F4U-1 Corsair Part 1

BarracudaCals, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Amongst the latest release batch from BarracudCals are three sheets in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale that carry markings for the F4U-1 Corsair. 

The sheets carry markings in the respective scales for the same aircraft but as I have yet to see the 1/48 and 1/32 scale sheets I will confine my comments to the 1/72 scale sheet.

Markings are provided for five aircraft in all, the details of which are as follows:

• “Mad Cossack” an F4U-1D or FG-1D (the “U” in the nomenclature is for Chance-Vought which indicates that the aircraft was built by the Chance-Vought Corporation whilst the “G” indicates that the aircraft was built by Goodyear Aircraft Corporation) with an unknown Bureau number assigned to VMF-512 and flying from the deck of the USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) in the July of 1945.  The machine is in the late-war overall glossy sea blue camouflage scheme and wears white carrier identification markings (also dubbed “geometric symbol identification markings” on the rear fuselage, the top of the right wing and the bottom of the left wing.  It also wears “aircraft-in-squadron” number 26 on both sides of its vertical stabiliser and on the forward facing gear doors as well as the “Mad Cossack” nose art on both sides of its engine cowling.

• “Palpitatin Pauli” plane-in-squadron number 422, an F4U-1D Bureau number not known that was assigned to VMF-441 and flown by Captain Floyd C. Kirkpatrick United States Marine Corps from Yontan airfield on the island of Okinawa circa April 1945.  The machine is in the late war overall glossy sea blue scheme.  It wears unusual white rectangles on its forward facing gear doors (over painted previous plane-in-squadron numbers?) as well as large plane-in-squadron number 422 on both sides of its fuselage, red Japanese Rising Sun flag “kill markings”, and the name “Palpitatin Pauli” on both sides of the fuselage.  The name “Palpitatin Pauli” is supplied as separate yellow and white decals but no advice is offered as to which is used or if it is a two-part marking to be applied so that the name appears to be “shadowed”.

• FG-1D, (unknown Bureau number) flown by Lieutenant Colonel Donald K. Yost VMF-351 off the USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109) in the East China Sea in the August of 1945.  The machine is in the overall glossy sea blue scheme and wears the latter Escort Carrier aircraft identification scheme markings comprising white markings to the centre of its vertical stabiliser/rudder and top right wing and bottom of left wing (indicating that the carrier was assigned to Carrier Division 27) and two yellow stripes around the rear fuselage as well as to the top of the right wing and bottom of the left wing indicating that the aircraft was from the USS Cape Gloucester.   Its plane-in-squadron numbers are also in and worn on both sides of the fuselage as well as the forward facing gear doors.

• “VIVA!” F4U-1 “Birdcage” Corsair Bureau number. 02310 assigned to
  VMF-124 and flown by Second Lieutenant Kenneth Walsh from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal in May of 1943.  The machine is in the early war scheme of blue gray upper surfaces over light gray undersides.  Unusual for a USMC machine, it wears personal markings in the form of the name “VIVA!” painted in white on the cowling as well as a green four-leaf clover on the fuselage.  This latter marking is partially over painted with the plane-in-squadron number 13.  Plane-in-squadron numbers (13) are also worn on the forward facing gear doors.  A very weathered machine indeed and one to practice your weathering and paint fading skills on!

• The final option is “TOJO EATS SHIT!” another F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair.  The notes on the placement guide advises that the Bureau number, pilot, assigned squadron, where it was based and when are not known.   It is a very weathered early war scheme blue gray/light grey camouflage scheme and wears interim national insignia comprising of the white star on a blue circle background with white rectangles on either side.

The decals themselves (in the 1/72 scale issue at least) come on two sheets that have been taped together.  In essence, it is the same sheet supplied twice.  This means that with some of the smaller items, you two sets of everything including the stencil data. 

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Of the stencil data, it is very comprehensive indeed and includes four sets of propeller manufacturer’s logos, yellow propeller blade data, and Bureau numbers amongst the items.  The cockpit has not been forgotten and (tiny!) decals are provided to replicate the placards on the inside of the left hand side of the fuselage and console, and armour plate.  Two sets of national insignia are provided as are the yellow and white geometric symbols for the fuselage and wings (you will have to paint the large block ones on the fuselage yourself).

No advice is offered as to who printed the decals but they are first rate indeed.  Everything is in perfect register which is no mean feat when you are looking at 1/72 scale four-colour propeller manufacturer logos.

The placement guide in the form of a single A-4 sized sheet that is folded in half to create four pages.  It carries full colour side profiles of each option as well as upper and lower plan views of each option – the last two options share one upper surface plan view and individual views of the lower surfaces of the wing.  Four view line drawings to show placement of stencil data is included on a single page.  Comprehensive notes are provided for each option.

The decal sheets and the placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

This is another nice sheet from BarracudaCals.  It provides you with first rate decals and comprehensive notes that enable you to model five different F-4Us that span the years of its employment in the Pacific Theatre.

Thanks to BarracudaCals for this sample.

Text Copyright © 2011 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 13 September, 2011
Last updated 13 September, 2011

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