The Vought Corsair is such an iconic aircraft, it's great to see it get a welcome spot in the limelight again with a couple of new releases recently from Magic Factory and HobbyBoss. Both these kits are 2-in-1 models offering early "birdcage" and later "bulged" canopies, so Ray Horwell at Fantasy Printshop has timed things perfectly with this new sheet of Euro Decals that covers both styles.
Set #ED-48139 contains markings for 7 aircraft - 6 x Vought F4Us, plus a Brewster F3A. The decals are accompanied by full-colour 4-view drawings and include original paint names/codes and matches for Humbrol, Xtracolour, Xtracrylix, Mr. Color Aqueous, MRP and Vallejo Model Air model paints.
The quality of the decals is excellent, with the glossy items showing precise registration and minimal excess carrier film. In a nice touch to further ensure perfect line-up, the dull red centres for Royal Navy are supplied separately.
There's a very attractive mix of subjects, with early and late US camouflage, British colours, plus a pair of very unusual composite aircraft built in the field from salvaged airframes. The latter sport striking colour schemes that will stand out in any line-up of Corsair models (how about a silver Corsair, anyone?):
1. Vought F4U-1A, s/n NZ5272/NZ5307, "307", No.1 Servicing Unit, RNZAF, October 1944
2. Vought F4U-1, Bu.No. 17590, "590", VMF-215, Bougainville, USMC, January 1944
3. Vought F4U-1A, "SS11/Sally", Service Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, USMC, New Hebrides, 1945
4. Brewster F3A Corsair, s/n JS479, "BH2/Q", 718 NAS, RNAS Ballyhalbert, 1945
5. Vought F4U-1, Bu.No. 02310, "13/Viva!", VMF-124, Guadalcanal, USMC, May 1943
6. Vought Corsair Mk.II, s/n JJT260, "P54", 757 Naval Operations Training Unit, RN, Ceylon, July 1944
7. Vought F4U-1A, Bu.No. 17965, "K99/103", VMF-115, USMC, May 1944
Conclusion
This is another top quality release from Euro Decals that should be very popular. Even if we're not tempted by the latest Corsair kits, this is a very welcome selection of new markings for existing models such as the excellent Tamiya series.
Item #ED-48139 is available now from Fantasy Printshop - Price: £15.95
Many thanks to Fantasy Printshop for the review sample.
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