1/48th Monogram F9F-5 Panther
Here’s my first offering for the Korean War group build. It’s the good ole Monogram 1/48th F9F-5 Panther done in the markings of VF-51 which flew off the USS Valley Forge off Korea in 1953. The build was smooth with the exception of problems with the wing/fuselage fit. Likely self induced but required some trim work to get a proper fit. It’s an OOB build with the exception of the Eduard seat belts. I don’t know of any after market parts for that kit so I really didn’t have a choice. The Panther is finished with MM enamel dark sea blue and topped off with Testors clear gloss. The decals came from Print Scale (#48-160). The final photo shows the picture that I used as the basis of the build. Next up on my build list is a 1/48th Hasegawa F4U-5N likely to be finished in the markings of VMF(N)-513. I’m really enjoying this Korean War group build…thanks to Louis for initiating it.
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
gary sausmikat said on July 11, 2020
Love these early jets and your model does them justice. Nice job, Jim! I hope to add a Panther to the group too.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Gary and I look forward to seeing your F9F. The Grumman Panther was a fine looking bird.
Terry Schuler said on July 11, 2020
Jim, I would have never guessed this was the good old Monogram kit. Looks great. Your shade of blue looks right on to me, and I really like the overall finish, Well done !
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Terry and your Corsair was outstanding.
Pip Moss said on July 11, 2020
Hi Jim. It’s another lovely Sullivan build – I really like it. Thanks very much for sharing it.
Pip
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Pip, I’ve just got this thing for USN and USMC birds. I look forward to seeing what’s coming off your building table next.
Jimmy Zed said on July 11, 2020
Lovely cat Jim, very nice.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Jimmy.
Josh Patterson said on July 12, 2020
I absolutely love this kit. Great cockpit, everything fits nicely. A nice relaxing build. Great job on it and it’s always a bonus to find a picture of the basis for your model. (Although like the photo of my F-89D which shows it half submerged in a lake it looks like ol’ 115 was caught at a less that optimal moment as well!)
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
It really is a good kit to work with. Those classic Monogram kits are fun to work with. It sure brings back memories from years ago when we first built them. They were great back then and still are.
Louis Gardner said on July 12, 2020
Hello Jim, @bentwing
and thank you for accepting the invitation and for sharing your F9F with us. Having an actual photo of the plane you are building is always a plus. You did a fine job with it, and you have reminded me how badly I need to finish up my Toko Ri “Brubaker” Panther.
Your Cat looks great, and I especially like the shade of blue you chose, just like the others have mentioned. I can see myself building another one of these, as a plane flown by Ted Williams.
Thanks for sharing this beauty with us, and for the inspiration to get mine done………….
Take care an stay safe !!! Now bring on that Hasegawa F4U-5N ……. ; )
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Louis and I’m pleased to be able to participate in the group build. I just cracked open the Hasegawa Corsair and plan to start work on it immediately. I’m quite pleased that you selected the Korean War theme and I look forward to all the fine models we’ll see forthcoming here on iModeler.
Dan Lee said on July 12, 2020
This is one of my fave RM kits and one of their best ones from the 90s. That looks like a well done job on this particular kit.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Dan and I agree about the quality of that kit.
John vd Biggelaar said on July 12, 2020
Very nice and clean build.
Paint job and cockpit detailing looks perfect.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you John.
Spiros Pendedekas said on July 12, 2020
That’s a fantastic looking Cat, Jim, and a great offering to the Korean War GB.
It is amazing to see “good old” kits becoming masterpieces.
Blue paint is super!
Loved the final photo, too!
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Spiros, I’m glad you enjoyed it I love the GSB birds too.
Erik Gjørup said on July 12, 2020
And might I join the praise here – well done @bentwing
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Erik.
Greg Kittinger said on July 12, 2020
Nicely done – love the look of this classic airframe, and you brought it to life.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Greg, the Panther was a fine bird and Monogram did a very good job producing their kit. I really enjoy working with those old classics.
Tom Bebout said on July 12, 2020
Jim that’s an excellent job on the cat. I have the Revell/Monogram F9F-5P in the stash and may have to break it out for the Korean War GB. Nice to see those old kits brought back to life with a little TLC. Job well done.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Tom and I hope you do build that F9F-5P as it’s a good kit. I’ve seen your fine work before and know you’d do it proud.
Rob Anderson said on July 12, 2020
Wonderful! STILL the best 1/48 Panther, and really arguably the ONLY accurate one. The Hobby Boss and Trumpeter ones, just don’t look right and the rivets…ahhhhhhh!! Nicely done!
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Hello Rob. I certainly agree with your assessment of that kit Vs. the one from Trumpeter. In fact I had an Eduard cockpit set for the Trumpeter F9F-3 that I thought might work in the Monogram bird but their instrument panel was way too big….nowhere close to the panel in Monogram’s kit.
Jim Harley said on July 12, 2020
Sharp build! Nothing like a Panther! Well maybe an F-86 🙂 Great Job!
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Jim and I agree the F-86 is a fine bird too.
Robert Royes said on July 12, 2020
Purrfect Panther! Looks great, and an interesting ‘landing’ photo.
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Robert.
Clark Cook said on July 12, 2020
Shades of The Bridges of Toko Ri-the awesome Grumman Panther in all her Glossy Sea Blue beauty. What a great build Jim, a real eyecatcher with the markings and history notes plus a phot of the actual aircraft. Those Print Scale ‘cals came out nicely and set off the build along with your craftsmanship! Great job sir!
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thanks Clark, glad you liked the Panther. Rumor has it that you may be doing a Skyraider? I’m looking forward to that.
Scott Snow said on July 12, 2020
Great looking Panther Jim. I have built two of these kits in the past and have the recon version cued up.
Thanks for sharing.
Scott
Jim Sullivan said on July 12, 2020
Thank you Scott.
Dirk Derks said on July 16, 2020
Hello Jim,
Monogram “Always good”.
Excellent job on this USN aircraft.
I focused on the wheels, these are very small.
Regards, Dirk
Jim Sullivan said on July 16, 2020
Thanks Dirk and those wheels indeed were small and a bit of a challenge to work with.