Is the Magic Factory Corsair better than Tamiya? Let's compare and find out!

[@Habu12]

Just finished it. Is it the best in scale? Yes...for now... I'll get to that. Pros: Cockpit detail. Overall fit. Landing gear detail. Cartograph decals. Cons: Rivet detail. Fabric surface detail. Now, if Eduard takes on this subject, it's lights out. They've proven that can do rivet detail crisply and accurately. And variants aplenty.

[@F-14_Jockey]

"Height impaired", really, I bet the design engineers in the late 30's used that exact same language, or did they just say "Short guys", what do you think?

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

What are you getting at?

[@lesgl]

Looks like it has a option for a clipped wing Royal Navy Corsair too...excellent

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA Only certain marks of Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Corsairs actually saw combat; the -1D and the FG-1D, if I recall correctly. I frankly had been SO hoping that the "Corsairs in Europe" (as I call them) would have been able to engage a few squadrons of Focke Wulf FW-190 Luftwaffe fighters . . . .

[@deathpallie]

If newly tooled kit couldn't dethrone one released 25 years ago, THAT would be the bigger surprise.

[@craigcampbell242]

So for everyone complaining about the rivet detail and the ribbing structure in the fabric sections, they're both non issues when under a coat of primer and paint. I'm building one right now and it looks incredible painted up

[@argento1111]

i absolutely agree.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA I still like the idea of complete accuracy.

[@pauka13]

The biggest drawback of the new Corsair is the rivet detail. What they did doesn't replicate the surface of the real aircraft at all. Other than that it looks like an excellent model to build wich finally not even competes with the Tamiya kit, but surpasses it in specific parts. As a Corsair fan I bagged the Tamiya 1/32 wich is simply awesome. Hope one day they'll downscale it to 1/48...

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA I, too, very much hope that Tamiya down-scales its newer, more detailed 1:32nd-scale kits to 1:48th-scale models.

[@bmw128racer]

So it took almost 30 years for someone to come up with a better Corsair than Tamiya?

[@mooshoopork63]

If I go to Sprue Brothers, I can get 3 Tamiya Corsairs for 17 dollars more than one Magic Factory Corsair. You make the call.

[@pauleastwood4858]

I generally dislike in-box reviews. That is until now. You have raised the bar by offering useful insight and comparisons to the accepted industry standard. Well done!

[@michaelhollister7932]

I'll wait for later variants, but the kit looks very promising. I would love to see a kit of this quality of the coolest Corsair of all, the F2G!!! IMHO, of course.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

Which had the "Corncob" 24-cylinder, four-row, 3,300 hp, radial engine?

[@Panzermeister36]

Thanks for the in-box review, and most importantly, the comparison to the existing kits on the market!

[@joemoore4027]

They have a lot of catching up to do with Tamiya or even Hasegawa for that matter. From the looks of the surface detail it's way too toy like, Panel line trenches, poor rivet representation and so on.. I'm not a rivet counter but, with modern molding and reference material available they are years behind. I looked around online and they go for nearly $100.00, that's ludicrous , I'll take Tamiya hands down for my hard earned money.

[@billpandos7962]

Totally agree. $100 for a scale model like the Corsair. I don't think so. But on the other hand, it's almost Christmas, so I might get it for free from Santa!!

[@wrathofatlantis2316]

Isn't it $100 towards 2 kits in the box? Plus it comes with masks... The clear parts are way better than Tamiya in optical distortion, the rests being near equal except the rivets to erase.

[@samuelsalgado9553]

A 1/32 scale F4U-5N is needed.

[@georgegeyer3431]

Looking at real vintage aircraft I don't see all these deep lines or rivets. Skins look smooth.

[@georgegeyer3431]

Also,I have never seen a shiny fighter plane from WW II. Always flat or olive drab.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

@@georgegeyer3431 David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA Late-war Corsair F4U-1Ds were in flat dark sea blue. F4U-4s (and I think the Grumman F7F Tigercat USN Twin-Engine Fighter) were in gloss dark sea blue.

