[Dobber]

Hi, I'm in the market for an F-8 crusader model in either 1/72 or 1/48 scale. Can anyone recommend descent kits? I definately don't want any raised panel lines. I'd also really like VF-111 Sundowners markings. (If not I'm sure I could find aftermarket decals but if I could get everything together then all the better!) I know there are several kits out there with those markings but I'm not sure which ones have raised details and which don't. Thanks For any help.

Chris

[mustangdriver]

I built the monogram 1/48th scale kit. I love it. There are pics of it in the collections thread with my collection.

[Nockers]

If you need some reference shots try here

Prime Portal's Wish List

Also

Aircraft Resource Center

and do a search for F-8

Here is the latest 1/72 scale.

MRC - AIRCRAFT Series - F-8E CRUSADER, Item: 1615, PLASTIC MODELS/AIRCRAFT

In 1/48 scale you have the above mentioned by monogram and this one

Dragon Models USA - 1/48 F-8E/J Crusader "Last Gunfighter"

[mustangdriver]

I wish FM or Hobby master would do this one. I think that they are great looking aircraft.

[flyXwire]

I can just see Hobby Master teasing us with this model this year.

[Nockers]

Just found these reviews on the F-8

Monogram 1/48 F-8 Crusader

Academy 1/72 F-8E Crusader, by Scott Van Aken


Hasegawa 1/48 F-8 Crusader

F-8 decals

Your VF-111 sheet Aeromaster 48-709: Crusaders of the VN war pt 1, reviewed by Scott Van Aken

[Dobber]

Thanks for the help you guys! My main concern is that Hasegawa rereleases their kits so often that I'm never sure if I'm buying one of their older raised panel kits or a new tooling kit that is the better one.

Chris

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Dobber

Thanks for the help you guys! My main concern is that Hasegawa rereleases their kits so often that I'm never sure if I'm buying one of their older raised panel kits or a new tooling kit that is the better one.

Chris

Hi Chris, when I lived in London, my I.P.M.S. club (Hornchurch) used to stage the internationally known 'Southern Expo' shows (annually) over a week-end & would often feature new kits at the show.

We had numerous guys who would often build kits (on commision) for the likes of Osprey (model) books & Tamiya magazine & Scale Modeller & the like.

As an avid F.8 Crusader fan myself, I well remember the buzz going round, about Hasegawa's (then) latest release, of a totally new-tooling & various (hardcore types) bringing their 'old' 1/48 Monogram kit's to the show, to (sadly) be sold off for a 'fiver' (£ 5), & then be replaced by the 'new kid on the block' ; the new Hasegawa kit retailing at £ 22.50.

That was in 2003.

Same kinda thing happened with the 1/48th Hasegawa P.47's (pick 'em up for a 'tenner' = £ 10), when Tamiya bought out their £ 28 new release.

Many I.P.M.S. types are like that; ditch the older kits for a new one ~

So the Monogram F.8 became 'old hat' in 2003 (I've still got two & I STILL rate it as a good kit but like their F.105's, they DO have raised panel-lines).

Look for a White Hasegawa box-surround with a broad Red stripe & (inevitably) dated (sometime) around the 2002/2003 mark.

It HAS got (thin) recessed panel-lines, so you can run your (subtle) weathering inks, into .

I've (hopefully) included some pic's of another guy's F.8, to give you an idea of the newer kit's appearance........

[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

[Hornchurch]

Chris,

There are some decent aftermaket decal sheets kicking around for the F.8 Crusader, if you can track 'em down & you're open to building a/c from other units (you can pick the sheets up at kit-fairs).

I've got two superb aftermarket decal sheets (in 1/48th) for F.8's.

Both are from Microscale/Superscale.... & the sheet No's are......

48 - 266 ;

VMF-321 ; Blue Cockpit, Spine & Tail, with White Stars speckled along from nose to tail.

VMF-451 ; similar scheme, diagonal sash & tail strakes, Blue/White Stars.


48 - 282 ;

VMF-232 ; WT codes with the 'Diamond Devil' badge/marking on tail.

VMF-312 ; Black/White Checkerboard on lower-fin & rudder, with a

Black/Yellow/Red fintip.

Both sheets have FULL & extensive stencilling (no- step/ejection/rescue/warning panels).

Some good books I have on the subject & that I recommend are.....

'Mig Master - Story of the F.8' by Barret Tillman.

F.8 Units of the Vietnam War by Osprey.
RF.8 " " " " " " " by Osprey.
............& finally......
F.8 Crusader - by Bert Kinsey, Detail & Scale - Volume #31.