1:72 F4U-1 D

Clear vacuum-formed F4U-1D Corsair canopy (1:72)

A vacuum-formed (vacuform) clear replacement for the cockpit canopy for plastic models of the F4U-1D Corsair in 1:72 scale. It is not an aircraft kit but a separate clear accessory — a thin formed film replacing the thicker canopy from the basic kit. The package usually contains several pieces, so you have a spare as well as a choice of position.

The real subject

The Vought F4U Corsair was an American carrier fighter with an inverted gull wing. The F4U-1D version was the fighter-bomber variant with underwing pylons for bombs and unguided rockets and with a domed, well-glazed cockpit canopy. It was deployed in the closing stages of the war in the Pacific for attacks on ground and air targets alike.

Use and fitting

• Cut the part off the backing film with a sharp knife or scissors and sand the edges gently.
• Glue it with canopy glue or with white PVA glue, which will not fog the transparent material.
• Mask the frames carefully before spraying; the thin wall looks more faithful in scale.
• The thin frames allow you to model an open cockpit and show the interior.

Who it is for

For more advanced modelers who want a clear canopy with a faithful shape and a better view of the interior. Cutting out vacuum-formed film 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.