**** DONE: 1/48 RF-8A Crusader – VFP-62 Operation "Blue Moon" 1962

**Catch22** · 05-05-2010 05:46 PM

Terry, that isn't an F-8E, not sure which it is though.

**Airframes** · 05-05-2010 05:54 PM

Ah, maybe it's an A or RF then? It was among stuff for the recce birds, but no description of the cockpit. It's a F8 of some sort though, and judging by the colours, and some of the instruments, it's an early one.

**Catch22** · 05-05-2010 05:56 PM

I would have to agree, the E had a square screen at the top as opposed to round.

**Airframes** · 05-05-2010 06:10 PM

Might be in luck then, as the external shots of the RF showed the round radar screen! I'll dig around a bit more, see if I can find anything else - I have a feeling I might have some pics in an old book on the shelves somewhere.

**Catch22** · 05-05-2010 06:30 PM

I have pictures in a PDF, let me see if I can get them out. I was gonna send the whole thing, but if Vic wants the rest I guess he can just ask!

EDIT: Scratch that, I thought there was one in the walk around book, but there isn't! Apologies.

**Lucky13** · 05-05-2010 06:41 PM

Shame on you!

**T Bolt Jr** · 05-05-2010 07:02 PM

Neet plane!

**Vic Balshaw** · 05-05-2010 08:00 PM

Thanks Cory, have PM'ed my address this morning. Not sure about squared off canopy of the RF-8A though as my pictures of 908 definitely show a rounded forward canopy.

Thanks Terry, that is what I'm looking for, I have the Aires detail set and hope to just spruce it up a bit.

**Catch22** · 05-05-2010 08:03 PM

Just PM'd you!

**Airframes** · 05-05-2010 09:47 PM

I'll keep looking over the next couple of days Vic, as I'm sure I've got something tucked away somewhere. I seem to remember having a cutaway drawing and other stuff too. Watch this space!

**Vic Balshaw** · 05-06-2010 05:35 AM

Many thanks Terry, but I recon with the Squadron Signal Walk Around received from Cory today, I'll be right for the moment.

Thanks again Cory, great stuff.

**Airframes** · 05-06-2010 10:22 AM

Good job Vic, I'm not having any luck finding the stuff! Think it might have been in a long-gone magazine!

**dirkpitt289** · 05-07-2010 10:32 AM

Nice choice Vic. I love the look of these birds. Can't wait to see the progress.

**Catch22** · 05-07-2010 04:50 PM

Not a problem Vic!

**Vic Balshaw** · 05-10-2010 05:57 AM

When I looked at the bits and pieces for this build yesterday, I was somewhat daunted at what I had committed myself. The RVHP resin fuselage, though correctly moulded, the moulding requires a lot of work. With also using the Aires resin parts that are designed for the Hasegawa kit, I've found that even more fiddling is required to get them to fit the RVHP resin parts.

So for the last couple of days it's been a scraping, filing, grinding and cussing time.

I've managed to get the engine bay that sits under the main wing and air break and the main wheel bays to fit, almost.

Have spent today working on the cockpit. The pictures below represent all the main fiddly bits that need fitting.

Pic 1. The tail pipe exhaust Aires resin parts. I have to say that they are the cleanest resin enhancement parts I've ever seen.

Pic. 2 to 4. The Aires main cockpit tube with the starboard and port side walls.

Pic 5. This Aires ejector seat minus the photo etched fittings which also come with the Aires kit.

Pic 6. The Aires nose wheel bay which on the Hasegawa kit is attached to the lower half of the air intake.

Pic 7 & 8. This is the Aires starboard and port views of the main wheel bays.

Pic 9. The Aires engine compartment that sits under the main wing spars, the whole wing being able to move upward from the leasing edge.

Pic 10. The Aires forward cockpit sill.

Pic 11 & 12. These are the two halves of the RVHP resin fuselage in their raw form with the Hasegawa parts next. The tail fin of the Hasegawa kit needs to be removed and attached to the RVHP parts.

Pic 13 & 14. The remaining Hasegawa parts.