This F4U-4 Corsair cockpit set is packaged in the typical Aires style, coming in a sturdy plastic package with foam backing, along with instructions tucked in between the cardboard back and plastic. My first impression was of how crisp the detail is on the cockpit sidewalls and bulkheads. Also included is a photo etch fret and colored instruments on clear plastic. Mold release agent is non-existent on the parts; however, I still recommend washing the resin before use.

I have to respect Iliad Design in Canada, which does not follow the convention of releasing decals just for kits new out on the market, but instead releases subjects off the beaten path. This latest release is a series of markings for the US Navy’s version of the T-33, the TO-2/TV-2. The T-33 was an initiative by Lockheed to develop a trainer from its P-80 fighter. Debuted in 1948, the T-33 was immediately bought by the US Air Force and proved to be iconic aircraft which still soldiers on today in many Air Forces. The Navy, which had acquired the P-80 (Navy designation TO-1) for evaluation, also had a need for two-seat jet trainer and acquired 650 of the planes by way of the US Air Force. In Naval service it was at first designated the TO-2 and later the TV-2. The T-33/TV-2 is a forgiving and stable platform and the Navy soon pushed these two-seaters into other roles such as drone aircraft controllers and chase aircraft for test and evaluation programs.

History Brief

The A-25 Shrike was the USAAF variant of the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, a carrier-based dive bomber aircraft produced for the United States Navy during World War II. Nine hundred aircraft were ordered by the USAAF under the designation A-25A Shrike. The first ten aircraft had folding wings, while the remainder of the production order omitted this unnecessary feature. Many other changes distinguished the A-25A, including larger main wheels, a pneumatic tail wheel, ring and bead gun sight, longer exhaust stubs, and Army-specified radio equipment. By late 1943 when the A-25A was being introduced, the USAAF no longer had a role for the dive bomber, as fighter aircraft such as the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt had shown their ability to carry out tactical air support missions with great success.

Background

Much has been written about both the P-51D Mustang and Tamiya’s own take on the famed fighter in 1/32 scale. The “D” model of the P-51 was the most numerous version of the Mustang during WWII, as well as the most refined. During production of the “D” model, over 1000 Mustangs built at North America’s Dallas plant used an Aeroproducts propeller in place of the Hamilton Standard unit, earning them the P-51K model designation.

An additional variant of the Mustang, built off of both the “D” and “K” models, was the fully-armed, photo-reconnaissance F-6D and F-6K, respectively. The F-6D/Ks are distinguished by a series of modifications on the left side of the aircraft: camera ports and an access hatch, as well as crosshatch markings on the wing and canopy.

Aircraft and History

The F-4 Phantom II was originally developed for the United States Navy and made its first flight on 27 May 1958. Exactly 5 years later, the first USAF Phantom II flew and that version was the F-4C. These early Phantoms did not have an internal gun which was an issue in close combat and when the missiles were unreliable. This kit represents Col Robin Olds aircraft as it appears in the National Museum of the US Air Force and the box art shows the phantom during Operation “Bolo” on 2 January 1967. During “Operation Rolling Thunder”, F-105 fighter bombers (heavily loaded) were being attacked by North Vietnamese Mig-21 fighters and sustaining high losses of F-105’s. In response to these attacks, Col Olds devised a tactic to trick the North Vietnamese air force into thinking the Phantoms were F-105 on a bombing run which were being attacked by Mig-21 aircraft.