Vought O-64 Corsaviour

[Glenn Gilbertson]

In preparation for the invasion of Japan, the USN were keen to have a force of flying boats and seaplanes that could operate from secluded bays. These operations were to be supported by seaplane tenders. At the same time, uprating battleship and cruiser catapults would allow heavier, faster fighters and observation/ASR aircraft.
Vought developed two new, float-equipped  versions of their Corsair to meet the requirement - the single seat F4U-8 and the two-seat OS3U. Fuel tanks were returned to the inner wings, allowing the cockpit to be moved forward to the original position, eliminating the troublesome forward fuselage fuel tank.
The F4U-8 was a minor player in the final days of WW2, but the OS3U proved a superb successor to the Kingfisher. Retaining two 0.5" wing guns and equipped with a rear-firing 0.30" machine gun the aircraft had the speed to reach downed aircrew quickly and to defend itself. The nickname "Corsaviour" came into common use.
In 1945 the USAAF realised that the OS3U would be a great ASR asset until helicopters became more developed, and ordered a batch as the SO-64. At the start of the Korean War the armament was remounted in all Pacific area SO-64's.
The starting point for a model of the SO-64 was an old Matchbox 1/72 scale F4U-4 from the "store in the roof".
The top of the fuselage was opened, and fitted out using the Vought Kingfisher as inspiration:


A plaster-of-paris female mould was cast to the removed fuselage part, and a rear canopy moulded from clear sheet using a scrapped Corsair fuselage portion as the male:





Floats were sourced from the Matchbox 1/72 Twin Otter, as aircraft weights were similar. Pylons from laminated plastic card, landing lights from clear sprue, ladders from plastic rod and strip. Markings from Minicraft 1/144 Catalina, Italaeri 1/72 Mustang, Airfix 1/72 Whirlwind & Microscale generic USAF sheet.




Wonder if I can work up the energy for an amphibian development?

[lenny100]

are you sure it was never built ?
I am sure it is in a photo somewhere!!!!

magnificent build  

[Dork the kit slayer]

Good work,a really interesting build and a good scheme.

Wiffing at its best :salute:  

[Scooterman]

Cue the new smiliy
:jawdrop:  

[kitnut617]

I love it Glenn,

Nice and colourful scheme and very plausable.

Cheers....

[anthonyp]

Holy crap, that's cool!  Nice job, Glenn!

 

[Brian da Basher]

Cue the new smiliy
:jawdrop:

I couldn't agree more! Jaw-droppingly outstanding!
:jawdrop:
I just love those USAF rescue colors! They really bring it together and make this beauty a real stunner!

Brian da Basher

[lancer]

Hell teeth Glenn, that is bloody superb!!! One of the best bit's of Wiffing I've seen posted on here.  

[GTX]

Damn it Glenn!  I have a somewhat similar idea for a RN FAA two seat Corsair - carrier based, without the floats though.  My idea is that the FN FAA, had prob;ems with the Firefly and Vought stepped in - the RN FAA still insisted on having an observer though.


Great model though.

Regards,

Greg

[Howard of Effingham]

excellent stuff glenn!  

very plausible. the scheme you have used i have seen before several years ago in the magazine combat aircraft on USAF LC-126's in alaska. was that the inspiration?  

trevor

[Dork the kit slayer]

I have  the Kingfisher fuselage and green house in 1: 48th (Monogram) if any one has old Corsair parts and is interested in trying this out ...a tad bigger??  

[Mike Wren]

very nice!    

[devil505]

:jawdrop: WOW!!  

[Captain Canada]

Nice one ! Love the paint.....it's definately one of those planes I want to pick up and fly around the room....with plenty of touvh and goes off the carpet ! Uh, i mean ocean !


   

[ysi_maniac]

Absolutely outstanding