The F4U Corsair, one of the most iconic carrier-based fighters of World War II, has become legendary. Its curved gull-wing design and high rate of destruction earned it the Japanese nickname "the whistle of death." The Corsair was the first American fighter to exceed 400 mph, and as the U.S. Navy's front-line fighter, it outperformed the F4F Wildcat. In addition to aerial combat, the Corsair also served as a tactical bomber. It could carry two 500-pound bombs, eight rockets, and one auxiliary fuel tank. (Early SBD Dauntless dive bombers could carry only 1,000-pound bombs, and the F4F fighter could carry only two 100-pound bombs externally, showing the F4U's superior performance.) Unfortunately, because its "long nose" limited the pilot's visibility (especially during takeoff and landing), Navy commanders deemed it unsuitable for carrier-based operations. As was customary, when the Navy found its aircraft inadequate, it assigned them to the Marine Corps. This was the case with the Corsair, which was limited to ground operations, providing close air support to the Marines. The Marines were delighted to have the exciting new fighters replacing their aging Wildcats. The Corsair soon proved its worth. Pappy Boyington and his squadron of Black Sheep were a prime example of how the Corsair was pushed to its limits. Later in the war, the Corsair underwent a number of modifications to ensure safe landings on aircraft carriers. In the final months, the Corsair helped intercept a large number of kamikaze fighters.
Model dimensions: Length: 323 mm; Wingspan: 390 mm
Total number of parts: 355 pcs.
