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1/72 Academy F-8 Crusader, 422d FWS, USAF, Da Nang '69


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1/72 Academy F-8 Crusader, 422d Fighter Weapons Squadron, USAF, Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, 1969

 

Well then, certainly not one for the purists....

 

I absolutely love the Academy Crusader - must be one of the best '72 kits ever made.  I have built 4 of them now, 3 of them in their traditional grey and white.  I do like throwing my own ideas into the mix now and again and have wanted to do a USAF Crusader for ages.  So, here it is...!

 

Depicted as an aircraft undergoing test and evaluation but on the front line of CAS missions in South Vietnam - why let the Marines have all the fun...!! 😉

 

Carrying a full load of Zuni's and Snakes.  I have used etch for the seat handles and added a strike camera between the ventral fins.  Decals from the spares box.

 

I am really pleased with how this has turned out - I certainly haven't seen another one in this scheme before.

 

Airbrushed freehand again with Tamiya acrylics.

 

I hope that I don't upset too many of you....!

 

Cheers all,

Phil

 

 

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I like the way your imagination works. Your free hand camouflage looks wonderful. The excellent model and the plausible story behind it make for a great combination. Way to go!

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Your model has my opinion torn between multiple camps of thought.

- As a "purist", I'm supposed to hate it.  

+ As amateur observer of history, those colors would not have been at all out of place on the F-8s operated by the Philippines. 

+ As a jet fan, it elicits feelings of a meaner, faster, sleaker and sexier USAF A-7 Corsair.  Those sharkmouth markings complement it perfectly.

+ As a modeler, its simply a good-looking model.  What-if scheme or not, it's beauty!

 

It makes me wonder what the repercussions would have ensued IF the USAF DID operate the F-8 Crusader as well adopting their own versions for the Navy/Marine Corps  A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyraider, A-7 Corsair, F-4 Phantom...  Would the USAF have procured their own EA-18G Growlers?

 

Edited by John B
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It looks simply excellent in SEA camouflage. Great model, great idea, great quality! Only one question - should it actually have at least couple sidewinders for operational sorties? Maybe not though as F-105 flew without air-to-air missiles at all. And wonder how this would look like in silver dope instead of camo :) 

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I love the F-8, don't know why really. I like what you did with this one. It could've happened. Just need a faded version of one now with a replacement USAF F-18 next to it.

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Really great and imaginative model 👍 The 3 tone S.E.A camo certainly seems to suit the F-8. Interestingly some of the other US Navy aircraft in Vietnam did some trials with camouflage, I have seen a photo of an RA-5 Vigilante in this 3 tone scheme and some F-4s and A-6s in variations, so who knows there may have been an F-8 somewhere? The 'Cut Then Add CTA003' decal sheet has some interesting variations. 

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Upset many of us????? :nerdy:  Heck no Phil.  This is an awesome look for the Crusader.  That`s a great idea on the tail code too. :yes:

 

Very nice!!!!! 

Mike

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16 hours ago, Booty003 said:

why let the Marines have all the fun...!! 😉

 

Absolutely...After all, when you're out of F8s, you're out of fighters...

 

Great build, thanks for posting. And lovely freehand airbrush work, you must have a Gucci gun, or a wizard hat! 

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Thanks everyone, I am glad that it hasn't caused too much offence.  I have a few other ideas that might though....!!!! 😂

 

Ordnance wise this was for Close Air Support missions for the poor souls in the jungles etc.

 

Tamiya colours used are:

 

XF52

XF61

XF67

 

I used these on my recent F-102 build as well.

 

Cheers all,

 

Phil

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Looks great in that scheme - I once built this kit in Israeli colours, that was fun!

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On 27/05/2020 at 20:26, Booty003 said:

1/72 Academy F-8 Crusader, 422d Fighter Weapons Squadron, USAF, Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, 1969

 

Well then, certainly not one for the purists....

 

I absolutely love the Academy Crusader - must be one of the best '72 kits ever made.  I have built 4 of them now, 3 of them in their traditional grey and white.  I do like throwing my own ideas into the mix now and again and have wanted to do a USAF Crusader for ages.  So, here it is...!

 

Depicted as an aircraft undergoing test and evaluation but on the front line of CAS missions in South Vietnam - why let the Marines have all the fun...!! 😉

 

Carrying a full load of Zuni's and Snakes.  I have used etch for the seat handles and added a strike camera between the ventral fins.  Decals from the spares box.

 

I am really pleased with how this has turned out - I certainly haven't seen another one in this scheme before.

 

Airbrushed freehand again with Tamiya acrylics.

 

I hope that I don't upset too many of you....!

 

Cheers all,

Phil

 

 

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That is stunning, always loved the F8, it just looks like a beefed up A7. I always thing these should be titled 'What could have been'. This is the great benefit of being a modeller to produce what could have worked so well...……..

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