Model Airplane News
September, 1965


Model Airplane News Cover for September, 1965

Model Airplane News Cover for September, 1965
The Enterprise, Jr Click to Enlarge

Here is what the blurb about the cover has to say:

"...Our fearless and intrepid cover photographer, better known as Bev Smith, was all over the Enterprise, Jr. during its commissioning flights and managed this fine cover shot during a lull in the flight activity. Doc Brooke, Lou Oskowski and Dave Vaughn were the pilots that officially activated the Navy's latest carrier..."

About the Article

The US Navy converted a surplus Coast Guard buoy tender into a mini-replica of the USS Enterprise and used it as a publicity vehicle, operating model planes from its deck. The craft was built by the Naval Air Station, Seattle, reportedly consuming 3,300 man-hours of labor. It was taken to various civic events and offered local radio control enthusiasts an opportunity to practice model carrier takeoffs and landings.

The article details the travails of three RC modelers in flying from the Enterprise Jr.. It take a lot of skill to land a Radio Controlled model on solid ground, and the difficulty is squared when the landing strip is a small deck that is moving up and down. Three models were flown but only a replica of the F4U Corsair was successful in both takeoff and landing.

The commisioning of the Enterprise, Jr. wwas covered by Popular Science as well as M.A.N. You may read either article by clicking to enlarge the photos below.

Article on a small scale replica of the USS Enterprise used for model airplanes    Article on a small scale replica of the USS Enterprise used for model airplanes

Model Airplane News Article

Article on a small scale replica of the USS Enterprise used for model airplanes    Article on a small scale replica of the USS Enterprise used for model airplanes

Popular Science article
Click to Enlarge

About the Full Size Airplane

Model Airplane News Cover for October, 1940 by Jo Kotula Chance-Vought F4U Corsair    Model Airplane News Cover for November, 1943 by Jo Kotula Chance-Vought F4U Corsair    Model Airplane News Cover for August, 1953 by Jo Kotula Chance-Vought F4U Corsair

Chance-Vought F4U "Corsair"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for October, 1940, Novmber, 1943 and August, 1953
by Jo Kotula
Click to Enlarge


The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. The Corsair served in smaller air forces until the 1960s, following the longest production run of any piston-engined fighter in U.S. history (1942–1952). Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter of World War II. The U.S. Navy counted an 11:1 kill ratio with the F4U Corsair.

The Chance-Vought F4U Corsair      The Chance-Vought F4U Corsair

Photos of the Chance-Vought F4U "Corsair"
Click to Enlarge

Corsairs served with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, Fleet Air Arm and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, as well the French Navy Aeronavale and other services postwar. It quickly became the most capable carrier-based fighter-bomber of World War II. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear (as the FG-1) and Brewster (as the F3A-1). From the first prototype delivery to the U.S. Navy in 1940, to final delivery in 1953 to the French, 12,571 F4U Corsairs were manufactured by Vought in 16 separate models. The unique "gull" wing was designed to provide clearance for the airplane's oversized propellor.

Here is a video of the Chance-Vought F4U "Corsair" in action:



In addition to the cover of Model Airplane News, this airplane was also featured in the WINGS "Friend or Foe" trading card series of the early 1950s

 Card 034 of the Wings Friend or Foe series  The Chance-Vought F4U Corsair

Trading card representation of the Chance-Vought F4U "Corsair"
Click Here to see all 200 cards in the series
Click to Enlarge


Click Here for more information about the Chance-Vought F4U "Corsair".

This was a popular Cleveland kit that taxed modelers skill in building the "Gull" wings.

Cleveland Model of the F4U Corsair     Cleveland Model of the F4U Corsair

Cleveland Model of the F4U "Corsair"

Click to Enlarge


You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

Cleveland Site Location of the F4U Corsair

F4U "Corsair" at the Cleveland Site
Click to Enlarge

go to the master list of Model Airplane News Covers

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