Trumpeter 1/48 F9F-2 Panther
For my first contribution to iModeller, I attach pictures of my Panther, which was one of the first 1/48 models I built. I found this kit very easy to assemble, with almost no fit issues. What small issues there were, could be easily solved by a small amount of filling and sanding.
The main problem I faced was with the decal for the red lightning on the nose. The instructions would have you trying to fit it after the guns are installed, but this proved difficult. The decals are a bit on the thin side, and broke into pieces while trying to manoeuvre them into place. What you see here is the result of carefully masking and then painting the red and white. If I were to do this again I would paint the nose section separately, place de decal, and then fit the guns through the openings.
The kit could be built with the wings open or folded. I chose not to cement them in place, so the pictures with the wings open may not be perfect.
I found that the Vallejo USN Sea Blue accurately replicated the colour I saw in my visit to the USS Midway museum. A little bit more tricky was to give an impression of the little bits of metallic that show at the junction between panels, and near rivets (see last photo). For this, I used I used Tamiya panel line accent colour light grey, applied after I was happy with the blue, and applied the decals and some Tamiya clear.
The hook-like things at the front of the wingtip tanks broke multiple times during the construction. I later found out that these were attached to the plane only on the ground. So, if you want to represent a plane flying or ready for takeoff, consider not using those parts.
For more photos, and other models, see my web site (https://www.marcellorosa.com/1-48-f9f-2-panther). Feel free to send me an email if you would like to discuss any aspect of this build
@marcellorosa1, That is a beautiful scale model sir! Just some really fine work and a great debut article! ?
Great looking Panther, Marcello! I've got a Monogram kit with aftermarket decals for red and white accents... which I am prepping to paint on since the decals went south! Your masking and painting job especially on the nose is inspiring, and very well done.
I had a recent experience with an old matchbox kit of the PB4Y-2 Privater where the decals were all old, yellow and wrinkled. To my surprise they came back from death after placing them in a sunny window for a month. It is worth trying.
Thank you, I have some hard to find decals in this condition. I will give it a try... now, to hope for some sunshine.
Thank you for the encouragement. I hope to make more contributions soon.
Fantastic entry to this community, Marcello @marcellorosa1
This Panther looks great.
Used Vallejo USN Sea Blue myself and it does indeed represent the original color very well.
Still wonder where those hooks were used for.
Welcome.
I tried hard to find what their purpose was, but had no luck.
Welcome aboard, and a great-looking model to boot! Nice job with painting the red/white markings on the nose - looks better than decals would have done anyway!
Welcome, Marcello! Great results.
An impressive Panther, Marcello!
Welcome aboard!
Very nice job, your Panther looks great! You did a really good job painting the nose. Welcome to iModeler!
Nice to see the Midway Museum finally painted their F9F-5 in Navy Blue rather than sky blue like it was. The markings are for Royce Williams' airplane he shot down four MiG-15s with. They want a $5,000 donation to put his name on it.
Nice work on a kit that has a reputation for "not so nice."
Looks fantastic! Welcome to the sire.
One of my favourite colour schemes, very nice looking Panther. Welcome to iModeler.
Awesome work Marcello - great recovery on the lightning nose decals - would never have know if ou didn't say anything. Looks awesome in the Navy's blue.
Beautifully done! Did you have to put weight in the nose to keep it from being a tail-sitter?
Hi Drew
Yes, I put some fishing line sinkers inside. I can't remember exactly how many, but you can't go wrong erring on the side of too many rather than too few. Just dropped them there with some superglue coating. Good luck!