Spec Cast Corsair

[Ara1]

Hello, this is my first posting.

I have added a few Spec Cast Corsairs to my 1/48 Franklin Mint collection. I wanted to offer my impressions of SC Corsair.

When I received my first Spec Cast F4U, which was finished as a Naval Reserve machine, I was impressed with how it looked in the box. The finish was smooth, flawless and glossy, the markings looked fine and the canopy was very nice.

Upon taking it out of the box, I grew disappointed when I saw how they fabricated the underside of the wing- it is one piece and the result is a decidedly unrealistic concave look. It had cost me in the area of $25USD incl. shipping, so I was resigned to give it to my nephew.

But then I began to handle it and began to notice the shape of the plane. No matter how much I wanted to hate it, it looked like a Corsair. Overall dark blue, high-gloss baked enamel finish, markings apparently painted on... nice. Sliding canopy, good cockpit detail, incl. detailed bezels.

But #1 was how it felt in the hands. This model was very tactile. Unlike many diecasts (FM's Ju 87 comes to mind), this Corsair can be picked up from the tail, wingtip, fuselage, no problems. Nothings going to break or come loose. That's a big aspect of it's appeal, it is designed to be handled and admired from all angles (yes even the bottom). Wouldn't you know I'm enjoying the hell out of it.

The fit and finish is great, and it's clear that someone put a lot of care into the making of this model. Yes they cut a corner on the bottom wing, but even that surface is painted and has insignia. And the wing is cleverly curved so that the "flaw" is only noticable when viewed from the bottom. Yes, the plane looks fine viewed from the front, sides and rear. It IS a Corsair.

So I've purchased a few more versions, which appear to be identical body castings but with different cowlings, props, and markings. Thats fine; my scale modeling days are over, I am very content with having this sweet little gem of a plane around the livery.

I have checked out other Spec Casts on the web and I don't know if I'd get any of their other offerings- FM and Eagles International are more my speed. But to me, the SC Corsair is a winner.

[Agent X20]

Welcome....

$25 for a 1/48th Corsair.... US

£25 for a 1/72 Corsair..... UK

Somethings not very fair here... :D

Any pictures would be appreciated..

1./48th always been an alient scale to the UK side of things... smaller houses perhaps.. :D .. and so as kids hade to be content with the Airfix offerings at two bob (2/- (10p))a go the likes of the 1/48th stuff was reserved for Monogram and the Mosquito at that time was about 27/6... so reserved for a major Xmas pressie.. and to that point it seems to have carried over and now we have all these Armor offerings...

[CFBC]

Ara1,

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for the first posting on Spec Cast... These are not very well known at all in the UK and mostly available and aimed at the USA market, so very little is known this side of the pond.... However, I do have soem pictures of them and will post them on the Forum, but as Agentx20 has asked....... Any pics, what they like? On parr with Armour? :)

[CFBC]

Here is a few pictures I mentioned that I had saved in a file from a while ago while researching other manufacturers for the Forum.. To be honest, I had forgotten about them as little is known... I am also aware they produce more than just the Corsair....

A few of you may recognise one of the Corsairs.... Issued via Corgi too, well....

Your comments and views would be appreciated Ara1....

[Ara1]

Thanks for the welcome Agent X20 and CFBC.

I can take some pictures this weekend, but I must warn you, I know all the beauty angles of this machine and it is going to look nice.

But of course the model has its limitations, which I want to be honest about. Right off I noticed only one wing gun per wing, imagine going into combat with 2 .50 calibers... don't think that would work so well. The panel lines are rather soft (but this can look OK too, depends on our level of expectation).

So you folks are from England... greetings from the US. I know what you mean about 1/72 vs. 1/48, and believe me, no house is smaller than mine. In fact, I have to keep my diecasts in the freezing basement and bring up the ones I want to fly around the living room while watching that great UK series, Danger UXB... silly for a 39 year old married man but we must do what we must do.

