Grumman F7F-2N Tigercat "Big Bird"

[Gary Brantley]

This kit's directions have a note that I started putting paint to plastic on July 16, 2020 and I finished the model July 5 of this year. During that time, I did manage to complete one other model that had been set aside (Tamiya Meteor Prototype Number One), and also started two other kits, so the entire year wasn’t devoted to this one…but it felt like it! 😉

 

I deviated from the instructions somewhat. The main landing gear has five attachment points and the directions would have you fish that assembled, multi-part landing gear up through the wheel well opening. I couldn’t see me getting that done without some big trouble. So, the assembled gear were installed through the top of the engine nacelles (much easier!) and then the nacelles were installed on each wing before they were attached to the fuselage. Of course, that meant they were in the way for the rest of the build. I did cover them with protective “spats” that I made from paper towel tube, and they made it through without any issues.

 

I had really wanted the model to sit on her three wheels without the support of the kit-provided barrel and crate, used in real life Tigercat service to keep the front tire on the ground when fuel tanks were empty. So, I added a lot of ballast into the fuselage, all forward of the main gear centerline. I knew that much weight would surely stress the plastic kit landing gear, so I used a set of white-metal gear instead. The total weight of the ballast was over 75 grams and I just knew it would be enough. I was wrong. 😦

 

The P&W R-2800s supplied in the kit were quite nice and I added spark-plug wiring and few other small parts that are pretty hard to see now. I didn’t use the notorious rubber tires that came in the kit, instead using a resin set in their place. Eduard PE seat belts were used and I scratch-made the canvas “sling” that served as the rear cockpit seat. The kit props are really misshaped, so I robbed an old Monogram Hellcat and Avenger of their props and used them. Paint was ModelMaster Insignia Yellow matte, and I used a semigloss clear-coat over that to replicate the somewhat glossy yellow paint used on the Naval Air Test Center bird from 1947 that I was doing for this build. 

 

I've found only one photograph of this NATC aircraft and it shows heavy exhaust staining, with black soot blown back along the nacelles and wings. 

Man, they must’ve been running those R2800s mighty rich! I wish I could have airbrushed that soot, but I just didn’t trust myself to do that without messing up the paint work, so it was done with pastel chalks. I was hesitant to seal the chalk staining with a clear-coat, so it was left unsealed and I was careful not to touch it after application. I also used some Flory wash to highlight a few panel lines. I deleted all the guns as the reference photo shows none and I added two, small sensors seen in that pic to the sides of the nose.

 

I worried a lot about getting the tires all installed with the flat bottoms actually on the bottom, and still keeping them plumb. It is a difficult model to handle, so I laid her upside down on a jig and used 30-minute 2-part epoxy to attach them to the metal gear stubs. Turning her over and setting it over the table, I adjusted and checked them several times and felt they were good to go. Next morning, I sat her on her “feet’ for the first time ever and found that all three weren’t plumb. Their flats were on bottom but there was no way at that point to adjust them vertically without catastrophic consequences so they are what they are I’m afraid. And, I fear they may splay out more as time goes by with all that weight on them.  And even with all that weight, she's still a tail-setter without some support of her rear-end.   Since I ended up needing the barrel and crate anyway, I should’ve not used any weight at all!  Live and hopefully learn. 😀

 

I took her to the Cameron airport on Tuesday, July6, for a photo session. All in all, I guess she looks okay; not as nice as I wanted but it’ll have to do. Thanks for hanging in this far, and thanks for your interest too.  As always, I welcome your comments!  Cheers! 🍻

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a shot of the front cockpit before it was all closed up:

 

 

Rear cockpit photo:

 

 

An early pic of the engines without their cowlings:

 

 

Cockpits on finished model:

 

 

 

This is the only photograph of the real NATC Tigercat I could find:

 

 

My model in a similar pose:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Farmerboy]

Oh she’s a beauty Gary, and you got that exhaust staining just right, long time in the making but well worth the wait, really good job 👏 

[Greg Law]

Excellent build once again Gary. The yellow was a surprise.  However it looks good and should brighten up your cabinet. 

[dnl42]

That's a gorgeous looking Tigercat! 

 

And to think, it's parent was the XF5F!

[franky boy]

Great build of a stunning aeroplane!

 

Oh how how I miss the one that used to live at Duxford. 

 

Hi hi have one of these in the stash, I really must dig out and get it built. We really don’t see enough Tigercats on BM. 

 

Well done. 

 

James

[Jackson Duvalier]

Well done, Gary.  The yellow looks right-- that's not easy to do.

[Andy Dyck]

Yes Gary ,

I can only echoe all other fellows. Really amazing model, especially in this colour.  I think it was it worth. Your photography is perfect, I have to look twice, if it is the original plane or not. By the way, is this the 1/48?
 

Cheers 

 

Andy 

[Rabbit Leader]

Honestly, that's perfect in every way possible. The overall finish is superb and the photography is as professional as the final product. 

