OK, I’m converting Tamiya’s F4U-1D to a -1C, and I have a few questions about the details.
Did all of them have the rocket stubs on the wings?
The article on ipmsstockholm.org about the interior colors says that from october 1944, the cockpit sides above the consoles were black, with everything else in interior green. So were -1Cs built before or after this date? (I’ve already closed up the fuselage so I can’t really correct it, I just want to know if I’m right.)
Did all of them have the bulges on the upper wingsfor the cannon breeches? (scans or pictures showing their size and location would be VERY much appreciated.)
ANY scans/pictures/diagrams of -1Cs would be very helpful…
Are there any pictures out there of F4U-1C #11 from the USS Shangri-la (with the white lightning bolt markings)? I’m building this a/cso any help would make me very happy.
what was the outside diameter of the cannon fairings on the wings, and how big would that be in 1:48 scale?
http://www.wright-wing.com/f4u-1c.htm <that’s the only reference I have for this project, so please,if you can scan or point me to any other references, that would be great
The information I have handy on the F4U (Detail & Scale, Vol 55) indicates that the F4U-1C was based upon the F4U-1D airframe. Only 200 -1Cs were built, space out between -1D blocks on the production line. All but the first three -1C ac had the frameless hood, while the first 800 -1Ds had the double framed canopy of the -1A installed. Both models had the twin pylons under the center section for carrying bombs/napalm/drop tanks. Neither model was initially equipped with the permanent rocket mounts and when they were installed, the -1D carried 4 rockets under each wing while the -1C could only carry 2 under each wing (probably a weight & balance thing). The first 773 -1Ds were equipped with the large Ham Standard prop (13’ 4" dia) before changing over to the small prop (13’ 1" dia). All the -1Cs had the small prop.
Unfortunately, I can’t comment on the “blisters” over the cannon - the three view furnished doesn’t show them, and the two pics are of the cannon bay with the doors open, which doesn’t give you a good view. From what I can see, it appears that they are not teardrop shaped.
My first step when trying to use the internet for reference searches is to switch my yahoo search engine to images. Then I’ll get hit which usually give me a better starting point for answering the kind of question you pose. I can usually find photographix evidence for most anything I go looking for as long as I’m willing to dig. I just find it easier to dig through the images instead of the text subjects you get with the search engine configured normally. This worked especially well for me on my current project which unlike most things zi build I had absolutely no in house references. (It’s a 1/72 scale Gannet in case your curious.) I have 200 reference books and not one had anything significant regarding the Gannet. For a while I was beginning to think it wasn’t a real airplane.
