Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

CED48214, Crusader Part 5 provides markings for two Navy F-8 Mig killers, an F-8E of VF-162 and an F-8H of VF-24 

The first option on the sheet is Bureau number 148648, an F-8H of VF-24 “Red Checkertails” flown by LCDR Bob Kirkwood off the USS Hancock in March 1968. 

The aircraft is in the standard gull grey and white finish worn by Crusaders and it sports a white radome as well as a natural metal rear fuselage. 

Markings comprise of: 

• 224 modex for the nose, top of the right wing with smaller abbreviated 24s for the base of the fin in black.

• Black NP airwing (CVW 21) identifiers for the vertical stabilizer with a further one for the top of the right wing.

• Pilot’s name for both sides of the canopy rails.  These markings are white stencil over a red canopy rail and a re provided as a single decal.

• Large black Bureau number for the base of the vertical stabilizer with a smaller set for the Bureau number block on the rear fuselage.

• Black NAVY, ship’s and VF-24 titles for the rear fuselage.

• Kill marking consisting of four black stencilled Mig-17 silhouettes for the ventral fins – these markings represent the total kills by VF-24.  A further kill marking in the form of a North Vietnamese flag for the nose representing the Mig-17 kill by LCDR Kirkwood.

• VF-24s’s “Red Checkertails” fin markings.  The top checker markings incorporate a cut-out for the antenna fairing.

Be aware that need to modify the Hasegawa kit to properly portray an F-8H.  To get an idea of what is required and of what a suitably modified Hasegawa kit looks like wearing these markings go to Scott Van Aken’s Modelling Madness website and have a look at the superb job done by Tom Cleaver using the Hasegawa kit and these decals  

http://m2reviews.cnsi.net/reviews/viet/cleaverf8.htm  

Next is Bureau number 149159, an F-8E flown by the legendary Commander Richard (Dick) M. Bellinger of VF-162 “Hunters”.  The markings provided depict the aircraft at the time that CDR Bellinger achieved the first Mig-21 kill of the Vietnam War. 

The aircraft is in the standard gull grey and white finish and it has a black radome as well as a natural metal rear fuselage. 

Markings comprise of: 

• 210 modex for the nose with smaller abbreviated 10s for the top of the fin over the yellow VF-162 band.

• Black AH airwing (CVW-16) identifiers for the vertical stabilizer.

• Large black Bureau number for the base of the vertical stabilizer with a smaller set for the Bureau number block on the rear fuselage.

• Black NAVY and VF-162 titles for the rear fuselage.

• A set of black walkways for the top of the rear fuselage.

• VF-162s markings are provided as blue bands with yellow stars for the wings with a further chevron shaped one for fuselage under the nose. The Plane Talking Forum has hosted much discussion recently with regard to VF-162s colours.  The consensus is that these markings were in fact black with yellow stars not blue.  The rudder markings are provided as yellow stars – you will have to paint the rudder black yourself. The final squadron marking is the black-edged yellow band for the fin.

As with most Cutting Edge sheets, there is only a single set of national insignia as well as a fairly limited selection of stencil data to cover both aircraft. 

The decal placement guide follows Cutting Edge’s normal fashion of a full colour double-sided a-4 sized sheet.  It shows left hand side views of both aircraft on the front and a single top view on the back to illustrate the placement of VF-162s wing band markings. 

The decals themselves are sharp, clear and in perfect register. My bet is that they have been printed by Microscale such is the quality of the printing.  The decal sheet and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

The recommended kit is the new Hasegawa F-8.  As with the other two Cutting Edge Crusader sheets, I offer the same comments in regard to fit on the Monogram kit.  You can use them if you are prepared to trim and adjust the decals. 

The issue with the background colour of the VF-162 markings is unfortunate.  If you really want to build this option simply paint the bands yourself (you have to paint the rudder anyway), cut the yellow stars out of the decals and apply them on your painted bands.  Yes, I know that you shouldn’t have to but it really is not an onerous task. 

Recommended for the VF-24 option only. 

What’s that I hear you say?  What are Cutting Edge’s other two Crusader sheets like (parts 1 and 2)?  I’m afraid you’ll have to ask the Editor that question! 

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 17 April, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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