Vought F4U “Corsair” Volume 1 Kagero Publications Monograph #52

[JeroenPeters]

Vought F4U “Corsair”

Volume 1

Monograph  #52

Tomasz Szlagor / Leszek A. Wieliczko
Kagero Books (3052)
Available from Kagero for €19,07

 

 

 

This is volume 1 so one or more volumes are on the cards, which is a good thing. The Corsair had a very long service life and was constantly being improved. Although there are only 96 pages, they are filled to the brim with information. There are three chapters with a Bibliography section and appendices. The whole book is very well researched without getting too deep into details. Timing is very good with the recent availability of the early Tamiya Corsair.

  

What's in the book?

 

The origin and development

Obviously this deals with the design and development of the Corsair. The text deals with the conception and subsequent testing for service. Although the technical side is very well written it is not too technical. Good photographs showing the various versions and experimental types. The various users of the Corsair do get a mention as well as the difficulties with the Brewster license production. The reviewer never heard the name  "Brewster Battler"  but that is what Brewster apparently suggested.  A two-seat version suggested by Vought is also included. The text also mentions that the Corsair was tested against contemporary US fighters but no reports are given unfortunately.  

 

 

 

Camouflage and markings

Very useful section but dealing only with US Navy service during the period 1942-1945. good text reference to FS-numbers and heights mentioned of lettering and numbers. Also is mentioned whether a color was glossy or matt from the factory. 

 

 

 

Frontline service

The majority of the book is reserved for frontline information in the Solomons and Rabaul theatre of operations from February 1943 to March 1944. The text reads nicely and you get a good idea about what it was like in the Corsair Squadrons. Combat reports give a good feel about the day to day operations. The famous “Black Sheep” Squadron led by Gregory Boyington is very well represented including a combat report of him being shot down in combat.

 

 

 

 

Appendices

Here is a summary of technical details about the Corsair such as performance, production statistics and engine specifications.

 

Art work

The last 8 pages are reserved for some great artwork of US Navy Corsairs. Pity that the British FAA and RNZAF Corsairs aren’t included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros

Very readable text

Good quality black & white photographs

Federal Standard paint numbers

 

Cons

No FAA or RNZAF artwork

No scale drawings

 

Conclusion
A very useful reference book for modellers and those interested in this great aircraft. This volume 1 gives a very good insight into the conception and development of the early Corsair version and the service history. The lack of scale drawings is a bit of a disappointment as these series usually have them included. Maybe we'll see them in Volume 2!

 

Recommended

 

Our sincere thanks to Kagero Publishing for the review sample. To purchase directly, click HERE.

 

Cees Broere and Jeroen Peters