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Thoughts on Trumpeter's F-8 Crusader


easixpedro

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Folks,

 

As I draw closer to the finish line with my Prowler, I'm looking for an easy build before I jump into the B-24. Am thinking an in-flight display of an F-8 Crusader. Before I let my mind wander too far, anybody built it? Any major pitfalls? Looks pretty straight forward (seem to be a lot of either RFIs or just stalled builds on here). I think I could use a little mojo rejuvenation from a project that isn't overly complicated...

 

Thanks in advance!

-Peter

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Hi, Peter. 

 

I have the kit, but I've not built it yet. From what I've previously read, the kit is pretty typical 1/32 Trumpeter fare: good in some places, "very-less-than-ideal" in others. Unless someone else pulls a big Crusader out of a hat soon, it seems likely that the Trumpeter is about as good as we'll get for now. Nearly all Trumpeter big jets have very basic, "fundamentals-only" cockpits, but Aires et al usually provide a good solution to these issues.   

 

As for ease of building, I'm sure that for every "this kit went together well and was enjoyable", you'll find two other modellers who will say something like "I nearly threw it in the trash, three times". If you want a great example of this, check out any modelling-website with an assessment of Revell's 1/32 F/A-18 Hornet. That has REALLY divided model-makers' opinions (most folks seem to hate it with a passion). 

 

I'm sorry I can't give a much more definitive answer. Whatever you build, I hope it gets your mojo fired up again. 

 

Chris. 

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I built the F-8E about a year ago and it went together fine. I liked it so much I bought another one and a Fisher RF-8 conversion set to build.  I did revise the sidewinder racks to asymmetrical as the Trumpy 4 rack was wrong if you want that configuration.  Best F-8 on the market.:D

 

Greg 

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 Built mine with about average fuss and bother.  IFR probe fairing is a mess and I replaced the windscreen with a Fisher upgrade part.  Aftermarket seat, etc.  Out of the box, the model is wrong - typical Trumpeter random “details” up around the nose need attention, etc.  If you build it in flight, you’re going to leave about half the parts in the box.

 


 

 

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Thanks for the input you guys!  After both the Phantom and the Prowler, I'm thinking I need a build that is just the kit, not a bunch of crazy mods and scratch-building. Something to appease the modeling gods if you will. The urge is growing for certain--will keep it in the hip-pocket until the Prowler is complete though. 

 

And please stop me when I do buy this, as I know I'll attempt to convert it to a C model...!  

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11 minutes ago, easixpedro said:

Thanks for the input you guys!  After both the Phantom and the Prowler, I'm thinking I need a build that is just the kit, not a bunch of crazy mods and scratch-building. Something to appease the modeling gods if you will. The urge is growing for certain--will keep it in the hip-pocket until the Prowler is complete though. 

 

And please stop me when I do buy this, as I know I'll attempt to convert it to a C model...!  

well you can't go wrong with a crusader wings up, all slats and flaps out and hook down, coming in to smack on the deck can you?

Game on! I'd say!

 

love the kit its not a bad kit at all and with few fuselage parts meaning its a fast paced build

 

Cheers

Frederick Jacobs

 

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16 minutes ago, blackbetty said:

this is mine: 

 

Thanks for that--somehow missed it whilst searching for all the builds. She's spectacular!

 

26 minutes ago, stusbke said:

well you can't go wrong with a crusader wings up, all slats and flaps out and hook down, coming in to smack on the deck can you?

Game on! I'd say!

 

love the kit its not a bad kit at all and with few fuselage parts meaning its a fast paced build

 

Cheers

Frederick Jacobs

 

Don't tempt!  Honestly, I'm thinking of Dick "Brown Bear" Schaffert's famous 1 v 6 fight in 1967. A little forced perspective with this, an Airfix MiG-17 and *maybe* a 1/144 Scooter that's been sitting in my spares bin forever.  Schaffert was escorting the A-4 during an Iron Hand mission when they got jumped--pretty amazing story. Think I could pull it off as Schaffert fought in the vertical, so I could have the Crusader pointing up with the smaller MiG turning below him.  Still thinking it over, but that's where my mind's at. 

 

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1 hour ago, stusbke said:

well you can't go wrong with a crusader wings up, all slats and flaps out and hook down, coming in to smack on the deck can you?

Game on! I'd say!

 

Don't forget to fold the outer wings up too if you really want a different look. :D

 

Supposedly at least 7 F-8s took of with their wings folded. 

 

Carl

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3 hours ago, easixpedro said:

Thanks for that--somehow missed it whilst searching for all the builds. She's spectacular!

 

Don't tempt!  Honestly, I'm thinking of Dick "Brown Bear" Schaffert's famous 1 v 6 fight in 1967. , so I could have the Crusader pointing up with the smaller MiG turning below him.  Still thinking it over, but that's where my mind's at. 

 

Dude it would be a crime not to build it like that! 

 

Awesome idea! looking forward to it! 

 

Cheers 

Frederick Jacobs

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33 minutes ago, Finn said:

Peter why not do the one in lower part of this photo:

 

Vietnam War 1965 - Jack Terhune Bails Out

 

 

gear out, speed brake out, pilot out.

 

Jari

That's a Vf154 bird I'm thinking on doing that one in better days aka before the forced bail out! Love that double load out of zuni and sidewinders, thinking on doing a line up of just vf154 jets a time line sort of anyway... the ginter book kinda sparked that I must admit! 

 

20 minutes ago, easixpedro said:

Jari, that WOULD be fun to create.
Honestly, has to be a bird from the Oriskany. I know Brown Bear and a bunch of those guys, so just seems fitting. And who doesn’t love sharks teeth on an airplane?

amen and with the diorama you have in mind it would perfectly sum up the bravado those pilots had last of the gunfighter! Tally Ho! 

 

Cheers 

Frederick Jacobs 

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