1/48 Hasegawa F-8E Crusader

by Colin Gomez

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Here is the Hasegawa F-8E Crusader in 1/48th scale.  The decals are a mixture of Cutting Edge, Aeromaster and kit decals with stars on the rudder cut individually(!) from an old ESCI F-8E.  The markings are for the MiG-21 Killer of Richard M. Bellinger, flying off the USS Oriskany, 1966. The model is airbrushed with Floquil Flat Gull Gray, and Tamiya Flat White, sealed with Tamiya Gloss Clear prior to being buffed to a dull sheen.  Panel lines are done by the oil wash technique.  Although not very visible, the cockpit contains the Eduard colour photoetch interior.  The ejection seat was scratchbuilt using the Airfix Lightning F-1 seat as the base.  Seat cushions were made from plastic card, face curtain firing handle from fine solder and seatbelts and straps from masking tape and the Eduard colour set.

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Sharp eyed readers may notice the absence of ram air intakes on the exhaust pipe area.  These have since been added from the Quick Boost set (oops).  Overall, this was a great kit.  Although the chin air intake was time-consuming to sand smooth, it came out looking fine and was well worth the effort.  Hope you like it!

Colin 

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Photos and text © by Colin Gomez