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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2006 13:37:10 GMT 12
Has anyone else had trouble purhasing the Tamiya Corsair? I tried to order it but was told today that Tamiya no longer makes it, and tehre are none in stock. This comes from the importers/distributors via my Mum who runs a model business. I had hoped to get the kit through her. No joy.
I'm amazed it has been dropped from the range, I hear it's the best kit available of the Corsair, and I'd think the F4U-1D model would be one of their most popular kits in the range, surely?
It may reappear in the range again in the future I guess. But it's not available at the moment. I always meant to buy one and now when I finally get round to it... well, all I can say is damn, damn, damn, damn, damn
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Post by Bruce on Jul 5, 2006 16:13:31 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2006 16:27:46 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce. I was after the F4u-1D model, we didn't use F4U-1A in the RNZAF. Only F4U-1 and F4U-1D, plus the FG-1D.
I did a search on ebay for the D model and founf the price of these second hand kits is too high when compared with a new one from a shop, when you convert currency and add postage. I'm not that mad keen to get one, I'd rather buy new retail. My original intent was to get one cheaper through Mum, but the stock is nil at the impoerter. I just thought others may be unaware this popular kit has been strangely discontinued.
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 5, 2006 16:40:32 GMT 12
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 5, 2006 16:42:03 GMT 12
Hey, aren't the F4U-1 and the F4U-1A one in the same?
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Post by Calum on Jul 5, 2006 16:59:26 GMT 12
Try luckymodel.com They had some
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2006 17:01:04 GMT 12
I'm not sure if they are the same thing. Just all the references I have just looked at state F4U-1 for RNZAF, not with an A. Are they the same thing?
Was there any discerning factors between the F4U-1 and F4U-1D operationally for NZ? I mean the latter had hard points and extra tanks, so did only they go into action, whereas the earlier ones used for training at home? Just wondeing (like the RB-34 vs PV-1). Or did they both see action?
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Post by Calum on Jul 5, 2006 17:01:28 GMT 12
I've also heard the Tamyia Beaufighter TF X has been discontinued. But my wholesaler can get them and the F4U-1D you want
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 5, 2006 17:30:47 GMT 12
From what I've read F4U-1 was the official Vought designation for the early model Corsair, and the "A" was added on later by somebody else.
The F4U-1 were the first (and most numerous - 237 received) RNZAF Corsairs to see action in WW2, and some were later flown back to NZ to be used as training aircraft.
Some of the first F4U-1s in US/RN service had a different variant of P&W R2800 engine to later F-4U-1s; but apparently all RNZAF Corsairs, be they F4U-1, 1D or FG-1D, had the P&W R2800-8W.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2006 17:46:45 GMT 12
Cheers.
I know the birdcage Corsair ZK-FUI was also a F-4U1
Sorry Bruce, my mistake. Those kits are still pricey compared with new though. I'll wait a while and bide my time I think. I ordered a Hasegawa P-40N anyway to keep my pile of models growing...
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 5, 2006 18:36:16 GMT 12
Dave, I don't know what this place is like, but they have the Tamiya F4U-1D in 1/48th scale for A$37.50: www.vaggshobbies.com.au/ |
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Post by agalbraith on Jul 5, 2006 20:58:53 GMT 12
Hi Dave
I am pretty sure Acorn Models here in Christchurch has the ones you are after. Well they did a week or so ago.
Their ph is (03)374-6000, they do mail order and all. Ask for Brent, he is great.
Anyway thats if you didnt get one etc
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by trx850 on Jul 7, 2006 21:00:45 GMT 12
Hi Dave, give Modelcrafts and Hobbies in Wellington a try -they are showing all the 1:48 Tamiya Corsairs in stock. www.aspdirect.co.nz/secure/cgi-bin/shopcart.cgi?cmd=home&company=modelsFor a quick ref, just type in Tamiya F4U in the search tab. Good guys to deal with, and they also carry Ultracast details etc. I'm also pretty sure that Modelair here in Auckland had them in stock when I was in there last weekend. Unfortunately their website is down for the moment, but well worth contacting Richard or Nicki to see if they have stock. Re-the Kiwi Corsairs, no F4U-1 'Birdcage' models were operated by the RNZAF. The F4U-1A (not a Vought factory designation), F4U-1D and the Goodyear FG-1D were all used operationally. Most of the -1D's we received were almost indistinguishable from the -1A, having the same canopy with the upper frames. Unless one knows the serial number, they are very hard to tell apart! The only visual distinguishing point was the inboard pylons to take bombs or drop tanks, and on some of the late batches, the 'Zero length' rocket launcher stubs under the wings. These later ones also had the clear 'blown' canopy as did the FG-1D's. There was also a different diameter and chord prop used on the -1A's, but both types can be seen in photos. The servicing unit guys used what they could get up there, even robbing bits (and almost complete aircraft) from the USN dumps! One other point is the shorter tail wheel strut used on the early -1A's, but very few pics of RNZAF birds show these. Hope this helps, Pete M. |
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 7, 2006 21:09:54 GMT 12
Peter, I can't wait to see your Corsair page....hint, hint. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 7, 2006 21:48:28 GMT 12
Cool. So basically if I get a -1A or -1D it doesn't make a lot of difference.
I might try one of the shops recommended, thanks. I was trying to go through Mum's business (the last remaining part of my late father's once very popular model business) to get it cheaper - she gives me a very good price... but it looks like I might have to pay full, dammit.
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Post by agalbraith on Jul 7, 2006 22:12:38 GMT 12
Hi Gents
While on the subject of Corsairs, I saw in Warren Russells book a pic of a -1 with all the cowl flaps right around the engine open, that is the one on the very top that later wasnt a flap, and a pic also in a NZ Wings article of a line up waiting for the melting pot! with the same thing, now that is something you hardly see either.
Just a useless bit of trivia
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by Bruce on Jul 7, 2006 23:44:46 GMT 12
That would be right - there would be two reasons why it would later be made fixed- firstly should something nasty happen in the engine dept it means that the oil / fire / parts dont come back over the windscreen and into the cockpit (in theory anyway!) and secondly that with the flaps open there may still be some forward vision left - although with something like 14 feet of nose ahead of the windscreen I dont think it would make too much difference! I would guess that since the early corsairs were restricted to land bases the visibilty wasnt as critical as on the later ones for carrier use - A guess anyway....
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 8, 2006 11:36:37 GMT 12
I wonder if the cowl flaps were the cause of the "Tiny" Barstow's
disappearence over/off the West Coast in NZ5517?
Before he went missing he apparently radioed to the other pilots with him that he was turning back to Westport with oil all over his windscreen?
He's still missing out there somewhere up in the mountains or in the sea. I recall there have been several people who reckoned they'd seen wreckage reflecting the sun up on the mountainsides or have found parts of aircraft in a river on the coast, but it always turned out to be a hoax or parts from other aircraft accidents.
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