[@georgegeyer3431]

Thank you for the information.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

@@georgegeyer3431 David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA Glad to be of assistance, Mr. Geyer. I rather expect before long to require your assistance in a similar context. Whilst I am a diligent amateur historian of the vehicles (ships, aircraft, tanks, etc.) of the Second World War (being no genius of military strategy or defence policy, I am content to remain with what I know), and a lifelong patriot of the United States of America, I scarcely am any sort of expert. Incidentally, are you familiar with the mid-war (summer 1943) tri-colour camouflage scene for USN/USMC combat aircraft? Flat (non-specular) dark sea blue on upper horizontal surfaces, non-specular white on ventral horizontal surfaces, Intermediate Blue on generally vertical surfaces. One would see this on the Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator USN Maritime Convoy Patrol Bomber on anti-submarine convoy patrol, which I rather liked. The USAAF till 1972 was stuck with Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. This scheme did not so much deceive the enemy scouts as it did lulling them to sleep . . . .

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

@@georgegeyer3431 David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA Glad to be of assistance, Mr. Geyer. I rather expect before long to require your assistance in a similar context. Whilst I am a diligent amateur historian of the vehicles (ships, aircraft, tanks, etc.) of the Second World War (being no genius of military strategy or defence policy, I am content to remain with what I know), and a lifelong patriot of the United States of America, I scarcely am any sort of expert. Incidentally, are you familiar with the mid-war (summer 1943) tri-colour camouflage scene for USN/USMC combat aircraft? Flat (non-specular) dark sea blue on upper horizontal surfaces, non-specular white on ventral horizontal surfaces, Intermediate Blue on generally vertical surfaces. One would see this on the Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator USN Maritime Convoy Patrol Bomber on anti-submarine convoy patrol, which I rather liked. The USAAF till 1972 was stuck with Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. This scheme did not so much deceive the enemy scouts as it did lulling them to sleep . . . .

[@WasatchModeler]

I was on the fence about this one but I think I will have to pick one up

[@craiggoodyear352]

Finally! An in-box review that actually includes some useful & informative comparisons against a known quantity. Thank you ...and get to building it!

[@scottfw7169]

No pilot guy? 😐

[@mancavemodelling5136]

There should have been mention made of the truly appalling rivet detail, which is both overscale and a gross over-simplification of what is actually on the aircraft. Much better to leave out this kind of toy-like detail unless you can do it justice, which is possible - look at an Eduard 1:48 Spitfire or the new Arma Hurricane...

[@stewarts8597]

Never heard of Magic Factory but if this is any indication, looks like theres a new kid on the block, That Magic Factory kit looks impressive

[@rhinehardt1]

Too bad this kit isn't in 1/32 scale.

[@chrisc5275]

I’ve bought one and built 1 of the 2 options. It’s highly impressive and I’d recommend it to anyone. Also it’s extremely good value.

[@nigelsmith7366]

You can't compare it to the Tamiya kit #1 due to age #2 and more importantly the Tamiya 1/48 kits are manufactured to a price point.... Not to be high end fully detailed kit

[@PCcardboard1354]

I build paper, not plastic, but your videos are so high quality I can't stop watching!!!

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

How does that work?

[@henrysanchez4810]

I prefer the Hobby Boss to the Tamiya, still want to check out the Magic Factory version.

[@patharmon9760]

How does that build up? I did a hobby boss A-10 that was a fantastic kit, but never got around to one of their corsairs

[@henrysanchez4810]

@patharmon9760 I went together very good, no filler needed, I was very impressed with it.

[@allanpeters]

I have both kits as well and I'd rather Tamiya would have retooled their 1/48. The Magic Factory kit is nice with the added details but I cringe at the overdone 'rivets' and fabric surfaces. I much prefer Tamiya's restrained approach in this scale. Even compared to Tamiya's larger 1/32 Corsair, Magic's is loud and in your face. I'd much rather add surface finish to my taste than spend time erasing what I don't like. I think I have close to 20 of the Tamiya kits in my stash, they don't have to worry about being replaced.

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

See, given their retooled spitfire and 109, I figured we were due for an updated Corsair as well! But maybe big tamiya still has a trick up it’s sleeve

[@allanpeters]

A new Mustang is even more overdue.@@ModelAirplaneMaker

[@tonydrake462]

the Eduard has that covered - it's close to perfect, and even the Airfix is better than the Tamiya@@allanpeters

[@TerryBurian]

The F4U Corsair used spot welding, not rivets, state of the art at the time. When they are rebuilt for civilian use rivets are used to make it easier to work on.

