Grumman F3F-3
This is the Accurate Miniature F3F-1 biplane. I made it back in 2000 when it was first released. I made the kit straight out of the box, which included the etched rigging. If memory serves me right, any of the F3F-1 squadrons could be made with the decal sheet provided. The makings of my model are from U.S.Navy Squadron Fighting 31 based aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3). I made this model long before I used gouache to highlight the panel lines.
Thanks for looking.
Turned out well, Julian...nice job. AM's are/were nice kits.
Thank you Craig. Without doubt, some of the nicest kits ever produced.
The A-M F3Fs are in my mind among the best plastic kits ever done. You did a spectacular job with yours.
Thank you Tom. I think other manufacturers took notice of Accurate Miniatures when they came on the scene.
Nice looking, straight-forward clean build!
Many thanks Greg.
Julian, great build! Grummans Barrels!
Thank you Bernie.
Really nice, Julian. This was one of the early planes my Dad flew back during WWII> I like the old biplanes of all natiopns that were used right up to when the planes changed to all (or mostly all) metal and became monoplanes.
An important plane from great Naval Aircraft history is what you've shown.
Thank you Jeffry. You must be very proud of your Dad. I remember an old black and white film about biplanes flying from US Navy carriers. I can't remember who was in it. I've thought it was called Dive Bomber, but I think I'm wrong because that film was in colour. I'll put my thinking cap on and get back to you should I remember.
Julian, Dive Bobber was in color. Te 2 black and white films I can recall about biplanes flying off carriers are Helldivers, with Gable and Beery, which is the earlier one, and Flight Command, with Taylor and Skelton(!). The latter one is about F3Fs, and trying to perfect a controlled approach device to land at night and in weather.
Well done Bernie, go to the top of the class. The film I was thinking about was Hell Divers.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_Divers
Julian, that first shot if phenominal! How did you take the picture while blowing on the prop?
I had one wing tip touching the table, with my finger on the other wing tip. I then blew the prop round with my wife's hairdryer.
Brilliant build!
Many thanks Rob.
Julian, I was admiring the build as one of the prettier ones I've seen here, thinking, "Wow, this guy is amazing!"...then I saw it was you. Duh. Of course it's amazing. It's Julian.
Hpw'd you do the spinner that way?
Thank you David, you're too kind.
I used my wife's hairdryer to spin the propeller.
Nicely done! I've had this kit in my oile since it was released, it's still shrink-wrapped! Guess I found my next build!
Thank you Juan. It a lovely kit to build.
I agree with everyone above that have posted compliments on this one. It's a masterpiece ! I really like it ...
Hi Louis, thank you.
Nice work, Julian. That is one of my all time favorite kits.
Thank you John. It is a great little kit.
Julian, A really nice looking F3F-3, Well done !.
I have a good memory of my Dad helping me build a model of this airplane when I was a kid, therefore its always good to see one !
Thank you Terry. They were very colourful aircraft in the day.
Beautiful 'yellow wing era ' subject, love that the early Tomcatters markings
Hello Robert, thank you. I agree, their markings are one of the best.
Very nicely done, Julian, and the headline photograph is masterful.
Hello George, many thanks. That was the wife's hairdryer and my fat finger. Glad you like it.
A very nice subject. I will use your excellent job to inspire one in 1/72 scale.
Thank you Roberto, that's very kind of you.
If you can find it, there's a 1939 book called Dive Bomber, by Robert A. Winston. (Holiday House ) Tom Cleaver and I both have it. The frontispiece is a painting of 3 F3F-2s-the first section- from Fighting 6, the Blue Comets. They are flying ahead of the battle line. The book is about how Mr. Winston took a reserve commission to fly. It tells his progress thru Pensacola at th time, and has line drawings throughout shwoing the various aircraft he flew. When he graduated and got to the Fleet at North Island, They still had F4B-4s. Recommended!
Thank you Bernie, I'll keep an eye out for that.
I've just finished reading Carrier Pilot by Norman Hanson.
Before that I read Feet Wet by Paul Gillcrist.