ARay87

@ChuckD Phenomenal work Chuck! You really captured the scene. Weathering is perfect and figures look great. Canopy and cockpit are stellar! Maybe I'll break out my extra 1/32 F4U kit here in the future. Built one for my old man a couple years back, and haven't devoted much time to modeling other than occasionally lurking the forums here.

That is a kind gesture, but no worries! I'll appreciate the build from here. Perhaps it'll motivate me to finally pull out the 1/32 Tamiya kit I have. Purchased an extra one for myself, when I built one for my father, just haven't gotten back around to it.

From Bruce Gamble's 'Swashbucklers and Blacksheep': "In yet another sequence from the photo op, a pilot prepares to board a “birdcage” Corsair on a sun-drenched taxiway (above). Later he’s photographed egressing from the cockpit. Numerous publications have misidentified the pilot as Rollie Rinabarger. The individual pictured has an average height and build, whereas Rinabarger was thin and unusually tall. A third photo (next) reveals the pilot to be Virgil Ray. National Archives Gamble, Bruce. Swashbucklers and Black Sheep . Zenith Press. Kindle Edition."

Lt. Ray is (was) a direct relative of mine. I did a significant amount of research on him a couple years ago. If I recall, in one of Bruce Gamble's books he mentioned the picture is usually cited as another pilot, but that it is actually Virgil. I'll see if I can dig up the source for you. That said, the website I linked earlier has a close up of a pilot in the cockpit of the bird in question, and it sure looks like Virgil to me. However, per my understanding, the Marine aviators in this campaign did not have assigned planes, and simply flew whatever was working. I completed my first model in 15-20 years as a gift for my father, of a different Birdcage Corsair that Virgil is pictured with on Espiritu Santo during his last tour.

https://missingmarines.com/virgil-g-ray/ Some info on the pilot in that picture. Will watch the build with interest.

Amazing work John. Inspiring me to dust off the supplies and crack open a kit for the first time in over year.

Lukasz, I am mostly just an observer on this forum. Loving the experimentation, and unique approach you've taken with this build. To my eye, the results look great thus far. Looking forward to seeing the continued progress! Also appreciate how you've incorporated the history of the subject.

A bit biased, but love a good Corsair. Beautiful work.

Appreciate the response Miloslav. Sadly it seems those books are out of production. Beautiful work by the way!

I have the same question. Would love to see this discussion if there is one. Miroslav, if I may ask, what made you pick the two tone rlm81/82 scheme over single color scheme of rlm 81? I have seen both schemes suggested. I am planning on modeling this specific aircraft in the near future.

Appreciate that Granger and welcome to Colorado. I've been in the Parker area for a few years, though originally from North Carolina. I just recently heard about the National WW2 Aviation Museum. I plan to make a trip there soon. Very much enjoy the Springs. Actually headed down there Saturday for a precision rifle match.

That paint job on the Flanker is fantastic!

Thanks for the kind words. I think it came out ok for a first try. Hopefully I can improve my building and paint work over the next few builds. I tried not to go too overboard.. employed the 'if you think you need to do more, stop' mindset.

Much appreciated! Was able to find this. Model is on the other side of the country now. Will step up the camera work for the next one.

Some original documents regarding Virgil, as well as reference photos. I did not attempt to replicate the white paint and tape around the gun ports; simply didn't have the time to do them the right way before my deadline was up. I do think the fake 4th gun on each wing is interesting though.