Hobby Boss 1/48 FJ-4 Fury
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History
In the post-World War II years, the U.S. Navy faced enormous technological
challenges in developing and operating carrier-based jet-powered aircraft.
One of the early Navy jet fighter programs was the North American FJ-1
Fury, which was a conservative, straight- wing design. The FJ-1s were
built in small numbers (equipping just one operational squadron) and served
to demonstrate the potential of jet operations at sea.
With the advent of the Korean War, the Navy realized the urgent need
for higher performance swept-wing fighters. Enter the FJ-2 Fury, essentially
a navalized F-86 Sabre. The FJ-2s began rolling off the production lines
in late 1952. An improved version with a higher thrust engine, the FJ-3,
soon followed.
The final variant of the Fury, the FJ-4, had a completely redesigned
fuselage and wing, and offered significantly greater capability than its
predecessors. These multi-role aircraft were used primarily by the U.S.
Marines. The closely related FJ-4B was a ground attack specialist with
strengthened wings and 6 wing pylons (instead of 4), plus the LABS (low
altitude bombing system) electronics for delivery of tactical nuclear
weapons. By the late 1950s, both the FJ-4 and FJ-4B were rapidly being
replaced by newer aircraft, although some continued in service with Navy
and Marine reserve units for several more years.
The FJ-4 (4B) Kit
 This
is actually a hybrid kit, with parts to allow the modeler to build the
FJ-4B as well. The FJ-4B's two extra wing pylons are included. The engraved
extra pair of lower rear fuselage speed brakes of the FJ-4B are already
present; the stiffener ribs that go over these brakes are also in the
kit. There is also an optional part containing the FJ-4B's ANA-25 belly
antenna fairing(although the rear 1/3 of the fairing is omitted).
The gray plastic parts and clear parts are well-molded with no pesky
sink marks or ejector pin marks to deal with. Almost no flash was noticeable.
The plastic is very smooth and shiny in some areas but has a slightly
pebbly appearance in other places. The surface detail is recessed and
is almost as petite as the modeler would find in Hasegawa or Tamiya aircraft
kits.
 The
air intake trunk is 2 inches long, which will provide a reasonably deep
appearance, while the exhaust pipe is only 5/8 inch in length. The comprehensive
and well-detailed cockpit includes tub, console tops, stick, instrument
panel, and a 5-part ejection seat. Wheel wells and speed brake wells also
have good detail.
The main landing gear legs are produced with complete compression(no
oleo at all showing) and the nose gear with very little oleo showing.
This would be fine for a museum aircraft drained of all hydraulic fluid,
but not for an active aircraft. The builder may have to modify the landing
gear to achieve the correct stance for his Fury.
 Some
small details like the fuel vent and the drop tank braces are omitted.
A more serious omission is the complete lack of detail behind the ejection
seat under the sliding rear part of the canopy.
Options for this kit include:
--open or closed 2-piece canopy
--provision for folded wing (engraved cut lines inside the wing, plus
bulkhead parts)
--open or closed main speed brakes
--separate, positionable rudder
--retracted or lowered tail hook
--refueling probe
--external stores: 2 drop tanks, 2 Sidewinders, 6 Bullpups
 Ordnance
Notes: The Sidewinder missiles appear to be AIM-9Ds--a more appropriate
choice would be the early AIM-9B. Although the FJ-4B Fury did carry Bullpup
missiles, the FJ-4 did not. The Bullpup guidance pod is not included in
this kit.
Instructions & Decals
The instructions consist of the typical exploded diagrams showing parts
assembly by steps. In addition, there are color illustrations showing
the paint colors (keyed to Gunze paints) and decal placement.
 Decal
choices are for a pair of Marine FJ-4s of VMF-232 and VMF-451. The decals
appear to be of good quality and include some stencils. The "Marines
" lettering and national insignia are pre-cut and separated in order
to fit the open speed brake and/or wing fold areas -- a nice touch. Unfortunately,
the national insignia have red bars that are out of register, and the
pilot's name for the VMF-451 Fury is misspelled.
Conclusion
The Hobby Boss Fury is a welcome addition to the line-up of 1/48th scale
early Navy jets. Despite the glitches and omissions in this kit, I like
it well enough to want to build it.
Readily available references for this aircraft include the Steve Ginter
book, the Detail & Scale publication, and the Squadron In Action booklet.
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