Kit: 60774
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer:: Tamiya, from Tamiya America, 800-826-4922, www.tamiyausa.com
Price: $23
Comments: Injection-molded, 87 parts (2 vinyl), decals
Pros: Excellent detail, top-notch interior detail, alternate propellers, optional flap without step, great decals
Cons: Fit too tight in places

Many of Tamiya’s excellent 1/48 scale kits have been “reduced” to 1/72 scale (wish Tamiya would do so on the Swordfish, Meteor, and P-51B). Although the smaller versions of the Corsair don’t have folding wings or separate flaps, they are excellent kits. A few years ago, Tamiya issued the 1/72 scale F4U-1A/D kit, and this kit is the same with additional parts to make the early “birdcage” canopy F4U- 1. The new parts include the razorback with the rear-view window cutouts, an alternate inboard starboard flap without the cutout step, a shorter tail-wheel strut, and a slimmed-down propeller. Obviously, new clear parts are included with separate windscreen, rear-view windows, and a choice of two sliding canopies, one with a raised bubble to accommodate taller pilots. Decals provide markings for two tri-color VF-17 “Jolly Rogers” aircraft off the USS Bunker Hill, Gregory Boyington’s birdcage from VMF-214, and Ken Walsh’s blue-gray over light-gray machine from VMF-124.
Assembly was nearly trouble free. The eight-part cockpit interior is outstanding, and correctly features the “floorless” arrangement of early Corsairs. Tamiya’s rendition of the powerful R-2800 engine is well done and the assembly traps a vinyl grommet inside the crank case to ease installation of the propeller. A nice option is opened and closed cowl flaps. The prop needed minor cleanup along its edges.
The separate optional wing flap didn’t fit cleanly into position and had to be sanded a bit. The same goes for the ventral window which needed a light shaving on all sides to fit into its opening. Careful alignment is needed to close gaps at the wing/fuselage joint.
I painted the model with Testors Model Master enamels, flat gull gray for the bottom of Walsh’s two-tone scheme, blue gray for the top.
Tamiya’s decals were outstanding, and thinner than some I’ve used in the past. Curiously, there are two white inks used to print the national insignia: bright and off white for various versions. I think that’s due to photo references, and not an error.
The finished Corsair looks great. I spent 22 hours on mine, and recommend it to modelers of all skill levels.
– Paul Boyer