1/72 Pioneer 2 Sea Fury

Gallery Article by Mack Main on Nov 29 2017

 

      

As related in an earlier article, the US Army Air Force also took delivery of a number of Sea Furies for the war against Japan. These aircraft came with the naval equipment removed (essentially the FB60 variant). Unfortunately the Navy had priority for the new fighter, leaving the AAF to continue with their P-51s. Once the demand lessened, the Army Air Force managed to equip 2 squadrons with Sea Furies before the Japanese surrendered. Although a number of fighter sweeps were carried out, there was no confirmed victories before the war ended. None of the Sea Furies were retained by the Air Force. All were returned to the UK, where they were refurbished and exported the a number of foreign countries. 

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This Sea Fury is seen in 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group colours soon after the war, based at Yokota Army Field during occupation duties in 1946.

I built this Sea Fury in very much the same fashion as the first one. The only modification I made was the removal of the arrestor hook and its fairing. I painted the anti-glare area Tamiya NATO green. Then the tail and engine cowling were sprayed Testors Flat Red. Once those areas were masked off the entire plane was sprayed Testors Metallic Silver. The decals were donated by an Academy P-51C kit. The decals proved to be very thick and stubborn, being very uncooperative with setting solutions. 

I'm quite pleased with how this turned out, both of the "what-if" Sea Furies getting their fair share of double takes. 

Mack Main

Photos and text © by Mack Main