Vought F4U-1D by Papa - FINISHED - Tamiya - PLASTIC

[Papa]

Although I did a lot of hull work on my Granado while on camping trips around the country, now that I am rigging her that is no longer an option.  So, on our last trip to Florida I grabbed this Tamiya kit from my stash. Everything but the decals was done on picnic tables throughout Florida.  The decals I saved until we returned home. Gad, some are so tiny they are nearly invisible when removed from the backing.

[Old Collingwood]

This will be gorgeous.

 

OC.

[Canute]

Ah, a bent wing bird. Love 'em.

[popeye the sailor]

these were the perfect carrier birds..........the wings fold up and are easily stored.  nice looking plane  

[Canute]

Denis, when they were first rolled out for fleet use, the Navy didn't like them. I think it was a high landing speed and or some other issues. Anyway, they pawned them on the Marines, who loved them, but they were primarily land based on Guadalcanal and other early bases. Navy started to use them later in the war.

[Old Collingwood]

The UK had them also used in the FAA  some were based at HMS Daedalus.

 

OC.

[ccoyle]

Interestingly, it was the Brits who ironed out the problems that Corsairs had in operating from carriers. In his paintings thread, Vegaskip recently shared one of HMS Formidable at a time when she was operating Corsairs in her air group. The Corsair has long been my favorite WWII piston engine fighter.

[Old Collingwood]

8 minutes ago, ccoyle said:

Interestingly, it was the Brits who ironed out the problems that Corsairs had in operating from carriers. In his paintings thread, Vegaskip recently shared one of HMS Formidable at a time when she was operating Corsairs in her air group. The Corsair has long been my favorite WWII piston engine fighter.

My late farther told me they also had one of the best power to weight ratios, no doubt due to that stinking huge lump up front,  owe also wasn't they made of Alum?

 

OC.

[Old Collingwood]

Probably the Brits clipped wing versions would have helped thier handling and stowage on RN carriers.

 

OC.

[Roger Pellett]

A friend of mine, ex professional pilot told me that the reason for the gull wings was to provide ground clearance for the large propeller swung by the huge engine.

 

As a youngster growing up near Akron, Ohio I remember seeing flights of these passing overhead during the Korean War.  It is my understanding the Goodyear Aircraft in South Akron built some.

 

Roger

 

[CDW]

"Whistling Death" 

Those gull wings were designed to give ground clearance for that massive prop. A very impressive machine with a sterling combat record.

 

I assume this is the 1:48 scale version?

[CDW]

Oops...I just saw your post - you already wrote about the big prop. Sorry for the oversight.

[mtaylor]

Part of the reason that navy didn't like them was the tall landing gear with the cockpit back so far.   The pilot have to side slip the bird back and forth to see that he was lined up with the carrier.  Once the navy learned this and spent the extra time on training, they did order in mass.  I think it was the Brits who sorted this out.

[Old Collingwood]

Heres one of the FAA  ones over here at the FAAM museum  Yeovilton  - well worth a visit with near on 100  aircraft on display.

 

Internet photo - not mine.

 

OC.

[Papa]

8 hours ago, CDW said:

"Whistling Death" 

Those gull wings were designed to give ground clearance for that massive prop. A very impressive machine with a sterling combat record.

 

I assume this is the 1:48 scale version?

It’s 1/72