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USN F4J VF-31 Mig Killer


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Hi All,

 

With the Gracious assent of our GB Host, I would like enter this kit

9f8742c7-cb8c-455f-938e-71c1c1291a92.jpg

 

This has been sitting in my stash since I started it for the carrier GB last year, but did not finish (barely started),

so these Group builds are a Chance at redemption to finish a kit^_^

 

I plan to build mostly OOB with the addition of some resin seats.

The markings will be as my topic post says, a F4J for VF-31, with the squadrons only MIG kill

in Vietnam with the type - Markings by Superscale

06bc4013-358b-4391-b8a5-2e9dc5a4425c.jpg

37b02bc2-2965-4285-8ec6-43efa30d38dc.jpg

 

Decal Instructions

83d5b932-6756-4a18-aaeb-c47f3ef1a32e.jpg

 

Ever since my Dad had the older Revell model of a Brewster Buffalo with the "Felix the Cat' emblem,

whether it be VF3 or VF 6 or VF 31, I have always wanted to build Aircraft with the Felix emblem - so

here we go :D

Sprue/parts shots

98cb337b-a8e3-4896-941b-94dcfa714dd3.jpg

 

The fuselage is still quite big for 1/48 scale

64c6d84e-56ac-4c82-99c1-4116e581befa.jpg

 

Instructions

b99890dd-677a-4694-9210-6ccfc6549aa1.jpg

 

Kit Decals - not used

0c8a424f-30bb-4acb-9795-56c542977a13.jpg

 

From Wiki - photo of a Tomcatters F4J

USN F4J VF-31 Tomcatters

 

Story (one of them) behind the MIG kill

VF-31 Mig Kill

 

More Soon, thanks for looking in

 

Regards

 

Alan

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9 hours ago, FortyEighter said:

A great choice - everyone has to have a "Felix" amongst their builds.

 

As the MiG was actually shot down by 157307 "106", presumably the kill emblem was also added to other squadron aircraft?

 

Mike

Hi Mike,

 

The Superscale decals have the name of Commander Sam Flynn for the pilot for

157293 "101", who actually flew 157307 "106" for the MIG kill.

It seems Commander Flynn "transferred" his "kill" to F4J, Buer No. 157293 "101"

 

Photo below shows :101" wearing the MIG kill - though the Supescale decals don't

have the "MIG Eater"  as shown:hmmm:

28a01aad-966e-44d5-86c2-441c9d16141c.jpg

(Photo for illustration purposes only)

 

Slightly off topic, every time I see a F4 like this, reminds me of a slogan I saw may years ago.

 

"Rhino Drivers - Biggest Distributors of MIG parts in the World"

 

Regards

 

Alan

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On 7/6/2019 at 9:13 AM, FortyEighter said:

A great choice - everyone has to have a "Felix" amongst their builds.

 

As the MiG was actually shot down by 157307 "106", presumably the kill emblem was also added to other squadron aircraft?

 

Mike

 

On 7/6/2019 at 6:50 PM, LDSModeller said:

Hi Mike,

 

The Superscale decals have the name of Commander Sam Flynn for the pilot for

157293 "101", who actually flew 157307 "106" for the MIG kill.

It seems Commander Flynn "transferred" his "kill" to F4J, Buer No. 157293 "101"

 

Photo below shows :101" wearing the MIG kill - though the Supescale decals don't

have the "MIG Eater"  as shown:hmmm:

 

Not surprising for the USN.  While the pilots & WSO/ECMOs have their names on specific aircraft, they are always flying in different airframes from one day to the next. 

 

As an aside, the x00 aircraft from each squadron will usually have the CAG name on it (either under pilot or WSO/ECMO depending on his/her flight status), even if they are not certified to fly the specific type.

Edited by helios16v
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Hi all,

 

Thank you for all your comments,

 

Something of an update

 

I have to remove some of the RIO's cockpit console to make

the rear cockpit more accurate (somewhat....^_^) per this photo

b7d6220d-4ea4-4b7e-af9d-41baf9143937.jpg

 

I found this great site that gives some good info and diagrams

F4J Cockpit

 

RIO Cockpit photo link

RIO Cockpit

 

Because I had to remove the sidewall of console, this meant the molded in seat parts would disappear too

9f51b1d3-2fa2-4832-9864-a7cfd55152d0.jpg

 

So I decided to upgrade the kit seats with the following

9e8c7408-633b-4e0f-bb92-3215be588c03.jpg

 

This is them with some paint on thus far - Yeah I know same photo as above.....^_^

8a6c7b7c-b9e4-44fb-80ad-6f68902e002c.jpg

 

The seats come with PE, including the seat Ejection handles, they are not the best IMHO, so

I opted to use the kit ones and it's a good fit

PE Part

90804181-bb01-4bd6-a576-48b46582bbb8.jpg

 

Kit parts - more 3 D to me than PE Parts

2982547c-5769-41ce-b05e-8ef782d29396.jpg

 

So, I started removing the cockpit side walls

907afeb3-e459-4fee-a9f9-5cb38dd179e6.jpg

 

Problem........ :hmmm:

The seats don't quite fit as is.....

91754005-7099-4b15-b44a-dc17070676cf.jpg

 

Have a cunning plan to fix this....:D

 

More soon on that (when I get it done)

 

Thanks for looking in

 

Regards

 

Alan

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