Vought F4U Corsair – White 29, Ira Kepford, VF-17 Jolly Rogers 1944 1/48

Hobby Master 1/48 scale HA8219: Vought F4U Corsair BuNo. 17684 “White 29”, flown by ace pilot Ira Kepford of VF-17 Jolly Rogers in 1944. Production run of only a few hundred models. The HM Corsair is absolutely brilliant, with optional position wings and undercarriage, plus display stand.

Length 8.25 inches Wingspan 10 inches

During the 76 days Ira Cassius Kepford spent with VF-17 “Jolly Rogers” he shot down 16 enemy aircraft. His first F4U was BuNo. 17684 “White 29” and served him well during his first 13 kills. On January 30, 1944 15 Corsairs from VF-17 were escorting TBFs on a raid on Rabaul and encountered about 25 Japanese Zeros and Tonys. Several Japanese fighters were destroyed with the loss of several Corsairs. Kepford claimed one Zero and one Tony but “17684” was damaged and ground looped on landing, destroying the aircraft.

Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for a single-seat carrier based fighter, the F4U was first flown on May 29th, 1940. This versatile aircraft saw service with both the Navy and Marine Corps in WW II and in the Korean War. During its lifetime, the Corsair underwent numerous improvements such as a lengthened fuselage, a high visibility bubble-top canopy and folding inverted gull wings that provided clearance for a large propeller. Its performance advantage, 400 mph capability, the ability to withstand punishment and six .50 Browning machine guns made the F4U a devastating weapon against aircraft, ground targets and ships.