Spurred by the many amazing builds I’ve seen online, I began looking into possibly buying a Corsair to build, but my following question is mainly curiosity. I’ve seen three prominent kits for the F4U Corsair (1:32 scale) and all built to amazing levels of craftsmanship:
Without having to purchase a bunch of extra parts these 3 kits in particular appear to have the same level of detail, fit & finish but I was wondering if you had an opinion of which kit is superior? If they’re relatively the same then I’d lean toward getting the Birdcage (given the price and it was a really funny movie
If I’m missing a kit, please feel free to chime in. Pictures to back up any claims are highly encouraged
I’ve built two Tamiya 1:32 Birdcage Corsair. I can highly recommend thIs particular kit. On that note, I’ve recently built a F4U-1A 1:32 Revell Baa Baa Blacksheep Corsair. The Revell kit is no way near the Tamiya and or Trumpeter kit, I purchased the Revell for nostalgic reasons.
I was at a local model shop today and ran across a Trumpeter F4u-1D and scooped it up. I don’t know how this kit compares to the more expensive Trumpy F4u, but given the price it seemed a great kit to learn on (albeit, still bloody expensive). I’ve also decided to pull the trigger on the Birdcage kit, but will hold off on it until more skill seeps into my fingertips. One humiliating build at a time!
I’m not sure what country you are in,but DO NOT pay those prices for those kits.I just did an eBay search,they can be had for much cheaper,also many of the online retailers have it cheaper
I jumped on Amazon and immmediately cancelled my order for the Birdcage. If the cancellation works out I’ll reorder it on SealModel. The price diff is enough to afford me a decent book about this warbird or the Revell kit if I can find the one mentioned here. Truthfully, the quagmire of choices is making my head spin. I didn’t realize so many kits have been offered over the years. My fault I suppose. It’s a reckoning for being out of the hobby for so long.
BTW, I live in the Inland Empire of SoCal and do my best to help out the local shops—within reason of course—but these prices seemed exhorbant to me. It’s what prompted me to tap y’all for some guidance, so I’m grateful for everyone’s advice and entertaining responses. Especially about the prices
Anyway, I already purchased the older Trumpy 1D at a local hobby store, with the intention of getting the Birdcage one way or the other. This way I can display the F4u in both folded and extended configs.
Heh… Amazon. Never order any model kit from Amazon.com. You can find the same kits far cheaper elsewhere. I never can understand why anyone want to order from them. They charge way too much for model kits.
Have you tried asking your LHS owner if he can order one for you? A lot of times they will if you tell them you want to support the local hobby store.
[dto:] Gotta agree with this. Also, if you get on your local hobby shop’s good graces, sometimes they’ll even throw a little discount your way on top of that. Sometimes my LHS does that and sometimes they don’t. It depends on who I’m talking to behind the counter.
Yuppers. Heard and heeded. Amazon has great deals on some items, but I’m quickly learning elsewhere is wiser in the kit arena. I’ve inquired with the different LHS’s when making purchases. It’s all over the board though. Some come in lower, others higher and it gets more muddled with different kits. The $185 Tamiya is from a LHS and Amazon was actually cheaper … as of this morning, SealModels.com is better yet. Thanks to y’all I can afford better paints, detail kits, etc., with the price savings.
I’m like you in that I like to support my local shops first and foremost but there are times when ordering off the 'net can’t be beat in terms of pricing.
I just subscribed to the free trial of Amazon Primea couple of weeks ago. I’m going to see if there are any kits out there at great prices that I can get with free shipping. [:)]
I’m a bibliotaph, so having a Prime account goes without question. I’ve saved a ton over the years in the shipping costs alone. In some areas my wallet might be with Amazon, but my heart will always be with brick & mortar LHS’s.
Another benefit of the Prime account is all the old shows that come with the account. I just watched several series about WWII aircraft, war campaigns and recently the return of Patrol Boat Yankee (PBY Catalina) to its San Diego birthplace.
Another great place to find deals on kits is at contests. All of the ones I have ever been to have had a vendor area…some better than others. Anyway, take lots of cash!!! Not many deals on still very new kits, but the Trumpeter Corsairs, for example, can easily be had for $40 +/- all day long! Vendors are also a bit more willing to haggle if you bundle a few kits together…just don’t insult em!!!
@ fermis :: The only model contests I’ve ever attended have been at conventions. Funny enough I got first place for my first ever entry. A spaceship built out of corrugated cardboard for the body, coat hangers for pipes, and for the greeble, a score of Star Wars snaptites that KB Toy & Hobby was blowing out for 75 cents each. Anyway, I was 16 then and since I’ve never returned, I must’ve decided to retire while I was on top
Kidding aside, I’m not that hip on current events but plan to attend shows again. The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum is around the corner from me, so that’s happening for sure. I’ll also be looking into the IPMS and even attending Wonderfest(?).
@ seastallion53 :: I just learned that Pappy used to radio the Japanese to taunt them to come out and play. Can’t be certain it’s true but what a great story nonetheless. They should make it into a TV show. A bunch of fighter pilots stuck out in the South Pacific … man I loved that show. What scale was that Zvezda? Have you finished it?
