An imposing and highly detailed 1:48 scale diecast representation of Corsair “Mary”, aircraft 056, associated with United States Marine Corps fighter ace Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr. of VMF-121 during the Pacific War. Released as part of the Franklin Mint Armour Collection under model code ART 98091, this substantial retired collector model recreates one of the distinctive Corsairs operated from Peleliu during late 1944.
Francis E. Pierce Jr. served with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 and became a fighter ace during the intense aerial fighting of the Pacific campaign. Pierce was ultimately credited with six aerial victories, achieving most of his successes while flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat before later operating the Corsair.
The aircraft represented by this model carried the individual name “Mary” together with the prominent tactical number 056. Historical photographs identify it as Bureau Number 14056 and show Pierce alongside the aircraft on Peleliu during November 1944.
Although Franklin Mint and surviving collector catalogues commonly describe ART 98091 simply as an F4U Corsair, the historical aircraft represented was actually a Goodyear-built FG-1A. Goodyear manufactured Corsairs under licence to supplement production of the Vought-designed fighter, with FG-series aircraft being essentially equivalent to contemporary F4U variants.
Mary is reproduced in the dark blue finish associated with later-war United States naval aviation, with prominent white US national insignia and the contrasting aircraft number 056. Personal nose artwork and operational markings provide a direct connection with Pierce and VMF-121's wartime service.
The Corsair's distinctive inverted-gull wing resulted from the need to provide sufficient clearance for its large propeller while retaining relatively short and robust landing gear suitable for demanding naval operations. Combined with its powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine, this unusual configuration helped create one of the most recognisable fighter aircraft of the Second World War.
Early Corsairs initially presented difficulties during carrier operations, but the aircraft proved exceptionally effective when deployed by United States Marine Corps squadrons from island airfields across the Pacific. Its speed, range, heavy machine-gun armament and ability to carry bombs or rockets allowed it to serve successfully as both a fighter and ground-attack aircraft.
This retired Franklin Mint Armour Collection release has considerable display presence in 1:48 scale and features heavyweight diecast construction with detailed sub-components. The model includes a fully rendered cockpit, large radial-engine cowling, three-bladed propeller, distinctive gull wings, detailed landing gear, external stores and authentic Mary and 056 markings.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Franklin Mint
Series: Armour Collection / Precision Models
Model code: ART 98091 / 98091
Collector Catalogue Aircraft: F4U Corsair
Historic Aircraft: Goodyear FG-1A Corsair
Bureau Number: 14056
Aircraft Name: Mary
Tactical Markings: 056
Pilot: Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr.
Unit: United States Marine Corps VMF-121
Campaign / Event: Second World War Pacific operations
Theatre / Location: Peleliu, Palau Islands
Date/Period: November 1944
Operator / Country: United States Marine Corps / United States
Role: Fighter and ground-attack aircraft
Scale: 1:48
Status: Retired collector model
Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components
Special Features: Authentic Mary nose artwork, aircraft number 056, dark blue Pacific theatre finish, US national insignia, detailed cockpit, distinctive inverted-gull wings, radial-engine and cowling detailing, rotating propeller, detailed landing gear and external stores
Model Dimensions
Length: Approximately 8.5" or 21.6 cm
Width (Wingspan): Approximately 10.25" or 26 cm