Cheers and well modelled.. Dave 

[Toryu]

This looks like the real thing Gary! The airport backdrop adds a lot to this reality feeling. I love the yellow color on that Tigercat, much more beautiful than the drab sea blue paint! Your exhaust stains look perfect to me, just like on the original photo.  What a beautiful model.

To add more bow weight on front-wheelers I suggest using metal replacement P&Ws if you can get them. They are kind of 'natural' ballast.

 

How much I now long for building an F7F... Keep those fantastic models coming to inspire me. Cheers, Michael

[Gary Brantley]

14 hours ago, Farmerboy said:

Oh she’s a beauty Gary, and you got that exhaust staining just right, long time in the making but well worth the wait, really good job 👏 

 

Peter, I so appreciate your wonderful comments!   Thank you my friend for that!  

 

8 hours ago, Greg Law said:

Excellent build once again Gary. The yellow was a surprise.  However it looks good and should brighten up your cabinet. 

 

You are so right Greg, that yellow is hard to miss!  Thanks for your kind words mate! 😀

 

6 hours ago, dnl42 said:

That's a gorgeous looking Tigercat! 

 

And to think, it's parent was the XF5F!

 

They are simply gorgeous aircraft aren't they?   Thank you for saying that dnl42!   Who knew that XF5F had such beautiful genes in her DNA?!?  😁

 

5 hours ago, franky boy said:

Great build of a stunning aeroplane!

 

Oh how how I miss the one that used to live at Duxford. 

 

Hi hi have one of these in the stash, I really must dig out and get it built. We really don’t see enough Tigercats on BM. 

 

Well done. 

 

James

 

Thank you James!   I sincerely appreciate your comments; I've not been as fortunate as you to see one "in the metal"!    It's a great idea to have a go at your kit, I look forward to seeing more Tigercats around here.  👍

 

[Gary Brantley]

5 hours ago, Jackson Duvalier said:

Well done, Gary.  The yellow looks right-- that's not easy to do.

 

Thanks a million Jackson!  😃  I've been going through "my yellow period" with this one and the underside of my Meteor as well as a yellow-nosed Bf-109E!   I'm getting rather accustomed to it by now.    And, seeing yellow in my dreams!  

 

5 hours ago, Andy Dyck said:

Yes Gary ,

I can only echoe all other fellows. Really amazing model, especially in this colour.  I think it was it worth. Your photography is perfect, I have to look twice, if it is the original plane or not. By the way, is this the 1/48?
 

Cheers 

 

Andy 

 

That means so much to me Andy!    It really means a lot coming from a master modeller like yourself.  That is so kind of you to say, yes it is 1/48 scale.   I appreciate your compliment regarding the photography a lot as well.   My closest friend is a professional photographer with many credits in French Vogue magazine.   He gave me some good suggestions last year after my F-84E thread here, and I think that's upped my game a little.  Thanks for noticing Andy! 🍺

 

5 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

Honestly, that's perfect in every way possible. The overall finish is superb and the photography is as professional as the final product. 

Cheers and well modelled.. Dave 

 

Wow, what great compliments Dave!   I don't know if I'm really worthy of them but thank you sincerely for them!   That makes all the teeth-gnashing and nail-biting over the past year so worth the effort.  

 

2 hours ago, Toryu said:

This looks like the real thing Gary! The airport backdrop adds a lot to this reality feeling. I love the yellow color on that Tigercat, much more beautiful than the drab sea blue paint! Your exhaust stains look perfect to me, just like on the original photo.  What a beautiful model.

To add more bow weight on front-wheelers I suggest using metal replacement P&Ws if you can get them. They are kind of 'natural' ballast.

 

How much I now long for building an F7F... Keep those fantastic models coming to inspire me. Cheers, Michael

 

I'm humbled by your wonderful comments Michael.   That is so nice to hear from you; someone who has inspired me so many times!  It's true that the airport setting adds a lot to the model's presence and I'm fortunate to be able to use that to my real advantage.    When I saw the yellow version of the model on the sides of the box, I knew immediately that I wanted to build that one.   I think she came out pretty good, much better than I expected at more than a few points of the long journey to completion. 😉    Thanks also for the ballast tip, that might come in handy for my WWII twin-engined bombers!  

 

I expect to see an amazing Tigercat from you in the future my friend!

 

I also want to thank all of you who have given your "likes" for my model; I appreciate those reactions too!

Edited July 8, 2021 by Gary Brantley
added thanks

[Roberto]

Beautiful!!! Bravo.

[SAT69]

6 hours ago, Jackson Duvalier said:

Well done, Gary.  The yellow looks right-- that's not easy to do.

I agree, the yellow isn't easy to do but the finished model is superb.

[Gary Brantley]

1 hour ago, Roberto said:

Beautiful!!! Bravo.

 

Many thanks Roberto!  🥂  I'm glad that you like her! 

 

1 hour ago, SAT69 said:

I agree, the yellow isn't easy to do but the finished model is superb.

