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Corsair II by
Randy Lutz
Here is Tamiya's 1/48 scale Corsair kit. It is based on the F4U-1D variant and modified to represent a Corsair II flown by Sub Lieutenant Donald J. Sheppard, from No. 1836 Squadron, HMS Victorious while around the Sakishima Islands, East China Seas during May, 1945. Sheppard, from the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve holds the distinction of being the first and I believe, the only Fleet Air Arm Corsair ace of the war.\
The model is essentially out of the box except for photo-etched seat belts and clipped wings. It was finished using Xtracolor enamels, and a combination of White Dog decals for the squadron markings and Aero Master decals for the national insignia. I had to use the Duramold centreline drop tank and prop from the Bird Cage edition of the Corsair, as Sheppard's Corsair did not feature the paddle-bladed variety.
The historical photograph is a shot of (from left to right) Lt. Ron Hayter, RCNVR, Lt. Don "Pappy" McLeod, RCNVR, and Lt. Don J. Sheppard, RCNVR, taken while all three were serving with 1836 Sqn. on board Victorious. As a footnote, Donald Sheppard lives in Aurora, Ontario and I was able to send him photos of my model - two for him and two which he was kind enough to sign and return to me.
Click the thumbnails to view the
images full-size
Article, Images and Model Copyright © 2000 by Randy Lutz
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