Revell F4U-4 Corsair- A Gift For a Friend

[406 Silverado]

I bought this kit in the spring time of 2014 as a project for my son and I to work on. I bought two of these things so that we could build along side together and build at the same pace. After we got started we both realized that this wasn't the kit to have a beginner on so I shelved it and bought something a little easier for him. The reason behind this build was a meeting with my mentor at a church function we had over early summer. He used to build models but cant any longer due to a slight shake he has in his hands which makes him unsteady. I had asked him what his favorite WWII aircraft was(because he's into that kind of stuff) and he responded almost right away with "The Corsair". I kept that in the back of my head until September 26 when I put the wheels in motion on building this kit. What I didn't know was just how much of a challenge this build would be with all the gaps, misfits and alignment issues. I literally slaved away on this thing to get it done in time to present it as a Christmas gift by next month for him with anywhere from 30 min. to 4 hours a day being spent on it. This is the kit I'm taking about to give you all a visual (and to properly warn any innocent bystanders out there) of what I bought.



The fit issues alone where enough that I actually had the thing in the trash can twice! I knew if I did what I wanted and went for the Tamiya 1/48 kit that I would have had a lot better looking build with more detail but I wouldn't have been able to finish it by Christmas because thats how I am. The more detail, the more time it takes to get it done. I built her as flown as part of Black Sheep Squadron VMF-214 operated off of the USS Sicily (CVE-118) , Korea in 1951. Any ways here are the finishing photos;


















and the shot of it on the display base that I made out of a modified shadow box, with a mirror base I had made for it and the custom badge. I also have a custom made acrylic glass case that goes over the top of all of this that's not pictured here.




What WAS surprising about this kit was the fact that it actually had a full cockpit (however inaccurate) which was out of the ordinary for Monogram kits of that day. I worked with what I had using nothing but the skills I have obtained from forums along the way and a set of Eduard seat belts to set it apart from a bone stock interior. The first two pics are the real color of this pit and the last was me toying around with my new camera so that one is a little , let's say........bright.

[Tojo72]

One to be proud of,always fun to gift one of your builds.

[406 Silverado]

May 2, 2023 21:45:07 GMT -5 Tojo72 said:

One to be proud of,always fun to gift one of your builds.

Thanks Tony,

Every now and then I still see the old build in his house and she's still holdin' up fine.

[stikpusher]

Looks good! Especially for that boxing of those old molds. I remember building that one with my dad around 50 years ago…

[jeaton01]

An excellent result for that kit, Joe. I built one when it was new and the fit was a lot better but it certainly was not the best of Monogram's 60's efforts. Originally there was only a decal for the instrument panel and a pilot that had a fin in his back to slot into the cockpit aft bulkhead. The seat is a relativley recent upgrade that Revell Monogram did.

[chromdome35]

I'm glad you powered through the build, the end result is excellent, that is a beautiful bird!!! The cockpit details look really good, I especially like the harness.

When I was a kid, Ba Ba Blacksheep was one of my favorite shows, thats probably why the Corsair is my favorite plane from that era.

[tcoat]

May 3, 2023 12:14:15 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

I'm glad you powered through the build, the end result is excellent, that is a beautiful bird!!! The cockpit details look really good, I especially like the harness.

When I was a kid, Ba Ba Blacksheep was one of my favorite shows, thats probably why the Corsair is my favorite plane from that era.

I have never seen the show. I was deployed when it first came out and I don't know of any place that ever showed it in reruns. Nobody streams it now. I have heard mixed reviews from people that did watch it back then. The aircraft parts would be cool to see. 

[robbo]

Lovely planes, I've got a Tamiya one in the stash

[garydavis]

Man Joe...went from GREAT car builds to Very GREAT plane builds. I also liked the Corsairs.

I enjoyed watching the TV series. Thought that Robert Conrad (along with the rest of the guys) did a good job on that show.

[ogrejohn]

You did a fine job on it Joe!

[406 Silverado]

May 2, 2023 22:52:57 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Looks good! Especially for that boxing of those old molds. I remember building that one with my dad around 50 years ago…

Thanks Carlos. Careful....you're dating yourself brutha.

[406 Silverado]

May 2, 2023 23:37:18 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

An excellent result for that kit, Joe. I built one when it was new and the fit was a lot better but it certainly was not the best of Monogram's 60's efforts. Originally there was only a decal for the instrument panel and a pilot that had a fin in his back to slot into the cockpit aft bulkhead. The seat is a relativley recent upgrade that Revell Monogram did.

