1/48 scale Aircraft Series No.46 plastic model kit of the WWII US F4U-1/2 Bird Cage Corsair – Chance Vought.

Easily the finest Corsair kit that's ever been produced. Flaps are fixed down, canopy can be open or closed. Can be built as standard –1 version, or radar-equipped –2. Two choices of canopy types. Includes bombs and drop tanks.

• Approximately 60 parts in medium grey and clear with fine recessed panel lines.
• Highly detailed cockpit with accurate instrument panel, bulkheads, and sculpted pilot figure.
• 2 styles of exhaust stubs, optional position flaps, rockets and bombs.

This plastic kitset requires assembly, paints and glue to complete.

Wingspan: 9–1/4" (23.6cm)
Fuselage Length: 8" (20.5cm)
Tamiya Product Number: 61046
Scale: 1:48

Suggested Paint Colors (not included):
AS-19 – Intermediate Blue (USN)
AS-20 – Insignia White (USN)
AS-8 – Navy Blue (US NAVY)
X-10 – Gun Metal
X-11 – Chrome Silver
X-4 – Blue
X-7 – Red
X-8 – Lemon Yellow
XF-1 – Flat Black
XF-15 – Flat Flesh
XF-18 – Medium Blue
XF-19 – Sky Grey
XF-2 – Flat White
XF-3 – Flat Yellow
XF-4 – Yellow Green
XF-5 – Flat Green
XF-55 – Deck Tan
XF-57 – Buff
XF-58 – Olive Green
XF-64 – Red Brown

Designed around the new Pratt & Whitney R-2800 2,000HP radial engine, and turning the largest propeller ever attached to a fighter plane, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair became a legend in its own time. First flown in May 1940, this gull winged wonder was deemed a winner from the outset. The Navy was so confident in the Corsair that rival companies Brewster and Goodyear were made alternate contractors for the initial order of 584 aircraft. With a top speed of 415mph and a rate of climb of 3,120 feet per minute, the Corsair was the fastest plane in the world at the time. Unacceptable aircraft carrier landing performance however, caused the F4U-1 to become a land-based fighter with the U.S. Marine Corps at the beginning of its career.

In November 1941, the U.S. Navy requested Vought to produce a radar-equipped version of the F4U-1; however, they were too occupied with production to accomplish the request. The task was turned over to the Naval Aircraft Factory which produced 32 of the 34 F4U-2 Corsairs made. Obvious changes were adding a radar dome to the outboard .50 caliber machine gun to offset the radar domes weight, plus flame dampeners installed on the six exhaust stacks. These F4U-2 night fighting Corsairs became the pioneers in developing the technology that led to U.S. night fighting tactics employed throughout WWII.