F4U-1A

Yes, Henry Bourgeois. Quite a character.

Dave:

I have read both of Bruce's books, and I thought that both of them were excellent. If your friend Henry is who I think he is, he is also known as "Boo", and I won't even attempt to remember the spelling of his last name !

Jim

Jim, those photos were publicity shots. The press followed Boyington quite closely as he was after the record. This was during Boyington's second tour with the Black Sheep. The St. Louis Cardinals won the world series that year and sent the Black Sheep baseball equipment and hats.

If you're interested in the true story of the Black Sheep get a copy of Bruce Gamble's book "The Black Sheep, The Definitive Account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in World War II". Bruce did an outstanding job of research and telling the true story of this squadron. Bruce is very close to the remaining Black Sheep and often attends symposiums and such with them. Not to mention the annual reunions they throw.

Note that the Black Sheep were not the bums depicted in the television series. They were experienced Marine aviators. They didn't much like the way they were portrayed on TV. My friend Henry likes to tell the story of when he found out they were doing a television show about his squadron. He was so excited and gathered everybody together to watch it. He says that after the show his wife and family looked at him like they didn't know who he was. Anyway, grab the book. You wont be sorry.

Dave

I've often wondered about the subject of the Black Sheep squadron photo when they're all standing on the wings with the baseball bats and caps.

Jim

Dave:

I have seen photos of that same aircraft. You are right - it would make an interesting model, with the combination of colors and markings from mixing 2-tone -1 and 3-tone -1A components.

Jim

Speaking with my friend who flew for VMF-214, parts were swaped between aircraft to keep them flying. Entire wings, tail assemblies, you name it were taken off wrecked aircraft and used as spare parts for those still operational. I have a great photo of the 214th that illustrates this. Under the left wing is the National Insignia without the bars and under the right wing is the National Insignia with the white bars. I wish I had the number for this one because it would make for a great subject.
Dave

Besides the belly window early production -1A's had a couple of other features normally associated with the -1 birdcage - those being the short tail wheel strut, and cowl flaps that went all the way around the cowling. VF-17 got the first -1A's off of the Vought production line, and many photos of their -1A's show the full cowl flaps and the short tail wheel strut. Changes were not always implemented at the same time, an example being Ike Kepford's second #29 had the later cowl flap setup, but had the short tail wheel strut. I believe that one of the resin aftermarket companies will be doing a set of full cowl flaps for the Tamiya 1/48th -1/-1A/-2 kits. One thing that VF-17 did on it's own was to retrofit most (if not all) of their -1A's with Hellcat props, which I believe is the same type of "paddle-bladed" prop eventually standardized on the -1D.

As far as 2-tone paint on -1A's goes, I doubt if any ever came off of the Vought line that way. I have seen many photos of 3-tone Corsairs that were so badly faded that they were virtually 2-toned. As mentioned above, VF-17 got the first -1A's, and all of the ones I have seen photos of were 3-toned. Also, have seen photos of some "factory fresh" -1 birdcages that had the 3-tone scheme. Come to think of it, I have seen photos of some New Zealand F4U-1D's that kinda looked 2-toned !

Jim ( starting his Tamiya -1A )

Thought I would chime in about the belly window. I have a friend that flew the F4U-1, -1A, and -5. This window only appeared on the -1 and some -1A's. It proved impractical so begining with the 1-A's they started plugging the window with sheet metal. My friend tells me that the belly windows would get filthy with oil and dirt so if you're modeling it with the window in place be sure to dirty it up.
Dave

ridleusmc,

I never knew about it, either, until I built one and saw the window. So, I had to do a little research to learn about it. And that's what whetted my appetite for all things Corsair. After reading a few articles and books about the Corsair, it quickly became my favorite plane. I presently have 9 unbuilt Corsair kits, all in 1/48 scale, but by different manufacturers. I plan on building one of every version of the Corsair. I still need some F2G-1 and -2 kits, but I don't know if anyone makes them. Plus, the XF4U prototype is needed, but I think I may have to scratch-build that one. Let us all know how your Hasegawa Corsair makes out.

I've been a Corsair fan for years. I even have a Hasegawa kit on deck for my next project, but I never knew that there was a belly window. You learn something new every day.

hey, thanks Gary!! I guess I'll just paint it over. Like you said , most were painted, and thats pretty much all the photos I show as well. Plus it will solve my missing "V" bracket too :)

monsterarmor,

The window was indeed painted over in the field. The window was to be used for bombing purposes, but the pilots could never see exactly what they needed to see, so when paint touch-up time came along, the windows were just painted over. Up to the F4U-4, the cockpit had no floor, just troughs under the rudder pedals so the pilot could look down through this window. Starting with the F4U-5 and up, the floor was a solid one, and the window was eliminated.

So, if you paint over the window or leave it clear, either way is correct.

By the way, the Corsair is my FAVORITE plane...............especially when it's in USMC markings!!! Semper Fi!!

Ok, I have a question Im hoping someone can answer. Im building the Tamiya 1A kit. The kit comes with a window that goes on the belly under the cockpit. Out of all the reference photos Ive looked at (in Action book, Flight Journal Mag, Air Classics and Warplane mags, and even the internet) I cannot find any photos that show this window being there.?! Was it simply painted over? Or is it there, but just unntoiced in all the hundred or so photos! thanks in advance if anyone knows, tim

Yeah, thats a great mag. I picked one up myself. Its the Flight Journal edition. Costs $7.00 US , but well worth it.

Ah Murry, where is this store and how many loonies and toonies do I need?
Seriously, thanks for the info on the Corsair "Special Edition". I'll find the magazine locally. Lets see $10 Cdn is aboot (sic) $4.75 U.S. , less the GST and the Provincial sales tax.

Sorry Murry, I'm being a bit of a hoser, heh. Have a Molsons Golden on me. rangerj

I just came from a local magazine store and I saw a 'special issue' of a magazine devoted to the F4U Corsairs. Just about bought it cuz I've got a 1/72 version in progress too (been in progress for way to long...). It was $10 (cdn) though so I resisted... maybe I'll have less willpower tomorrow...

Did a quick search and found a link to the issue...
http://www.flightjournal.com/fj/store/viewissue.asp?issueid=f4uc
There were lots of really nice color pics and details

hmmmm.... wonder when that store closes??

Murray

You should do the Marine markings seeing how they were the first to adopt the corsair.

James Simmons

yes, that one. hmmm, I guess i did something wrong when attacking the control stick. Its what is hitting that bracket.

thanks gary, and Monster, are you talking about the V braket? It wasnt a issue for me. Sri...

dadfad,

There were, indeed, F4U-1As painted in two-tone as well as three-tone paint schemes. You'll need flat (or Non-Specular, as it's sometimes called) Sea Blue on top, with white underneath, for the two-tone scheme. A lot of the bird-cage Corsairs (F4U-1) had the two-tone scheme. Just about any Corsair reference book will show this. The best books for the Corsair are Detail & Scale's two-book set on the Corsair, and Squadron's "In Action" book. Good luck!!

hey, Im building that kit too. Dont know the answer to your question though. But, I do have a question for you. Did you have fit problems with that lower bracket that goes in the belly window? Mine was getting in the way of the cockpit tub.