VMF 214 Corsair

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi all,

I am in need of some help here please. I am looking into building an F4U Corsair. But I want to make one from VMF 214 Black Sheep Squadron. What I want to know is what model Corsair was it. And does anyone know who and where I could get some Detail Sets of the cockpit, landing gear and so on.

Thanks for the help

Have a GREAT day all :slight_smile:

Bud

2

I was looking at this one. 1/48 Tamiya Vought F4U-1A Corsair. Would this Corsair be the right one for what I am looking for ? And is Tamiya’s good kits ?

Thanks all

Bud

3

If that’s anything like the F4U-1D they did, think “add glue and shake”.

4

Yup.

Also, if you want to do 1/32 scale the Revell “F4U-1D” is actually an F4U-1A.

Tom T [C):-)]

5

So the 1A is the right model Corsair for the Black Sheep ? Or B. C, D, or what ever the letter.

And what Co. has the best Detail for there Corsair ?

Thanks all

Bud

6

VMF-214 used F4U-1A Corsair’s as well as F4U-1D. The one named “Lulabelle” that Pappy Boyington was said to have flown was actually just painted up for a photo op. A couple of good books on the squadron are Black Sheep One and The Black Sheep both by Bruce Gamble. Black Sheep One is about the life and times of Pappy Boyington and The Black Sheep is the account of VMF 214 in World War 2.

7

I recall reading what Blackhawk91 mentioned- Lulabelle I believe had “86” on the side.

I found this photo in a really old copy of F4U Corsair in action from Squadron. You can read the caption, but it’s a pretty neat pic of Boyington not long before he was shot down.

There’s also some really good info on his aircraft at this link.

8

Greetings,

VMF-214 The Black Sheep during Boyington’s two tours used two variants of the F4U. They were the F4U-1 with birdcage canopy (photo evidence indicates birdcage with blister) and F4U-1A and FG-1A (Goodyear build of F4U-1A). The correct way to model the Tamiya F4U-1A is without the Brewster bomb rack. The 214 never dropped any bombs while under Boyington.

The above information about no. 86 Lucybelle is correct. Boyington never flew this aircraft in combat. It was strictly a publicity stunt between his first and second tours.

After Boyington’s tour VMF-214 was formed again and was assigned to the USS Franklin. They used F4U-1D’s.

Aircraft were not assigned to any particular pilot and Boyington was as likely to fly the older F4U-1. Cutting Edge has produced a couple of decal sheets with VMF-214. For the F4U-1 sheet CED48121 has no. 576 with the only known nose art on any 214 aircraft, and CED48226 which has two nice choices for 214 which are no. 915 and 740. 883 is on there (photo above) but I would not add the Martha, red outline on the national insignia, or the kill flags.

If you want to get some excellent and correct information about VMF-214 read Bruce Gamble’s book “The Black Sheep, The Definitive Account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in World War II”. It includes not just Boyington’s tour but also VMF-214’s first tour as the Swashbucklers and the final tour aboard the USS Franklin.

Dave

9

Thank y’ll very much, all the info was helpful.

And I do plan on getting some of the book.

I have this in another forum on here but maybe someone will know this. The Corsair I am going to be building is a 1/48 and I am looking for spme figures to go along with this, so if anyone have any ideas please let me know.

http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/636469/ShowPost.aspx

Thanks again all

Bud