Hasegawa Corsair F4U-5N Question

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hello, I was wondering if anyone else has built this kit, and how they handled the rockets and launch stubs. It seems to me that the launch stubs don’t line up with what I would think are the mounting points for the rockets. If not, the contact area is miniscule, and I am unsure of how the piece would even stay on for a second. The stub is too narrow to drill out and put a pin in…

Anyone experienced with this kit, your thought would be most appreciated!

Cheers,

Greg

2

Hi Greg!

The -5N has got to be my most favorite Corsair and my second favorite plane of all (next to the P-61). I’ve built three of the -5N kits and on each and everyone of them, I’ve never been able to figure out how to deal with the whole “miniscule mounting points” issue. Given its surface area, it’s like trying to glue two edges of two razor blades to each other.

For the most part, I’ve only glued a couple of rockets under each wing. I’d consider myself uber-lucky and then call it quits at that. On my last Corsair, I left them off entirely. I love how they look but I just couldn’t get them to work as well as I had hoped.

I’m sure it doesn’t help you out much but this is just how I dealt with it. I wish the attachment points could be beefed up just a wee little bit.

Eric

3

Thanks Eric, I was afraid it was just me, and I was missing something obvious. The -5N is one of my absolute favorites too. It is just amazing what the pilots did with those things without any night vision gear and a marginal (compared to today) radar. Lots of guts and skill. As for the rockets, I am going to try and fudge some on there. Wish me luck.

Cheers,

Greg

4

Greg, I agree with you on the difficulty of gluing the rockets to the rails. I struggled with mine, but finally got them to hold with quick setting CA. It was very fiddly work.

Regards, Rick

5

I wish you the best of luck Greg! I love the plane and it looks great when they’re loaded for bear AND with the flaps down. But the rocket stubs in the kit are verging on microscopic! With an insane amount of luck, I’ve managed to have a few of the rockets stick so I just thank my lucky stars, put the model on a shelf and leave it alone. LOL!

I hope you have even more luck than I had.

Eric

6

Greg,

I built the Pro Modeller 5N and do remember having a little trouble with the rockets…I think my kit is a re-boxing of the Hasegawa kit, right? My question for you is, there are 4 rockets on each wing, on my kit, the 2 inboard and farthest out board line up in a straight line, the other one is set ahead a bit of the others. Is that the same config as your kit? While I was building it I thought that was a little strange. I built it OOB and didnt use any reference material.so Im just wondering if that was a standard thing on the 5N`s?

Thanks,

Len

7

Hi Len, you were right in your build. One of the rockets are mounted forward of the others. I am going to try and get it figured out tonight. I really want the rockets! Now I just have to make up my mind, drop tanks or bombs?..

Cheers,

Greg

8

I used drop tanks on mine…wasnt sure if they carried bombs and rockets at the same time. Something else Ill have to look up…LOL!

9

Hi guys,

I could be wrong about this but there’s something in my brain that wants to say one rocket on each wing jutted out further than the rest due to the location of the cannon shell ejector chutes. Not 100% sure though.

Eric

10

I can’t speak for rocket locations, but for the mounting issue, try this; put a dab of CA on either the hard point or the rocket. On the other, put a dab of accelerator. Once the two contact, you’ll get an instant bond. Give it a few seconds and then apply just another little drop of CA ovver the join to cement it in place.

I’ve had to use this technique several times while adding PE cockpit controls. Sometimes, even quick-set CA isn’t fast enough.

-Fred

11

Thanks Fred, that is an excellent idea. I actually used a drill bit that I use to drill spark plug wires. I thought the part wasn’t big enough, and it barely was. I’m not usually that accurate drilling tiny pieces. I guess I was having a banner day!

Yes, one rocket was forward to miss the ejection chute. Reading through my references, it mentions missions where both bombs and rockets were being used. However, none of the pictures show it. It seems like they ran with one drop tank. VMF(N)-513 in Korea that is. Artistic license may be in effect here.

Thanks again for all the help.

Cheers,

Greg