Tamiya 60775 - 1:72 F4U-1A Corsair

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

Tamiya 60775 depicts the F4U-1A version – the variant that gathered the improvements introduced gradually during Corsair production. Compared with the early 'bird cage', the F4U-1A received a raised seat and a new, better-glazed canopy (improving visibility), a longer tail wheel and a small strip on the leading edge of the right wing to even out the stall behaviour. 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 offers a generous fit. High-quality Cartograf decals finish the aircraft in one of three 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
• 1000 lb bomb and a drop tank
• Two propeller types and two tail-wheel types – for different options
• Detailed cockpit interior and clear canopy parts
• Cartograf waterslide decal sheet for 3 marking options (U.S. Navy and Marine Corps)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Item number: 60775
• 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. Before gluing, choose the option, as they differ in propeller and tail wheel, among other things. Paint the cockpit interior before closing the fuselage and fit the canopy last, after painting. When attaching the wings, take care to set the correct angle of the gull bend.

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 three 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-1A Corsair:

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 first Corsairs, however, had limited visibility and several features that made carrier landings difficult.

The F4U-1A version gathered the improvements introduced gradually during production – including a better canopy and a raised seat, which improved the view from the cockpit. As a result, the Corsair increasingly operated from carrier decks too, remaining one of the most effective U.S. fighters in the Pacific.

Original aircraft specifications (F4U-1A 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. 670 km/h
• Armament: six .50-calibre machine guns; underwing bombs
• Crew: 1
• Feature: inverted gull wing

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.