F4U-5 of Forca Aérea Paraguaya during Operation Power Pack, 1966

[Dizzyfugu]

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Some background:
The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was an American fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War.

The Corsair had been designed as a carrier-based aircraft, but its difficult carrier landing performance rendered the Corsair unsuitable for Navy use until the carrier landing issues were overcome when used by the British Fleet Air Arm.

The Corsair thus came to and retained prominence in its area of greatest deployment: land based use by the U.S. Marines. The role of the dominant U.S. carrier based fighter in the second part of the war was thus filled by the Grumman F6F Hellcat, powered by the same Double Wasp engine first flown on the Corsair's first prototype in 1940.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The Corsair served to a lesser degree in the U.S. Navy. As well as the U.S. and British use the Corsair was also used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the French Navy Aéronavale and other, smaller, air forces until the 1960s.

One of these were the Air Forces of Paraguay. Land-locked Paraguay first formed a flying branch of it's Army in 1927, and today's Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP) saw it's formation in 1946. Being surrounded by friendly countries and economic problems does not allow the FAP to operate a substantial combat aircraft fleet however, and the Corsairs were low budget start for the young air force.

The Corsairs for Paraguay were up to the late WWII F4U-5 standard, but lacked the naval equipment (e. g. the arrester hook, even though the wing folding mechanism was retained) since these machines were to be deployed purely from land bases and primarily as fighters.
For the Paraguayan Air Force, the machines were also outfitted with special Curtiss Electric constant-speed propellers of 146 in (3.7 m) in diameter with deeper blades, optimized for "hot and high" use.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The F4U-5 itself was a design modification of the F4U-4 and first flown on 21st of December 1945. It was intended to increase the F4U-4 Corsair's overall performance and incorporate many Corsair pilots' suggestions. It featured a more powerful Pratt and Whitney R-2800-32(E) engine with a two-stage supercharger, rated at a maximum of 2,850 hp (2,130 kW), recognizable through the twin cheek air intakes fairings alongside the cowling. This Corsair type was also flown by the Argentine Navy and Honduras' Air Force.

Other improvements included automatic blower controls, cowl flaps, intercooler doors and oil cooler for the engine, spring tabs for the elevators and rudder, a completely modernized cockpit, a completely retractable tail wheel as well as heated cannon bays and pitot head. The cowling was lowered two degrees to help with forward visibility, but perhaps most striking as the first variant to feature all-metal wings. Paraguay bought 22 new machines in 1947, which became operational with 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní' in early 1949.

Towards the end of their career the Corsairs even saw hot action when Paraguayan Forces became involved in the U.S. American operation 'Power Pack' in 1965, when U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, convinced of the defeat of the Dominican Republic's Loyalist forces and fearing the creation of "a second Cuba" on America's doorstep, ordered U.S. forces to restore order.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



The decision to intervene militarily in the Dominican Republic was Lyndon Johnson's personal decision. All civilian advisers had recommended against immediate intervention hoping that the Loyalist side could bring an end to the civil war, but the United States decided to interpose its forces between the rebels and those of the junta, thereby effecting a ceasefire.

The United States could then ask the Organization of American States to negotiate a political settlement between the opposing factions.
"Operation Power Pack", began when the U.S. Marine Corps entered Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 28, 1965, in the Dominican Civil War. Marine Medium Helicopter squadron HMM-264, from the deck of the USS Boxer, airlifted 530 U.S. Marines of the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Marine Regiment into Santo Domingo.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) was established by the Organization of American States on 23 May 1965, after the American intervention. It was composed of over 42,600 United States military personnel, plus Brazilian, Honduran, Paraguayan, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and El Salvadorian personnel.

Until the end of the American intervention in September 1966, when the 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne, the last remaining American unit in the country, was withdrawn, the FAP Corsairs frequently patrolled the Dominican air space or flew escorts for the American supply flights and paratrooper transports.

After that, the Brazilian government took over the operation from the United States in 1966 and the IAPF was disbanded in 1967, what also marked the end of the F4U's service in the Forza Aérea Paraguaya.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr




General characteristics:
    Crew: 1 pilot
    Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.2 m)
    Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
    WS Folded: 17 ft 0.5 in (5.2 m)
    Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
    Empty weight: 9,205 lb (4,174 kg)
    Loaded weight: 12,405 lb (5,626 kg)

Powerplant:
    1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32(E) radial engine,
          rated at a maximum power of 2,850 hp (2,130 kW)
   
Performance:
    Maximum speed: 453 mph (395 kn, 731 km/h)
    Range: 897 mi (602 nmi/1.115 km)
    Service ceiling: 41,500ft (12,649 m)
    Rate of climb: 3,870ft/min (19.7 m/s)

Armament:
    4× 0.79 in (20 mm) M2 cannon plus up to 4.000 pounds (1.800 kg) external ordnance,
    incl. up to 10× 5" (12.7 cm) high velocity aircraft rockets, bombs or drop tanks



The kit and its assembly:
I am not certain what struck me when I started this one. It's actually the leftover Italeri F4U-7 that I recently bought just for the French markings (for the 'Bourrasque' whif), which was still left on the work bench. Wondering about the type's late Middle and South American operators I suddenly had Paraguay on the radar, no idea why.

