Description

Designed around the new Pratt & Whitney R-2800 2,000HP radial engine, and turning the largest propeller ever attached to a fighter plane, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair became a legend in its own time.

First flown in May 1940, this gull winged wonder was deemed a winner from the outset. The Navy was so confident in the Corsair that rival companies Brewster and Goodyear were made alternate contractors for the initial order of 584 aircraft. With a top speed of 415mph and a rate of climb of 3,120 feet per minute, the Corsair was the fastest plane in the world at the time. Unacceptable aircraft carrier landing performance however, caused the F4U-1 to become a land-based fighter with the U.S. Marine Corps at the beginning of its career.

In November 1941, the U.S. Navy requested Vought to produce a radar-equipped version of the F4U-1; however, they were too occupied with production to accomplish the request. The task was turned over to the Naval Aircraft Factory which produced 32 of the 34 F4U-2 Corsairs made. Obvious changes were adding a radar dome to the outboard .50 caliber machine gun to offset the radar domes weight, plus flame dampeners installed on the six exhaust stacks. These F4U-2 night fighting Corsairs became the pioneers in developing the technology that led to U.S. night fighting tactics employed throughout WWII.

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Recommended Tamiya paints:

• AS-19..- 100ml intermediate Blue (USN)
• AS-20..- 100ml Insignia White (USN)
• AS-8..- 100ml Navy Blue (US NAVY)
• X-10..- 10ml Gun Metal
• X-11..- 10ml Chrome Silver
• X-4..- 10ml Blue
• X-7..- 10ml Red
• X-8..- 10ml Lemon Yellow
• XF-1..- 10ml Flat Black
• XF-15..- 10ml Flat Flesh
• XF-18..- 10ml Medium Blue
• XF-19..- 10ml Sky Grey
• XF-2..- 10ml Flat White
• XF-55..- 10ml Deck Tan
• XF-57..- 10ml Buff
• XF-58..- 10ml Olive Green
• XF-64..- 10ml Red Brown