Academy 1/48 Vought F4U-1
'Birdcage' Corsair
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Background
The Vought-designed F4U Corsair was in response to a 1938 US Navy requirement
for a high-performance carrier-based fighter. To accomodate a 2000 horsepower
engine and it's associated propeller in an airframe that could withstand
carrier landings, the designers adapted an inverted gull wing that would
house a shorter, more rugged landing gear than what might have been used
in a straight-winged aircraft.
As with all entry-level aircraft of its day, the 'normal' canopy for
a fighter was the streamlined type that limited rearward visibility and
would lead to the 'blown' canopies of later Corsairs and the teardrop
canopies of later fighters. The F4U-1 was found to be less-than-perfect
on the carrier deck, though its armament and performance was otherwise
outstanding. As a result, the Corsair entered production for land-based
Navy and Marine squadrons and would prove a match for the Mitsubishi Zero
in the Pacific theater.
The Kit
This kit is a re-issue of the Hobbycraft 'Birdcage' Corsair. Molded
in light gray plastic, the kit is comprised of 90+ part as well as four
clear parts for the canopy. The details are nicely scribed throughout
the kit.
  
 The
options in this kit include positionable wing flaps, positionable cowl
flaps, and your choice of centerline external fuel tank or a centerline
bomb rack with bomb.
Assembly appears to be straightforward with the only area that may require
a little putty is the fuselage/wing joint and the fuselage plug that sits
aft of the cockpit and holds the rear transparencies.
 Markings
are provided for two aircraft:
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F4U-1, VMF-222, USMC, Bougainville, 1943
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F4U-1, VMF-214, USMC, Solomon Islands, 1943, as flown by Lt Kenneth
Walsh
Conclusion
This kit is a nice addition to the Corsair flightline and should pose
no problems for the average builder. This kit is recommended for all modelers.
My sincere thanks to MRC for this
review sample! |
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