I am starting my second model, Tamiya 1:48 F4U-1/2 Corsair. I want to do the US Marine Version and in my limited research am finding very little consistency! There seems to be a LOT of variation in this aircraft! My references are IPMS Stockholm for interior colors, and found a great REAL pic. for exterior reference. The Tamiya paint guide had some obvious errors making me look!
Questions…1)If I ever get to the point of posting pics or entering a contest do you list references? 2) Is there a “preferred source” of references? 3) Are all WW2 aircraft like this?
My first model (OLD Revell P40) was strictly for fun/skill building and I want to do this right!
There’s no requirement for references, although for doing some wazoo mod (weird paint scheme, markings, unconventional weapons load, etc.) it’s always advisable. There was a thread several months ago about it, which I can’t find of course. But there’s also this if it helps you any:
Scroll up and down from that post. The real nugget of observation is the very last post.
For modern armor and AFV’s, that would be me or Hans - Hermann, who posts here regularly.
No, references abound for some aircraft, and for others it’s pretty sparse. I do offer walk arounds for the occasional aircraft. They’re geared toward details though, and not markings, unless it’s common to all aircraft of a particular type, such as stenciling, or if it’s a particular tail number a company wants to produce a kit of.
Edit: Now you have a good excuse to watch some quality television, the way it was in the good old days - Black Sheep Squadron. Not very factual, but usually entertaining.
No to number 2 and 3 depends on the aircraft. Some are more popular than others. In the short time period, lots of manufacturers and design changes. There is production runs of a certain type, transition period with new and old parts, replacement parts and the overall no one person knows all the details plus not all the information is published and what is published is not agreed upon.
For the F4U, look for items that have Dana Bell’s name. William Reece is another good name to look for on forum posts. Things start to become clearer when focusing on a campaign (time period) and squadron.
Not familiar with Tamiya’s directions for this model but remember, the wheel well for the tail wheel and arresting hook are Salmon “Pink” not Green or Yellow Chromate, though seldom visible to the spectator.
Some pretty solid reference material on interior colors of F4Us can be found here, which I see you already have. Period photos tend to confirm what they say.
As a general rule, try to avoid warbirds and museum aircraft as reference material, because they may or may not have been restored accurately to original specs.
Start with time period. The standard paint scheme changed over time.
Then like tank stated, look at squadron.
This is an early “bird cage” version. Notice the two tone color and type of national insignia.
My source (IPMS Stockholm) says Salmon was discontinued during the F4U-1A and switched to Zinc Chromate Yellow. Cockpits , were interior green, dull dark green, or black above the instrument panel. I guess I need to either dig REALLY deep, or just have fun and TRY! I will not be entering any contest or posting pics for awhile anyways due to my current skill level!
I know the Marines supposedly gladly accepted many F4U’s that the Navy had difficulty with due to Carrier landing issues. AND the Marines usually are the last at funding and fight with what they are given, not out of the realm of possibility to have Navy colors with Marine markings! The exterior colors seem standardized in later version.
USMC Air (I dont know the specific name/term) falls under Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, especially during WWII. USMC aircraft were finished to the standards, colors, etc. specified by USN Bu.Aer. USMC aircraft use the same BA number system as USN aircraft, (individual serial number to AAF/USAF aircraft) and it is not unusual for an individual aircraft to serve in both services during their lifetime, if the type is used by both services.
I decided to go with AK Blue Grey (bottom) and AK Ocean Gray top, two color scheme. I was over thinking it. Thanks for the info! learning a lot from everyone here!
As a young Soldier in the mid 80’s being the Machinist/Welder and the new guy, I was tasked with repainting the companies vehicles from NATO 4 Color to 3 Color in Germany…Didnt have the paint pattern TM, so I just “winged it”. The “Contact Truck” operators were all from Ohio, I was from Michigan. All of the “Contact Trucks” had a black Michigan on the back. The M88 on the front. No one noticed until I told them! AND the companies vehicles looked so good I didnt get in trouble!
I guess I need to either dig REALLY deep, or just have fun and TRY! I will not be entering any contest or posting pics for awhile anyways due to my current skill level!