Usaaf P-72 Corsair, 56th Fighter Group

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Sex in plastic !

Ian

[AeroplaneDriver]

I'll keep the backstory quick and easy:

Eight German commandos landed via U-Boat on Long Island on the night of July 28, 1942.  This group was tasked with conducting sabotage detrimental to the US war effort.  

On the night of August 9th they succeeded in their mission when they caused substantial damage to the Republic Aircraft factory at Farmingdale, NY.  

Production of aircraft, including the vital P-47 escort fighter was stopped for almost a month as the factory was repaired.  Desperate for fighters at a time when the dayloght bombing campaign over Europe was increasing the USAAF requested, and received a number of Navy F4U Corsairs to fill the gap.

Forty-eight Corsairs, designated the P-72 in USAAF service, served with the 56th Fighter Group, including this one, flown by Lt. John 'Lucky' Truluck of the 63rd Fighter Squadron.

Truluck ended to war with a total of 9 kills, including his four gained in the Corsair.


The kit, (an ancient Hasegawa one) wasnt perfect, but not terrible either.  The biggest problem was getting the engine cowling to look right.  It still isnt completely straight, but much better than the weird angle is started at!


(MODS-can someone merge this thread with my earlier 'Quickie Build one?)

[Eddie M.]

Another great build A.D. B)  Story's good too.    I especially want to thank you for proving it doesn't take two years ( speaking for myself ) to put out quality material. Great way to bring in the New Year!
  Eddie  

[John Howling Mouse]

Very fine!  Love the bent-winged bird.

[HOG]

Markings might not be right, but they don`t look wrong either
Very nice build indeed!

[PanzerWulff]

WoW Driver the corsair looks Gorgeous in NMF!!! Awesome job  
"Panzer"

[noxioux]

Love it!      

[Jeffry Fontaine]

AD,

For the sake of continuity, I merged your two threads on this model build.  

[BlackOps]

Looks great      Backstory really adds a lot too

[K5054NZ]

Prettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettyprettypretty!!!!

How on Earth do you do that? Utterly magnificent! That noseart looks great on the blue, and I second Bri's comments about the AG panel.

BTW if you don't get around to the RNZAF Cranberry, we Kiwis are always glad to take 'em back   ! Seriously though, please post pics if/when she's done.

[NARSES2]

The Corsair is one of my favourite aircraft and you sure have done her justice - great start to the New Year    

[Rafael]

A great way to end/start a year!!!!

She looks killer in that all-metal finish, and I concur with the anti-glare extension. That cowling is the bees' knees!!!

Love it!!!

Ah, the base!, the base!

Rafa

[Mossie]

Bloody hell, that was quick!  Gives a very different look, cool. B)  

[famvburg]

Does the Corsair have fabric control surfaces?

Apparently the control surfaces and the outer wing panels were fabric covered.

The wikipedia entry says it was the last US fighter with fabric control surfaces (though we all know how accurate wiki can be!).

Decals are coming along nicely.  Finished pics should be up this afternoon.

 The Corsairs did indeed have fabric controls & outer wing panels. Starting with the -5, the outer wings were metal skinned.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Really nice, Nick, although I'd have gone for the usual black squadron codes.... Incredible finish for such a quick project !

Ian