After struggling with several kits, I decided I wanted to build one that wouldn't be too much of a challenge (I find myself saying that a lot), so I chose the Tamiya F4U-1. I had actually hoped to finish this one in December, but it was not to be.

Assembly wasn't too difficult, but not as simple as, say the Tamiya Bf 109E kits. The cockpit is a little complex, as I'm sure it was in real life. I also had a little trouble with the wings, but sanding the spars a bit helped. I actually delayed attaching the folding wing sections until after painting, as they are the same color top and bottom.

This kit was going to be the same colors as the Wildcat I build last year, so I used with Krylon White Primer again. As with the Wildcat, the underside is Model Master Enamel Flat Gull Gray FS36440 and the top is Model Master Enamel Navy Blue Gray. I remembered that the top was not quite as dark as I had hoped, but I stuck with the Model Master Enamel anyway.

I used Future as a gloss coat prior to applying the decals, Mr. Mark Setter on the decals, and Model Master Acryl Flat Clear as a final flat coat.

Page last updated June 15, 2023.