[HotTrap429]

Just yesterday the good ole postman delivered my two latest ebay acquisitions: two Dragon F4U Corsairs. I was able to acquire #50121 - F4U-1D from VBF-83 from the USS Essex and #50137, F4U-1A "White 15" of VF-17. These are my very first Dragon Wings Corsairs and I’m impressed. I’ll admit it - I feel the same way about Corsairs that Jim feels about P-40s: you can never have too many. Here is a review of these two models.

COST: A little bit of patience mixed in with a healthy measure of Yankee thriftiness really paid off. I got both planes for under $20.00 each. The VBF-83 bird cost me $14.99 and the VF-17 plane I got for $18.99. Shipping was about $8.00 each. So if you hunt around, you can get these planes for a reasonable price.

PANEL LINES: I have to commend Dragon here. Their panel lines really are beautifully rendered. The lines are recessed but they are not very deep and there is no wash.

COLOR / MARKINGS: Both planes are beautifully painted. The VF-17 bird has the three-tone camouflage of semi-gloss sea blue, medium blue and white. These colors are really spot-on and include a light feathering where the two blues meet. The VBF-83 plane is painted in the late war gloss sea blue and has the white diamond tail markings and navy blue national roundels. Both planes have the interior surfaces (wheel wells, inside gear doors & cockpits) painted in zinc chromate green. All the markings are tampo printed and are crisp and sharp. Stencil markings are sparse and I am planning in the future to add some of the more common marking from a decal sheet I have.

MODEL ACCURACY: 100% Fantastic! The model includes the cut out step in the starboard flap, a fairly detailed cockpit especially for such a small plane, and cut in gun ports. The radiators are exquisitely detailed as is the engine. From any point of view I look at these planes they look accurate. The landing gear struts are finely molded and look very realistic. Not at all too long and thick like Corgi's.

OPINION / REMARKS: I absolutely love both these planes. Compared to my Corgi, FoV, and Matchbox Corsairs, these two planes are light-years ahead as far as accuracy and quality. My only major complaint with these Dragon models can be summed up in two words: fiddly pieces! I semi put the planes together for pictures and I’ve got to tell you, what a pain-in-the-_ _ _! The gear would not fit or stay in place without a lot of playing around with it. I did not bother with the landing gear doors or antenna masts on both models as I was afraid I’d lose them. Since both of these are going back into their boxes, I was extra careful not to force anything. When I do put these on permanent display in the future, all these little pieces will definitely be glued on.
On the positive side, The rudder and horizontal stabilizer flaps can be moved - a great touch that allows for various ways to display each plane. I love the extra set of canopy parts so you can display an open cockpit. I’d love to show them in flight, but there are no pilots. These planes are prime candidates for Hobby Master’s new pilot figures. Another great touch is the clear glass bomb aiming window underneath each aircraft. None of the other manufacturers got this detail right. The engine cowling flaps are partially opened and I like this in my Corsairs. I wish Dragon would have added some weathering to these as they seem to be in pristine condition. I’ll spruce them up when I display them. Overall, these are two great models especially for the prices I paid for them. If you like Corsairs, I highly recommend these.

PICTURES:
F4U-1D VBF-83, USS Essex







F4U-1A, "White 15" VF-17







Both planes together for comparision

[STARMAN 352ND]

Great review HT...I have always liked the looks of the all Navy Blue corsair but the tri-colors one are nice too
Such as the VF-17 Jolly Rogers or VMF -214 Blackseep Corsairs are sweet.
JP

[Cruver Collecter]

Thorough review and some great pictures.

[hworth18]

I totally agree with your review HotTrap! I have the Jolly Roger "White 15" and it is the best of the bunch. I also had a hard time with the "fiddly bits" but found Elmers and a little patience went a long way. Congrats on the buy as it sounds like you got a great deal on a couple of great pieces.

[muesingman]

(copied and pasted from the UK forum...)

I have Dragon´s VF-84 USS Bunker Hill version of this plane and the only thing that annoyed (and still annoys) a little is the fact that the u/c tends to bend a bit outward under the weight of the plane (like on their F-14´s) as You can see below. Otherwise, it´s a decent aircraft and it was no problem to get a pilot figure inserted...

[Epapazian]

I have several Dragon F4Us along with models of the same plane by Corgi, Franklin mint ( Armour ), FOV and IXO ( ugh! ) . Dragon's rendition is far and away the best---even if its undercarriage is a bit problematical. With Dragon giving up on diecast warbirds for the foreseeable future, the ensuing vaucum suggests that the F4U, including birdcage canopy versions, might be a prime candidate for Hobby Master to consider in 1:48th scale. BTW, thanks for a good, thorough review of the Dragon F4Us.

[flyXwire]

Most excellent review and great pictures, HT. I have the USS Essex 'white 64' myself and it's a favorite scheme of mine for a long time.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I totally agree with your review HotTrap! I have the Jolly Roger "White 15" and it is the best of the bunch. I also had a hard time with the "fiddly bits" but found Elmers and a little patience went a long way. Congrats on the buy as it sounds like you got a great deal on a couple of great pieces.

I agree with this 100%!
I think the only way Dragon could have made these any better is if the flaps could drop too, but that is probably asking a little much.

[HotTrap429]

Thanks guys! When I do a review, I try to be as factual as possible. I also make every effort to highlight the positive aspects of my model whenever possible. If I do list negatives, I try to substantiate the reasons why something is negative with facts. I don't want someone not to buy a plane based on something I remarked on.

Yes muesingman, my gear tended to bow outwards a bit too. I really pushed the gear into the rubber washers as much as I would dare to get it to sit straight. Right now both planes are reboxed and stored. In the future I plan on displaying them permanently and will glue the gear, doors, and radio masts into place. That should rectify the only complaint I have with these excellent models.

Yes Harry, I agree! Extended flaps would have been a real great feature.

[ZS-VAN]

Appreciate the review HotTrap, now I also want a Dragon Corsair or two!