Hobby Master Archive

The Vought F4U Corsair was literally built around the Pratt & Whitney 2,000 HP radial engine. The engine was so massive and produced so much energy that a Hamilton Standard 13 feet 4 inch propeller, the largest of WWII, was required. The F4U was the first American fighter aircraft to exceed 400 MPH. The Corsair was referred to by the Japanese as “Whispering Death” and became a legend in its own time. This aircraft was one of the most distinctive designs with it bent wings making it an icon.

Dean Caswell was assigned to the USMC VMF-221. On April 28, 1945 a 6-aircraft Corsair flight from VMF-221 was operating from the USS Bunker Hill in the vicinity of Okinawa when they encountered approximately 30 Japanese aircraft. The Japanese were trying to stop the U.S. landings on Okinawa. 1st Lt., Dean Caswell and group immediately attacked and Caswell scored 3 victories and 1 probable, this action turned back the Japanese attack. In WWII Caswell had 7 victories and did two tours in Korea and time in Vietnam.

Specifications for the Vought F4U-1A Total Aircraft Manufactured - 12,571 of 24 variants Manufactured By - Vought and under license by Goodyear and Brewster Crew - 1 pilot Dimensions Length - 33 ft 4in (10.1 m) Wingspan - 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m) Height - 16 ft 1 in (4.9 m)

Performance Powerplant - 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8W radial engine producing 2,250 HP (1,678 kW) Maximum Speed - 425 mph (369 kn / 684 kph) Service Ceiling - 36,900 ft (11,200 m) Rate of Climb - 3,180 ft/min (16.2 m/s) Range - 1,015 mi (882 nm / 1,633 km)

Weight Empty - 8,982 lb (4,073 kg) Loaded - 14,000 lb (6,300 kg)

Armament Guns 6 x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning Machine guns with 400 rounds per gun for 4 and 375 rounds per gun for two. Rockets - 4 x 5 in. (12.7 cm) High Velocity Aircraft Rockets And/or Bombs - 2,000 lbs. (910 kg)

1/48 scale pre-finished. Straight wing section can be removed and replaced with a section that makes it look like the wings are folded, no hinges. Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic. Professionally painted. All markings pad applied for superb results. Canopy slides open. Comes with a pilot that can be removed. Comes with display stand. Option to easily remove the landing gear and cover the openings with doors. Extremely sought after by collectors.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8212A F4U-1D Corsair White 183, flown by 1st Lt. Dean Caswell of VMF-221, USS Bunker Hill, 1945 Autographed by pilot Dean Caswell

THIS SHOWS HOW THE WINGS GO FROM FOLDED TO EXTENDED