If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.
Franklin Mint ART 98091 1:48 FG-1A F4U Corsair Mary USMC VMF-121 056 Francis Pierce Peleliu 1944
Duties & Taxes Prepaid Where Available
30-Day Returns
Preowned - Near Mint (9/10)
Dispatch by
Mon, Sep 14
Rates shown in cart
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
Description
An imposing and highly detailed 1:48 scale diecast representation of Corsair “Mary”, aircraft 056, associated with United States Marine Corps fighter ace Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr. of VMF-121 during the Pacific War. Released as part of the Franklin Mint Armour Collection under model code ART 98091, this substantial retired collector model recreates one of the distinctive Corsairs operated from Peleliu during late 1944.
Francis E. Pierce Jr. served with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 and became a fighter ace during the intense aerial fighting of the Pacific campaign. Pierce was ultimately credited with six aerial victories, achieving most of his successes while flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat before later operating the Corsair.
The aircraft represented by this model carried the individual name “Mary” together with the prominent tactical number 056. Historical photographs identify it as Bureau Number 14056 and show Pierce alongside the aircraft on Peleliu during November 1944.
Although Franklin Mint and surviving collector catalogues commonly describe ART 98091 simply as an F4U Corsair, the historical aircraft represented was actually a Goodyear-built FG-1A. Goodyear manufactured Corsairs under licence to supplement production of the Vought-designed fighter, with FG-series aircraft being essentially equivalent to contemporary F4U variants.
Mary is reproduced in the dark blue finish associated with later-war United States naval aviation, with prominent white US national insignia and the contrasting aircraft number 056. Personal nose artwork and operational markings provide a direct connection with Pierce and VMF-121's wartime service.
The Corsair's distinctive inverted-gull wing resulted from the need to provide sufficient clearance for its large propeller while retaining relatively short and robust landing gear suitable for demanding naval operations. Combined with its powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine, this unusual configuration helped create one of the most recognisable fighter aircraft of the Second World War.
Early Corsairs initially presented difficulties during carrier operations, but the aircraft proved exceptionally effective when deployed by United States Marine Corps squadrons from island airfields across the Pacific. Its speed, range, heavy machine-gun armament and ability to carry bombs or rockets allowed it to serve successfully as both a fighter and ground-attack aircraft.
This retired Franklin Mint Armour Collection release has considerable display presence in 1:48 scale and features heavyweight diecast construction with detailed sub-components. The model includes a fully rendered cockpit, large radial-engine cowling, three-bladed propeller, distinctive gull wings, detailed landing gear, external stores and authentic Mary and 056 markings.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Franklin Mint
Series: Armour Collection / Precision Models
Model code: ART 98091 / 98091
Collector Catalogue Aircraft: F4U Corsair
Historic Aircraft: Goodyear FG-1A Corsair
Bureau Number: 14056
Aircraft Name: Mary
Tactical Markings: 056
Pilot: Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr.
Unit: United States Marine Corps VMF-121
Campaign / Event: Second World War Pacific operations
Theatre / Location: Peleliu, Palau Islands
Date/Period: November 1944
Operator / Country: United States Marine Corps / United States
Role: Fighter and ground-attack aircraft
Scale: 1:48
Status: Retired collector model
Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components
Special Features: Authentic Mary nose artwork, aircraft number 056, dark blue Pacific theatre finish, US national insignia, detailed cockpit, distinctive inverted-gull wings, radial-engine and cowling detailing, rotating propeller, detailed landing gear and external stores
Model Dimensions
Length: Approximately 8.5" or 21.6 cm
Width (Wingspan): Approximately 10.25" or 26 cm
Condition
Model Condition - Near Mint (9/10)
- The model is in near mint condition overall.
- Some minor paint bubbling is present on the nose.
- A few very minor marks are also present.
- The rubber on the base of the tail wheel has worn slightly from standing.
Box condition - Excellent (8/10)
- The box is in excellent condition for its age and remains structurally sound.
- Some shelf wear is present.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading
Grading Criteria
Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.
Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.
Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.
If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.
Shipping
Dispatch & Tracking
Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed.
Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel through our Track Your Order page, also available from the main menu.
UK Delivery
- Royal Mail Tracked 48 — £4.20
Usually delivered within 2–3 working days. Available for orders below £100. - Royal Mail Tracked 24 — £5.20 or FREE on orders of £100 or more
Aims for delivery on the next working day after dispatch. - Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50 or FREE on orders of £200 or more
Guaranteed delivery by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch.
International Delivery
We ship worldwide from the United Kingdom, with parcels insured up to the full order value.
Estimated delivery times after dispatch:
- Europe: usually 3–5 business days.
- Rest of the world: usually 6–7 business days.
Add your models to the cart and enter your delivery address to view the available services and postage costs. Shipping is automatically combined by weight when purchasing multiple models.
Import Duties & Taxes
For supported destinations, any applicable duties and taxes are calculated and shown at checkout after you enter your delivery address. These charges are collected with your order and the parcel is sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due upon delivery.
Duty-paid delivery is currently available where shown at checkout for:
- United States
- Norway and Switzerland
- Selected European destinations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not shown and collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). The recipient may therefore need to pay local import duties, taxes or handling charges before delivery.
Every model is carefully packaged to help ensure it arrives safely and securely.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.
