Attack Squadron 1/72 F8F-1 Bearcat
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
The Grumman F8F Bearcat was a design spawned from World War 2 (WW2). It was a natural link to the earlier Grumman designs – the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat – but was designed for a greater time-to-climb. Unfortunately it was too late to see service during WW2 but did see service with the US Navy and Marines during the Korean War but was replaced quickly as the F9F Panther and F2H Banshee came into service. In addition a number of other countries flew the type as well, and the aircraft first saw combat flying for France during the French Indochina War. It was also the first aircraft chosen for the US Navy's Blue Angels.
The Kit
The Attack Squadron 1/72 F8F-1 Bearcat consists of 54 pieces of resin, two vac pieces (windscreen and canopy), two clear pieces (wing tips to simulate the lights) and a 3D printed part (the prop hub). Also in the package is a photoetch fret consisting of 34 pieces. There are decals for three aircraft: F8F-1, A100, BuNo 95244, J.M. DeVane, Commander CVAG-15, USS Tarawa CV-40, California Coast, 1948; F8F-1 106/P, Groupe de Chasse 2/9 "Auvergne", French Indochina, 1952; and F8F-1 5174/M, Groupe de Chasse 1/22 "Saintonge", Dien Bien Phu, French Indochina, 1954. All three aircraft are finished overall in Gloss Sea Blue.
This kit can be considered the "go-to" Bearcat in 1/72 as the level of detail is fantastic and appears to be accurate. Construction naturally starts with the cockpit and even though the tub is a single piece, the detail is fantastic. There are individual pieces to add, coming from the photoetch fret, as well as the one-piece instrument panel but when painted and weathered the cockpit is going to look outstanding.
The construction of the kit is extremely unique. To the forward-fuselage section is added the cockpit, engine bearer and other firewall internals (unfortunately my engine bearer was quite broken in transit), followed by the front-most section of the nose. This is then glued to the rear fuselage, to which is also added the fin, rudder and fuselage section below the rudder. The built-up and painted engine is then added to the nose followed by the cowl. Since the aircraft was overall blue adding the cowl now shouldn't be an issue.
Now that the fuselage is finished the wings and tail pieces are added. What is really nice with this kit is all control surfaces are separate so can be displayed in any position one wants (just be sure to follow up with the control stick and rudder pedals to make it "right"). The landing gear are now built up and added, but those I would definitely leave off until after decaling and final weathering. After painting the propeller blades they're added to the 3D-printed hub. (Like most 3D printed items, though, the hub is marked with the typical striations of a 3D print so somehow you might want to smooth those out. Two ideas come to mind: careful sanding or maybe plunging the hub in Future will fill in the uneven lines.)
The final pieces for the aircraft are the windscreen and canopy, rockets, bombs and external fuel tank. Definitely track down the aircraft you want to model to be sure what external stores are needed.
Conclusion
This is an excellent model that with some patience will turn into a stunning model. With the level of detail and everything else about this kit, the Attack Squadron 1/72 F8F-1 is considered the "go-to" kit to build a 1/72 Bearcat.
My thanks to Attack Squadron for supplying the review kit.