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John Healy
160 articles

1/48 F-89C Scorpion

December 10, 2016 · in Aviation · · 24 · 2.9K

This is the kit from 1999. It was a modification of the original F-89H released around 1989. This is one of those kits that I kind of wanted, but passed up when they were available. Naturally, I've really wanted one for the last few years. Well, I got lucky at the annual Butch O'Hare show in suburban Chicago this past November 12. I found the kit and an Aeromaster ANG decal sheet on the vendor tables, and went to work! I built it in 3 weeks, something I haven't been able to do in years. It's pretty much out of box. I painted it with Tamiya lacquer and Floquil enamel metallics. I buffed some of the panels with some old SNJ powder, and used Humbrol and Testors enamels for the rest. This is an honest kit with few vices and finishes surprisingly easily considering its raised panel lines.

Reader reactions:
7  Awesome

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


24 responses

  1. That's good work, John - and the pictures really do it justice. Monogram always DID produce nice kits.

    • Thanks Craig! I always assumed that this kit and the A-6 were designed by the Monogram shop in Morton Grove, and released under the Revell label after the merger. Not so, said Norris Graser who I bought this kit and decal set from. He told me that he did most of the research for this model and that it and the A-6 were in fact designed by the Revell team in California. The things you learn at model shows!

      • John thanks for that anecdote. Both Monogram and Revell were icons of my yuth'. And still worth getting. I don't see anyone doing another 1/48th Scorpion of any type.
        Way back, Revell had a box scale F-89D, a favorite of mine.

  2. John you did a fantastic job with the Scorpion. I really like how your finished turned out. Amazing what one can learn at shows ?

  3. A real beautiful job.

  4. Great model! Very neat.

  5. Looks great, whatever its origins.

  6. Very nicely done and with a fine set of markings too.

  7. Really nice job John, especially like the ANG markings. I picked the same kit up at a show in November, but it lacks decals. On a mission now to secure some, only draw back is it's a big model in 1/48.

  8. Nicely done - great NMF work and a nice overall scheme! Unusual subject also, which is always nice to see.

  9. John, this is a beauty. Nice paint work and I like the clean scheme.
    Have you ever read about the battle of Palmdale ?

  10. Very nice John! I have that kit in the stash; would that it turns out that well. 🙂

  11. Nice work John: I am just pulling out the F-89D and am going to tackle that. It's always been a favorite of mine.

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