[@davidkendall1614]

“Keep building. Keep taking risks. It’s the only way to get better”. Excellent advice for any model builder. 👍

[@MichaelSlattery-sh8vl]

Hello I'am a big 1/32 fan of the Corsair. But still have plenty of 1/48 scale as well. ❤😂😊

[@cg462]

Some nice detail but the riveting looks a bit heavy and there has to be about 3/4" (19mm) scale separation between the panel lines

[@paulwade8766]

A seat adjustment lever for "height-impaired pilots" 😅😅😅

[@CJ-jh9ri]

4:38 would be a glareshield. Awesome review! Just finished the Tamiya and think I’ll try the magic factory soon.

[@replikatorclub]

Great review! I can't wait to get this kit myself.

[@MichaelSlattery-sh8vl]

I, like too, paint my aircraft With laqered Aluminum, and then paint it With Tamiya XF 17 sea blue, and then Afyer all the paint is dried & fully cured I, take fine 800 grit foam & sand off Minutely down too the aluminum Rivit's. That works for me...🧐❤️🥹

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA Yes, this would be how actual chipping works: paint abrading from a surface through friction, kinetic impact, etc.

[@pauloalves4337]

Finally found someone else that loves the corsair too.

[@pglx68]

Excellent review

[@jamiesworkshop3198]

Wow! I want to get one. Thank you!!

[@leftpastsaturn67]

Could you please balance the sound between your intro music and the narration? I don't want to turn it up to hear you speak, only to be deafened by the music.

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

Oh! Ok, thanks, its a new intro. Sorry about that - will adjust.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

Oh, this happens SO much! You are SO right!

[@jeffb243]

Can’t wait to see the build of this!

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, USA Let us know, please, your assessment of 1) Tamiya’s 1:32nd-scale kits of the early Chance Vought F4U Corsair USMC/RN-FAA/USN Fighter series, and 2) Trumpeter’s 1:32nd-scale kit of a late-war Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair USN Carrier-Based Fighter-Bomber. I would like to see Tamiya create 1:48th-scale molds from their 1:32nd-scale early Corsair Fighter series kits, and for Trumpeter to do the same with their 1:32nd-scale late-war F4U-4 Corsair kit. If they do not, I wonder if it would be effective (practical?) to take one (possibly two) of each kit to separate in some manner the parts for scanning into a design process of some sort, from which one could reduce the scale, and with 3D printing technology to create a newer, better kit in 1:48th-scale? If so, alternately to use this idea to enlarge virtually the 1:32nd-scale molds, from which to make 1:25th-scale 3D printing of parts. I saw a business, 21st-Century Toys, that offered a 1:18th-scale replica of a Chance Vought F4U Corsair USMC/RN-FAA/USN Fighter. A website, Cybermodeler Online (“celebrating 24 years of hobby news and reviews”) mentions similar models of: Ju 87 Stuka, Spitfire Mk.I, Fw-190D, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning, P-40B Tomahawk, and that many of these have been released in several different color schemes. The text explains that the company’s “early 1:18th-scale P-51D Mustang and Bf 109E were simplistic, but still colorful”. I do not propose reproducing anything of the sort. Still, the Corsair model looked good. I wish they would make a more conventional polystyrene assembly kit (I would prefer a better scale; I would be just fine with 1:25th-scale) that one could build, super-detail, customise, paint, etc., to one’s preference. That is the flexibility of our kit-building.

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

The 1/32 Tamiya Corsairs are very nice and because of these models there is no point to the Trumpeter -1D Corsair that is full of errors and build challenges. I have not built the Trumpeter -4 Corsair but it is the only one out there. To make a "good" -4 Corsair in 48th scale, you could graft the "front" of the hasegawa -4 with the Tamiya -1D and find a good after market engine and cockpit. It would still be a considerable amount of work.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

