It has also been re-issued under the label of Italeri.
Kits,
Pictures & Text by Peter Mojzisek
Grumman
F8F-1B Bearcat
1.
Page
|
This
kit is the model from Testors (No. 519) in 1/48 scale,
first issued in ca. 1970. Although it is very basic
(only 20 parts or so), it features recessed panel lines
and looks accurate. It has also been re-issued under the label of Italeri. |
| I was
lucky Eduard (48-108) did a photoetched set for this kit.
With this set was a complete cockpit and enhancement for
the undercarriage. The Decals are from Superscale (48-431), all paints used are coming from Model-Masters. |
 |
 |
Grumman
finished the Bearcat to late for any real combat action
in WWII (full production was reach in January, 1946), but
some were sold to France. These Bearcats saw action in
the French Indochina war (Vieth-Nam). This particular aircraft served for the Armee de l'Air with GC 1/22 "Saintonge" in Indochina. It was destroyed at Dien Bien Phu in March, 1954 by artillery fire on the ground. |
 |
I tried
to simulate the heavy use of this aircraft by chipping
away the paint on all edges and on prominent panel lines. After a basic coat of silver, the aircraft was airbrushed in blue. With a strong sticky tape I pulled some of the blue paint away. The rest was simply added with a paintbrush. |
I have more pictures of this model. Please go to the second Page of the Bearcat . |
