1/48 Academy F8F-1, VF-3 "Felix Cat Squadron" US Navy 1946

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

OOB build except I replaced kit plastic gun barrels with brass tube. Decals are Cartograf in this kit, but they messed up with Felix, he should be facing the prop, but they preinted it the same way, so one is facing backwards. I also think the wheels are way to narrow, but maybe they are right.

Blue is Gunze H54, other paints used were Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics, vallejo metal color.

I have been watching a heap of youtube videos from Plasmo,(He does amazing work IMO) so I tried a couple of different things, I glossed with Tamiya clear instead of the usual pledge/klear, and used Tamiya panel line wash in the gear bays, I will get more adventurous in future builds like he does.

I gave it a Flory dark dirt wash, and MIG satin varnish to finish it off, overall an easy and quick build.

2

I like it! Immediate post war builds of the F8F are not common. Did the Cartograf VF-3 decals come with the kit or are they aftermarket?

3

Kit decals, but they are Cartograf, kit is one of the Academy Limited Edition runs…I expect better from Cartograf

4

Well, I’ll bet that these below par Cartograf decals are still better than standard Academy decals of their own manufacture…

Academy‘s own decals have a terrible tendency to not want to adhere to the surface, no matter how properly prepared.

5

That’s a good looking Bearcat.

6

This is a very clean build. Well done on this one!

7

Great looking Cat. I too watch PLASMO on YouTube. He is amazing especially with his weathering