Vought F4U-1 Corsair "Birdcage" [Hasegawa]

Tony May
How did the True Details cockpit set turn out for the F4U-1 Corsair "Birdcage?" I've got a Hasegawa/Minicraft Birdcage ready to land on my doorstep in the morning. I've got an AML F4U-2 conversion set reserved with Super-Hobby. However I didn't have anything lined up for the canopy. (I was thinking of sending the canopy to Kit Masx to have it measured up for a brand new mask.) Were there any issue with using the Tamiya mask on the Hasegawa canopy?

Giovanni Pochettino
Hi Tony
It fit quite well, some grinding here and there but even a low rank modeller like me can do a fine job. But I've kept the canopy closed, so details are lost!
The mask don't fit precisely, I've done some arrangements, but is better than start from plain tape! I've never heard of Kit Masx, are they doing such services?
Have fun!

Giovanni

Moreno Baruffini
Hi Giovanni, yes, Kit Masx is a Canadian-based firm that offers the opportunity to realize masks based on canopies received from customers.

I have got a couple of standard masks from there, unfortunately Canada is a bit too far from Italy...

Tony May
Hello Giovanni! I'm very glad to hear that the cockpit set fits so nicely & that the mask set can be adapted with a little work! I will have to figure out how to shorten the mount for the seat by a little but otherwise I'm looking forward to it!

Yes, Kit Masx is a relatively new company out of Canada that makes masks. They started with canopy & wheel masks but now it seems they're delving into masks for markings as well as for paint schemes. You can also get custom masks made. A recent mail I received showed that a cockpit-side maple leaf insignia, worn by a RCAF Spitfire IX, that got into a dogfight with a Messerschmitt was requested of them & delivered.

As for my project since I intend to convert this bird into a F4U-2 Nightfighter I'm also planning to pick up the Quickboost F4U-1D Corsair Engine as it's the same type that the F4U-2 used, namely the R-2800-8W.

I'd also like to get the Aires F4U Corsair Wheel Bay, designed for the Academy kit, however I've only seen it available via a Scalemate gentleman in France & Modeler's Heaven in Belgium. While I haven't heard back from the former if I absolutely HAD to have this set I could spend the 7 Euro Modeler's Heaven is asking PLUS the 65 Euro to ship it to the United States. I think there is a PART photo-etch set that allows you to get some semblance of a Corsair wheel well also, though it's pricey, it's a lot less than 72 Euro.

Moreno, I know the feeling all too well. Belgium isn't the only one that has some tragic shipping charges. Italian, Spanish, Japanese & Argentinian shipping to the US are about enough to make a grown man cry! 😉

Even if it weren't for the fact that Canada was so far away their prices are pretty crazy. I sometimes wish that Montex would just go mad & start producing masks for every kit ever manufactured under the sun. Price wise, they're my favorites, but Eduard is probably the best in quality in terms of what I've tried out. I have a Russian brand of masks for some projects but I haven't tried them yet.