JohnB

If I decide to make this one a FAA bird I'll likely have to find some decals for the roundels and codes in my decal stash. I'd rather get a dedicated decal sheet like Eaglecals #EC152 but so far I haven't been able to find it. We will see how it goes! 🙄

Thanks Peter. 100% agree.

A bit more progress on the cockpit. The seat belts are FineMolds.

Time for another Birdcage Corsair! The Tamiya kits are a pleasure to build and that's what I need at this point. I'm not certain as to which a/c this will be but I am considering a FAA bird if I can find decals for it. Not set in stone but we will see. Cockpit sub assembly about done.

Agreed Paul. This hobby is supposed to be enjoyable.

I was looking forward to building it as I really like the very late war color scheme. Maybe a Hasegawa kit later on.

Thanks Kevin. I really should do some rigging but maybe later on.

That might be a good idea Carl. I see Eaglecals had a Birdcage FAA decal sheet #EC152 but I've checked them and ebay with no luck. Maybe someone here has one they'd part with..........

Looks like your build came out okay. 🖕 Mine stays on the SOD.

Looking good Peter.

I doubt I'll ever get back to this kit since it's such a pain Carl. Building is supposed to be enjoyable and this one is far from that. Time to move on to a "fun" build.

Nope. It's to the SOD. Had enough of this SOB.

Thanks Peter. Not a problem. I'm resuming work on it and come hook or crook I'll get it done.

I have a question for you guys. Have any of you built this kit? The F-8 or A-8, either one. It is giving me fits with the complicated build, crappy instructions plus the poor fit. Specifically I'm wondering about building and attaching the engine. My personal opinion is that the people that designed this SOB should be hung by their balls. It's a strong candidate for the SOD and maybe the trash bin. 😠

I decided to resume work on this kit after setting it aside due to poor fit and high cuss factors. I think I now have that sorted out (fingers crossed) but haven't yet come to the part to attach the engine. Looks like a high cuss factor undertaking but we will see.

After some consideration guys, I've decided to put this on hold for now. A bit later I think.

Time for another birdcage I think. The only "problem" is finding one I haven't already modeled! LOL Kind of leaning toward "Tojo Eats S**T" but we will see.

LOL Afraid not Scott. 😄 Close but no cigar.

I remember a show some years back named "Eight is Enough". Wellllll....I've built eight birdcage Corsairs and I don't think that's enough! LOL Just for grins here are their photos. I intend to build another one now but haven't decided on which one. I'll start a build thread when I decide and get started.

Thanks Mike. LOL For sure! It was a mess.

Thank you Peter!

Moved to non-LSM builds

Posted yesterday at 10:45 AM I built this model many years ago way before there was any "after market" stuff. It has been in my attic for quite a while and I decided I'd see about cleaning it up and doing some work on it. I did away with the original guns and replaced the 40mm and 3"50's with one's from Shapeways. I haven't gotten any replacement 20 mm's yet so I cleaned up the kit guns and added PE gun shields. I also added PE railings and radar antenna using some Tom's Model Works PE for this kit. Repainted the whole model with White Ensign naval colors (USN 5-N Haze Gray plus some appropriate blue/gray for the decks). I marked it as the "USS Haynes" as used in the movie "The Enemy Below" using numbers (181) from my decal stash. The model isn't a exact match to that ship but close enough I think. The REAL ship in the movie was the USS Whitehurst. I hope you guys like the results of my efforts! See the "before" photos to get some idea as to what the starting point looked like. I'm happy with the way it turned out and may do more ships in the future. Remember....Click on the 1st photo for best resolution and to view as a slide show.

Thank you Peter. I appreciate it very much.

It depresses me that there has only been one "like" on this post since I posted it yesterday. WTF guys?