Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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One of the latest sheets from Custom Aeronautical Miniatures, or Camdecals as they are more commonly known is 48-109, Deadly Corsairs. This time Camdecals have given us markings for three post WWII United States Marine Corps Corsairs, Two F-4U-5s and a F4U-5N.

First is F4U-5 Bureau number 122066 of VMFA-324 “Vagabonds” as it appeared at Naval Air Station Miami in 1952. Finish is overall glossy sea blue with a yellow propeller dome and a flat black anti-glare. The colour of late model Corsair anti-glares is a hotly debated topic. Some say flat black whilst others say flat sea blue. As you would expect with the markings of this era they are all in white. They consist of:

• Large LX (VMA-324’s unit identifying letter) for both sides of the vertical stabilizer, with smaller ones for the top and bottom of the right wing.

• 6 (aircraft number) for both sides of the cowling, and top and bottom of the right wing and the forward facing undercarriage doors.

• MARINES titles for the bottom of the left wing and sides of the fuselage. The fuselage titles incorporate the squadron designation as a single decal.

• Bureau number data block as well as a set of fairly comprehensive stencil data.

A complete set of national insignia complete the markings for this aircraft.

Next is F4U-5N Bureau number 123176 of VMF(N)-513 “Flying Nightmares” as it appeared at Kunson, Korea 1952. This time the finish is overall flat black befitting it’s role as a night fighter. The markings are much the same as the “Vagabonds” aircraft except that they are in red rather than white. Other exceptions include:

• Lack of MARINES titles

• Smaller Bureau number data block

• Smaller national insignia

• Aircraft number – 19 – is larger and placed below the cockpit

The last aircraft is F4U-5 Bureau number 122196 of VMF-212 “Lancers” as it looked when at K-3 airfield in Korea. Finish is overall glossy sea blue with a natural metal propeller hub and dome. Markings are also the same as the “Vagabonds” aircraft with the exception that the aircraft number is larger and is placed below the windscreen.

Decal placement is guided in Camdecals usual fashion by way of a double sided A-4 sheet which shows left hand side profiles of each aircraft whilst the rear shows a top and bottom plan-view for each aircraft. The sheet also provides colour notes as well as a list of references. The suggested kit is the beautiful Hasegawa F4U-5N (you can build a straight -5 from the same kit). The decal placement of the VMF(N)-513 aircraft is not all that clear on the top and bottom views of the aircraft. Whilst it shows a line with a number corresponding to the correct decal it does not show exactly where the decal should go. A minor niggle really and you will readily find the information on the Haseagwa instruction sheet.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The decals themselves are printed by Microscale – enough said. You can build each of the aircraft using this sheet. It’s all there. There are three complete sets of stencil data as well as three sets of national insignia. Good value as far as I’m concerned.

As with all of the Camdecals sheets, it has a stiff cardboard header to protect the decals. The front of the header shows the left hand side profile of each aircraft but this time in colour.

The decals, placement guide and header card are all packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag.

If you are looking for a little inspiration, there is an excellent colour photo of the VMF(N)-513 aircraft on the top of page 94 in the Monogram US Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft Colour Guide.

I built the Hasegawa F4U-5N when it was first released and as I didn’t want to use the kit decals I tried to use some generic white letters and numerals to replicate an aircraft from VC-5. Funnily enough, the unit identifying letters painted on Corsairs of this era are larger than what was available. Mindful of this experience, I checked the size each of the decals against the Hasegawa kit using a pair of dividers. Happily they all fit where they are supposed to go.

This is a great sheet from Camdecals. Combine it with the Hasegawa kit and add a little patience and time and you will end up with a very nice late model Corsair to add to you shelves.

Recommended.
 

Thanks to Brookhurst Hobbies for the review sample.

CAM Decals are available online from their website at http://www.camdecals.com and from Brookhurst Hobbies

CAM Decals 59 page 2002 color catalog of decals and resin parts is also
now available through the CAM Decals website

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 09 February, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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