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The First Fighter Squadron of the
Republic
of
Vietnam
(South Vietnam), later renamed as the 514th, was initially created with 25 Grumman
F8F Bearcats. This particular airplane was part of the second batch of 18 F8Fs
received in May 1956. South Vietnam operated about 68 aircraft of this kind until their replacement by Skyraiders
and Fennecs in the early 1960’s, in the initial stages of the Second Vietnam
War.
Click on
images below to see larger images
THE
KIT
This
is the vintage kit of Monogram, something difficult to find nowadays. It has
excellent surface detail with fine raised panel lines. Something amazing is the
accuracy in shape and measures to the real bird. However, as expected, it has
the limitations of the molding technology of the age: Only a seat and a crude
control stick as interior details and no wheel bay. Also, the motor piece was
not of the same shape and size of the fuselage and if assembled as is, you would
see through.
CONSTRUCTION
Starting
in the cockpit, I built the side control panels with plasticard. I painted the
seat belts and buckles which were nicely molded on the seat. Then I corrected
the problem of the motor internal cover using another plate of plastic, sanding
it until it acquired the rounded shape that matched with the fuselage halves.
Using more plastic pieces cut to the required shape, I made all the cover plates
for the empty wheel bay. Later, I went to the rudder and stabilizer flaps,
cutting them down and placing them in different position. Molded machine guns
were replaced with medical needles cut to the size. Finally I used copper wire
for the break lines, added the launch rails and drilled the bottom of all
unguided rockets to make them look more realistic.
PAINTING
After
doing some research I found a wonderful site with detailed information and
pictures of the aircraft that belonged to the Republic
of
Vietnam. I preferred the all metallic version of the F8Fs, based in the aircraft
identified with the number 95338. This is the first time I tried to do different
shades on metallized surfaces and I applied the tip of using wet newspaper to
mask the panels. It worked well but you must be very careful and fast.
The
entire surface was covered with Non-Buffing Aluminum Metalizer and later, I
painted the darker plates with Steel Metalizer. I left the internal wheel bay,
interior canopy frame and landing gear in Silver, which was used as primer for
the entire aircraft.
DECALS
The
upper surface and fuselage roundels came from the Heller T-28 Fennec kit, which
proved to be of very good quality being soft, matt and easy to handle. Then I
had to print the remaining roundels myself, placed in the lower surface of both
wings. Numbers were printed over clear decal paper for laser printers and the
remaining markings in color inkjet over white Testors’ decal paper (Thanks
again Carlos!).
Click on
images below to see larger images
WEATHERING
I
preferred to have the plane with moderated weathering, so I applied very thinned
black paint with my airbrush in the motor exhaust area to create the smoke stain
effect.
CONCLUSION
In
spite of the age of the kit and all the scratch required, I liked the final
outcome and I’d recommend this kit unless you have the most recent Hobbycraft
kit with engraved panel lines and wonderful decals for the Royal Thai Air Force.
REFERENCES
Thank
you all and regards from
Monterrey
, México.
Fernando
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