|
Cutting
Edge decals Reviewed by
The first aircraft provided for is a Honduran
Air Force F4U-4B that saw action in the 1969 "Soccer War"
with El Salvador. The remaining two options are for two historically
significant F4U-4 Corsairs. The first represents that flown by Ens.
Jesse L. Brown, the U.S. Navy's first african american naval aviator.
The markings are for the aircraft in which Ens. Brown was shot down
while providing ground support near the Chosin Reservoir in December,
1950. The final aircraft is that flown by LTjg.
Thomas Hudner who was awarded the Medal of Honor for belly landing
this airplane next to Ens. Brown and attempting to extricate the mortally
wounded pilot from his own crashed Corsair. As usual, the decal sheet is crisply printed
and in perfect register. Enough markings are provided to do the Honduran
Corsair and either one of the two Navy airplanes. A separate instruction sheet is included
which provides a brief overview of the aircraft represented and discusses
specific issues with the markings that remain unclear to this day.
For example, the modex for Ens. Brown's Corsair is unclear and at
a certain point the squadron number below the NAVY insignia was painted
out. Decals for the two options for Brown's airplane are included
on the sheet so the builder can make his or her own choice. NOTE: The armament configuration for the
F4U-4B was different from the standard F4U-4. It consisted of two
20mm cannon in each wing as opposed to the normal three .50 caliber
machine guns. This is noted in the instruction sheet, however, the
builder should consult detailed reference material as the location
of shell ejection ports and ammunition access doors differed between
the two airplane types. It will require a fair amount of work to make
the necessary modifications. Builders should also be aware that the
windscreen changed from a curved to a flat center panel at some point
in the F4U-4 production run. If total accuracy is desired, a check
of bureau number ranges for the flat windscreen Corsairs will need
to be performed and further conversion work done, if necessary. The instructions and decals come packaged
in the customary zip lock bag. All in all this release provides some exciting
alternatives to the kit decals in the recommended Trumpeter F4U-4
kit and carries on the Cutting Edge tradition of quality. Highly recommended. I would like to thank Meteor Productions
for the review copy. The decals can be obtained directly from Meteor
at http://www.meteorprod.com
or at (703)-971-0500. They are also available from most hobby shops.
© Rafe Morrissey 2004 |
Cutting
Edge Modelworks CED32056 provides markings for three F4U-4 Corsairs.
Given the lack of kits of this model of the Corsair in 32nd scale,
few markings for -4s have been available up to now. In response to
the release of the 1/32 Trumpeter F4U-4, Cutting Edge has rectified
that situation with the release of the first in a series of decals
for this important and attractive variant of the famous bent-wing
bird.