[PappyB]

What's with the run of 3,000.... really? 2,000 seems like a lot, no?

I may wait for a more limited run since I will only be buying one. Really. Just one. I can do it. I know I can.

[David Hingtgen]

I'm skipping VF-211 and getting VMF-333. 333 was very high on my want-list. VF-24's the most-wanted of all though--with black and red striped nose.

[kb466]

I wonder if the announced 3000 run includes all three VF-211 F-8's-- say a thousand each of NP-200, NP-201 and NP-203. I contacted Jeff at Aim Higher Jets and he says that when he talked to the Flying Mule, he was only told of the VF-211 F-8E with a run of 3000-- apparently nothing about three different VF-211 Crusaders. By the way, Aim Higher is now taking pre-orders for the F-8 at $69.95. It sounds like this is going to be the going price for these.

As for me, I will get the VF-211 Crusader, and I will get the one with the raised wing, dropped slats and flaps as well, if they do it. I can see myself getting a USMC F-8E as well-- a ground pounder with bombs and zuni rockets. I guess I am a sucker for F-8's.

[kingpin]

3000 production of which 1250 is coming to the USA.

Glen

[ACpilot]

No pictures yet, but Top Gun Japan has them on their website as follows:

F-8E Checkmates NP100 1967 - 3,000 Units
F-8E Checkmates NP103 1966 - 1,500 Units
F-8E Checkmates NP101 1967 - 1,500 Units

F-8E Fighting Shamrocks DN7 1967 - 3,000 Units



Dan

Found this box art on the net. The Shamrocks version must be this one:

[johnnyboy]

Did VMF (AW)333 fight in Vietnam? I have tried looking it up on the net with out much luck so far

[STARMAN 352ND]

If they make that Marines Shamrock F-8 i'm getting it.
JP

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by johnnyboy

Did VMF (AW)333 fight in Vietnam? I have tried looking it up on the net with out much luck so far

On February 1, 1966, The squadron was again redesignated as Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron 333 (VMF(AW)-333) when they received new all-weather versions of the F-8 Crusader. The squadrons last name change came on June 20, 1966]] when they became Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333) as they transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II. In June of 1972, VMFA-333 deployed on board the USS America (CVA-66) and conducted mission over Vietnam. It was during this deployment that the sqaudron got its only air to air kill when Major L.T. Lasseter shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam. For the rest of the 1970s, the squadron remained affiliated with Carrier Air Wing 8 and made several deployments aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

[David Hingtgen]

Century's Shamrocks F-8E should look darn near identical to this:

1/72 Academy F8E Crusader by Tim Groombridge Same plane, same scheme, same research.

[kb466]

In view of the information that David Hintgen posted about different configurations as well as the photos and information from the "Big Thunder" and "Top Gun" websites, we can make a couple of conclusions about these F-8's. First, the VF-211 NP 100 will have the flaps and slats up or non-deployed. The NP 101 and 103 will both have the raised wings and the lowered flaps and slats. As far as the USMC VMF-333 is concerned, until we see pictures, we have no idea what it will have.