Everyone who builds aircraft can recognize the F4U corsair. I would say that it is one of those kits that all of us have built at least one of in their modeling career. Fortunately, we now have some really super kits available to us. 1/48 is awash in quality kits from many makers like Hasegawa, Heller, ARII, and Tamiya. Though there are still those who want a Tamiya-quality -4, -5, and -7, each of these marks can be found in kits that are still quite good.

Things are not quite as rosy in 1/72, though with Tamiya announcing that it will be downsizing its 1/48 kits into 1/72, there are a lot of you out there chomping at the bit in anticipation. Meanwhile, you have Hasegawa's still great little kit to use as well as a number of others from Italeri, Fujimi, Revell, Airfix, et.al. to choose from, though the Hasegawa kit is probably the kit of choice.

As most of you know, the Corsair was not exactly the perfect aircraft for carrier use because of it's tendency to bounce upon landing. With little room to bounce to, it was decided to give it to the Marines (who will take anything), until such a time as the bouncing problem was fixed.

Well, this time the Corps got a good deal. The Corsair was a bit of a hot aircraft to handle, but had other sterling qualities that made it especially well liked such as lots of firepower, high speed and the ability to handle a lot of damage. The Marines used it for the rest of the war with great success as it proved to be a superb ground attack aircraft as well as a good fighter.

This relatively recent Superscale sheet (1996), gives you the option of five aircraft; four Marine and one Navy. There are also enough common markings for two and enough insignia for three. I have purposely underexposed the image of the sheet so that the white bits can be seen.

All the aircraft are in the tri-color scheme and were operational in 1944/45. The Marine birds have names whereas the lone Navy Corsair is an ace's aircraft.

First is aircraft #51 of VMF 113 in the Marshall Islands. This one is named "Get em blue dog". An identically numbered 'Sun Setter' is also an option. I guess that one was written off or renamed at some time.

Next is #143 from VMF-122 on Peleliu. It is named 'The Blue Baron' and has a white patch on the tail.

The last Marine aircraft is #993, 'Virgin Jackie' of VMF-222 at Samar in the Philippines. This one has a nice USMC badge on the cowling and an incomplete nose art. It also has black stripes on the tail and numbers in yellow.

The lone Navy Corsair is from VF-17 and is the mount of ace Lt Killefer with five kill markings on the side.

All in all a very nice sheet for the 'hog nose'. The instructions are very good as befits a late Superscale sheet, giving references and showing common markings placement.