Vought F4U-2 Corsair 02624 United States Marine Corps

These are 1/72 scale decals for the Vought F4U-2 Corsair, BuNo 02624, "Midnite Cocktail", assigned to VMF(N)-532, United States Marine Corps — America's first dedicated night fighter Corsair variant, serving with one of the pioneering Marine night fighter squadrons of World War II.

The F4U-2 was a specialized night fighter conversion of the F4U-1, produced in very limited numbers — only 32 aircraft were converted — making it one of the rarest Corsair variants of the war. The most distinctive modification was the addition of an AN/APS-4 airborne intercept radar housed in a pod mounted on the starboard wing, giving the pilot the ability to detect and track enemy aircraft in complete darkness. To save weight and reduce drag, one of the six wing-mounted .50-caliber machine guns was removed, leaving the F4U-2 with five guns. The cockpit was also modified with red lighting and other equipment to preserve the pilot's night vision during operations.

The name "Midnite Cocktail" perfectly captures the spirit of the F4U-2's mission — a lethal blend of darkness and firepower, served cold to Japanese night raiders who thought they owned the skies after sunset. VMF(N)-532 was one of the U.S. Marine Corps' first dedicated night fighter squadrons, operating from island bases in the Central Pacific including Tarawa and Roi-Namur. Flying in the pitch-black skies over Allied-held islands, VMF(N)-532's F4U-2 crews intercepted Japanese night raiders that had previously operated with near-impunity after dark — bringing the fight to the enemy at night and providing a level of after-dark air defense that had previously been impossible. It was dangerous, demanding, and largely unheralded work that required exceptional skill and nerve from pilots flying complex intercepts in total darkness over open ocean.

An exceptionally rare and specialized Corsair variant with one of the most evocative nose art names of the Pacific War. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.