Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

This is a new sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks that provides markings for six different United States Marine Corps (USMC) F4-U1A Corsairs.  The sub title - Black Sheep! - refers to the fact that four of the machines depicted are from VMF-214 Black Sheep and have been identified as have being flown by the squadron's Commanding Officer, Major Greg (Pappy) Boyington.  The other two aircraft are from VMF-122, and VMF-222. 

The USMC generally did not assign specific aircraft to individual pilots but the research conducted for this sheet has identified that these four aircraft were flown by Boyington between November 1943 and January 1944.  Details of each aircraft are as follows: 

Bureau number 18086.  Finish is tri-colour camouflage of non-specular sea blue and intermediate blue over white.  Markings consist of: 

• Red-surround national insignia in six places.

• White 86 plane in squadron number for the fuselage size with a smaller black set (of two) for the undercarriage doors.

• Black Bureau number/aircraft designation for the fin and rudder respectively.

• White names "Lucybelle" and "Lulubelle" for the fuselage below the cockpit.  There is some doubt over the correct name so both are provided.  The notes sheet provides you with the reasons for the inclusion of two different names – your choice!

• Scoreboard consisting of 20 rising Sun flags.  The kill markings and "Lucybelle"/"Lulubelle were applied only for publicity purposes and it is unlikely that Boyington ever flew this aircraft on any missions after their application.

Bureau number 17783.  Tri-colour camouflage of non-specular sea blue and intermediate blue over white.  The aircraft was shared between Boyington and 1st Lieutenant Bob Mc Clurg.  Markings consist of:

• White 883 for the fuselage with a smaller black set for the undercarriage doors.

• Black Bureau number/aircraft designation for the fin and rudder respectively.

• White name "Martha" for the fuselage below the cockpit.

• A scoreboard of seven Rising Sun flags.  The kill markings were applied only for publicity purposes on the ground and Boyington never flew the aircraft with the kill markings in place.

Bureau number 17915.  Tri-colour camouflage of non-specular sea blue and intermediate blue over white.  This was the aircraft which Boyington was flying when he was shot down.   Markings consist of:

• Blue-surround national insignia in six places.

• White 915 for the fuselage sides with a smaller black set for the undercarriage doors.

• Black Bureau number/aircraft designation for the fin and rudder respectively.

Bureau number 17740.  Tri-colour camouflage of non-specular sea blue and intermediate blue over white.  This is the aircraft that was used for the publicity photo which shows VMF-214 pilots standing on its wings wielding baseball bats.  For those who have the Kookaburra book "Markings of the Aces - US Navy Book 2" this photo appears on page 13.  There is also a colour photo of the aircraft on page 8.  The bottom of right wing has the older national insignia applied to it.  This marking is not normally seen on F4U-1As and there is speculation that the wing is in fact a replacement one from the Squadron's older aircraft.  The markings consist of:

• White 740 for the fuselage sides with a smaller black set for the undercarriage doors.

• Black Bureau number/aircraft designation for the fin and rudder respectively.

• Two early national insignia for the right wing as well as blue bordered ones for the fuselage and the bottom of the right wing

• A set of white stripes to replicate the tape applied over the joints on both wings.

Bureau number 13993, an FG-1 (Goodyear built F4U-1A) of VMF 221 as it appeared at Samar, Philippine Islands in March, 1945.  Tri-colour camouflage of non-specular sea blue and intermediate blue over white.  Markings consist of: 

• White 993 for the fuselage sides with a smaller black set for the undercarriage doors.

• Black Bureau number/aircraft designation for the fin and rudder respectively.

• Blue-surround national insignia in six places.

• A pair of USMC "Seabees" insignia for both sides of the engine cowling.  Apparently, the Seabees insignia was carried by the squadron's aircraft as a tribute to the outstanding work carried out by the Seabees on Samar Island.

F4U-1A of VMF-122 "Candy Stripers".  No Bureau number is given.  VMF-122 was based on Peleliu in the Palau group when they flew late model Corsairs.   Finish is overall glossy sea blue with white ID stripes on the fin.  Markings consist of:

• Blue-surround national insignia in six places.

• White 643 for the fuselage sides with a smaller set for the undercarriage doors.

• Large Ace of hearts playing cards for the engine cowling.

If you are looking for some inspiration to build this option go here:   

http://www.ethell.com/jethell/ww2color/f4u.htm 

There are complete sets of blue-surround national insignia as well as red-surround national insignia provided.  Stencil data is in the form of six complete sets of propeller stencil and Aeroproducts logos. There is also a further set of white stripes that you can use for tape markings although, apart from 740, none of the aircraft featured seemed to sport them.  The decals themselves look like they have been printed by Microscale.  They are in perfect register and have minimal film surrounding each subject. 

The decal placement guide is A-4 in size and it provides full colour left-hand profiles of each aircraft in the centre pages as well as top and bottom views of each aircraft on the rear page.  There is also a smaller sheet provided and it gives notes and discussion on each of the VMF-214 aircraft and paint match guide to FS 595 standard. 

The placement guide; notes sheet and the decal sheet itself are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

A very nice sheet from Cutting Edge.  It is well researched and produced and it will allow you to produce at least two complete aircraft from the decals supplied as well as providing you with a bit of VMF-214's background history. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 03 June, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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