Military Model Scene

Title:  TopDrawings, Chance Vought F4U Corsair

Author: Maciej Noszczak

Publisher:  Kagero

ISBN:  978-83-65437-81-5

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Number 53 in the TopDrawings series of books from Kagero, for the Chance Vought F4U Corsair.  This 20 page soft cover book provides pages of excellent 1/48 scale plans for the different variants of this famous carrier borne fighter. The prototype first flew in May 1940.  Powered by what was the most powerful engine in a single seat fighter at that time, the 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-8000 Double Wasp.  In order to cater for a folding wing mechanism, and the large four-bladed propeller without having over long undercarriage struts, it was given an inverted gull-wing to give the propeller the clearance it needed and minimise the length of those undercarriage struts.  That gull wing is perhaps the most well known identification feature of the type.

The 20-page soft-cover book contains some background information along with 10 excellent colour profiles and pages of 1/48 scale drawings that illustrate to Corsair variants including that huge Double Wasp engine and aircraft with wings folded and extended.  Some small details are also drawn in 1/24 as well.  Tucked between the pages are a couple of separate, larger fold-out sheets with the plan views, both from below and above.  At the back of the book are a couple of pages which have 1/72 drawings that have shaded sections that illustrate the differences between the different variants.  A useful reference for modellers and the simple fact that this is number 53 in this series gives a good indication that they are popular.

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Distributed by Casemate Books, who kindly provided my review copy.

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Robin