Description
This is an injection-plastic aircraft model kit.
Following up on their excellent Zeroes, Spitfires, and Mustangs, next up in Tamiya's fantastic series of 1/32 scale aircraft kits is the F4U-1 "Birdcage" Corsair! Designed with extensive study of Corsairs on display at five air museums throughout the US and Canada, the kit features extroardinary detail and accuracy, including:
- A finely detailed representation of the massive 2,000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine.
- The engine cowling can be removed after assembly to show off all that detail, too!
- The engine cowl cooling flaps can be built in either open or closed positions.
- The cockpit features amazing detail, and the canopy can be positioned either open or closed (separate parts are included for the opened and closed versions).
- Wings can be built either in the folded or extended positions, and feature stunning detail in the wing fold area.
- Flaps and elevators are separate parts.
- Two optional fuselage spine panels are included so you can build either an early or late version.
- Tires are made of solid rubber and feature accurate tread detail.
- Landing gear can be built either retracted or extended.
- Includes photo-etched detail parts and a display stand.
- Marking options included for three aircraft.
- Seated and standing pilot figures are also included.
Another fantastic kit from Tamiya, and a great addition to any collection of 1/32 scale warbirds!
Details
Assembly Guide
Skill Level 3:
Basic Skills Required
Kits rated as skill level 3 are traditional model kits that require all basic modeling skills to complete. This includes cutting parts from runners and trimming or sanding them prior to use, assembling them with cement, and the use of paint to complete them.
To properly complete a level 3 kit, you should have at least a basic set of modeling supplies, including plastic nippers, a hobby knife, files and/or sandpaper, plastic cement, instant (cyanoacrylate) cement (for resin, soft-vinyl or metal parts), painting supplies including brushes, paint, thinner and masking tape, tweezers and possibly decal softener for applying decals to difficult areas.
Kits in this class are not suitable for small children unless there is complete parental supervision. Adults who have never before completed a plastic model kit may want to read one of the many excellent modeling guides available at most hobby shops before trying to build one of these kits.
Skill level 3 kits include a very large portion of our catalog. Most traditional plastic model kits fall into this category.
Cement Required

This item requries the use of cement (glue) to complete. For injection-plastic kits, use the weld-type clear cement specifically designed for use on styrene plastic. For some smaller parts, you may wish to use instant type (cyanoacrylate) glue. For resin, white metal, soft vinyl and photo-etched materials, the use of instant type cement is strongly recommended.
A SAFETY NOTE ABOUT INSTANT CEMENT
Parents and all modelers should note that instant cement (cyanoacrylate) bonds skin instantly. While this in itself is not harmful, forcibly attempting to pull the skin apart can tear the skin and cause injury. If you or your child happens to inadvertenly glue themselves with instant cement, don't pull, but use remover for instant cement, or nail polish remover to dissolve the bond instead.
Painting Required
This model kit or accessory must be painted in order to achieve a realistic appearance.

While there are slight differences depending on the country you live in, there are generally three types of paint available for modeling: Acrylic, Enamel and Lacquer. Their characteristics are described below.