This variant was introduced in April 1944, and was built in parallel with the F4U-1C. It had the new R-2800-8W Double Wasp engine equipped with water injection. This change gave the aircraft up to 250 hp (190 kW) more power, which, in turn, increased performance. Speed was increased from 417 to 425 mph (671 to 684 km/h). Due to the U.S. Navy's need for fighter-bombers, it had a payload of rockets (double the -1A's) carried on permanent launching rails, as well as twin pylons for bombs or drop tanks. These modifications caused extra drag, but the additional fuel carried by the two drop tanks would still allow the aircraft to fly relatively long missions despite heavy, un-aerodynamic loads. A single piece "blown" clear-view canopy was adopted as standard equipment for the -1D model, and all later F4U production aircraft. 150 F4U-1D were delivered to the Fleet Air Arm.

As you see in the note, this is a 1970 tooling so a new kit it is not. Though this variant was reissued in 1989, the -1A was reissued in 2014. I dare say the tooling is identical. The major external difference between the 1A and 1D was a pair of bomb racks, which are not included in this kit. Neither is a centerline fuel tank, which was fairly standard. Also not included are rocket racks or rockets, and it does not have the 'blown' canopy. For all intents and purposes, this kit is a 1A. This is typical of Revell's 1/32 WWII fighter kits of this age as their P-51B Mustang has no wing racks or tanks either. 

So let's look at what is in the box. It is an end opening box that is stuffed full of greenish grey sprues. The cockpit is adequate with raised detail on the side consoles and instrument panel. The seat is built into the aft bulkhead and there is a two piece pilot to fill in the cockpit. No instrument decals are provided. There is a fairly nice two row radial which has fairly nice detailing.

The cockpit along with the tail gear are trapped between the fuselage halves. The tailhook is hinged for those who want to pose it lowered. Landing gear is also fairly well done and the wheels can be made to roll if you so desire.

Wings are somewhat complex as the kit is designed to have movable wings. I built this kit some 40+ years ago when it was somewhat new and recall (vaguely) that getting the wings to work was a bit of a task. When all is built up, it is then attached to the fuselage along with the gear doors. If doing the British version, the wing tips need to be sanded back to be level with the outer edge of the wing tip formation lights.

Next, the engine, cowling, and prop are attended. One can leave the cowling unglued to allow it to be removed to show the engine. Tailplanes are assembled and attached. The last steps are pitot, radio mast, formation lights along with the windscreen and canopy. The canopy can be posed open if desired.

Instructions are well done and provide generic color information. Some colors have to be mixed. It seems that each release has different decals. This one has two. One is the box art plane with VF-17 flown by Merl Davenport in December 1943. The other is an FAA plane with 1832 Squadron in overall sea blue with a white band on the aft fuselage. This rather broad band is included on the decal sheet. The large sheet is nicely printed and should provide no issues even as old as it is.  

These big Revell kits are not chock full of detail nor are they very fiddly to build. They will produce a nice model and look great on your display shelf. Having folding wings will help to reduce the space it takes. There are aftermarket decals for this plane if you don't like the kit offerings. As a follow-on note, since this kit has none of the -1D characteristics, you can still build the box art plane, but not the FAA option if you care about accuracy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_F4U_Corsair#Variants

October 2025 

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved. No reproduction in part or in whole without express permission.