Oxford Diecast Oxford Aviation AC070
Vought Corsair Mk III Diecast Model
RNFAA No.718 NAS, JS479, RNAS Ballyhalbert, Northern Ireland, 1945 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Vought Corsair Mk III | | 5.5" | | 6.75" |
The Vought Corsair, or to give its full description - the Vought F4U Corsair - was a single seater American fighter aircraft manufactured by Chance Vought that saw service primarily in World War II. Introduced in 1942, it was still flying until 1953 and during its long period of manufacture, over 12,500 Corsairs were built and it was still flying somewhere in the world into the 1970s.
The aircraft was designed as a carrier-based machine but it had serious shortcomings when landing on US aircraft carriers. The British Royal Navy leased a number of the aircraft for use on their own carriers, designated Vought Corsair I, II and III and the Navy solved several problems including making the wings shorter to fit the limited hangar deck height and the shorter take off and landing decks. Other modifications to improve performance and pilot visibility included a bulged canopy, raising the pilot's seat and wiring shut the cowl flaps across the top of the engine compartment, diverting the oil and hydraulic fluid around the sides of the fuselage. The Americans subsequently adopted many of the British modifications to improve their own safety record.
Our 1:72 scale replica of the Corsair III is as deployed to 718 Naval Air Squadron, a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm based at Ballyhalbert, Northern Ireland in 1945. Decorated in dark grey-blue/ mid grey-blue and off-white, the model also features the RAF roundels on both the upper and under wings. The aircraft numbering 0 - BH2 is painted yellow on both sides of the fuselage behind the cockpit.
In real life, the Vought Corsair was rated the most formidable American fighter of WWII particularly against the Japanese aircraft whose pilots nick-named it "Whispering Death" because of its unique engine sound.
Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for a single-seat carrier based fighter, the F4U was first flown on May 29th, 1940. This versatile aircraft saw service with both the Navy and Marine Corps in WW II and in the Korean War. During its lifetime, the Corsair underwent numerous improvements such as a lengthened fuselage, a high visibility bubble-top canopy and folding inverted gull wings that provided clearance for a large propeller. Its performance advantage, 400 mph capability, the ability to withstand punishment and six .50 Browning machine guns made the F4U a devastating weapon against aircraft, ground targets and ships. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Oxford Diecast "Oxford Aviation" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military aircraft.
Oxford Diecast "Oxford Aviation" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal and plastic construction.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Permanently retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Fixed, non-spinning plastic propellers.
- No pilot figures.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
