My next build will be a pair of Corsairs from Magic Factory.
This kit looks to be incredibly detailed right out of the box. I’ve read that the Magic Factory kit gives Tamiya’s 48th scale Corsairs a run for the money, so that’s what I’m here to determine for myself. Speaking of Tamiya’s Corsairs …
F4U-1A:
F4U-1D:
F4U-1 (1/32):
This is what I’ll be evaluating against. Not so much the 32nd Tamiya kit as that is not a fair comparison, but those 48th kits are among Tamiya’s best in my opinion. They basically build themselves as I recall - it has been almost two decades since I built those Corsairs - and the details out of the box are top notch.
But, this Magic Factory release is chock full of details. Individual parts for cockpit controls such as levers on the side panels. PE seat belts (Tamiya’s are a 2D decal). Clear part masks. The kit comes with parts sufficient for both Corsairs, but OOB only one can be built with extended wings; the other will be folded.* Full gun bays with parts to allow for display of those gun bays.
- I could easily enough do some plastisurgery to allow for both to be extended, but haven’t decided if I will do that or not.
Off to the left of my bench is a set of shelves where I keep all of my modeling reference books. I was surprised to see how many I have relating directly to the Corsair, as well as a couple with Corsair references. I knew I love the Corsair, but gee I had no idea I had accumulated this many volumes on that bird. And I still have a couple of old Monogram Corsairs, Tamiya’s 1/48 Birdcage Corsair, and Tamiya’s 1/32 F4U-A1 in the stash.
Here is a shot of my bench with the painting sheets on the wall. These are the paint schemes I’m going with.
These builds might take a while for me. It’s really too hot to spend any time in the garage this time of year.