Hampton Gray F4U Corsair

 by Jeff Esslinger

Jeff's F4U is modelled after the aircraft flown by Victoria Cross winner Lieutenant Hampton Gray, VC, DSC RCNVR.

Robert Hampton Gray was born November 2, 1919 in Trail, BC, to John Balfour Gray and his wife, Wilhelmina. The Grays and their three children later moved to Nelson, BC. 

On August 9, 1945, as the second atomic bomb fell on Nagasaki, the air war against Japan targets continued unabated. For the second launch of his day, Hammy Gray led two flights of Corsairs against airfields in the Matsushima area, northern Honshu. There was little enemy activity; a first strike from Formidable had left the targets in ruins. Since Gray was briefed for the secondary target of naval ships at nearby Onagawa Bay, he decided to attack.

The other flight members recall him saying he was going in, and peeled off to follow him in the high speed run. As Gray levelled out his Corsair, it was blasted with cannon and machine gun fire. The aircraft was set on fire, and one of his 500 lb. bombs was shot off. He then steadied the aircraft, and aimed his remaining bomb. This bomb hit the ocean escort vessel Amakusa below the after gun turret, exploded the ammunition locker, and blew out the starboard side of the ship. Amakuza rolled and sank immediately.

Gray continued flying but brief seconds later his burning aircraft rolled over, hit the water at high speed, and broke up. Gray was killed, becoming one of the last Canadians to die in combat in WW2. Despite the shock of losing their leader, and in spite of the order to make only one run at each target, the remaining pilots conducted two more successful attacks on the target Japanese ships.

Hammy Gray was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on August 31, 1945 for "determination and address in air attacks on targets in Japan on the 18th, 24th and 28th of July 1945."

On November 13, 1945 Hammy Gray was posthumously awarded the British Commonwealth's highest medal for valour, the Victoria Cross. In part, his citation read: "Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant flying spirit and most inspiring leadership."

Hampton Gray article at Vintage Wings Canada

Jeff's F4U from the Top Flite kit features a Brison 3.2 engine, Robart retracts and is an excellent flying model.