The Vought F4U Corsair

Title: The Vought F4U Corsair - A Comprehensive Guid
Authors: Rafe Morrissey and Joe Hegedus
Publisher: SAM Publications

Over the last few years, it seems that SAM Publications have decided to become less identified as a modelling publisher and more as an aviation publisher. In fact, the formerly titled Modeller's Datafiles are now known as Comprehensive Guides. As this shift has happened, the books have become less impressive. Some of the titles on modern aircraft have had no modeling content, and quite honestly seem thrown together. That being said, some titles, for example Paul Bradley's Hunter Guide, have been excellent. Seeing both Rafe Morrissey's and Joe Hegdus's name attached to this title made it a must buy.

While the modeling content is only 15 pages long, this is a pretty good one stop modeler's book on the Corsair. Lots of pictures and drawings provide detail, and there are quite a few neat wartime pictures I've never seen before...for example there are some neat Kiwi birds included; as well as, a shot of one of the Corsair wind tunnel models. All the variants are covered and the differences are explained. Plus, I'm going to give at least one thumb up to any book that includes a story from RCAF trained Black Sheep wildman Chris Magee. (And at least part of a second thumb for including a profile of one of the aircraft he flew.) But how do you do a Corsair book and not mention Hammy Gray, VC? Especially when there is a model of his aircraft in the book! Additionally, while I have no problem with poor photo colour reproduction of photos from Korea and World War II, why are a few of the current warbird pics so poor. (The three photos on Page 96 look especially washed out.) But for the most part this quibbles are minor...well outside of I would like to see more modeling in the book.

All and all I'm pretty happy with this volume, outside of the rather high price, and I think it is perfect for the modeler interested in the Corsair, but not having a full library of Corsair books on the shelf.