F4U Corsair Walk Around

Published on
August 22, 2011
Review Author(s)
Book Author(s)
David Doyle
ISBN
978-0-89747-631-7
Other Publication Information
Softcover, 80 pages, over 200 full color photographs, detailed line drawings, color profiles
MSRP
$18.95
Product / Stock #
SS5565
Provided by: Squadron - Website: Visit Site
Cover

Since the F4U is one of many of my favorite World War II aircraft, I had to add this one to my collection. I recently purchased one of the latest publications that Squadron Signal did on the F4U Corsair, In Action series number SS1220. Both books complement each other extremely well. The Walk Around series number SS5565 of this aircraft isn’t disappointing in the least bit. It’s perfect for the modeler who wants to detail the Corsair to the utmost. It’s filled with color pictures of every nook and cranny that the photographer can see, eighty pages worth, and no black and white pictures. The only two quarter-page illustrations found are of the three canopy designs and two cowling designs that the Corsair went through.

A compliment goes out to artist Don Greer for his cover depicting an aircraft loaded with rockets and looking mean just sitting there. There is a brief two-paragraph introduction about the prototype, with coverage of testing in 1940 and how Vought Aircraft Company wasn’t the only builder of the aircraft. Brewster built the F3A-1 series and Goodyear built the FG-1 series. This book reviews the F4U-1D, F4U-4, F4U-5 and the F4U-5NL versions. A few small color profile illustrations, showing Navy and Marine markings not depicted in pictures published in the book, are scattered throughout.

As I was reading through these pages, a full page Corsair profile picture caught my eye. It was the FG-1D named Skyboss, carrying nose art of the Warner Brothers cartoon character Yosemite Sam and poised on a runway, awaiting takeoff. Its home, the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York, is not far from my house. If you will be attending our Noreastcon Regional on May 5th and 6th 2012, this baby will be on display.

I was very happy to add this book to my research library, and I wish I had this when I built the Trumpeter 1/32 scale model last year. I can without a doubt recommend this to anyone who has a passion for the F4U Corsair.

Review copy courtesy of Gary Newman at Squadron Signal Publications.

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