FG-1D Corsair racer "Lucky Gallon" - Cook Cleland, 1946 Thompson. Tamiya 1/72nd conversion with Draw Decals

Cook Cleland entered the good looking “Lucky Gallon” in the 1946 National Air Races placing 6^th. 

The model construction process, which involved only a few modifications, can be seen here:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2023/11/corsair-racer-conversion-of-172nd-scale.html

A Tamiya kit was used, and it must be said that the detail and fit are superb. This is the first time in a many-decades modeling life that I use this brand, arch-known by scores of modelers. I knew of it of course, but as they don’t do civil types I never bought a kit from them. Now I understand why they like it.

A Draw Decals set was used to complete the model.

Cleland chose in 1949 a much powerful F2G -a model of this later mount can be seen here:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2014/05/special-hobby-172-f2g-supercorsair.html

Converting these kits to racers is a lot of fun, there are many decal sheets available for the most known types and versions, and the modifications are usually not too taxing for the modeler. Many aftermarket products can enhance them; just remember to look at photos and remove anything that doesn’t apply to the racing version. These post-war conversions are in most cases very colorful and refined, pleasantly revealing the aesthetic qualities of the original presented in an appealing guise.

A Holidays family portrait: 

There is still one more Mustang in the works. See you soon.