Eddie and AMM made perfectly kind and measured responses to my question which I found informative and helpful (thank you). But there’s no need to turn my comment into a witch hunt. I am no rivet counter![#offtopic]
Keep up the good work AMM - this thread will be a useful reference on the F-8
Al
First off AAM, the F-8 is coming along nicely.
I’d like to chime in here on modelers defending their work. I’m straddling the fence here a bit because I can see it from more than one side. I do agree that this hobby by & large is for the enjoyment of the builder. After all, it’s the modeler spending the time out of his life to pursue this endeavor. I myself like to model aircraft that have something specific that is not considered “normal”. Breaks up the monotony of collections with multiples of the same model (ask any F-4 builder). I have the pleasure of interacting with other modelers at my monthly IPMS club meetings, & one common theme we share is that we are amateur historians to varying degrees. Several members have extensive libraries devoted to whatever they model. They have become the “subject matter expert” on what they build, & everyone goes to “that guy” because he is the “(insert subject) guy”. Rivet counters? Sometimes.
However, I am prepared to defend my work. How? Reference pictures for the most part. Picture worth a thousand words, blah blah. I can take the F-8 as a prime example. I am a big F-8 fan, as you can see by the pic of my F-8 stash in part three of AMM’s WIP thread. Aeromaster has been called “Error” master at time because of errors in their sheet, but they were right about the aft fuselage being painted. I own all 4 of the Ginter F-8 books, & took a look through part three, the volume that specifically covers the Marine fighter squadrons. On the back cover, in full color, is a photo of a three-plane formation showing VMFA-122 Echos, all with the aft fuselage painted. Just below that is another full color photo showing a four plane section of VMFA(AW)-312 F-8Es, again with the aft fuselage painted on all of them. The aircraft depicted on the Aeromaster sheet (buno 149212) is on page 10, & sure as shoot, painted aft fuselage. One point of contention that is prevalent when it comes to F-8 references is the ambiguity of colors in black & white photos. The caption for that aircraft says the gun ports are painted blue, where as the Aeromaster sheet gives you red decals for this area. In the pic, the known blue areas on the aircraft are the same shade as the known red markings, like the intake-warning triangle. Who’s right? Toss a coin. Even these books have known errors, notably the color sequence in the caption for VF-111 CAG sunburst on the rudder. What the book does show that almost every Marine unit had, at one time or another, the aft fuselage painted over. This seemed most prevalent from the late 50’s to the mid 60’s.
The Navy Crusader units seemed to have followed a similar path, as numerous squadrons had their aft fuselages painted during the same time frame. Whether it was the CAG aircraft or not had no relevance. I looked at about 50 photos from part four of the Ginter book (USN squadrons), & of those 50 photos that showed the aft end painted, only 2 were CAG aircraft. It looked like the entire squadron had that area painted.
Look forward to seeing it finished.
Chris Ish
Pruz, There is no witch hunt here. Yes I did ask for critiques but your response was a little less than tactful and asking someone to provide pictures on subject aircraft to prove thier weathering comes off as a tad rude. I am sure you are no rivet counter but your response came off as a rivet counter. I can attest that I did do my research and did use what references were available.
To be perfectly honest I never found a picture reference on the exact AC that my model will represent. But I do have a picture of an F-8 Crusader that served with VMF-122 that is on display at thier home base in Beaufort, South Carolina. Berny’s reply was just technical information he gives to everyone here, not a rivet counter comment. You can always count on Berny to give good info but he will never ask anyone to provide a picture and he will always give you a tactful critique. Just the same I do thank you for your comments.
Chris, Thanks again for your response. Very informative and spot on!
Air Master
Hey AM, do you ever travel down I-35 for the IPMS shows in the Dallas area in May or September?
Ish
With the price of gas these days are you INSANE!?[:O]. LOL.
No actually my car would not make it there and back. I rarely travel out of OKC and trying to talk the wife into a long drive to Dallas I’d be tempting fate. I want to live for 40 more years. LOL.
Air Master
Almost lost a small decal to the carpet monster tonight. Luckily with my persistant looking I found it in the trash can I keep near my work bench. Decals can be such a PAIN! ARG!!![|(]
Air Master
AM-
Glad to hear the carpet monster went to bed hungry tonite! [;)]