**** DONE: 1/48 Corsair IV - Pacific Theatre of Operations II

[Catch22]

Username: Catch22
First name: Cory
Category: Intermediate
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Extras: Eduard Interior PE, Ultracast F4U seat with British harness, Aeromaster Decals, and I think some resin wheels. I've unfortunately misplaced all of the extras except for the decals (thank goodness since apparently they're impossible to find).

The subject of this build is Lt. Robert Hampton Gray, VC, DSC. He was the last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross, for the sinking of a Japanese ship.

 

[Catch22]

On August 9, 1945, at Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Lieutenant Gray led an attack on a group of Japanese naval vessels, sinking the Etorofu class, escort ship Amakusa before his plane crashed into the bay.[3] The citation for his VC, gazetted on November 13, 1945, describes what happened:

ADMIRALTY Whitehall, 13th November 1945.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to: —

the late Temporary Lieutenant Robert Hampton GRAY, R.C.N.V.R.,

for great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan, on 9 August 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships Lieutenant Gray pressed home his attack, flying very low in order to ensure success, and, although he was hit and his aircraft was in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership.[4]

Gray was one of the last Canadians to die during World War II, and was the last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross. His VC is owned by the Gray family.

Pictures of the aircraft itself are very hard to come by, with only really one known to be of KD 658 itself. There are many other photos of HMS Formidable Corsairs numbered 115 but it isn't known if they are of the same plane or not.

Here's what I have for photos. Only the bottom one is known to be the plane itself. It was apparently FG-1D BuNo 76236.

I've built many of these kits already, and I don't foresee any problems. I've never built one of these with the wings folded, and I'm tempted to do so with this build. I can decide later.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Cool choice Corey.

 

[fubar57]

Looking forward to this Cory. I'll see if I can find any photos when I get home

Geo

 

[Catch22]

Thanks!

EDIT: Crossed posts with you Geo, thanks I'd appreciate it.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Good choice Cory, I've one of these myself which I'm hanging onto for a later build as a F4U-7, so I'll be watching!

 

[Catch22]

So you'll be converting a -1 to a -7 then?

 

[N4521U]

Love them Big-Ass birds......... My fav!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

You bet I will, got some gear on the way to help with that and I'm looking at the French aircraft. Could be fun.

 

[Crimea_River]

Will watch with interest Cory as I have the same kit. You're lucky you have decals for this bird.

 

[Catch22]

You bet I will, got some gear on the way to help with that and I'm looking at the French aircraft. Could be fun.

It'll be something to watch! There are a number of major differences so I imagine it'll be a tricky conversion.

Yeah I lucked out Andy, they were in that glut of kits and decals I was given a few years back.

 

[woody]

Another nice one Cory.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

It'll be something to watch! There are a number of major differences so I imagine it'll be a tricky conversion.

May need some help with this when the time comes Cory, my current references are not much cop.

 

[destrozas]

nice one cory

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Not sure if these are of any use to you Cory, came across them while snooping in the net. Obviously not original but could be useful.

 

[ozhawk40]

Another stunner on the way then Cory, great pick!

Cheers

Peter

 

[Wayne Little]

Bring it on Cory!

 

[Wurger]

With all here Cory. Nice.

 

[Catch22]

May need some help with this when the time comes Cory, my current references are not much cop.

The tricky thing about this one Vic will be that the thrust line on the -1 to -4 was straight back, while the engine was tilted forward somewhat on the -5, AU-1 (-6) and -7. Also thanks for the pictures. That's the one that used to be in Hamilton, Ontario before it got traded (sold?) to a museum in Washington State.

Thanks everyone!

 

[rochie]

Cory.

how big are the fuselage numbers in your decal set ?

asking because when i have ben looking into Gray's Corsair, lots of different sizes seem to be shown as well as the the flying example in your siggie !

the stills from the movie footage of X115 taking off although not very clear and the folded wings picture seem to suggest the numbers were just a little bigger than the width of the bar on the roundel.

the numbers in your siggie look much bigger, what do you think ?

i have some pics and profiles on my other computer including other squadron's corsairs that i'll post to help explain what i am on about, give me a day or three though !