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The F4U-2 Corsair nightfighter was not a production model, they were all converted from existing F4U-1 airframes. There were only about thirty two airframes designated for conversion to the nightfighter variant. To compensate for the weight of the radome and some of it's equipment on the starboard wing, the outer 50 calibre gun was removed from the starboard wing. Other alterations included radio altimeter antennas under the fuselage, flame dampers added to the exhaust system and a small air scoop added to the starboard forward fuselage just behind the engine cowling to cool the more powerful generator required to power the additional electrical equipment. The model depicts an F4U-2 from VF(N)-101, attached to the USS Enterprise in the South West Pacific area in WW-II. This was the only squadron to roughly over spray the Intermediate Blue camouflage areas on the fuselage with Black, wings and other surfaces were left in there original colouring. These nightfighters were the first of many US Navy aircraft specifically built for night combat.

F4U-4 White 13/Bu N. 80879, pilot Captain Kenneth A Walsh, of US Marines Squadron VMF-222, Okinawa June 1945. Capt.Walsh flew F4U-1's with VMF-124 in 1943 and became the first Corsair ace and Medal Of Honour winner whilst engaged in combat in the Guadalcanal area. He was sent back to the US as an instructor and returned to combat duties in April 1945 for his fourth tour of duty. This Corsair is painted in the later Pacific war zones colours of a glossy Dark Sea Blue, which usually faded and weathered quickly in the tropics. The area immediately forward of the cockpit was painted in a matt Dark Sea Blue to eliminate glare for the pilot. The aircraft is depicted as it was after he claimed his last kill of the Pacific war, a Kamikaze off Okinawa on 22nd June 1945, to bring his total to 21 confirmed destroyed aircraft in aerial combat.

Vought Corsair II, JT 634/13-7P of 1834 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, serving aboard HMS Victorious in the East Indies and Pacific areas. FAA Corsairs were camouflaged in an Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey above with Sky underneath surfaces. All British Corsairs other than the Corsair I series had nine inches clipped from their wing tips to permit storage below decks on Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers. From references, all the British Corsair I's were only used for training British pilots in the US from land bases, hence there was no need to remove any wingtips, but as usual, this statement will be a catalyst for controversy. Commonwealth Corsairs were involved in heavy fighting against Imperial Japanese Forces after relocating from the European areas of action where FAA Corsairs escorted FAA Torpedo Bombers against the Tirpitz. This Corsair is depicted as it appeared on HMS Victorious whilst engaged in the heavy ground attacks on Japanese Forces in the Sumatra and Sakishima Gunto group of Islands with other FAA Squadrons.

Certainly among the most bizarre splinter camouflage schemes to be tried in WW-II. This experimental Tactical Reconnaissance paint scheme was designed by US Army aviation officials in an attempt to break up the aircraft's silhouette whilst flying low level armed reconnaissance. I can find no references regarding this scheme being used operationally in combat areas. An oblique mounted camera was positioned in the rear compartment behind the pilot. Both sides of the colour scheme are mirror imaged. It took me days to mask and replicate the original aircraft. Worth the effort, but once is enough, probably the same sentiments expressed by the original spray painters who had to mask and spray the original 1 to 1 scale aircraft.

This simple, rugged and extremely manoeuvreable little aircraft was amongst Japan's first series of monoplanes, replacing their old biplanes. It's combat debut was over China in the late 1930's and was still in service during WW-II. This model is depicted as belonging to the 'Manchoukuo Air Force' stationed at Gannosu Air Base, Fukuoka Prefecture.