In the wake of the Surrender of Japan in August of 1945. The New Zealand government agreed to participate in the US-led occupation of Japan, as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Under the command of Brigadier Keith Stewart, more than 4200 New Zealand troops arrived in March 1946 to serve in the BCOF. The New Zealand occupation forces, (referred to as Jayforce) would also be accompanied with 24 FG-1D Corsairs of No 14 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
Arriving in Japan onboard the Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier H.M.S Glory at Iwakuni, Japan in early March 1946. Not long after arriving Japan, the RNZAF Corsairs would be put to use patrolling the skies and countryside and coastline around Iwakuni. With a patrol area spanning nearly 500 square kilometres. The RNZAF Corsairs preformed reconnaissance missions in order to enforce the allied demilitarization of Japan. For example, searching the countryside any for hidden ammunition dumps or flying over school yards for forbidden military parades.
Another missions the RNZAF Corsairs performed was flying low level dawn & dusk surveillance flights off the coast of Iwakuni. The purposes of those missions were to prevent the Vessels of Korean smugglers form entering the waters of Occupied Japan. The Pilots of the RNZAF Corsairs would continue to fly such missions around Iwakuni until February of 1948.
In February of 1948, No 14 squadron was transferred Bofu to relieve No. 76 (Fighter) Squadron, of The Royal Australian Air Force. The RNZAF Corsairs then took over duties previously performed by the RAAF P-51D Mustangs. However, this new deployment was not to last too long.
In 1947 Great Britain and India withdrew from the BCOF in 1947. Enthusiasm for New Zealand’s continuing involvement of the occupation began to wane. In April 1948, The New Zealand Government decided to withdraw Jayforce from Japan. From April 1948 to early 1949, New Zealand Personnel were gradually withdrawn from Japan.
As for the RNZAF Corsairs in Japan, the decision was made to scrap them. Back in New Zealand, the RNZAF was downsizing. With most of the remaining Corsairs in New Zealand were being sold off for scrap metal. With the type no longer in service with the RNZAF, back home. The JayForce Corsairs were stacked into a pile and burnt.
My model depicts an FG-1D, No 14 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). With decals from Ventura Publications 1/72 scale RNZAF F4U-1D & FG-1D [V7285]. The kit was the classic Academy kit, which was a fun and easy build.
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From
Shuttle Factory Scale Models
Video Chapter List
THE ASSEMBLY - 00:15
PRIMING & PAINTING- 03:42
APPLYING THE DECALS- 06:29
THE FINAL ASSEMBLY-08:46
THE COMPLETED MODEL- 10:36