1/32 TRUMPETER F-8E VF-51

[FIGHTS ON]

here's TRUMPETER's excellent 1/32 F-8E. Unlike some of their other kits, the shape on this is spot on, good fit (*) and looks impressive. I am currently working at my companies "Head Office" in NW London and picked this up at Hannants by chance. Even at Full price it is little more than the 1/48 benchmark Hasagawa version, yet offers ALL the extras you could want - that i chose to close the gun bays etc was my decision.

As with ALL TRUMPETER kits, their decals are hopeless. you cannot even build the VF-162 version on the box art as some of the markins are missing. The "reds" are not even close to FS standards.........so it was to the spares box and scalpel to try and create my own markings. VF-51 were quite a famous sqn, 1st jet-to-Jet kill of Korea, Ens Neil Armstrong also flew panthers with them in the same conflict. The machine I have build here is from TICO's 1964 cruise. They carried both TICONDEROGA and CONSTELLATION markings as they flew from both decks (the CONNIE's F-4s were not cleared "Feet Dry" over Laos in this year). No RWR fitted at this stage of the war (which must of made flying against SAMs exciting!). Cdr Stockdale is now remembered for his leadership whilst as a captive later during the War (Medal of Honour), but it was his leadership in TICO's work up before this 1964 deployment that is also worthy of note. During this work up he foresaw the need for the fitting of the Zuni rockets that proved invaluable on what had been a Day only fighter - now able to seriously lay down some pain on the AAA sites etc.

canopy was stood on during construction - so center section is clear plastic from a Terry's chocolate orange wrapping - sadly the Chocolate Orange didn't survive long enough to see the finished build! C'est la guerre

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[HL-10]

Lovely looking Crusader!

[Fatboydim]

Great looking Crusader FIGHTS ON. Now where's my copy of Feet Wet? That will be a good read over Christmas.