 

Much appreciated sir!  😀   Thanks a lot! 

[F-32]

Love that, super super cool looking build

[Gary Brantley]

1 hour ago, F-32 said:

Love that, super super cool looking build

 

I'm so glad you enjoyed it F-32!  Thank you for commenting!  

[Sky Keg]

Wow Gary!!!!! I rarely ever see a Tigercat let alone one dressed in yellow and never as nice as your`s presented here.  I like the way it turned out.  That`s a testament to your impressive skills.  Great results!!!!!! 

 

Mike

[Thom216]

Man, those Tigercats are beautiful planes, and you done her justice here! That yellow looks super sharp and the exhaust staining looks picture perfect. And chalks are how I do mine too. I built one of these quite a few years ago and ended up with the tail-sit just like you, even with a lot of weight in the nose. Ended up using a thin metal rod at the tail.

 

If you want, you could secure all the gear to the base. Wouldn't be able to move it independently then, but she'd be on all three.

[IvanP]

Very nice model, Gary. Congrats! And thanks for the construction tips. They will be very helpful when I build mine.

 

Ivan

 

 

[Dunny]

Lovely finish and weathering Gary - very nicely done!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[Gary Brantley]

12 hours ago, Sky Keg said:

Wow Gary!!!!! I rarely ever see a Tigercat let alone one dressed in yellow and never as nice as your`s presented here.  I like the way it turned out.  That`s a testament to your impressive skills.  Great results!!!!!! 

 

Mike

 

Hey Mike, I awoke this morning to find your wonderful comments on my model. Thank you very much for saying that!   My late Dad used to say, "Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then."    So much of my time modeling I feel like that blind pig; and sometimes maybe  do find that "acorn".  😁   A lot of luck involved! 😉 

 

You know, after learning about that weighted plumber's putty from you, I had planned on trying some in the nose-cone of this model. But, I was so anxious about installing the front landing gear, I completely forgot about trying it!   Dang!   But, next time...😀    I surely appreciate what you've said here Mike!  🍺

 

11 hours ago, Thom216 said:

Man, those Tigercats are beautiful planes, and you done her justice here! That yellow looks super sharp and the exhaust staining looks picture perfect. And chalks are how I do mine too. I built one of these quite a few years ago and ended up with the tail-sit just like you, even with a lot of weight in the nose. Ended up using a thin metal rod at the tail.

 

If you want, you could secure all the gear to the base. Wouldn't be able to move it independently then, but she'd be on all three.

 

Thanks Thom!   I enjoyed reading your kind comments and appreciate the compliments so much!    I put off trying that exhaust stain for days, quite intimidated by that step.  But after "jumping in", it went better than expected and no doubt, better than I could've airbrushed it with my AB skills.   I'm glad to hear you use the same method! 

 

Last evening, I placed this Tigercat into the display cabinet, after using a small dot of Alene's Tacky Glue to attach the barrel to the underside of the tail.   None of my models are on a base; my tarmac "mock-up" is used for most of the photo sessions at airports.   This model is sure easy to spot in the display!   No missing that yellow paint job!   And, with the barrel sitting way in back, it's barely noticeable!  

 

Thanks again, and yes, I agree Tigercats are beautiful birds!  😀

[Gary Brantley]

10 hours ago, IvanP said:

Very nice model, Gary. Congrats! And thanks for the construction tips. They will be very helpful when I build mine.

 

Ivan

 

 

 

Many thanks to you Ivan, and you're quite welcome too!   I hope the tips will come in handy on your Tigercat project.   The main gear installation I used just seemed much more doable and practical than the kit directions method.    I'm very pleased to read your kind comments Ivan!  🥂

 

9 hours ago, Dunny said:

Lovely finish and weathering Gary - very nicely done!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

 

Thanks so much Roger!    Much appreciated, I assure you sir! 🍻 

 

Thanks to all who've taken their busy time to leave a comment.  It is so appreciated here in the heart of Texas!

I want to give a shout out to the many also who have "liked" my Tigercat model!    Your support and encouragement means a lot to me and provides much needed motivation.😀   Cheers!  Gary

 

[Roman Schilhart]

This one turned out really nice, Gary.

Good work on the exhaust stains, you made them look realistic.

And your clear parts are shiny, too!

 

 

[Gary Brantley]

28 minutes ago, Roman Schilhart said:

This one turned out really nice, Gary.

Good work on the exhaust stains, you made them look realistic.

And your clear parts are shiny, too!

 

 

 

😀 Thanks a lot Roman!   I'm very glad to read your comments.  Much appreciated my friend.  🍻

And yeah, shiny and clear! 😉 

[Gary Brantley]

I want to say that I'm touched, and quite humbled that so many members have expressed their "likes" for my work here.   Many times, we all are our most severe critics and we see the flaws that others kindly overlook or don't mention.   I haven't built a model yet that lived up to the expectations I had during construction and I think that's true for many of us.  Thanks sincerely to you all for liking my Tigercat model!