Though I don't remember these on 1/48 sheets, this sheet is the first of two in 1/72 for the F4U-1A Corsair. Two Navy and two Marine birds on this one for a nice mix. All four are in the tri-color scheme of Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and White. Though several models are done of this version, the Hasegawa one will probably be the choice of most.

On the left side of the image above are the two Navy planes. Both are from VF-17 at Ondonga in 1943. VF-17 was shore based most of the war as the Navy still didn't like the deck landing characteristics of the plane. White 9 belongs to Merle Davenport while White 34 is Doris Freeman's 'LA City Limits'.

For the Marines, plane white 056 is from VMF-122 at Peleliu in 1944 and named 'Mary'. The second is yellow 850, 'Bayou Baby' from VMF-217 on Guam in 1944. It says 1943 on the sheet, but the island wasn't taken back until 1944. It has white on the extreme rear of the fuselage and edges of the horizontal stabs.

A nice sheet for those of you seeking something a bit different in 1/72.

May 2005

Review copy courtesy of . Thanks for your support.