{"product_id":"franklin-mint-art-98091-1-48-fg-1a-f4u-corsair-mary-usmc-vmf-121-056-francis-pierce-peleliu-1944","title":"Franklin Mint ART 98091 1:48 FG-1A F4U Corsair Mary USMC VMF-121 056 Francis Pierce Peleliu 1944","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrancis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMary 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 radial engine, this unusual configuration helped create one of the most recognisable fighter aircraft of the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Franklin Mint\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Armour Collection \/ Precision Models\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e ART 98091 \/ 98091\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector Catalogue Aircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e F4U Corsair\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistoric Aircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Goodyear FG-1A Corsair\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBureau Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14056\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mary\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e 056\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Marine Corps VMF-121\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign \/ Event:\u003c\/strong\u003e Second World War Pacific operations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre \/ Location:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peleliu, Palau Islands\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 1944\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator \/ Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Marine Corps \/ United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRole:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fighter and ground-attack aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Retired collector model\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 8.5\" or 21.6 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 10.25\" or 26 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Near Mint (9\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe model is in near mint condition overall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome minor paint bubbling is present on the nose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA few very minor marks are also present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe rubber on the base of the tail wheel has worn slightly from standing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Excellent (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe box is in excellent condition for its age and remains structurally sound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome shelf wear is present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Franklin Mint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57816888115582,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/franklin-mint-art-98091-148-fg-1a-f4u-corsair-mary-usmc-vmf-121-056-francis-pierce-peleliu-1944-6701497.jpg?v=1786146271","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/franklin-mint-art-98091-1-48-fg-1a-f4u-corsair-mary-usmc-vmf-121-056-francis-pierce-peleliu-1944","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}