Choose options
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
Description
An imposing and highly detailed 1:48 scale diecast representation of Corsair “Mary”, aircraft 056, associated with United States Marine Corps fighter ace Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr. of VMF-121 during the Pacific War. Released as part of the Franklin Mint Armour Collection under model code ART 98091, this substantial retired collector model recreates one of the distinctive Corsairs operated from Peleliu during late 1944.
Francis E. Pierce Jr. served with Marine Fighting Squadron 121 and became a fighter ace during the intense aerial fighting of the Pacific campaign. Pierce was ultimately credited with six aerial victories, achieving most of his successes while flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat before later operating the Corsair.
The aircraft represented by this model carried the individual name “Mary” together with the prominent tactical number 056. Historical photographs identify it as Bureau Number 14056 and show Pierce alongside the aircraft on Peleliu during November 1944.
Although Franklin Mint and surviving collector catalogues commonly describe ART 98091 simply as an F4U Corsair, the historical aircraft represented was actually a Goodyear-built FG-1A. Goodyear manufactured Corsairs under licence to supplement production of the Vought-designed fighter, with FG-series aircraft being essentially equivalent to contemporary F4U variants.
Mary is reproduced in the dark blue finish associated with later-war United States naval aviation, with prominent white US national insignia and the contrasting aircraft number 056. Personal nose artwork and operational markings provide a direct connection with Pierce and VMF-121's wartime service.
The Corsair's distinctive inverted-gull wing resulted from the need to provide sufficient clearance for its large propeller while retaining relatively short and robust landing gear suitable for demanding naval operations. Combined with its powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine, this unusual configuration helped create one of the most recognisable fighter aircraft of the Second World War.
Early Corsairs initially presented difficulties during carrier operations, but the aircraft proved exceptionally effective when deployed by United States Marine Corps squadrons from island airfields across the Pacific. Its speed, range, heavy machine-gun armament and ability to carry bombs or rockets allowed it to serve successfully as both a fighter and ground-attack aircraft.
This retired Franklin Mint Armour Collection release has considerable display presence in 1:48 scale and features heavyweight diecast construction with detailed sub-components. The model includes a fully rendered cockpit, large radial-engine cowling, three-bladed propeller, distinctive gull wings, detailed landing gear, external stores and authentic Mary and 056 markings.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Franklin Mint
Series: Armour Collection / Precision Models
Model code: ART 98091 / 98091
Collector Catalogue Aircraft: F4U Corsair
Historic Aircraft: Goodyear FG-1A Corsair
Bureau Number: 14056
Aircraft Name: Mary
Tactical Markings: 056
Pilot: Captain Francis E. “Effie” Pierce Jr.
Unit: United States Marine Corps VMF-121
Campaign / Event: Second World War Pacific operations
Theatre / Location: Peleliu, Palau Islands
Date/Period: November 1944
Operator / Country: United States Marine Corps / United States
Role: Fighter and ground-attack aircraft
Scale: 1:48
Status: Retired collector model
Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components
Special Features: Authentic Mary nose artwork, aircraft number 056, dark blue Pacific theatre finish, US national insignia, detailed cockpit, distinctive inverted-gull wings, radial-engine and cowling detailing, rotating propeller, detailed landing gear and external stores
Model Dimensions
Length: Approximately 8.5" or 21.6 cm
Width (Wingspan): Approximately 10.25" or 26 cm
Condition
Model Condition - Near Mint (9/10)
- The model is in near mint condition overall.
- Some minor paint bubbling is present on the nose.
- A few very minor marks are also present.
- The rubber on the base of the tail wheel has worn slightly from standing.
Box condition - Excellent (8/10)
- The box is in excellent condition for its age and remains structurally sound.
- Some shelf wear is present.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading
Grading Criteria
Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.
Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.
Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.
If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.
Shipping
Dispatch & Tracking
Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed.
Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel through our Track Your Order page, also available from the main menu.
UK Delivery
- Royal Mail Tracked 48 — £4.20
Usually delivered within 2–3 working days. Available for orders below £100. - Royal Mail Tracked 24 — £5.20 or FREE on orders of £100 or more
Aims for delivery on the next working day after dispatch. - Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50 or FREE on orders of £200 or more
Guaranteed delivery by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch.
International Delivery
We ship worldwide from the United Kingdom, with parcels insured up to the full order value.
Estimated delivery times after dispatch:
- Europe: usually 3–5 business days.
- Rest of the world: usually 6–7 business days.
Add your models to the cart and enter your delivery address to view the available services and postage costs. Shipping is automatically combined by weight when purchasing multiple models.
Import Duties & Taxes
For supported destinations, any applicable duties and taxes are calculated and shown at checkout after you enter your delivery address. These charges are collected with your order and the parcel is sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due upon delivery.
Duty-paid delivery is currently available where shown at checkout for:
- United States
- Norway and Switzerland
- Selected European destinations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not shown and collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). The recipient may therefore need to pay local import duties, taxes or handling charges before delivery.
Every model is carefully packaged to help ensure it arrives safely and securely.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.
If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.
Browse Sold Archive
Browse previously sold diecast aircraft and collectable models from The Collectables Vault. This archive shows past stock, rare releases, and examples of the models that may return in future collections.
Free Express UK Shipping
On orders over £100.
Satisfied or refunded
Building and maintaining our customers’ trust.
Top-notch support
Reliable and customer focussed service
Secure & Flexible Payments
Pay with multiple secure payment options