History:
F4U-5 is post WWII aircraft, differing from the F4U-4 by use of a redesigned
engine mount, by pushing the mount on the frame further forward resulting in a
longer cowling area. Along with moving larger air intakes to the right and left
side of the cowlings becoming the most distinctive features of this aircraft.
The -5 was successfully used by the Marine and Navy air wings in Korea
in the fighter-bomber role,
armed with 4 20mm cannon, along with bombs and HVAR’s. The F4U-5N differed
from the -5 via a radar radome installed in the right wing, gun flash
suppressors for the four 20 mm cannon, autopilot to reduce pilot fatigue,
exhaust suppressors and an extra radio antenna. Many -5 variants served other
countries air forces into 1970’s as well as the U.S. into the 60’s, assigned
to Naval Air Stations. Total
production of -5 Corsairs was 223.
Construction:
This is
a 1/48 Revell kit built OOB, with pictures and letters
used for paint and assembly instructions. This is close to
a beginners model, since no real modifications or fixes had to be made.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Painting:
Used Testors Deep Sea Blue and Flat Black spray paints, with an
undercoating of Testors Silver spray applied first.
Decals:
From Pro-Modeler kit #5980, NAS Glenview. Decals adhered fine, using Solve Set
to snug them down. I usually spray a gloss coat on before decaling, but it did
not seem to need it. My hunch was correct, no problems with the decals. I
finished off the model with Testors Dull Coat.
Conclusion:
The kit was excellent and had no build problems. Decals for this kit were very
nice, allowing you to build a 1954 Navy version from the USS Franklin Roosevelt
and a VMA-212 Marine version at Yonpo Air Base in South Korea, circa late 1950.
References:
Kit Instructions. (Would appreciate any further information on this or
other NAS Corsairs. Information on the WEB was hard to come by. Don’t know if
this is an accurate depiction of such aircraft).
Mark
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