Next
in the line on my “Korean War” aircraft shelf is AMT’s F7F-3N
Tigercat (8842). This “cat” is marked in VMF(N)-513 "Flying
Nightmares" and had the distinction of getting the first night
victory for the U.S. Marines as well as the first ever victory for the
F7F. (Dick Heyman of the 8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Wing shot down
the first Po-2 at night) The aircraft was crewed by Capt. E.B. Long
and W.O. R.C. Buckingham on the night of July 1st 1951 when
they intercepted a NKAF PO-2 north of Kimpo.
After
overshooting on a couple of passes they managed to get into a good firing
position and downed their prey with a burst of 20mm. A radar
intercept at night on an aircraft like this is made even more difficult as
the PO-2 aircraft is fabric covered (which doesn’t lend for a good
return) not to mention it is one comparatively slowwww target.
After
another Marine aircraft shot down a third PO-2, the North Koreans got the
message and quit running nighttime heckling missions for the rest of the
summer.
Click on
images below to see larger images
I
don’t know about the rest of you but I think AMT had an excellent line,
especially considering their price point. They introduced subjects
that were not typically available and did a good job in depicting the
aircraft. I bought this F7F as well as their -2 version and a couple
of their A-20 series kits for $15 - $20 CDN each.
The
F7F series from AMT has finely detailed engraved panel lines and very
nicely detailed R-2800 engines (I did add the wiring). I believe the
props, cockpits and nicely done but rubber tires have received criticisms
however this is one nice kit to build (with the possible exception of the
nacelle fit – no big surprise as this area is tough on a lot of twin
engine kits.) BTW when they instruct you to add a lot of weight to
the nose, add a lot of weight… and then a bit more just to be sure… I
thought I had this nailed down, in my initial fitting, until the final
assembly and the nose still floats! My only saving grace is this
aircraft is known for being “nose light” without fuel so I can say it
is realistically modeled J.
I hear I should replace the rubber tires before they destroy
the hubs… I painted both the rubber wheels and the hubs in some hope of
slowing down this deterioration… let me know if I should rush out and
replace them ASAP if you’ve had a bad experience with these tires.
Light weathering was achieved by an undercoat of silver and some
“chipping” as well as chalk dusting the exhaust stains. I’m
happy with it and where else can you get this many hours of fun for less
than $20… and I paid retail. J
P.S.
Thank-you all for the continued inspiration from this site.
David
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