Vought F4U-1D Corsair
Late-production F4U-1D
Colours used
in this example.
Build the main surfaces in light layers. Keep the quiet background softer than the aircraft.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact historical paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Light layered pencil with white grain
Soft layering and reserved highlights
Controlled infill
Directional strokes
Reserved white reflections
Horizontal and diagonal light strokes
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Aircraft reference 1
Front quarter of White 56 showing the inverted gull wing and large propeller. Smithsonian F4U-1D BuNo 50375 repainted to represent VMF-113 White 56 in July 1944. This is a restored presentation. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: airlines470 · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Aircraft reference 2
Side view of White 56 showing its dark upper finish and fuselage national insignia. Smithsonian F4U-1D BuNo 50375 repainted to represent VMF-113 White 56 in July 1944. This is a restored presentation. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: HawkeyeUK · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Aircraft reference 3
Front view showing cowling, wing bends and propeller geometry. Smithsonian F4U-1D BuNo 50375 repainted to represent VMF-113 White 56 in July 1944. This is a restored presentation. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: Ryan Somma · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Aircraft reference 4
Underside view showing the wing centre section and landing-gear wells. Smithsonian F4U-1D BuNo 50375 repainted to represent VMF-113 White 56 in July 1944. This is a restored presentation. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: the_shadock · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Aircraft reference 5
Opposite underside view showing wing markings and the outer wing panels. Smithsonian F4U-1D BuNo 50375 repainted to represent VMF-113 White 56 in July 1944. This is a restored presentation. Display copy resized without cropping.
Photo: ctj71081 · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Historical finishes and markings
Smithsonian F4U-1D BuNo 50375 was repainted in 1980 as Sun Setter of VMF-113 in July 1944. The deep blue museum aircraft is a historical representation rather than its own service markings.
In the photographs
Period monochrome photographs establish shapes and markings but cannot independently establish paint colours. Museum and restored aircraft show their photographed display condition.
In the coloured example
This pencil interpretation uses upper surfaces: Sea Blue; lower surfaces: Deep Sea Blue; existing insignia: White, Dark blue; propeller: Charcoal, Yellow tips; canopy: Pale blue-grey; sea and sky: Pale blue. It is a creative colouring example based on the book drawing. It does not reproduce a verified individual aircraft or an exact paint standard.
Make the details count.
Follow the gull-wing bends when changing the direction of shading.
Use a restrained dark-blue layer so wing folds and panel detail remain clear.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.