Quickboost provides you with a F4U-5 engine reductor, distributor covers, and engine pump. Of note is the re-sealable packaging that Quickboost uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely. There supplied instructions note the swap out of the kit provided plastic parts with the new Quickboost replacements. One part, the magneto is not used with the F4U-5’s R-2800-32W Series E engine and appears to be a carryover for a F4U-4B R-2800 engine (QB 48 045). The F4U-5’s R-2800-32W Series E engine was a fairly unique engine and was not used in any other aircraft.

Quickboost has molded the parts perfectly in light grey resin with no apparent bubbles. The Quickboost exhausts provide you with no mold seams to sand off.

Although most paints will adhere to resin alone, I would recommend that you wash the parts to remove any remaining mold release and prime them first. The engine reductor, distributor covers, and engine pump will need to be installed with your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the resin.

Be very careful removing the distributor covers and engine pump from the resin block. I used a photo-etched razor saw for removal from the resin block and then touched up with a sanding stick. The engine reductor required a few swipes from a sanding stick and it was ready. You can see in the photos below the improved detail of the Quickboost engine reductor (QB 3), even to the point of having a rectangular plate for the engine manufacturing plate. If you are concerned about your propeller turning, the propeller shaft is separate for the Hobby Boss engine reductor (F45), but is integral with the Quickboost engine reductor. I usually do not glue my propellers to the propeller shaft to allow for easy transportation so it’s a non-issue for me.

A second photo provides a comparison of the distributor covers with the Hobby Boss distributor cover (F8) on your left to the Quickboost distributor cover (QB 2) on your right. The Quickboost engine pump (QB 1) offers superior detail to the Hobby Boss part (F28), but you will need to either drill a mounting hole or cur the part shorter than shown in the Quickboost instructions. Total preparation time for the engine reductor, distributor covers, and engine pump was under ten minutes. As always, check your reference photos for placement and alignment.

This product is a good way to enhance your F5U-5 Corsair and well worth the time and cost, especially since the correct distributor covers are not included in the Hobby Boss kit. This product is highly recommended due to the superior appearance of the Quickboost parts and attention to detail.

Thanks to Aires Hobby Models and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set.