HobbyBoss' 1/48 scale
F4U-4B Corsair

by Brett Green

True Details' 1/48 scale F4U-4 Cowl and Propeler Correction is available online from Squadron

Here is my latest completion - HobbyBoss' 1/48 scale F4U-4B Corsair.

This is a classic example of the Curate’s Egg – it is good in parts. The cockpit and engine detail is really nice. The wing folds are quite busy, surface detail is not overstated, the clear parts fit perfectly (fit is very good overall in fact), and it seems that the aircraft's shapes are generally accurate.

On the downside, the wheels, prop blades, propeller boss and the elusive “smile” of the engine cowling intake are all off. The front of the main undercarriage bays, and therefore the front gear covers, are incorrectly shaped. The fabric detail on the elevators is really nice but inexplicably the rudder features deep scallops. The flap cavity covers are missing from under the wings and the instructions are pretty vague in some important areas, most notably the tail gear. Holes are provided for the folded wing braces but the braces themselves are not supplied. The cockpit is nice but the entire throttle quadrant is also absent from the port sidewall.

In summary, I would say that this is a very nice model that has been let down by sloppy research at the design stage.

However, it is not difficult to lift the HobbyBoss F4U-4B Corsair into a higher category with some extra work and after market parts. I used the True Details engine cowling and propeller set, True Details wheels, scratch built the front wheel covers, throttle quadrant and flap cavity covers; and pinched a few bits from a Tamiya Corsair (the pilot and the folded wing braces).

I used white metal landing gear and wing fold hinges from Scale Aircraft Conversions too. I have sometimes had my doubts about the usefulness of white metal undercarriage legs, but metal wing folds are undoubtedly a great idea – plenty of opportunity to adjust the angles of the hinges after the wing panels are glued in place. Actually the white metal gear legs were really handy this time too, as I was able to adjust the angles of the legs and the axles.

The scalloped rudder was filled with Tamiya Surfacer and sanded to subdue the excessive effect.

I also sourced a drop tank from the spares box that I used as a yellow napalm tank, just to add a little colour. Markings were sourced from Cutting Edge sheet no. CED48269, “F4U-4 Corsair Part 3”.

I’ll be writing this up in more detail for Issue 31 of Military Illustrated Modeller magazine. Hope you'll like it.

Thanks to Creative Models Limited for the sample.

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2013 by Brett Green
Page Created 20 September, 2013
Last Updated 21 September, 2013

Back to HyperScale Main Page