Chance Vought F4U Corsairs

fundekals, 1/72 scale
also available in 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

The F4U Corsair is a true classic and a justifiably popular modelling subject, so a new decal sheet covering some interesting schemes is sure to be welcomed.

This is the first fundekals set I have seen, and I have to say their light-hearted brand-name belies the serious and thorough research undertaken, and the excellent quality of their instructions. In fact, the instructions for this set in many ways rival those provided by Aviaeology, which is high praise indeed. 
The decals come as a large sheet in an open-ended plastic bag. This is all that is shipped, as no instructions or separate cover-sheet accompanies the decals. The instructions are sourced by downloading from fundekals’ website. I would prefer an airtight bag to the open one provided as I feel it would be better for long term storage.

There are several points worth mentioning about the downloadable instructions before listing the subjects covered.

They are certainly attractively laid from a graphic design standpoint, and include numerous good photos images and nicely rendered colours & markings guides. It is clear from the accompanying text for each subject that research has been thorough. There are also various captions drawing the modeller’s attention to specific airframe details and matters of weathering.

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Thumbnail panels:

There is an article that makes a compelling argument for Marine Corsairs in the Solomon Islands during 1943-44 to have had their stars & bars insignia outlined in both intermediate blue and dark sea blue, rather than red as has been previously interpreted from monochrome images.

Another section deals with interesting and unusual antenna wire arrangements applicable to some of the subjects, and includes very clear plans illustrating these.

The notes are no less informative when dealing with FAA Corsairs. They mention uncertainties regarding exact main camouflage colours, as well as the colours of unit codes. There is also a very useful section with supporting images covering the fresh air vents fitted to FAA Corsairs.

The stand-out feature is the way the instructions base both factual information and assumptions on photographic evidence that is available for the modeller to see as well.   

The subjects covered by this set are:

• F4U-1A BuNo 17740, Maj Gregory Boyington, VMF-214, Vella La Vella, December 1943

• F4U-1A BuNo 17833, Maj Marion Carl, VMF-223, Torokina, Bougainville, December 1943

• F4U-1A BuNo 17883, Maj Gregory Boyington and Capt Donald Sldrich, VMF-214 and VMF-215, Vella La Vella, December 1943 – January 1944

• F4U-1A, BuNo 17991, Maj Marion Carl, VMF-223, Torokina, Bougainville, December 1943

• F4U-1A, BuNo 50042, Lt B.J Holmes and Lt J.J. O'Connell, VMF-321, Guam, August – December 1944

• F4U-1A BuNo 50165, Lt R.S.T. Marsh and Capt G.T. Doster, VMF-321, Guam, August – November 1944

• F4U-1D, BuNo 50417, 1st Lt William W. Eldridge, Jr., VMF-441, Yontan Airfield Okinawa, 15 April 1945

• FG-1D, BuNo 88056, Lt Col Donald K. Yost, Commander, VMF-351, USS Cape Gloucester, Okinawa area, July – August 1945

• F4U-1D BuNo 82732, VMF-512, USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), Okinawa area, July – August 1945

• Corsair Mk.II (Vought F4U-1A) JT427, Maj Ronald Hay, Royal Marines Commander, 47th Naval Fighter Wing, HMS Victorious, October 1944

• Corsair Mk.II JT383, Sub Lt Leslie Durno, 1834 Squadron, HMS Victorious, October 1944

• Corsair Mk.III (Brewster F3A-1A) JS706, 1836 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Victorious, October 1944.

The decals themselves are superbly printed with excellent registration and colour density.

This set of Corsair schemes from fundekals is very well researched with photographic support in abundance. The colours & markings guide is attractively produced with wealth of information concerning the various subjects, and is almost worth the price without the decals. The decals also appear to be of the highest production quality.

This is amongst the best presented and researched decal packages I have reviewed. I think that they represent tremendously good value given the number of schemes covered and quality of supporting information.

I highly recommend them.

Thanks to fundekals for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2015 by Mark Davies
Page Created 28 May, 2015
Last updated 28 May, 2015

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