F2G-1/2 Super Corsair
US Navy & Marines

Special Hobby, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Special Hobby's 1/48 scale F2G-1/2 Super Corsair will be available online from Squadron.com

Special Hobby has released a military version of their 1/48 scale F2G Super Corsair.

This boxing provides markings for three US Navy and Marines versions.

Special Hobby's 1/48 scale F2G-1/2 Corsair comprises 71 parts in grey plastic; 82 parts in cream coloured resin; photo-etched fret; two clear vacform parts; and markings for four aircraft.

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Thumbnail panels:

The grey plastic parts are well moulded and feature crsp and fine surface detail, supplemented with subtle fabric texture on control surfaces and wing panels. All the surface features look really good.

There are no sink marks or ejector pins that will be visible when the model is built, although one of the cowl flap parts is a bit lumpy on my sample, and there is quite a lot of fine flash on the sprue containing the smaller parts. Sprue attachment points are narrow.

The 82 resin parts mostly go to make up the big Pratt and Whitney Corncob engine. Three rows of cylinders are supplied as separate parts with the back row cast in half-relief on the rear firewall. Separate push rods are provided, and the exhaust pipes are also supplied in resin.

New to this version of the kit are eight pairs of resin rocket stubs.

he photo-etched fret contains the instrument panel (supplemented by a printed acetate backing sheet), harness straps, wing radiator filters and a number of smaller details.

The distinctive bubble canopy is supplied as a crystal clear vacform part - no Future required here. Special Hobby has included two canopies in case of slip-ups with the hobby knife. The are moulded in one piece each, so some careful slicing will be the order of the day if you wish to display the front office.

Being limited run in nature, this model will require some extra time and care preparing the parts. The additional half and hour or so thoroughly removing residual from sprue attachments, any flash, and lightly sanding mating surfaces will be repaid by easier and more precise assembly. There are no locating pins, so take your time test-fitting and aligning parts before committing to glue.

The excellent decal sheet supplies markings for the following subjects:

• BuNo 14692 - XF2G-1 tested at Goodyear 1944/45. This aicraft features an attractive pale blue and yellow chequered cowling with a yellow cowl ring.

• BuNo 88459 - F2G-2 tested at Goodyear and NAS Patuxent from October 1945 to June 1946. This aircraft features a Gloss Sea Blue and White chequered cowling.

• The first production F2G-1 tested at NAS Patuxent and NAS Norfolk from 1945 to 1948.

The decals are well produced by Aviprint, in register and featuring this carrier film.

Special Hobby's 1/48 scale F2G-1/2 Corsair is a well detailed model of a rare but fascinating Corsair variant. These mouldings are certainly the best option for building a Corncob Corsair in 1/48 scale.

The limited run nature of the parts means that some previous experience with similar kits will be helpful, but I cannot see any major hurdles.

The excellent markings will certainly deliver a striking and unique Corsair for your display shelves or the competition tables.

Recommended.

Thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample.

Special Hobby kits are available worldwide through hobby retailers and from Squadron.com

Review and Images Copyright © 2008 by Brett Green
Page Created 15 December, 2008
Last updated 15 December, 2008

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