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Post by kiwicorsair on Aug 31, 2016 21:20:49 GMT 12
Hi All
I have just discovered this forum and what a font of Information it is. I model Kiwi WW2 Lend Lease Aircraft and was looking for information about the 60 FG1-D Corsairs that arrived late in the war. If any "Bentwing Boffins" out there could help that would be a great help in completing a couple of projects based on Tamiya's 1/48 Corsair.
1. Were all of the Goodyear Corsairs delivered to the RNZAF finished in the overall Glossy Sea Blue scheme?
2. Did all Goodyear Corsairs have rocket mounts fitted - pictures of them in the boneyard show not all fitted with the mounts (NZ5610 is an example)
3. Going through ADF serials I noticed that some lived on postwar as training aircraft - did they wear the same roundels as the ones that travelled to Japan?
I wanted to build some different Corsairs than what Is normally built , the FG1-Ds are a real favorite of mine. Once I have some progress I wil post up some pics.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 9:05:27 GMT 12
Another question to add to those of kiwicorsair (which has probably been addressed before: when did NZ5648 get shorter wings? They look like the FAA's clipped ones to me. Pictures of it as NZ5611/Josephine show them shorter than normal.
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Post by Ian Warren on Sept 1, 2016 15:37:57 GMT 12
I have to dig it up, a few FAA Corsairs scored the shorter wing tip when HMS Indomitable stopped in Auckland in 1944, spear parts I guess may have been handed around , maybe even a test lets compare, would not have been hard to get spare part or a spot to look and check, the aircraft was already doing well without a snip and tuck.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 1, 2016 16:01:05 GMT 12
Whilst all Fleet Air Arm Corsairs were fitted with the shorter wingtips, due to the lower ceilings of hangar decks in RN carriers, HMS Indomitable never visited Auckland in 1944. It was in the Royal Navy Eastern Fleet, making strikes on South-East Asia through 1944.
The first Royal Navy carrier to visit New Zealand with aircraft onboard was in 1946.
And I am not convinced the wingtips on NZ5648 were shorter than standard when it was at Hamilton. I have heard many times when it was restored to fly in the USA it was fitted with different wings, which happened to be off a Fleet Air Arm Corsair. Can anyone confirm if this story is right?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 16:56:13 GMT 12
Good point - looking again at this photo I'd say you're right: Next view of it taxying is after it had been restored as NZ5611 "Josephine" for the opening of Hamilton Airport. Note the the forward u/c doors are missing.  That makes the modeller's job easier! |
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Post by shorty on Sept 1, 2016 21:07:31 GMT 12
Wouldn't be surprised if they had to replace the wings when it became a flier as the Motat restoration team (using that term in the loosest possible sense)covered the fabric portions of the wings with aluminum sheet pop riveted on.
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Post by kiwicorsair on Sept 1, 2016 21:29:29 GMT 12
Thanks to all that have replied so far.
As for the clipped wings - the only reason the FAA clipped them was for clearance on carriers , the wings on NZ5648 do not look clipped to me.
FAA Corsairs were modified in the US by British conversion teams the same time FAA radios and gear were fitted prior to delivery.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 2, 2016 0:10:29 GMT 12
Correct. NZ5648's wings are clipped now but they were not when it was at Rukuhia.
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Post by kiwicorsair on Sept 2, 2016 18:53:59 GMT 12
The photo posted above links into one of my questions - "Josephine" has been restored what looks like the 4 tone colour scheme. Also Her current markings are the 4 tone. I was under the impression that all FG-1D and late model F4U-1D were painted in the overall Glossy sea blue scheme.
Regarding Post war use -I guess I may never know exactly. Avengers operated as target tugs continued to wear their wartime roundels after the war in service. The same may have been true for the Corsairs used for training.
It may have just been the J force Aircraft that had their roundels updated?
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Post by alanw on Sept 2, 2016 19:05:46 GMT 12
Hi All I have just discovered this forum and what a font of Information it is. I model Kiwi WW2 Lend Lease Aircraft and was looking for information about the 60 FG1-D Corsairs that arrived late in the war. If any "Bentwing Boffins" out there could help that would be a great help in completing a couple of projects based on Tamiya's 1/48 Corsair. 1. Were all of the Goodyear Corsairs delivered to the RNZAF finished in the overall Glossy Sea Blue scheme? 2. Did all Goodyear Corsairs have rocket mounts fitted - pictures of them in the boneyard show not all fitted with the mounts (NZ5610 is an example) 3. Going through ADF serials I noticed that some lived on postwar as training aircraft - did they wear the same roundels as the ones that travelled to Japan? I wanted to build some different Corsairs than what Is normally built , the FG1-Ds are a real favorite of mine. Once I have some progress I wil post up some pics. Hi Kiwicorsair, Some answers to your questions 1. Yes all RNZAF FG-1D's were in overall Glossy Sea Blue, at that time of the war the USN had moved on from the 4 tone scheme. 2. I would say that the FG-1D's did arrive with the rocket mounts - remember the FG-1D was essentially a carbon copy of the F4U-1D, built by Goodyear. All later production versions were fitted with mounts. Bear in mind that these could be removed, so seeing those at Rukuhia may fit into that category. 3. I would say so, check out this F4U-1D, very post war at Rukuhia, and note the fuselage and under under the wing roundels. smg.photobucket.com/user/the_hairy_dwarf/media/02-08-08-459.jpg.htmlHope that helps? Regards Alan |
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Post by kiwicorsair on Sept 2, 2016 19:20:19 GMT 12
Hi Alan
Most helpful thank you
That helps to answer most of my questions , I can now start to cut plastic on a couple of kits.