No, CFBC, the Spec Cast is not quite on par with Armour. If Eagles In'tl is a 10, and the original Armour is an 8, then Franklin Mint is a 7 and Spec Cast is a 6. My unscientific rating, of course.

[Ara1]

CFBC,

Thanks for the photos. I recongize them from when I was pricing my purchases.

That's my plane, white 68. That camera shot isn't so flattering, I'll try to depict some nice angles when I get freed up this weekend (its Fri early AM right now).

So long for now,

Ara

[CFBC]

Ara1,

Thanks for teh greetings and also the "scores" by ratings and must say they sound interesting and ok, so there are errors, but there ain't many manufacturers that are issueing any without errors..... Interesting to hear about though and would gladly welcome any pictures.... I will have words with Admin and get your picture management sorted so you can post piccies....

I also see from surfing for the information on Specs before that they have issued "special" releases....... A gold coloured one...... Any idea why, details etc... Just curious thats all.....

I take it you have the Eagles too? Although, thats another thread... Look it up...... :)

Perhaps some of our other USA members can comment on the Specs? :D

[Agent X20]

Danger UXB... silly for a 39 year old married man but we must do what we must do.

If yer can deal with UXB's thats why you are still married..

(That is another reason why the Brits like their models smaller... we can run faster escaping the wrath of out other halves...!!!)

(I would not like to be caught trying to smuggle an Armor 1/48 B17 up the stairs or into the loft.... mind you suppose some practice will be required for when the Blue 32nd Mossie hits £30.... but must admit I do like their Ju52...)

[shuttle]

Ara1,

I am a 39 year old married man and I have recently purchased and watched 'Danger UXB'. What a small world!! Yep, a great series which stands up quite well to 'modern' productions. Back to the thread and I note the 1/48 French Corsair has a bomb under its belly. The Corgi model lacked any weapons but is still a superb model IMHO.

:) Shuttle

[The Defiant Man]

Ara1,

I am a 39 year old married man

:) Shuttle

There seems to be a few of us....must have been something in the water! :D

Danger UXB....about time it was on TV again rather than the reality cr*p.

[Agent X20]

Some of us are a little older.... and divorced... :D :D :D

[DCRanger]

some of us are older and not divorced.. :D :D :D

We have an unspoken agreement, she says very little when the AAs arrive and I just smile when various creams and potions arrive for her.

[Agent X20]

some of us are older and not divorced.. :D :D :D
I just smile when various creams and potions arrive for her.
Divorced .. happy days.. just me and my dawg... :D

Now I know why Mrs Agent cracks up.... no cream...!!!!

[spock1]

Now I know why Mrs Agent cracks up.... no cream...!!!!
:confused: No wonder it looks like someone has spilt some or something over that model in the last piccie of #4.............. :confused:

[Agent X20]

Corgi pre pro chrome one.... we aint had a silver Corsair yet!!!!!!!!

[spock1]

:D Agent,

Was referring to the sticky toffee type colour !!............ :eek:

[Agent X20]

gold chrome then.. picky... :D ... :eek:

[spock1]

:D Silly old me, easily fooled............hmmmmmm.......... :confused: Trip to Specsavers next week, if i can find it !!!! Or perhaps a Guide Dog ...... ;)

[Agent X20]

Miss my dawg... Was gonna post something about Mrs Agents Corsairs.. but that would be crude... naw surprised we aint had a civil one of those... Reno jobbie.... still feel that Corgi US missing out on that...

[spock1]

:o Agent,

Miss mine too and its over 10 years ago!!.......... :(

[Agent X20]

Perhaps he was only for Christmas... :(

[spock1]

:( Thirteen of them, he loved the snow but hated lawn mowers !!........ :confused:

[Ara1]

Hey guys,

Here's a few photos of the bird. Hope you enjoy them!

[Agent X20]

:( Thirteen of them, he loved the snow but hated lawn mowers !!........ :confused:

Yep.. snow... okay.. vacuum cleaners... naw...

That looks almost polyurethane there Mr Ara1... :D