Another from my WWII series

[Mark McCall]

F4U Corsair flying off the deck of a WWII carrier.
The Corsair was affectionately known as the "hose nose" for the long nose of the fuselage, and was immediately identifyable by it's gull wings, primarily used to give the prop more ground clearance.

The landing gear on an F4U folds backward and up, into the wings.
I made them scissor fold just for effect, although it's not historically accurate.

I tend to use gloomy skies in my composites. It adds alot of impact.

Here's the original shot:
http://www.markmccallphotography.com/IMG_8606.jpg

[KmH]

These are such cool images Mark. Thanks for posting them.

I have always thought the F4U was one of the prettiest airplanes ever built.

[carylwithay]

Well done. I like the colors and detail
Caryl

[Colby]

Mark,
Is this another prize winner or is it on its way to becoming one? Very well done.
Cheers,
Colby

[tekdiver500ft]

I really like where you are headed with this. The foreground lighting matches the BG well, and the angle and composition are quite good.

A thought: had you placed the Corsair so that it was just leaving the deck, you could have left the gear alone, and it would have looked better, IMHO. The incorrect gear position was the first thing I noticed, followed shortly by the height over deck for the distance from the ship and gear position. I love the sky, very dramatic, and accurate for wartime at sea. Also, the bow wave and wakes should be deeper and farther from the ship, just for additional realism.

[Mark McCall]

Colby,
I hope so. The image scored an 85 at the SWPPA Affiliated Print Competition in October.
At a regional, a print gets a "seal" stating a merit level score.
You need 13 Print Merits (and 12 service merits) to reach the level of Master Photographer.

In May, it gets shipped (along with 3 others) to Florida for the PPA International Print Judging where it will be considered for the PPA Loan Collection as well as the Showcase Collection. Top 1% & 3% in the world.


tekdiver,
I like the idea. You may be right...leaving the gear down will make for a better, and more historically accurate image.
I can't change the image yet as the same image entered in International Competiton must the the same entered at Regionals.
But it will definetly be changed for my book.

[Aeronut]

I do love these warbird scenes that you do - I'm hardly surprised they're winning awards! About the 'gear' - I have to say that it looks a little too large and heavy for the Corsair and I'd have liked to see the same picture with the gear fully up, for comparison purposes, you understand!

[Virgo53]

Very accurate!! If I remember right, those planes required the pilot to pump up the gear with hydraulics, that would make your phot realistic since that takes time after launch.

Great photo!!~

Virgo53

[firefoto]

Very accurate!! If I remember right, those planes required the pilot to pump up the gear with hydraulics, that would make your phot realistic since that takes time after launch.

Virgo53...I believe you are thinking of the F4F Wildcat...It had manual crank up gear. Not the F4U Corsair

[C.C.Jordan]

This image is up on the web.... It's a great reference for gear fold of the F4U-1D (the aircraft your image represents).




My regards,

C.C. Jordan

[C.C.Jordan]

Originally Posted by firefoto

Virgo53...I believe you are thinking of the F4F Wildcat...It had manual crank up gear. Not the F4U Corsair

Indeed, the F4F/FM series all had manually cranked landing gear (tail wheel was fixed). However, it was strictly mechanical; using a series of sprocket gears and a chain.

Since the gear crank was on the pilot's right side, he had to switch hands on the stick and crank with his right hand. Wildcats were known for the "gear raise wobble" as the pilot cranked the stiff handle, the stick invariably moved as well.


My regards,

C.C. Jordan

[firefoto]

C.C. You are correct sir. Sorry if I implied that it was a hydralic hand pump.

[fredlef]

I like the picture and the sky a lot! As a retired Navy guy I would suggest that the type of sky would indicate a rougher sea which I think would also add impact to the drama of the photo.

[WildWally]

I really like this photo ..
Wonderful job on PP !!

[sunriseadams]

Great Post!Nice Work!