FAA Corsair IV EIF Markings....

[JEE3]

Wanted to thank 'John Aero' for posting this photo of U7S-KD827 (8/7/45), as it's the first time I've seen a fully marked Corsair IV in EIF markings only-no yet applied BPF roundels.

Have been planning to do this interesting version in 1/48 but all I had was that U7F profile and the old Aeromaster sheet which was incorrect, as it had the reduced roundels on the top wing as well. The problem now is that the Freightdog 'Brits At Sea Pt. 1'(FSD 48004), which has nice reduced roundels for the fuselage and the lower wing but it's top wing roundels are too small.

It appears that the Corsair roudels were much larger.

This No.1848 Sqn photo shows the EIF white outlined roundels. I'm guessing the White outline was added to the inner outside edge?

Originally I was planning to use this photo from MONAB IV, showing 'E' being off loaded onto a lighter to make my EIF Corsair IV but now have the photo of U7S!

Was wondering if anyone has an idea of how to make the large Corsair EIF roundel? I was thinking of applying a correctly sized large White circle decal first then maybe using the Aeromaster #48-769 Seafires At War roundels from D5X, so that just the edge of the White circle decal shows and add a White dot over the Blue. Though the Corsair IV's only wore EIF makings for a short period, I have always wanted to add this version and hopefully it's becoming possible as more photos find there way onto the interent. From the David Morris book, it sounds like the White codes could have been painted Pale Blue -SEAC colors. I've noticed through the years that the FAA roundels on decals for the wing of the Corsairs seem not as large as the apperas they were in some factory photos? The BPF were quite small but it looks to me the standard top wing roundles are off quite a bit on a lot of the decals.....

I made this as what the Corsair IV EIF size might be closer to? Just found this photo of a No. 1851Sqn Corsair IV. Should be July-1945 to early 1946 photo. The roundels look really large, extended onto the curve of the front edge.....

Thanks!

Does this look correct for a EIF Corsair top wing ?

John

Edited December 17, 2014 by JEE3

[85sqn]

Sorry I cant help, have you had any progress with this?

I keep meaning to buy one of thesento spray roundels rather than decals:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olfa-Compass-Cutter-cutting-circles/dp/B000BK7NWC

[gingerbob]

Note also what looks like might be flat-front windscreens- this was discussed fairly recently (say, Oct/Nov?)

bob

[tonyot]

The Eastern Fleet Upper wing roundels on the Corsair were simply adapted versions of the original B or C Type European roundels. he central red area (or red white centre for C Type) was filled in with a smaller blue and white roundel! In some cases the old and new blues match but in many cases they don`t. On camouflaged aircraft that was it,.....but on Glossy Sea Blue aircraft a white outline was painted around the roundel.

The C1 Type fuselage roundel on later Glossy Sea Blue Corsairs was adapted by painting out the outer yellow and blue sections of the roundel, then with the white section now forming the outer edge of the new smaller roundel, a white dot was painted in the middle of the red section and the rest of the red was covered with blue, making a white & blue roundel with a white outline and the same (without the yellow outer ring as these were C Type) was done under the wings too.

During 1945 the Eastern Fleet Hellcat units began to apply white edged roundels onto camouflaged aircraft as well as Glossy Sea Blue machines.

After the war some of the Light Fleet Carrier groups adopted markings on their Corsairs and new Fireflies which White edged blue and white roundels in all six positions with a small blue and white fin flash lthough in some cases the BPF roundel was retained above the left eing and below the right wing.

One big rule about the Eastern Fleet and BPF was there were always exceptions to a rule!

Cheers

Tony .

[tonyot]

Note also what looks like might be flat-front windscreens- this was discussed fairly recently (say, Oct/Nov?)

bob

Hiya Bob,

I`m prety sure that the `flat screen' is actually an optical illusion showing the internal flat bulletproof windscreen inside the curved outer windscreen, which was similar to the later Seafire`s but not a sealed unit.

Cheers

Tony.

[gingerbob]

Here's the thread I was thinking of, and amazingly enough I pegged the date!

bob

[detail is everything]

It was I who raised the flat windscreen issue. I hadn't seen the photos seen in this topic at the time and they seem to add fuel to the fire. 

 

The photo of D 112 below is what got me started. The thing that convinces me is the perceived lack of a curved windscreen bottom edge between the vertical windscreen supports.  in fact it looks like it goes in a bit. If the windscreen curved out, it seems to me that the light would be reflecting off it.  Also, if there was a constant curve around from the windscreen quarter lights to the front windscreen fairing, you would expect the light reflection to gradually change, but in the photos above the light reflection definitely changes at the windscreen supports. 

 

But I agree that it might be an optical illusion with light reflecting off the flat bulletproof glass panel behind the front curved windscreen and in the absence of documentary evidence that F4U-4 type flat windscreens were ever fitted to F4U-1s, it is hard to argue otherwise, unless you can find evidence of an FAA/squadron specific field modification. 

 

Compare

 

With the following image, it is also hard to see the curved outer windscreen fairing

 

If you go to the web page http://britishairshows.com/photos-duxford-flying-legends-2015.html and click on the above image, you can zoom right in. I have to say this picture looks as though it also has a flat windscreen, but it hasn't. The next image shows the curved front windscreen. So the light can play tricks.

 

 

 

Edited October 25, 2016 by detail is everything
JUST TIDYING UP