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Chuck A. Villanueva
122 articles

Monogram 1/48th Grumman F9F-5 Panther USN,Korean War

February 2, 2014 · in Aviation · · 22 · 2.5K

Staying in the Korean War theme, this is Monograms kit in 48th scale. A nice build, even with the raised panel lines, it is a fun kit to build. A straight forward build only aftermarket used were Super Scale decals for VF-123, Blue Racers, USN Korean War, off the USS Essex CVA-9, though the decals are for a -2 , When I built this the Hobbycraft/Trumpeter Panther was not out yet. And then it turns out the Hobbycraft Panther though with the correct -2 details is still incorrect in length, it should be shorter than the -5. The kit has the wing fences which was an improvement that some of the -2's didn't have. VF-123 at the timeframe I am representing would've had the wing fences. Something that would have had to be added if I did the Hobbycraft, which by the way is pretty good despite being too long. And the intakes are off in shape, but easy to fix. Aeromaster Glossy Sea Blue, with Interior green cockpit and wheel wells, gear is dark blue, dive brake wells are in Insignia Red, Alclad Aluminum for the leading edges, intake and wing tank tips. The side number 307, is correct in size, but each digit should be thicker in width. The kit supplied "306" would've been more appropriate. Now a Cougar, and Banshee to park next to the Panther. Thanks for viewing.

Chuck
Fly Navy

Reader reactions:
4  Awesome

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22 responses

  1. Very nice Chuck. I always liked the Panther, especially after watching that old William Holden movie "The Bridges Of Toko-Ri". Another Monogram masterpiece!

  2. Just like the cars of the fifties, aircraft manufacturer had distinctive designs back then and the Panther was always a beauty to me. It was really something the way everything flowed together. You model really looks great.

    • Grumman's 1st jet was a good plane, despite it's limitations it did well. As the only jet powered fighter in the fleet it served as CAP also. But it was more capable as a ground attacker which it was more successful. Though it also held it's own against the MiG-15's.

  3. Great build Chuck. Always nice to see some Koran era planes on the postings.
    As Jack said there was something about the styling of planes cars etc which does not abound so much nowadays.
    Well done.

  4. Color schemes on Panthers aren't very colorful as a rule but yours adds just the right amount of color to make it stand out Chuck.
    Very attractive & well built.

    • True, with the Panthers and Corsairs there are some that can add to the overall GSB. The Skyraider not so much rather bland units in the overall Glossy Sea Blue. Too me harder to weather than overall black. But the Corsair presented earlier this week was well done.

  5. Chuck,
    A great build of a very good looking aircraft. I can't help but love those early Navy/USMC jets. Yours is beautiful.

  6. Good looking old jet, Chuck. Gotta love those first generation jet fighters!

  7. These Navy planes always look nice, Chuck, good job.

  8. that monogram may still be the best panther...looks great

  9. Nice clean build. Great paint scheme, simple yet classic.

  10. Chuck, you've done the old girl fine! I've Built about 5 of these old Monogram Panthers and would say that they are fun, cool looking and of course look "Pretty in Blue"

    • Thanks Erich, this is my 2nd one, I still have the 1st one, it didn't quite survive the move back to the west coast. Not a total lost but missing some bits. Will need to dig it out someday and see what it would take to rebuild it. And yeah they do look good in blue.

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