appreciate any and all thoughts to help Dan's airplane be its best.

Cheers

Davegee

[Grossman56]

Hey guys. This video gives a great tutorial on how to get the panel in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx3NglUl5bY

This fellow isn't afraid of showing where he made mistakes so we don't have to. For instance, leaving the old panel on and gluing the new one over it. He does some good work.

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

You know, it really isn't about the airplane. The airplane is just a reason to form a brotherhood of good people helping each other out. Thanks guys for all your help, extremely appreciated!!

I've decided to go with "Eight Ball/Dangerous Dan" I just love the parallel between Dangerous and Dan Gross, I've been called Dangerous Dan on occasions so its a sign!!

Now, I find it interesting that on most if not all the pics I've seen, they don't have the rearward antennae but, of course, they all have the pitot tube yet the only plane I have that came with one is the P 40. I'll have to look through the collection of parts to see if I can find one and see if its the same.
No rush on the instrument panel Dave, just pick a day after 2 and head over.
So great having another Squawker in the neighborhood. I get to see all Dave's great airplanes first hand!



Grossman56