I noticed there hasn’t been a Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star yet and this old kit has been staring me in the face or the last few months, ever since I found a decent set of replacement 1/72 decals at one of the Hobby Stores that sells ‘used’ kits.
The kit is the OLD Airfix F-80C Kit # 02043-3 which appears to have been originally released back in 1973. The box art from my kit suggests a release date of 1975. I have no idea how long I’ve actually had this kit.
Cross-referencing other F-80 kit instructions and other internet searches indicate the markings are for a F-80C with the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group stationed in Korea in the Autumn of 1951.
‘Wiki’ info stated that :
‘during the retreat of U.N. forces from North Korea into the South in December 1950, the 25th flew more than 21 sorties each day that month to save the 2nd Infantry Division, which had been cut off by the enemy near Kunuri, from being overrun. Air cover was officially credited with preventing disastrous losses to the division.'
So with this build I get to tackle some bad fitting components and try out a complete NM Finish.

One thing I did not know about the F-80 was that initial design began at Bell as a single seat variation of the Bell P-59 Airacomet prior to design work being handed over to Lockheed. Another tidbit I did not realized was that the original XP-80 prototype was originally powered by an imported de Havilland H-1B Goblin engine flying for the first time in January 1944. Due to production issues, design modifications (resulting in a slightly larger aircraft with redesigned air intake ducting) were required to adapt the final General Electric J33 series engine.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

What a choice, George @georgeswork!
I love old kits; in good hands, like yours, they will be transformed into jewels.
Waiting for your progress!

Nice one George !

Next the wings were put together.
The injection points had to be scraped down to get the wings to fit together properly.
The Wing tanks holes were cleared and the wings glued together.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

George, this is a very nice plane - I remember building the T-33 in my youth, but always hovered around the shooting star. Perhaps inspired by your build one will show up on my bench 🙂
Thanks for sharing this build George (@georgeswork)!

Looking very nice, George and indeed the wheel well detail is spectacular!
P.S. 1. One day I should also start using masking tape during filling, in order to protect the surrounding areas...

2. I totally agree with you about this site's modeling motivation.
   Looking forward to your progress!

Got things sanded down and ready for the paint box.

Applied a base black under coat followed by Tamiya X-11 Silver. Not 100% satisfied with the air intakes with the NM finish which SHOWS EVERYTHING!

Onward and forward.

Will be putting on a coat of Pledge for decal application.

Gonna wait a bit to apply the decals as the last time I used X-11 on a model I was too quick to apply decals and the decals grabbed the paint and left cracks - gottta make sure things are cured.

Or was that because I used the X-11 as a base under the Grey/Green?

9 attached images. Click to enlarge.

NMF looks great, George @georgeswork!
Looking forward to your decals!