[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by markko

Surely though, at least EI, Hobbymaster, or even FM could give us a 1/48 Crusader--I think they would sell really well. Hell, they might even go over big in the French market--after all, they were smart enough to buy the real thing! ----Happy collecting, markko

Absolutely! I'll be the first one in line, and I'd get at least one US (Vietnam era) and one French model.

FVD

[planenutsfrog]

the "Crouze" (Crusader nickname in the FN) would be a commercial success on the French market. As would be a correct F4U7 or AU1... Naval planes sale well, and Vought fighters are the most iconic here.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by jim

Bearcat Hmpf, the Sea Fury wuda creamed it easy.

I agreed, the Bearcat was such an also ran. No climb, no firepower, as big as a B-25. And all blue, hmpf.

My money's on an F4F-3, I bet the Wildcat would have served it dinner and polished it's shoes.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by Ara1

I agreed, the Bearcat was such an also ran. No climb, no firepower, as big as a B-25. And all blue, hmpf.

My money's on an F4F-3, I bet the Wildcat would have served it dinner and polished it's shoes.

Ara, you're obviously thinking of a different aircraft or you're smoking crystal.

(from Wikipedia) ..An unmodified production F8F-1 set a 1946 time-to-climb record (after a run of 115 feet) of 10,000 feet in 94 seconds. The Bearcat held this record for ten years until it was broken by a modern jet fighter (which could still not match the Bearcat's short takeoff distance).

as far as it being "big as a B-25", the Bearcat had a length of just over 28 ft and a wingspan just under 36 ft. and weighed in at just over 7,000lbs. (smaller than a P-51D Mustang)

B25: length -52ft 11in ...wingspan-67ft 6in...empty weight-21,000 lbs

[jim]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Ara, you're obviously thinking of a different aircraft or you're smoking crystal.

(from Wikipedia) ..An unmodified production F8F-1 set a 1946 time-to-climb record (after a run of 115 feet) of 10,000 feet in 94 seconds. The Bearcat held this record for ten years until it was broken by a modern jet fighter (which could still not match the Bearcat's short takeoff distance).

as far as it being "big as a B-25", the Bearcat had a length of just over 28 ft and a wingspan just under 36 ft. and weighed in at just over 7,000lbs. (smaller than a P-51D Mustang)

B25: length -52ft 11in ...wingspan-67ft 6in...empty weight-21,000 lbs

Yup, a stubby little thing with no class, whereas the Sea fury is sleek and cool and gracefull

[SKUNKY]

I definitely wouldn't say the Bearcat had no class...No doubt the Sea Fury was a hotrod and a beautiful aircraft (faster than the F8F), also coming too late to the party. But at least it's already been (nicely) represented in diecast. The Bearcat has always been treated like a red-headed stepchild and I don't expect it will ever be given its due.... It pisses me off..

[jim]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

I definitely wouldn't say the Bearcat had no class...No doubt the Sea Fury was a hotrod and a beautiful aircraft (faster than the F8F), also coming too late to the party. But at least it's already been (nicely) represented in diecast. The Bearcat has always been treated like a red-headed stepchild and I don't expect it will ever be given its due.... It pisses me off..

Despite all the fun I agree with you Skunky. It is difficult to imagine why this tough little fighter has not been produced in diecast.

Logic would state that the Bearcat would be must for both WW11 (its a prop plane) and post war collectors so IMHO it should be represented.
Maybe after the next bunch of diecast is produced we should start pushing some one to make it.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Ara, you're obviously thinking of a different aircraft or you're smoking crystal.

I don't even know who Crystal is.

[FormerViperDriver]

I'm with Skunky, I want a Bearcat. It was an awesomely maneuverable aircraft for its time, and I like its looks (in a weird kind of way, and I certainly won't argue that it looks better than a Sea Fury).

FVD

[planenutsfrog]

manufacturers have not been interested in the Bearcat (yet), because its only war record was with the French Air Force in Indochina (an "obscure" air force in an "obscure" war for them...)

On the other hand, the Sea Fury was flown by the Commonwealth Naval Aviations during the war in Korea, and so we have it as a diecast.