This new decal
sheet from Cutting Edge
Modelworks includes markings for four different 1/48 F4U-4 Corsairs.
The recommended kits for these decals is either the 1/48 Hasegawa F4U-4 or the
Academy F4U-4 kit. One thing to remember if the F4U-4B has two 20mm
cannons in each wing instead of three 50 cal. machine guns of the F4U-4.
The
first aircraft is a F4U-4B Corsair with VMA-332 off the USS Bairoko (CVE-115) on
the Yellow Sea (off Korea) in July 1953.
This particular Corsair is a USMC Corsair painted overall Glossy Sea blue
FS 15042. Markings
include a very unique combination of a white band around the engine cowling with
large red polka dots.
To apply these you first paint the white band….then the red dots are
applied as one strip over the white band.
The tail has large white letters ‘MR’ and on the side of the fuselage
is a large white #’16’ followed by a red and white US national insignia and
the word ‘MARINES’ with ‘VMA-332’ below it.
On the fuselage below the tail is the F4U-4 MARINES 62969’.
The
second aircraft is a F4U-4 Corsair of VF-32 aboard the USS Leyte (CVS-32) flown
by ENS Jesse L. Brown.
He is special for many reasons, two of which are the fact he was the
first African American Naval Aviator and he was also posthumously awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission when his Corsair was shot down near
the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea on Dec 4 1950.
His fellow pilot LT Hudner won the Medal of Honor when he crash
landed his Corsair on an enemy mountaintop next to his flight leader ENS Jesse
Brown Corsair to try to free ENS Jesse Brown form the wreckage of his crashed
corsair.
ENS Jesse Brown’s Corsair was painted in overall glossy sea Blue FS
15042.
The tail had a big white ‘K’ on the rudder and a white tip on the
tail.
The underside of the wings has a red and blue national insignia on one wing and
the word 'NAVY' in white text on the other wing and a small 'K' on each of the
main landing gear doors.
On
the top side of the wings are a red and blue national insignia on one wing
and the text '205K' of '203K' on the other wing. It is
uncertain if ENS Jesse Brown was flying 203 or 217 on the fateful
day of his final mission....former squadron members recall different modex
#'s for his last mission. Markings for both aircraft are included.
On the side of the fuselage a
red and blue national insignia and the word 'NAVY' in large white text
with 'VF 32' below it.
The
third plane is a
F4U-4 Corsair of VF-32 aboard the USS Leyte (CVS-32) flown by LTJG Thomas
J Hudner near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea on Dec 4 1950.
LTJG Thomas J Hudner crash landed his Corsair on an enemy
mountaintop in an attempt to save ENS Jesse L. Brown from his crashed
Corsair. LTJG Thomas J Hudner received the Medal of Honor for his
actions on that day.
This plane was painted
in overall glossy sea Blue FS 15042.
The tail had a big white ‘K’ on the rudder and a white tip on
the tail.
The underside of the wings has a red and blue national insignia
on one wing and the word 'NAVY' in white text on the other wing and
a small 'K' on each of the main landing gear doors. On the top side
of the wings are a red and blue national insignia on one wing and the text
'205K' on the other wing. On
the side of the fuselage a
red and blue national insignia and the word 'NAVY' in large white text
with 'VF 32' below it. |