JimmyZ Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Good evening everyone. For my next project I decided to do something that wasn't bare metal or camo. I had a Monogram F8F in my stash for a long time, but dreaded the thought of building it, since the decals had yellowed terribly. At last I decided to build it. I thought I'd either try to fix the decals (put in sunlight to get it white again), or find replacement decals, or just use some of my many spares and build a "generic" Bearcat without unique markings. But "luck" wasn't on my side. I couldn't get the decals white again, couldn't find replacement decals and couldn't get my head around building a Bearcat with generic markings. After all, this would probably be my first and last Bearcat, since there aren't a lot of them available in 1/72 out there (the only other one I'm aware of is the Revell, which is the same sprues, just different decals). In the end I decided to use the decals as is and see how it turns out. So it turns out the yellowing of the decals aren't terribly visible against a the glossy sea blue paint scheme! Despite the kit's age, I really enjoyed building it - and someone once told me enjoying it is the whole point. Won't win any model-of-the-year awards, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I used Tamiya's AS-8 Navy Blue rattle can spray, and the other bits were brush painted with Humbrol Acrylics. Cheers Jimmy 42 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyTiger66 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 That looks really good Jimmy ! You’ve got a nice finish there with the Tamiya rattle can and, as you say, the decals look just fine. A really classic build, if it’s enjoyable, I need one very soon ! TonyT 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 (edited) Enjoying them IS the point. Nice looking Bearcat 👍 you saved a step in the life of your model ... Decals tend to yellow on kits after they've been built and sit around a number of years. You just built the kit that was pre-aged thats all. Edited October 8, 2017 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisbob12 Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Very sleek! Great result. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Like it. Nice cat Looks great in the gloss blue Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1xena Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Nice work. Isn't it funny that we get numerous identical Spitfire or BF109 variants from every manufacturer, and other aircraft miss out completely? In general, the "piston twilight" fighters seem to be a bit neglected in 1/72. I've always had a soft spot for the Bearcat...its such a compact, grunty looking thing! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I give you 100 extra points for not breaking off and losing those cannon barrels! Looks real nice. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Great result. The colour looks spit-on and the decals look fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Your decals look good to me on this beautiful Bearcat Well done ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Super looking Bearcat. Colour absolutely perfect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Really nice Bearcat there, looks great 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Really nice. Magic paint job, that sheen looks great. As do the decals, the yellowing is not at all obvious. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 That's really nice. Somewhat neglected by the kit producers maybe? But this is a beauty. Justin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 On 10/7/2017 at 12:28 PM, JimmyZ said: Good evening everyone. For my next project I decided to do something that wasn't bare metal or camo. I had a Monogram F8F in my stash for a long time, but dreaded the thought of building it, since the decals had yellowed terribly. At last I decided to build it. I thought I'd either try to fix the decals (put in sunlight to get it white again), or find replacement decals, or just use some of my many spares and build a "generic" Bearcat without unique markings. But "luck" wasn't on my side. I couldn't get the decals white again, couldn't find replacement decals and couldn't get my head around building a Bearcat with generic markings. After all, this would probably be my first and last Bearcat, since there aren't a lot of them available in 1/72 out there (the only other one I'm aware of is the Revell, which is the same sprues, just different decals). In the end I decided to use the decals as is and see how it turns out. So it turns out the yellowing of the decals aren't terribly visible against a the glossy sea blue paint scheme! Despite the kit's age, I really enjoyed building it - and someone once told me enjoying it is the whole point. Won't win any model-of-the-year awards, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I used Tamiya's AS-8 Navy Blue rattle can spray, and the other bits were brush painted with Humbrol Acrylics. Cheers Jimmy Jimmy, Sword did a 1/72 Bearcat that can be built as an F8F-1 or an F8F-2, as it comes with two fuselages and cowling bits to do either one. Might be hard to find, though. Nice job on the Monogram kit, though. The Sword kit also comes with a very nice resin wheel bay insert, as there is a ton of ducting, plumbing, and wiring in there, if you've ever seen the real thing, and Monogram not only didn't box in the wheel bays, they didn't give any details for them, either. Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Hi Jimmy!!! Congratulations for this nice Bearcat!!! I have the same you have built here and three more Revell's in sealed box, I heard some words of Sword and Attack Squadron kits, but will be happy with the ones at hand at least for now. Maybe one day will get one of them and try to make it like you. Wish mine turns at least 40% nicer of yours and will be very happy with that!!! Cheers!!! Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 The Bearcat has always been a favourite of mine, great work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Hello @JimmyZ... I just found one of these. Any tips you can pass on ? Anything i should look for ? Thanks Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Nice kit and a nice build. Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZ Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 On 4/11/2019 at 7:34 PM, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Hello @JimmyZ... I just found one of these. Any tips you can pass on ? Anything i should look for ? Thanks Dennis Hi Corsair, I can't remember any major issues. I think the fit was alright. I do remember that the vertical fin had accuracy issues. Somewhere between a -1 and -2 (too big for -1 and too small for -2, or the other way around). Don't know if you want to attempt to correct that. Also the decals were crap because it was an old kit. Not sure if yours has new decals. Good luck! Feel free to post a link of your build here. Cheers Jimmy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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