Thank you John. Jeez, I'm glad something got upgraded because those wings were the frickin' DEVIL trying to get put together. I will sat that I'm glad they chose to at least put some sort of detail in there. I remember the Monogram Hellcat and Wildcat having the decal IP and the "fin" for the pilot. lol

[406 Silverado]

Brian: Thanks bud. It ended up in the dang trash can THREE times but I'd dig it all back out and start on it again. I was just too far into the build and was running out of time to get it all done by Christmas. I watched BS squadron with my dad as a kid and always looked forward to it coming on. I was into WWII aircraft at the time so I was fired up before every episode.

Tony: Yeah there were some blah and meh episodes but when the birds took to the sky it was always fun to watch.

Ian: I've got a birdcage Corsair in the stash as well......thanks to Joe Rix.

Gary: I started off building aircraft as a kid and then again as an adult 13 years ago so that's where my true love in modeling is. Automotive is a great interest of mine but I truly relish the opportunity to build an aircraft. Right there with you on BS squadron.

John: Thanks a million ol' buddy.

[TJ]

It is really a treat when you build wingy things. Damn dude I would have launched it. But you got it done and beautiful

[Medicman71]

Excellent work on a beast of a kit! It seems that some Revell/Monogram kits can be horrible or they can be really decent. Take the Revell Tomcat, I know some people are awesome at it but I've never been able to build it. Now the Revell F/A-18E Super Hornets are not that bad at all. They just take a little work and they look great.

[406 Silverado]

May 17, 2023 17:18:51 GMT -5 TJ said:

It is really a treat when you build wingy things. Damn dude I would have launched it. But you got it done and beautiful

Thanks Johnny and I apologize for the delayed response. This thing did pretty much fly into the trash can several times.

[406 Silverado]

May 18, 2023 9:32:04 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Excellent work on a beast of a kit! It seems that some Revell/Monogram kits can be horrible or they can be really decent. Take the Revell Tomcat, I know some people are awesome at it but I've never been able to build it. Now the Revell F/A-18E Super Hornets are not that bad at all. They just take a little work and they look great.

Thanks Mike and yeah, these old aircraft kits from Revell require a whoooole LOTTA luvin’ !!!

[Tobi]

You did a very good job on this Joe.

I have built this kit some 35 years ago as a child myself, so I know what you mean. Had to build it gear up because everything was so misaligned, but turned out nicely all in all.
Was the first time I did putty a kit and also weather it, when I didn't even know the term weathering. I intuitively gave it a black wash and a dry brushing with aluminum because I thought it would look good.
I remember the decals printed by Cartograph were great, they dried matte and without silvering. Did only use the insignia and before decal softener I already knew the trick of using vinegar.
And what did my dad do 10 years later? He gave it away without asking in the course of a move while I was at University.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 2, 2023 23:24:10 GMT -5 Tobi said:

You did a very good job on this Joe.

I have built this kit some 35 years ago as a child myself, so I know what you mean. Had to build it gear up because everything was so misaligned, but turned out nicely all in all.
Was the first time I did putty a kit and also weather it, when I didn't even know the term weathering. I intuitively gave it a black wash and a dry brushing with aluminum because I thought it would look good.
I remember the decals printed by Cartograph were great, they dried matte and without silvering. Did only use the insignia and before decal softener I already knew the trick of using vinegar.
And what did my dad do 10 years later? He gave it away without asking in the course of a move while I was at University.

Yeah it was pretty tough to build alright and building it with the gear down and one wing fully extended was REALLY tough!
Hey at least your dad gave it to someone to enjoy. Mine threw a lot of mine in the trash. Lol

I do hear what you’re saying though

[kyledehart5]

Wow. Impressive results my friend. Can’t believe what you must’ve had to work with and to get this result is fantastic.

[406 Silverado]

Oct 18, 2023 4:39:19 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Wow. Impressive results my friend. Can’t believe what you must’ve had to work with and to get this result is fantastic.

Thanks Kyle. In the end, good ol' Pat was just blown away by it. It was the perfect Christmas gift for him as he really likes the Corsair alot.

[kyledehart5]

Oct 18, 2023 5:17:02 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Oct 18, 2023 4:39:19 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Wow. Impressive results my friend. Can’t believe what you must’ve had to work with and to get this result is fantastic.

Thanks Kyle. In the end, good ol' Pat was just blown away by it. It was the perfect Christmas gift for him as he really likes the Corsair alot.

I'm not surprised. A great gift

[Tojo72]

Fantastic job,a truly worthy gift

[406 Silverado]

Oct 18, 2023 7:00:12 GMT -5 Tojo72 said:

Fantastic job,a truly worthy gift

Thanks Tony and Kyle.

Through it all and looking back the extra work was worth it.

[Joe Rix]

I soooo remember you building this. You cussed and boobed so much that I was afraid you were going to be banned from the internet entirely. Alas, you prevailed and made lemonade from lemons. Your perseverance turned this into a beauty.