1:72 F4U-1 A

Clear vacuum-formed canopy for the F4U-1A Corsair (1:72)

A vacuum-formed clear replacement for the pilot's canopy for plastic models of the F4U-1A Corsair in 1:72 scale. It is not an aircraft kit but a standalone clear accessory - a thin formed film replacing the thicker canopy from the base kit. The package usually holds several pieces, so you have a spare and the option of a different position.

The real subject

The Vought F4U Corsair was an American carrier fighter with an inverted gull wing. Compared with the early Bird Cage version, the F4U-1A brought a raised seat and a less framed, blown canopy, which markedly improved the pilot's view. The Corsair became one of the most successful fighters of the war in the Pacific.

Use and fitting

• Cut the part from the carrier film with a sharp knife or scissors and lightly sand the edges.
• Bond it with clear glue for canopies or with white PVA glue, neither of which will fog the clear material.
• The blown shape holds its clarity well - mask the frames carefully before spraying.
• The thin frames make it possible to model an open cockpit and show the interior.

Who it is for

For more advanced modelers who want a clear canopy with a truer shape and a better view into the interior. Cutting vacuum-formed film out takes a little practice.

The accessory is supplied as a clear vacuum-formed molding, unpainted and without glue. The base model and paints are not included in the package.