1/32 Northrup F-89D Scorpion
This is a vacuform kit by Tigger Models( John Wilkes). Originally this was done by ID and Tigger obtained materials to continue the line.
-The aircraft depicted served with the 66th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Elmendorf AB, Alaska in 1955.
-The markings on this build were up scaled from a Superscale 1/48 sheet. Fantasy Printshop Stars and Bars were used.
-The following books were referred to to aid in my build: Squadron F-89 in Action No104, Squadron F-89 Scorpion Walk Around, and F-89 Scorpion by Bert Kinsey. In Detail&Scale Vol 41
-I also have a Revell 1/48 kit that I referred to and blew up parts on my printer to help with with sizing to 1/32 scale.
There was a good amount of scratchbuilding in all aspects of this kit- cockpit, engine intake/exhaust areas, exhaust shields, wheel wells, rocket pods, fuel tanks, wings, ailerons, rudder, elevators, windscreen and canopy. A goodly amount of putty and primer was needed. The landing gear was scratchbuilt several times to get support correct for the weight. Wheel well detailing.
Once I was satisfied with my attention to detail- or lack thereof- the external paint work happened. The paints used were AK, Alclad, Mr. Hobby, Model Master, and Tamiya.
Decals came from Revell and Superscale 1/48 sheets that were upscaled by a member of my club to 1/32 scale. Fantasy Printshop stars and bars were used. Alclad gloss coat used before decals placed and over coated.
A windshield wiper from a railroad hobby shop was used on the windscreen.
The main canopy was finally completed and placed. However, I screwed up the two that were in the kit with CA. Thanks to Tigger Wilkes helping me to replace these with new ones.
Lotsa work here! Big sigh on completion!
The Scorpion by Revell in the early years was one the first kits I built as a kid. Glue marks, crummy paint work with Magic Markers and all.
Finall
I truly admire those who do vacuforms and ID/Tigger models are basic, and thats an understatement! Well done, one of my favorite aircraft!
Absolutely wonderful job, Steve! The amount of quality work put on this basic vac kit is phenomenal!
Congratulations!
You did a fine job on this unique aircraft, Steve @jimmiesteve
Getting such a result from a vacuform model requires a lot of skills.
This model would be exceptional if you had built it from a plastic kit, Steve (@jimmiesteve), but the fact that it is a vac kit raises the level of this kit even more. Well done.
Amazing build. Must be quite a beast as the F-89 is quite large in 1/48 scale.
As others have noted, these kits are very basic, so I'll commend you for all the scratchbuilding you did to arrive at this excellent result.
Thank you all. I need to work on the photos I think
Next to scratch building an entire model, building a vacuform, especially in a larger scale, has to stand up there near the top in "modeling skills required". Bravo and congratulations on completing this great model. Even better is that it is of something we don't see often in built up models, an F-89 Scorpion, truly from the "Golden Age" of jets.
Hokey Smokes! A vacuform? That would be some superb model from any source but from a Vac, it is all the more impressive. And being 1/32 is a plus.
Excellent illustration of the virtues and qualities of elbow grease properly applied!