[Dobber]

Thanks! I don't have a problem building other squadrons, I'm just on a "sharkmouth" kick right now, and the F-8's was really cool looking and suited the aircraft perfectly IMO. Thanks again for all the help, keep it comming!

Chris

[Dobber]

Oh yeah, which kits come with missiles? I know Hasegawa tends to make you buy their weapons sets to get 4 stinking sidewinders!!! , but sometimes they are included. That usually happens only with their older raised panel kits though.

Chris

[admin]

I've built the Hasegawa 1/48th model, and was very pleased. The kit went together well. If you search Squadron Signal's website for 48 scale "Crusader" you'll find all kinds of detail kits and decals.

[Dobber]

OK, just checked my local hobby shop, they were closed Sun and Mon. because I thought that I remembered seeing Crusader kits before. Sure enough they had 3 different kits!!

1) the Hasegawa 1/72 F-8E VF-111 Sundowners kit!! BUT it is the old kit with raised panel lines....PASS

2)Hasegawa 1/48 F-8E New tooling!!!!! only problem is that it dosen't include weapons and it's $42. Plus I don't have alot of room at the moment. Possibly I'll get it later.

3) Academy's 1/72 F-8E!!! WE HAVE a WINNER!!!!! Didn't pick it up yet though, I'll get it next week during my modeling clubs meeting, the shop owner sometimes offers us a discount on the night of the meeting. Markings didn't look too bad either. I liked the triple shamrock markings for the Marine bird, but I may still look for some after market decals.

Has anyone here built the Academy kit, I've read the review that was posted earlier....Thanks BTW.....but it's always nice to hear someone elses experience with a kit.

Chris

[Flyboy]

There is an excellent write up on the 1/48 Hasegawa kit in the October, 2004 issue of "Scale Aviation Modeller". After reading that article, then seeing the History Channel show on the "Last of the Dogfighters", I knew I had to add this kit to my collection. I waited 'til I got a good deal on E-bay, and now have it in the works on my bench. As stated before, the Hasegawa kit does have finely recessed panel lines, as well as a lot of pieces. Also, if you've built mainly WWII models as I have, be prepared for a shock when you open the box - the fuselage for this a/c in 1/48 scale is over 13 inces long!

[planenutsfrog]

I am currently building the 1:72 F8E from Italeieri, and though it may be inferior to Academy's kit (I haven't tried that brand yet, I am an old chap !), it is an improvement over the older kit from Heller (wich was decent at the time), I had build 15 years ago.

It has recessed panel-lines, decals for 3 USN and USMC planes + 1 French F8P, complete external stores (2 x Matra 550 , 4 x AIM9B, and even underwing pylons for 3 (GP ?) bombs), is easy to build and parts fit well.

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by Dobber

Thanks Hornchurch, I'll check for those type of boxes. About a week ago I bought a Hasegawa A-10 that had a real photo of the Desert storm A-10 on the box, turns out it was their old kit with raised panels! . I really hate how Hasegawa doesn't put pictures of the actual model on the box anymore!!

Also, I've noticed that the kit's that include decals for VF-111 Crusaders are all F-8E's but the actual sundowners F-8's where C's correct? I've recently developed a thing for Crusaders......thanks alot "The Last Gufighters" epsiode of Dogfights!!!!.....and am still alittle behind the curve on F-8 info and lore.

Chris

VF-111 also used the "H" model. Tail code was "AJ", flying off of USS Shangri-La.