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F4U Corsair

 

 

 

Sky Models Decals

 

 
S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: 48-042
Scale: 1/48
Contents and Media: One 8.5" x 6" decal sheet; small supplementary sheet (2.25" x 1.75") and instructions.
Price: USD$8.95 from Pacific Coast Models
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Huge selection (37 aircraft) and great value; all three main US Corsair schemes covered; thinly printed; glossy finish; react well to setting and softening solutions.
Disadvantages: Heavy reliance of colour profiles in Osprey book “Corsair Aces of WWII”
Recommendation: Recommended


Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

 

FirstLook

 

Wow! 

That is the first impression that you get when you see these decals. 

Sky Models from Italy is a new comer to the decal scene and they have certainly made an impact by issuing a great number of sheets in a very short time. 

They have broken from the industry standard of providing markings for between one and three aircraft per sheet and, depending on the subject provide for up to 30 per sheet. 

Sheet 48-042 is no exception and gives markings for 37 different Corsairs operated by both the US Navy and the United States Marine Corps from the early F4U-1s, -1As, -1Ds and to a pair of –4s. 

 The three basic colour schemes worn by the Corsair are all covered - blue grey over light grey, the tri coloured non specular sea blue/intermediate blue over white and the final scheme worn by the 1940 era Corsairs - overall glossy sea blue. 

The individual aircraft are: 

Type

 

 Unit Pilot Colour Scheme

·        F4U-1A

VMF-215

CAPT A.R. Conant

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-124

LT A. Walsh

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-124

LT A. Walsh

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-213

CAPT J.N. Cupp

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-213

CAPT J.N. Cupp

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-213

CAPT G.C. Defabio

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-213

LT F.R. Garison

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-215

MAJ R.G. Owens

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VF-17

LT(jg) J.A. Halford

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LTCDR J.T. Blackburn

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LT P. Corday

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LTCDR R.R. Hedrick

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LT H.A. March

tri colour scheme

·        FG-1A

VMF-121

CAPT F.E. Pierce

glossy sea blue over white

·        F4U-1A

VMF-111

MAJ G.L. HOLLOWELL

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-2

VMF(N)-532

MAJ E.H. Vaugham

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-4

VMF-222

CAPT L.A. Walsh

overall glossy sea blue

·        F4U-1D

VMF-913

LT P.C. Delong

overall glossy sea blue

·        F4U-1A

VF-111

Not given

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1

VMF-321

LT L. L. O’Connel

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1

VMF-225

Not given

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VMF-217

Not given

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1

VMF-215

not given

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-4

VMA-323

Not given

overall glossy sea blue

·        F4U-1

VF-124

Not given

blue grey over light grey

·        FG-1

VF-122

Not given

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LT(jg) I.C. Kepford

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LT M.W. Davenport

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LT(jg) D.C. Freeman

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VF-17

LT(jg) D.G. Cunningham

tri colour scheme

·        FGU-1A

VMF-211

MAJ J.W. Wirelands

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1

VMF-214

1st LT E.L. Olander

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1A

VMF-214

MAJ G. Boyington

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1A

VMF-214

MAJ G. Boyington

tri colour scheme

·        F4U-1

VMF-213

1st LT W.J. Thomas

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-221

2nd LT D.L. Bach

blue grey over light grey

·        F4U-1

VMF-215

CAPT A.R. Conant

blue grey over light grey

 

Decal placement is guided by three A-4 sized sheets that show black and white side profiles of each aircraft with the occasional one being given a right profile as well.  The back page of the last sheet lists has colour guide with the commonly used name being given an FS 595B equivalent which are in turn are matched to commonly available model paints. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

A list of reference sources is also provided.  It seems that the Osprey book “Corsair Aces of WWII” was depended on fairly heavily as the majority of the colour profiles in the book have been replicated in decals form. 

Two sets of national insignia are provided, the early white star on a blue background and the later stars and bars without the red surround.  If you want to model the VMF-323 bird you will have to find the stars and bars with the red bar from elsewhere as it is not provided on the sheet.  .  The lack of national insignia is not too much of a problem if you use the Tamiya Corsair kits as the decals provided in the early kits are quite good.  The decals themselves have been printed by Cartograf. 

This sheet represents great value for money.  If you want to build more than one corsair and want to use after-market decals on them then this is the sheet to buy. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Pacific Coast Models for the review sample.

Sky Models Decals are available from Pacific Coast Models Website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 18 January, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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