Monogram 1/48 F4U-5N Corsair

1/48 F4U-5N Corsair

This particular kit has been sitting in my collection for over 10 years.  It was passed over and over as I engaged in projects related to more modern, complex, and expensive kits.  That I got tired of putting so much work into these complex over engineered kits.  So I took a break from model making all together.  When I started up again I wanted something basic, simple, well made, straight forward, and could be finished using a spray can.  This kit fit the bill but to my surprise it was as well made, well engineered, and manufactured as well as the expensive, modern kits I often found my self working on over the past 10 years.  This kit is great !  It went together quickly with little need for any modifications, seam filling, grinding, and the associated frustration found in many kits.  Look at the wing fit..perfect, no sanding.  I did do some minor modifications to the cockpit area to make it a bit more "busy looking" to resemble a post war corsair.  I did this by adding seat belts, some plastic rods, dials, etc.  Built up the covering over the instrument panel, and that was it.  Of coarse I had some fun with the final finishing and weathering process as always.  Maybe a little over done but I had fun and that is what counts.  No airbrushing was used.  Just old fashion rattle can, pastel chalks, multiple washes, colored pencils, and finally some dry brushing.  The decals were good considering their age and worked well.  I wanted to do the "5N" night fighter version but use the colorful markings of the reserve squadrons with orange bands.  So to those rivet counters the markings are for the "-5" version only but who cares..just having fun!