The only other point of note with the Kiwi FG-1Ds was the "half" tail gear doors. The back half was fixed shut , also a few other small details.
Tamiya's 1/48 kit is pretty much based on a FG-1D so a good place to start
Cheers
Mike
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 2, 2016 20:18:52 GMT 12
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Post by kiwicorsair on Sept 2, 2016 20:37:32 GMT 12
Hi Anthony
Many thanks for the link to your top notch build , always a real challenge to get the weathering looking right on a GSB Aircraft but you nailed it.
I was thinking to use Gunze H54 Navy Blue as a faded GSB for my Corsair builds , I also have Model Master ANA623 GSB. I guess it is just a matter of spraying and seeing what looks right.
If mine turns out half as good as yours I will be a happy fella.
Cheers
Mike
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 2, 2016 20:52:19 GMT 12
Thanks Mike, but you are too kind!
I think I ended up using Mr Color and then 'tweaking' as I went. I darkened and lightened areas after the initial base coat. I am just looking at it in the cabinet now, subtle is the way to go. I have the Tamiya 32nd one I plan on doing another FG-1D with. I have found aftermarket paddle blade prop and some accurate rocket launcher mounts. Just got to figure out the 2 centre section pylons either side of the c/l before I start. But I am hoping Tamiya will release a 1D version....a project for the future!
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Post by kiwicorsair on Sept 2, 2016 21:19:56 GMT 12
Cheers Anthony
Subtle is how I plan to tackle it , nothing worse than a plane that looks like its been on the bottom of the ocean or a patchwork quilt!
It will be great seeing your 1/32 build , those centre pylons will be a bit of a challenge. When they release the 1D I think I will cave and buy one.
The rocket pylons on the 1/48 kit a bit of a weak point in terms of accuracy
I have a bunch of the 1A and 1D in 1/48 in the stash , I plan to make as many different Kiwi ones as I can. If anyone is wondering where all the Xtradecal RNZAF Corsair decals disappeared to I think they are all at my house now haha.
When I was a kid the Old man used to spin yarns about Asplins and all the Corsairs sitting there , I think that where my interest in them comes from
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 2, 2016 21:35:21 GMT 12
Yes agreed those rocket stubs/pylons are a weak point in the kit. I used a set from an Accurate Miniatures TBM-3, they fit the bill perfectly. One thing to be aware of which I didn't know at the time was the outer flaps were metal skinned as was the lower panel where the stubs mounted. Something to do with rocket flash and burning fabric!
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Post by komata on Sept 2, 2016 21:49:21 GMT 12
Kiwicorsair Re: Your comment "Josephine" has been restored what looks like the 4 tone colour scheme. Also Her current markings are the 4 tone' FWIW, if you are talking about her current (spurious) US 'Star and Bar' markings, then the 4-tone scheme is probably correct. However, if you are referring to the colours carried in the photograph above, sadly, that is very definitely NOT the case. In the guise of NZ5611 'Josephine' NZ5648 was finished very simply for her 'Hamilton' debut. For that occasion she wore locally-mixed dark blue paint which was sprayed over everything, with white being used under both the fuselage and the cranked centre-section. This paint scheme was essentially a 'lash-up' to make her look good 'on the day' and there was no attempt at 'authenticity', rather the scheme was an approximation to what NZ 5611 ('Josephine') had worn in the islands. FWIW, if you are interested, a photograph of NZ5611 in the 'display' scheme appeared several years ago in a paper-back publication on the RNZAF and its aircraft (sorry, title currently unrecalled). In its 'pre-Josephine' state (when displayed outside Asplin's), the aircraft was indeed dark blue overall (including the under-surfaces), and while it was at Asplins I never saw it 'dressed' in the scheme that 'Josephine'. I would emphasise again, that what was worn at that 'display was a 'lash-up'. Not sure if what I have written helps, but thought that I should set the record straight. FWIW: Below please find three images of a Tamiya-brand 1/48 model that I modified many years ago to look like 'Josephine' Ufortunately it is showing its age!! The 'blue' was (from memory) Tamiya 'Dark Sea Blue' with the white being a Humbrol matt enamal. Because I cannot create accurate decals, I had to use those provided in the kit.    |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 21:56:36 GMT 12
I hope to model the aircraft in the Josephine display scheme, so that info is a big help!
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Post by kiwicorsair on Sept 2, 2016 22:05:20 GMT 12
Thanks Komata
That confirms what I had suspected - that the paint scheme was just "made up"
The real 5611 would have been an FG-1D also , even the name Josephine does not appear in the ADF serials for this aircraft. 5611 was only in Pacific service from July till October 1945 when She was put into storage. Later reactivated and posted to Ohakea from May 1946 until March 1947 - She could have picked up the nickname there?
Thanks for the eye witness comments from seeing NZ5648 at Asplins , She currently flies in a 4 tone scheme with Her Kiwi serial number and roundels - or the that was latest photo I saw from Masterton.
Cheers
Mike
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Post by komata on Sept 2, 2016 22:22:28 GMT 12
Glad that I can help. I was told that 'Josephine' was the fiance of NZ5611's regular 'Pacific' pilot, the late Frank Bish. I understand that he married her after the war ended.
it is certainly nice to know that NZ5648 is still 'operational' although unless she's been recently resprayed, the last time i saw her she was dressed-up as a USN machine!! I understand that her current 'owner' is apparently an American, so perhaps this is not too surprising.
Again, glad to be of assistance. Happy modelling.
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