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Vought
Corsair F4U |
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In production longer than any other U.S.
fighter in World War II (1942-1952) with 12,582 built, the
Vought F4U "Corsair" had several claims to fame. It
was credited with an 11:1 ratio of kills to losses in action
against Japanese aircraft and was the last piston-engine fighter
in production for any of the U.S. services. Built around a
powerful 2000 hp, double-bank radial engine, the distinctive
feature of the F4U was the inverted gull-wing that provided less
drag in flight, allowed for shorter landing gear to accommodate
an oversized propeller, and enabled the wings to be folded
directly over the canopy with room to spare on the hangar deck.
The shorter landing gear permitted rearward retraction which in
turn allowed for greater wing-fuel capacity. Due to inadequate cockpit visibility, adverse
stall characteristics at slow approach speeds, and a tendency
for the tail-hook to not engage due to aircraft bounce when it
hit the carrier deck, the F4U was restricted from carrier
operations until late 1944. In the interim, Marine Corps and
some Navy squadrons were actively engaged in Pacific combat
operations beginning in early 1943 from land-based island
locations. One Marine Corps squadron was credited with downing
135 aircraft over an eighteen month period and produced ten
aces. One Marine pilot went so far as to down an enemy aircraft
with his propeller.
The famous Marine Corps "Black
Sheep" squadron led by Major Gregory "Pappy"
Boyington accumulated ninety-seven aerial victories over a
twelve week period with "Pappy" accounting for
twenty-two of them including five on one mission. These WW II
kills by Boyington were in addition to six others accumulated
earlier while serving with the Flying Tigers in China. One Navy fighter squadron (VF-17) known as
the "Jolly Rogers" shot down 154 Japanese aircraft
over a seventy-six day period including sixty in one five-day
period.
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Corsair
F4U-1A Marines Corps
From our Premier Series. 1/28th scale. 14"
wingspan by 14" long
No. AEN2D-BR. Only $174.95
Corsair
F4U-1A. Marine Corps - Loaded.
Shown above. 1/28th scale. 14" wingspan by 14"
long. Carries rockets, etc.
No. AEN2D-BL. Only $194.95 |
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