minlwintun

Hello Warbird fans,
I just purchased a CMP Corsair 50 frim AK-models and Had a question about the Matte Finish it came with.

I intend to seal the finish with Top Flight Clear.

But My question is should I use Top Flite Flat Clear or Gloss Clear.

Were there any F4U corsairs in US service during WWII that had a flat finish as opposed to the glossy finish seen in that old Black Sheep Squadron TV series from the 70s

Thanks for your help,
-Min

cathurga

Hi There,

I a certainly no scale expert, so my opinion is pretty null if you intend making yours a scale appearance.

I used an inbetween lacquer to finish it, and after three light coats, it has almost a cross between matt/gloss, difficult to explain, but it is quite a nice finish. I am not keen on the super shiny finish that one gets with monokote, so a slightly flatter finish seems better. Anyway, I have the rattle can at home, and will post it's name here if you are interested, it was cheap too.

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

The earliest Corsairs, which were F4U-1s/ 'birdcage canopy' versions had 'matte' light blue gray on upper surfaces and light gray on bottom surfaces. Later, the F4U-1A versions had a 3 color, also known as tri-color scheme using ('matte') dark blue, med blue gray, and white as the colors. The glossy sea blue became the finish for most F4U-1-Ds and later versions (as well as ALL USN carrier based aircraft, up until after the Korean war).
So, if you are asking if the CMP finish is historically correct (or close), the answer is no.
Post a picture of it, and we can jusge it better.

Nitrodan73

My Feedback: (12)

I used Minwax satin laquer from Home depot on my CMP P40. It has a little gloss and a little flat mixed together but it is mor flat than shiny. Pretty durable I think.

jetmech05

Scale modelers know that flat or matt is the only way to go...

minlwintun

Thanks for your advice guys. I'll try to take a snap shot of the stock finish. I just need some to take it out of my closet and unpackage it.

-Min

CorsairJock

My Feedback: (90)

A TRUE scale modeler knows that some full scale warbirds have a glossy finish, and finish their models accordingly.