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Drew Tarter
27 articles

1/48 Hasegawa F-8E Crusader #2

May 13, 2013 · in Aviation · · 10 · 4.8K

Here's another of my collection of Crusaders, a F-8E . I finished it in the markings of a jet flown by VF-162 commanding officer CDR. Richard Bellinger from USS Oriskany, when he downed the Navy's first MiG-21 of the Vietnam War in 1966. I used a mix of Eduard and kit decals, a Cutting Edge cockpit, and Aires resin gear wells. I scratch-built the boarding steps and ladder, and added brake and hydraulic lines to the gear. In the cockpit I added a flap handle and emergency canopy release to the insturment panel, a grab handle and standby compas on the windscreen bow, and added a canopy restraint strap and the canvas cover to the hole in front of the gunsight. As per my research, the jet carries a dissimilar weapons load of an AIM-9B and an AIM-9D, since there was a shortage of the newer sidewinders at that point in the war. It's no contest winner, but it's finished, and on the shelf!

Reader reactions:
7  Awesome

5 additional images. Click to enlarge.


10 responses

  1. Love it, great work!

  2. Nice build, nice display, nice photography...nice, nice, nice.

  3. Very nice!...the more I see this plane the more I like it!...great build

    cheers

  4. Drew... Looks like good contest winner material to me...well done sir. Beautifully built.

  5. Thanks to all for your comments!

  6. man...that's beautiful

  7. I don't know drew it looks pretty darn good to me give yourself a break great job

  8. Thanks, Steve!

  9. Dude. That bird looks great! It's a beautiful thing that I would be proud to claim as mine.
    Gary

  10. Thank you, Gary!

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