(Dirty) SAAF Corsair VIb

[comrade harps]

Vought Corsair VIb
X/Elaine II, 5 Squadron, South African Air Force
Obama, Japan, 2 May, 1946



On 15 December, 1945, the Commonwealth Corsair Strike Wing stood up at Pusan. Equipped with the Vought Corsair VIb, the Wing was composed of 2 New Zealand squadrons (14 and 15 RNZAF), one Canadian squadron  (401 RCAF) and one South African squadron (5 SAAF). Primarily assigned to surface attack missions, they conducted strikes against both land and maritime targets and moved to Tsushima Island (mid-way between Korea and Kyushu) in early April, 1946, from where they concentrated on attacks against Kyushu and Honshu. Following the X-Day invasion of Honshu, the Wing moved to Obama, on Honshu, in mid-March from where they focused on providing close air support and battlefield area interdiction.




The Corsair VI was a version of the F4U-4B customised for the Fleet Air Arm, with clipped wings and British-made 20mm Hispano cannons. Built as a variation of the Lend-Lease contracts that covered the Corsair VI, the VIb model reverted to full-span wings and had the tail hook omitted as it was a land-based version.




Elaine II was the personal mount of Lt. Gert Kruger. It is seen here close to the end of the war and displaying 60 mission marks. It is equipped with an external fuel tank (apparently from US stocks, as it is painted in Dark Sea Blue), a US 500lb general purpose bomb with fuse extender and wire (for anti-personnel effect), two US 160 lb general purpose bombs and four M47 napalm bombs. At the time the Wing was busy supporting British Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Kyoto.

[Sport21ing]

Very dirty indeed, but still, very good job 

[James W.]

Kruger must be born lucky, & I'd bet a buck to a krugerrand..
.. that those red 'meatballs' in the roundels would have every 'gung ho' fighter jock - within 'seeing red/red mist' distance - flat out & gunning for 'im..

[Dizzyfugu]

Colorful! I like the idea and how this one turned out. 

[comrade harps]

Colorful! I like the idea and how this one turned out. 

I must admit that your grungy finishing had something to do with my decision to make this one grotty. Thanks for the inspiration 

[zenrat]

You could have washed it before you took the pics!


Excellent job Comrade.

[NARSES2]

Interesting build  Seen some use that's for sure

[Captain Canada]

Great stuff. Love that colour scheme ! Glad you dirtied her up so or we'd be needing sunglasses lol

[DogfighterZen]

I like it!

[James W.]

Lt Kruger sure wouldn't have to worry about anyone purloining his 'personal' ride,
- what with it being such a pigsty, no other pilot would go near it,
& rightly fearing they might stick to it - like a 'tar baby' - if they even durst touch it..

[comrade harps]

Lt Kruger sure wouldn't have to worry about anyone purloining his 'personal' ride,
- what with it being such a pigsty, no other pilot would go near it,
& rightly fearing they might stick to it - like a 'tar baby' - if they even durst touch it..

I should have opened up the cockpit and popped in some cigarette butts, girly mags and a few bottles! And a Tommy gun.

Btw, has anyone noticed that I also left off the tail wheel covers? Quite deliberate. I can't see this bird breaking any speed records.

Thank you all for your positive feedback 

[zenrat]

I've put overflowing ash trays in 1/25 cars but i'd like to see you do it on a 1/72 plane.   

[James W.]

Thinking about Lt Kruger.. & the state of his crate.. reminds me of 'Wild Bill Kelso'..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0T5K9Mydl4

[comrade harps]

Thinking about Lt Kruger.. & the state of his crate.. reminds me of 'Wild Bill Kelso'..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0T5K9Mydl4

An ashtray full of cigar butts, then.

[James W.]

Thinking about Lt Kruger.. & the state of his crate.. reminds me of 'Wild Bill Kelso'..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0T5K9Mydl4

An ashtray full of cigar butts, then.

Yeah, much more classy..