Since Tamiya now has three 1/72 Corsair releases on the market, Aires has added a highly detailed set of F4U-1 Corsair dropped flaps to their line of aftermarket parts. This set enables modelers to build a 1/72 Corsair with flaps dropped without the need to carefully remove and modify the non-dropped flaps molded into the Tamiya kits’ wings.

Complete flap units are provided for the left and right wings to make adding them to the model a fairly manageable task. The parts are designed to fit onto the wings as complete units once the modeler has carefully removed the non-dropped flaps molded into the kit wings. The instruction sheet says to trim and dry fit parts during assembly. That is good advice. I found it necessary to thin the trailing edges of the upper and lower wing halves, after I removed the molded flaps from the kit parts, so everything would fit well, and then notch the resin bar that slips into the opening so it would clear the rear wheel well wall (see photos below).

The parts are cast in Aires’ familiar gray resin and come on individual casting blocks. The flaps need to be removed from the blocks (easily done using a razor saw blade and/or a sharp #11 blade), dressed with a sanding stick and then washed in warm soapy water before attaching them. Because the parts are resin, super glue is the adhesive of choice for attaching them to the injection molded kit parts. Epoxy cement may be used if the modeler prefers.

Not much more needs to be said. I believe Aires will find a ready market for such a useful and well-detailed aftermarket set as this.

This set is highly recommended to anyone who has a little experience working with resin.

My thanks to Aires for providing the review sample and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.