VMF-512 F4U-1D Corsair
USS Gilbert Islands, July 1945

I recently completed this build for a "US Navy & Friends" Group Build on another site. This is the USS Bunker Hill boxing of Tamiya's Corsair, the one without the moto-tug and rockets.

Here's what I did for this project:
1/48 Tamiya F4U-1D #21 "Brooklyn Butcher," VMF-512, USS Gilbert Islands, July 1945.
Kit options used: drop tanks, rocket launcher stubs, extended flaps, folded wings, frameless canopy, short forward antenna, dorsal antenna, and tall tailwheel.
HGW textile/PE seatbelts.
Mike Grant instrument decals.
Ultracast exhausts and wheels (with diamond-tread tires).
Montex Masks and kit decals for the markings.
Scratchbuilt cockpit details: trim wheels, O2 line, map case, various bits and bobs.
Kit gunsight modified with parts from Quickboost.
Large ventral landing light on left wing eliminated.
Outboard wing fuel tanks eliminated.
Step in inboard right flap eliminated.
"Taped" gun ports with decal film.
Engine wired - including a modified ignition ring and spark plug terminals in the cylinders, at least on the front side. 😉
All nav lights replaced with scratchbuilt clear parts.
Antenna wired with monofilament, Bob's Buckles, and micro brass tubing.
Gun camera and leading edge landing light aperatures opened and filled with clear parts cement to make lenses.
Weathering with oil paints and Mig Ammo fuel stain medium.

This is my third completed aircraft build, and it was a skill-builder for sure - far more complex in construction than my previous two builds. The Tamiya Corsair has quite a high parts count for a 1/48 WWII single-engine kit, and getting the best from the kit requires taking quite a bit of time paying attention to the fit, planning your next move, and a lot of delicate handling, but in the end I was rewarded with a great model.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Any and all comments, criticisms, and questions are welcomed!