[buckaroo13]

Hi guys! I've started collecting in the 1/72 scale but am about to take the plunge into 1/48 scale. I want to pick up a corsair from the Franklin mint line, Ira Kepford's White 29. However I wanted to get some feedback from the community.. Is there another 1/48 corsair I should look at instead? Thoughts on quality and paint scheme? thanks guys!

Buck

[hworth18]

Buck,
Welcome to the forum!!!
There isn't much selection in a Corsair in 1/48th yet, except for Franklin..
It is a good bet that one of the other 1/48 manufacturers (Eagles Intl., Carousel, Hobbymaster) will make one eventually and it would be better than the FM one... I guess it depends on whether you can wait for one or not..

On the same subject, I seem to remember some members mentioning that the Corsair was one of Franklins better molds, and they can probably add their opinion further..

[mustangdriver]

I think that the FM Corsairs look great. I have the Boyington one as well as the Kepford one(which I modified into Marine's Dream). I also have the new release of Marines Dream on pre=order and it comes signed by the pilot.

[Captain Eddie]

Welcome to the asylum, Buck, where we all understand each other's "addictions"! (and feed them accordingly!)

[swoop]

Welcome to Nutmeg Alley Buck. just like MD I also have Boyington's Corsair. Picked it up from Mhackl's mob for $30. Maybe he could broker you a deal. That said, it's a nice model.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by buckaroo13

Hi guys! I've started collecting in the 1/72 scale but am about to take the plunge into 1/48 scale. I want to pick up a corsair from the Franklin mint line, Ira Kepford's White 29. However I wanted to get some feedback from the community.. Is there another 1/48 corsair I should look at instead? Thoughts on quality and paint scheme? thanks guys!

Buck

Here's a picture of the FM/Armour 48th Corsair. I think it looks okay.

http://forum.themodelhangar.com/showthread.php?t=2496

There's a liquidation sale of FM at Monkey Depot going on, and I believe the Corsair above is still available for a steal.

monkeydepot.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11065

[PappyB]

I'm not crazy about FM's Corsair, but it really is the only 1:48 game in town -- you should probably jump on that Monkeydepot Kepford (it's in the modern category rather than ww II for some reason...)

Here's some pics of my FM Boyington...

Photo Album

Nice model, it just looks a bit too short and stubby overall to me. But for $25, it's a steal really. (I paid $50 for mine!)

Or you could pick up some Speccast corsairs

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Or you could pick up some Speccast corsairs

Funny you mention this, Pappy! I just got Big Hog for $25!

[stalag8611]

Welcome aboard!
I have the FM Corsair, VMA 323, from the Korean War, (FMB 218). It's the first 1:48 model I owned, a P-38 was second, and I consider it a fine example of F4U-4.

[skysurfer808]

Franklin Mint's corsairs are hybrids when it comes to accuracy. I have Guy Bordelon's F4U-5N nightfighter, which is probably the most accurate Corsair in that line. Its only issue is its canopy, which is too low in profile for the plane it represents. Their -1s have some serious issues, since most of them depict -1As rather than later models. Franklins -1As (ie. Kepford, Boyington, etc) have the broad blades and clear canopies of a -1D, while representing planes from the 1943 period. The ones depicting -1Ds are more accurate overall, but the canopy line is a bit too low. The models nose is also a bit too short. Personally I prefer Spec Cast's line of -4s, as these have a much more "right" profile. Spec Cast's -1s have the aforementioned Franklin faults, and have Spec Cast's trademark hollow underwings. Still, they are built tough, their fit and finish are top notch, and they look great on the shelf. A lot of them have gotten to find, as they really are nice models. I'd recommend getting one if you can locate it for a good price, I snagged the Death Rattlers one for $10 on ebay.

Still, the Monkeydepot Kepford deal at $25 is a good one. I'd pick it up if space wasn't such an issue, though it is tempting. Still, if somebody else does a Corsair in 1/48 they'll blow Franklin away, especially if it's Eagles or Hobbymaster. And I won't even get started on what GMP could do with one in 1/35.

Skysurfer808