Checking the country's air force history I found that it was just a small air arm, and that the roundels resemble French markings a lot. A deep search in the decal box revealed some suitable roundels, and from that things evolved gradually...

As mentioned before, F4Us in smaller American air arms' service is nothing exotic, so this one would be subtle. Hence I decided not to mess too much with the kit. It was basically built OOB, only changes were:
• Using the F4U-5 cowling that comes with the kit
• Lowering the flaps for added drama
• A different, cuffed propeller from a Hobby Boss P-47D with deeper blades
• The single OOB exhaust pipes were replaced by thin styrene tubes
• The arrester hook disappeared, as well as its opening behind the tail wheel

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Since this would become a pure fighter I did not put any HVARs or bombs under the wings, but the OOB drop tanks were used.

The kit itself is nicely detailed, with engraved panels, and goes together well. Only issues I had were mounting the cowling, where the intakes run into nowhere and need some putty assistance, and the wing part needed some filling at the fuselage intersection.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



Painting and marking:
Exotic realism was the intention, and painting this one was more fun than building it, even though this whif was to be kept rather subtle and unflashy. And how to paint a Paraguayan aircraft?

For inspiration I took a look at aerial landscape photographs of the country, and since the machines were supposed to be bought directly from the USA I decided to apply the classic USAF SEA scheme on the Corsair. It's a perfect match, and the USAF scheme looks a bit weird on the naval bird. I like that!

Operation "Power Pack" was another historical fact that would match the type's fictional service time frame with Paraguay: The South-American country actually did take part in the Dominican Republic intervention as a part of the Inter-American Peace Force, but not with aircraft or the way I cooked it up. Anyway, the IAPF duty would be a good reason for extra markings on the Corsair, so that it would look less Vietnam-esque.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The SEA scheme colors are partly authentic FS tones: the greens, FS 34102 and 34079, are ModelMaster Authentic tones. The tan, originally FS 30219, is a slightly darker tone, "French Earth Brown", also from ModelMaster. The undersides, originally FS 36622, were painted with FS 16515 (Canadian Voodoo Grey), which is a tad darker, too, and more blue-ish.

On top of that a light black ink wash was applied, in order to emphasize details and add a worn look, plus light dry-brushing for panel shading with lighter tones.
The oil stains were painted with thinned dark grey stains, the exhaust soot with matt black. Furthermore, some dry-brushing with Aluminum simulates chipped/flaked paint in some areas, but not too much.

All interior surfaces were painted in a Zinc Chromate Primer tone - I used Humbrol 159 as basic tone (not as "loud" as the treu tone), plus some dry-brusing with RLM 02.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


All markings were puzzled together from the decals archive. The FAP roundels are a selection of various French roundels without the typical yellow rim and with very dark blue dots in the middle. The roundels' size is relatively big – but I think that a mission like the IFAP would call for quick and clear identification? This was also the reason for adding the "IFAP" markings – a simple detail that pushes the whif beyond the ordinary and helps telling a story. The flag on the fin is an early WWII RAF flash, turned by 90°, with a tiny, yellow star added in the middle.

The aircraft code "1-2.05" is fictional, but conceptually based on a real world FAP T-33. The "FAP" on the fin was created from single letter decals, as well as the "IFAP" on the flanks and under the wings.
Finally the kit received a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Vought F4U-5 'Corsair; aircraft '1-2.05' of 1º Escuadrón de Caza 'Guaraní', Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), part of the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) in the Dominican Republic, 'Operation Power Pack', 1966 (Whif/Italeri kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



A spontaneous, exotic and somehow disturbingly convincing what-if aircraft model? Surely one that won't turn heads, but rather have them scratched.

[ChernayaAkula]

Lovin' this!  The SEA scheme really looks the part on a Corsair!

[Dizzyfugu]

Lovin' this!  The SEA scheme really looks the part on a Corsair!

Thanks a lot - thought so, too. I was sceptical first, chosing the scheme rather for practical reasons, but it suits the F4U surprisingly well!

[Librarian]

Have to say the -5 and AU-1 are my favourite Corsairs, and its always nice to see them in camo schemes of this quality. Very nice all round. I especially like the subtle change from light to medium green.

[sandiego89]

Nice resurection! 

[comrade harps]

Looks the part perfectly 

[su27rules]

 

[Captain Canada]

It sure does. Love the camo pattern and colours with those markings. Nice little story as well. Too bad they didn't keep them flying and maybe upgrade to turboprops 

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you for the feedback - I'll admit that this one is not spectacular, but the mix of subtle details comes along nicely.

[DogfighterZen]

It's good enough for me! The SEA camo gives the corsair a more rugged look and with those markings, that's something you don't see everyday.
Nice work!