For Pyn-Up's next Corsair sheet, here is a nice one for some mid-war aircraft. For kits, most of us will go for the Tamiya version as it is probably the most accurate. Unless you have an ancient AMT kit around, they are also the only ones who do a 'birdcage' version. The Otaki kit isn't bad and you can probably use that one as well.

First up is 'Marine's Dream', an F4U-1 'Birdcage' Corsair from VMF-222 at Munda in 1943. There is a photo of this aircraft included and it is in pretty sad shape following a nose-over. This is in the old scheme of blue-grey over light grey, but the area around the side number has been repainted in what seems like intermediate blue.

The second is a F4U-1A (probably) from VMF-422 based on Engibli Island in May 1944. This is in the tricolor scheme with red surround insignia, making for a nice aircraft.

The nose art decals are superbly printed on a single carrier so you'll have to cut them out. A white background is provided as the artwork markings are a bit transparent. A duplicate of the artwork is provided in case you need it.

As with all Cutting Edge products, the research is quite thorough and all that information is provided in with the decals to ensure that you have the most accurate presentation that is possible. These sheets are extremely limited to 300 copies so if you want it, you need to get it soon.

April 2005

Review copy courtesy of