Hobby Boss 1/48 scale F-80C Shooting Star (Kit #81725)
This was a very enjoyable kit and renewed my faith in HobbyBoss products.
One thing I learned in researching this project is that the first jet fighters (and the F-80 was America's first active duty fighter) were real gas guzzlers! Of course, the F-80C “Saggin' Dragon” was first based at Misawa AFB in Japan and was flying missions the length of the Korean Peninsula requiring some extra fuel load. Plus, it was often carrying a ton of bombs, not a light package for a single jet fighter.
The large tip tanks were dubbed “Misawa tanks” as they were produced locally from a field expedient design. They were unique to the F-80.
Those are the kit decals. The blue nose decoration stripe was on the sheet, but I decided not to risk using it, so I painted that. I am very happy with the way the decals I used went down and how they look.
When it came time for weathering, I only weathered the wheel wells. This was not a matter of “end of the project laziness” (something I could rightly be accused of a time or two in the past). It was from looking at the photos of the F-80 fighters serving in Korea. There were no prominent panel lines, exhaust stains, etc. The surface of the aircraft appeared to be flat dull aluminum. I looked at mine which had been sprayed with Vallejo Satin Varnish (70.522), and I thought it looked quite like the actual aircraft.
I really like this model, and it will be the first of several Korean War models I intend to build next.
Nicely done, I know there has been a bit if mud slung at the kit about intakes and whatnot, but it looks the part when done!
Thank you, Rob. I was aware that the kit has its flaws. But it is not as if the world is full of kits of Korean War aircraft. Considering how poorly kits of that conflict sell, we have to be happy with what we have.
An excellent result, Matt! Great approach in weathering.
Looking forward to your next projects.
Welcome aboard!
Thank you, Spiros. I do not know why it took so long for me to discover iModeler. I have seen so many fabulous models here, along with congenial discussion of modeling. I look forward to contributing often.
What a great entry to this community, Matt @matthewfdyer
Excellent paintwork and weathering.
Welcome.
Thank you, John. I am looking forward to making more contributions to this excellent website.
Really nice work here Matt @matthewfdyer, great result! Any chance there’s a RAAF meteor F8 among those upcoming builds? I’d love to see that.
Thank you, Ben. No Meteor F8 actively planned yet, but never say never. The Korean War is a subject I keep coming back to.
Looks great, Matt. Welcome to iModeler. Looking forward to seeing your future contributions.
Thank you, Gary. I really enjoy it here at iModeler, and will contribute in the near future.
Nice work, Matt! Welcome.
Thank you, John.
Looks really nice! Thanks for sharing your beautiful work- paintwork and finish is really well done. Welcome
Thank you, David. This is such a great place to share our hobby.
One from my favourite era of jets, looks great, welcome to iModeler.
One of my favorites too, George. A design pushing 80 years of age that still looks sleek and - dare I say - modern.
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Nice representation of the F-80 Matt.
Good work, welcome to the forum .
Thank you.
One of the best!
Thank you, Marcello.
Looks great! The F-80 / T-33 is such an iconic aircraft - dawn of the jet age.
Thanks, Greg. Imagine how old that design is and it still looks sleek.