Tamiya 60774 - 1:72 F4U-1Corsair Bird Cage

Plastic model kit of the Vought F4U-1 Corsair Bird Cage carrier fighter in 1:72 scale

Tamiya 60774 depicts the early version of the Corsair – the F4U-1 'bird cage', named after its heavily glazed, framed cockpit canopy that resembled a birdcage. It was the first series-production version of this fighter, also recognisable by its short tail wheel and thin propeller blades. The distinctive inverted gull wing and powerful radial engine remained the hallmark of the whole Corsair family.

The kit is from Tamiya's own tooling and includes parts capturing the early-production features. High-quality Cartograf decals finish the aircraft in one of four U.S. Navy and Marine Corps unit schemes, among them the iconic VMF-214 Black Sheep and VF-17 Jolly Rogers squadrons.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing and tail parts
• Parts for the early version: framed canopy, propeller, short tail wheel
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Cartograf waterslide decal sheet for 4 marking options (U.S. Navy and Marine Corps)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60774
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 141 mm, wingspan: 173 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a Tamiya-tooled kit it features good parts fit. Paint the cockpit interior before closing the fuselage; the framed canopy – with its many frames – is easier to paint with self-adhesive masks fitted. When attaching the wings, take care to set the correct angle of the gull bend.

Early Corsairs usually wore the U.S. Navy tri-colour scheme (Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and White). Lay the decals over a gloss coat to avoid silvering, then finish with a satin varnish. The instructions provide paint references for all four schemes.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Gloss varnish for the decals and a satin coat to finish
• Optional: self-adhesive canopy masks

About the aircraft – Vought F4U-1 Corsair (Bird Cage):

The Corsair was designed as a fast carrier fighter with a powerful radial engine and a huge propeller. The inverted gull wing reconciled the large propeller with short, sturdy landing gear. The F4U-1 was one of the first U.S. fighters to exceed 640 km/h in level flight.

The early 'bird cage' variant, with its heavily glazed, framed canopy, was the first series-production Corsair. Because of its tricky carrier-landing behaviour, it was initially used mainly from land bases, where – especially in the hands of U.S. Marine Corps pilots – it played an important role in the Solomon Islands campaign of 1943.

Original aircraft specifications (F4U-1 Corsair):

• Length: 10.16 m
• Wingspan: 12.50 m
• Height: 4.90 m
• Max take-off weight: approx. 6,350 kg
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine, approx. 2,000 hp
• Max speed: approx. 640 km/h
• Armament: six .50-calibre machine guns
• Crew: 1
• Feature: inverted gull wing, framed 'bird cage' canopy

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. Tamiya's own-tooled kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike, combining accurate detail with thoughtfully engineered, enjoyable assembly. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.