F4U Corsair
The Corsair is a full function, four-channel model. It’s control authority is helped by these micro AS2000L servos on each aileron (above left). Out
With a pedigree like this, what warbird
fan would not want a Corsair? I must con- fess, my modeling career had never had a model Corsair in it, save for a few plastic static models and a brief flight with a Cox F2G Super Corsair. I first saw the ParkZone Corsair at the 2011 E-Fest in Champaign, Illinois and was immediately impressed. At first glance I was tricked into thinking it was one of the aforementioned static scale models. The tri-color scheme, gear doors, clear cockpit and three-blade prop and hub gave the small model a large amount of pres- ence. As luck would have it, one of these Cor- sairs found its way into the FMoffices. The box in which the Corsair comes is
your standard glossy carton that includes a handle and really serves as not only a sell- ing device and shipping container, but a handy case in which to keep your Corsair in one piece as you transport it to your flying events. The outer back panel shows the com- plete contents of the model, which includes the battery, charger, instructions and plane. The RTF version includes a small transmit- ter. This version is the BNF. Opening any model box is always a treat
of the box, you have a choice of pilot markings such as “Ike” Kepford of the “Jolly Rogers” or “Pappy” from the “Black Sheep Squadron” (above right).
and the Corsair is no different. Horizon has made every effort to encapsulate the air- frame and its necessary components in foam so as not to have any damage. I carefully re- moved the airframe and was surprised at the weight. The most striking feature was the scale three-blade prop and the propeller hub. Like similar ultra micros, the main gear slips and snaps into the wing and can be easily removed for a gear up look while flying missions over the soccer field. The Corsair gear also includes the gear doors for that added look of realism. The fuselage features a nicely done tri-
color Pacific trim scheme that was common before the Navy and Marines adopted the overall Dark Sea Blue scheme and all the national insignia is pre-applied. Panel lines on the fuselage as well as the wing and tail surfaces are present as well as a clear cock- pit and a radial engine decal behind the prop.
Last but not least, Horizon knew this was
going to be a popular ultra micro so they in- cluded a decal sheet that will allow the pilot to model one of two flown by famous Corsair pilots. Decals included will allow you to
recreate Ira “Ike” Kepford’s Corsair of the famed “Jolly Rogers” or Greg “Pappy” Boy- ington’s from the previously menthoned “Black Sheep Squadron” Orginally I wanted to represent Ike’s Cor-
sair as I like the Jolly Roger insignia; how- ever, I had a hard time getting the fuselage decal to settle down without wrinkles. It also tore somewhat easily. Based on my childhood memories and the fact that I ruined one of Ike’s decals, I elected to do Pappy’s plane. An interesting historical note here, if you
do elect to model Boyington’s Corsair, you should know that it is the Lula Bell from a publicity photo. In reality, Boyington’s Lula Bell was devoid of the markings you see here because with Boyington’s kill ratio, he was a highly desired target of the Japanese! The beauty of this as well as other Ultra
Micro offerings is the opportunity to use your own transmitter. You simply bind your JR or Spektrum transmitter to the model and then fly the model with your settings. You’re not constrained to yet another one model only transmitter. But your settings can be applied to your comfort level, in this case my new
Firing up the Pratt & Whitney double row 18-cylinder (above left). While the detail is merely a decal, the illusion is quite effective. Lula Bell is ready
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to go hunting (above right). The scale three-blade prop with yellow tips shows up very nicely as well as the subtle, yet effective, panel lines.
FEBRUARY 2012
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