Its gull-wing shape made it instantly recognizable. Its characteristic sound while in an attack dive led the Japanese to call it "The Whistling Death." Combined with its high speed, agility and toughness, the Vought F4U Corsair was one of the finest fighters ever built. Originally thought to be too powerful to fly from a carrier, the Corsair weaved a path of destruction in battle after battle during WWII, totally outclassing the much-feared Zero. The last of the great piston-engine fighters, the Corsair went on to become an important component of the US naval air power during the Korean War. Even while it was being replaced by jet aircraft, pilots flying this tough warbird were credited with downing a few MiG-15 jet fighters.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USN F4U-1A Corsair fighter attached to VF-17 "Jolly Rogers", which was flown by Lt. Cdr. Roger R. Hedrick during his tour at Bougainville in March 1944. Comes with decorative display base and numbered certificate of authenticity. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6.5 inches
Length: 5 inches

Release Date: June 2005

Historical Account: "Swashbucklers" - In January 1944, VF-17 "Jolly Rogers" were moved to Piva on Bougainville, where they took part in the reduction of the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul. They were subsequently dis-established on April 10th, 1944, although Lieutenant Commander Roger Hedrick, the former XO of VF-17, carried over the name and tradition of the Jolly Rogers when he was assigned to lead the newly-formed squadron VF-84 that same year. VF-17 was reformed at Alameda, CA in April 1944, under Lt. Commander M. U. Beebe. Aboard the carrier Hornet, VF-17 took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In fighter sweeps from March 18th to April 17th, 1945, the pilots of VF-17 downed a total of 146.5 Japanese planes.

In their five months of action in the Solomons, the Jolly Rogers shot down eight Japanese planes for every Corsair lost. They flew 8,577 combat hours, destroyed 156 planes and 5 ships, while losing only 12 pilots. The squadron had 12 aces, more than any other naval unit participating in the War in the Pacific.