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Frank Cronin
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Monogram 1/48 F-8E Crusader

February 3, 2014 · in Aviation · · 16 · 1.9K

This is of "Double Nuts" flown by CAG of CVW-5 aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19) in 1966.

The kit is a F-8E. I dropped the flying surfaces and raised the wing section. I also used AeroMaster decals," Colorful Crusaders II" # 48-404. I did it as it is a multi colored scheme and I thought it looked good. The kit is a very good out of the box and is very nice to build. It is another of the fine Monogram kits. Granted it has a few problems and is not of the Hasagawa quality but it was, is, and always will be, a very good Monogram kit.

Reader reactions:
4  Awesome

13 additional images. Click to enlarge.


16 responses

  1. Why am I not seeing any pictures here, when I see them on the other posts?

  2. Tom,
    Don't know. I sent a note to Editor.

  3. No pics here, either. I had to repost the pics after I heard they weren't there.

  4. Frank, I see your pictures just fine on my iMac. Beautiful job on one of my all time favorites, the F-8 Crusader. Remember, I told you once that Monogram had done it all before the "Tamigawa" folks? Well, here is some of the evidence! These great kits by Monogram and Revell keep on delivering! Many thanks for posting.

  5. Well done Frank, built this also, and now motivated me to post the images in the near future. Love the F-8, last of the true gunfighters, as you said, it is a fun build just like the Panther, despite the raised panel lines it builds into a great model of a great airplane. And it is not a small plane in this scale. The well known issue of this kit is the main gear is set too low. So the stance is too exaggerated towards the tail. There is a drop in correction set for this to fix it. I was aware of this when I built it, but went ahead with the kits provided parts anyway. It was for me and my shelf. Thanks for sharing Frank.

  6. Brilliant! I wouldn't have known it was the older Monogram kit - looks great!

  7. Nice, Frank. I did the Hasagawa kit last year for a one-off competition, with USS Ticonderoga markings for Gulf of Tonkin Incident.

    Yours looks better.

  8. Frank you consistently bring us exceptional builds no matter what the origin of the kit. This one is one of the best in my opinion.
    Thanks for sharing.

  9. nice work Frank! i love seeing classic monogram kits built up into show stoppers - your crusader looks pretty good!

  10. beautiful frank...your navy jet collection is busting out

  11. Nice job, Frank. I'd post mine but I'd be stoned to death. Beautiful bird!

  12. Thanks, Frank, it's gorgeous ! It reminds me not only of the fun time with older Monogram kits, and the anticipation of each new one, but also the days when the USN flew some colorful birds that were as exciting to look at as they were to build. Awesome !

  13. Nice clean build of a beautiful aircraft, Frank. I like those markings and the paint application, it's first rate.

  14. Superb work, Frank! The Crusader is my favorite aircraft, and your build is a testament to how a little care and patience can bring out the best in the Monogram F-8. I've built three Monogram F-8's and have another on the bench. Glad have another Crusader fan around!

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