​@@ModelAirplaneMaker David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA Thank you for your prompt response. Chance Vought replaced with sheet metal the fabric surfaces of the outer wings and the horizontal stabilisers of the early Corsairs, so even these parts would require replacement. In 1:48th-scale, CMK has a conversion set, though some have reported that some of the resin parts have shrunk; even if one were to find a set that had not, it seems likely that over the following years, this would occur anyway. I infer your greater wherewithal of the various advanced aspects of model building. I understand that improvements we already are seeing in 3D printing have begun to appear in aftermarket detail sets that are supplanting resin for 1) even better in quality, accuracy, etc., 2) no toxicity from the dust, 3) avoid having to hack off the pour stub(s), 4) will not shrink, 5) be easier to implement, and to incorporate into the build, and 6) may prove a better value. Would you be able to provide us a better F4U-4 WW2 Corsair conversion set? Or would you know any 3D wizards who could? Additionally, I would like some seated pilot figures in 1:32nd-, 1:48th-, and 1:72nd- scales for in-flight displays. (Does any kit maker offer 1:100th-scale or 1:144th-scale Corsair kits in any of these variants?) I would ask, please, that such sets also would include different heads, faces, hands, arms, etc., and to incorporate into the design of these a modicum of positional flexibility. (Otherwise, a squadron on patrol would take on an unintended “Attack of the Clones” vibe . . . .)

[@tonygary7611]

👍👍

[@CafeenMan]

I remember that time I went back in time, grabbed a Corsair, brought it back to now, used my shrink ray on it to make it 1/48 and everyone told me all the ways it's not accurate. That was special.

[@paulsmodels]

Like the old saying goes..."beauty is in the eye of the beholder" This saying can be applied to anything, even model kits. My idea of what makes a "good" model kit will be different than yours. These comparison videos are entertaining but really useless.

[@ibidesign]

Good and bad. Good: what an excellent, thorough and balanced review. Bad: now I've got to go buy this new Magic Factory kit (and I already have far too many Corsair kits from all sorts of manufacturers). She's not gonna be impressed (and it's all your fault, MAM). ;-)

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

If you need me to write you a note, just say the word.

[@tonydrake462]

OK - you know your 48 F4Us!! I've build the Tamiya and JUST at weathering on the Magic Factory - and the MF is excellent - I think it's overall better than the Tamiya, the riveting is fine for me under paint and ribbing on wings maybe the area where Tamiya is better, but the build has been excellent. For me the clears were 'smudgy' - but may have been my early kit (beta...? Your clears looks much better) - the only issues I had were the instruction are somewhat opaque (and I used the Tamiya 1/32 for reference as the build is very similar), and the fact you can't do a folded wings with flaps down out of the box.. The actual fit is probably at 'new kenetic/eduard', so just below new gen Tamiya (not as good as any release from Spitfire mk1 onwards from them) and a warning, you can only do ONE with wing downs and one up (so it's not 2 'full' kits in one box). I think you'll love it.

[@leonardjeffreys1546]

Yawn.

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

Wake up! Watch yer six!

[@themapmaker5374]

I don't care for all the recessed rivets covering every surface of the MF Corsairs. They are not needed at this scale, plus they are way too pronounced. Same thing for the recessed panel lines. They look too deep and pronounced for this scale. Tamiya did it right by just having recessed rivet detail in a few places, but not all over the kit. I think if MF would have done the same, their Corsair kit would easily be the best 1/48 Corsair on the market. Unfortunately, the rivets and panel lines alone could keep it at 2nd place behind Tamiya. Also, it doesn't look like MF included a seated pilot, which always disappoints me. I like displaying aircraft in flight, so a good seated pilot figure is a must. Tamiya has some very nice seated pilots in their kits, the 1/48 Corsair included. I still have to build a MF Corsair, so I'll leave final judgement after that. These are just my preliminary thoughts after seeing the MF Corsair sprues in detail.

[@wrathofatlantis2316]

I would have agreed, except that riveting is a minor issue, and they are here only poor around the wing leading edges. These little dimples can easily be filled. What really reverses the situation for me is that the Magic Factory clear parts do not have the thickness and coke bottle distortion effects of the Tamiya clear parts, and that, plus the wings being two options with one piece spread wings, absolutely blows the Tamiya kit out of the water. Then you have to add, on top of all that, the most easy and realistic depiction of open gun bays ever offered in the scale, while all other 1/48 kits (except the advanced Mini Art P-47) require you to buy resin plus atrocious surgery... Even having no interest in the F4U, I will absolutely get one box just for the gun bays alone... And you even get masks... A no brainer really.

[@themapmaker5374]

@@wrathofatlantis2316 Valid points for sure. True, the rivets could easily be filled. One thing I forgot to mention though in regards to the Tamiya kit is the flaps. If I recall, they can only be built in the down extended position. I had to purchase aftermarket resin retracted flaps for it because I wanted to display in-flight with the flaps retracted. I bought several sets to mate with the several Tamiya Corsair kits I have. The Hasegawa kit has the same 'issue' - flaps can only be built in the extended position. Unfortunately, I haven't found any aftermarket retracted flaps for that kit. I didn't think the 3-piece wings of the Tamiya kit were all that big of a deal, but definitely having an option for one-piece is a plus for MF. Really looking forward to building a MF Corsair soon.

[@MichaelSlattery-sh8vl]

I, agree.😊

[@argento1111]

What i dislike most of the Tamiya kit is the middle seamline in front of the cockpit. The fact alone that this kit has solved that problem, makes it a winner for me. The fabric panels of the MF kit are a bit exagerated, but i would solve that problem in less than a minute with a very fine sanding stick (+2000 grit). The rivets are no isue for me, i could even using them as a benchmark to add MORE rivets on those wings ! I could t care less if the rivet counting is different than the original, for me is more important the looks of the final result

[@realitycheck908]

Magic factory is miles ahead of tamya you are comparing old to new tool

[@origionalwinja]

he keeps saying TIM-EEE- UHHH its a long A not an I

[@vincentlussier8264]

Yes it's often mispronounced and one that gets me is Tam- eye- a !

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA I cannot converse in Japanese beyond a few words, though I understand from linguistics its phonology (a language’s rules of pronunciation) and word segmentation. Japanese is a syllabary (syllables, e.g., Hebrew), not individual letters (e.g., English, German, Italian, French, Greek, Russian) or characters representing an entire word (e.g., Chinese). For example, Yamaguchi would break down to “YA-ma-GU-chi”; Hiroshima is “HI-ro-SHI-ma” (the letter “I” in my example is short, as in “big”, “shin”); tsunami would be “tsoo-NA-mi”; Tamiya is “TA-mi-ya”. All this fascinates me no end. I am a word nerd, though most assuredly NOT a math whiz. Also, as a vocalist (albeit untrained), I have an extraordinarily wide range enabling me to sing in all eight registers of the chorus! I also can recreate voice impressions ranging from Alvin and the Chipmunks to Lord Vader. I even can “meow” like a cat (the point of my anecdote here), which whilst at university I had demonstrated to my linguistics professor; the little sweetie (no, the cat, not the scholar) was a genuine delight, going back and forth with me as though we were holding a conversation. I also enjoy immensely plastic scale model kits. Being terribly myopic, I can focus upon fine details just 10 cm (4 inches) from my left eye, which makes working with photo-etch parts just a few millimetres long feasible (I still must be very careful!).

[@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P]

'Magic Factory', does have some incredible details, ways to-get-around some probs that we modelers have with this Specific kit... Quick Question: I see that this is a "Dual Combo", (like my MRZR D4)....does that mean that there are TWO (2) planes, or options for making one (1) plane with different canopy?? 'Model Airplane Maker', You did a GREAT review of Both 'Tamiya' and 'Magic Factory' kits....I do have their MRZR D4 and was Quite Taken aback with the amount of detail that That kit has. I also pre-purchased their GERALD R FORD kit...and as a former sailor of 20+ years....will be looking forward in seeing how THAT A/C will look with my 'Trumpeter' and 'Arii' kits!! I Have the 'Tamiya' kit, and will be looking at your site on how to build THAT plane!!

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

Hi there - thanks! And yes, there are 2 complete kits in there. But, you only have one full wing and one foldable wing.

[@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P]

@@ModelAirplaneMaker Thanks for the Quick reply... so two (2) kits, one (1) plane with deployed wings, the other with wings folded. ( although they are two [2] different 'models' ).

[@tonydrake462]

yes - so not 'complete' and you can't do wings up, and flaps down without modification.. (which I did) @@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P