Modernized F-9E Panther Light Attack Jet

chrisonord · March 22, 2024, 01:02:02 AM

Quote from: Spino on March 21, 2024, 06:21:06 PM
Quote from: chrisonord on March 21, 2024, 08:45:21 AM
Quote from: Spino on March 20, 2024, 08:01:19 PMWell, none of these vacform canopies help me at all, figures I'd get a set with no actual bubble canopies in it. Got a Hornet and a Tomcat canopy, both earmarked for future projects, and the rest are F-4, A-4, F-8, and T-28. Will have to shape my own I guess...
Is the F-8 canopy Vacform, if so, who isnit made by please.

It is vacform, 1:48 scale. Made by Falcon Industries, I got the set here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YRXV7LK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Ah 1/48th, nevermind. Cheers.

Spino · March 22, 2024, 06:13:57 AM

Quote from: chrisonord on March 22, 2024, 01:02:02 AMAh 1/48th, nevermind. Cheers.

Falcon also makes vacform canopies in 1:72 if that's the scale you're looking for.

chrisonord · March 22, 2024, 06:16:14 AM

Quote from: Spino on March 22, 2024, 06:13:57 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on March 22, 2024, 01:02:02 AMAh 1/48th, nevermind. Cheers.

Falcon also makes vacform canopies in 1:72 if that's the scale you're looking for.

I was looking for one a while baxk in 1/72nd scale ti fit an F-8 but it looks like they don't do them. Thankfully Gondor donated to the cause a while back.

Spino · June 19, 2025, 03:47:27 PM

Been a while since I posted on this one, but after coming by some canopies off Ebay recently I was finally able to get the pilot enclosed. It's an F8F canopy so it's not the best fit, but it'll do. Now I just need to finish adding decals...

Here's a before shot showing the canopy-less F-9E with the modern pilot.

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And an after shot showing the canopy and gun panel detailing.

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kerick · June 19, 2025, 10:04:11 PM

That's an interesting look. Makes me think about the Cougar I have.

George the Cat · June 20, 2025, 12:11:02 AM

IIRC the TF9J was briefly used by the USMC as a FAC a/c in Vietnam. So this seems very plausible.

The Rat · June 20, 2025, 07:50:08 AM

Nice looking aircraft, and a good basis for many a whiff.

Spino · June 20, 2025, 12:10:21 PM

Quote from: kerick on June 19, 2025, 10:04:11 PMThat's an interesting look. Makes me think about the Cougar I have.

My thought process here was something like "USMC A-10 but trade the gun and some of the loiter time/payload for more speed". It's certainly up there in the armament department as far as light attacks go, probably on par with the Harrier GR9.

Quote from: George the Cat on June 20, 2025, 12:11:02 AMIIRC the TF9J was briefly used by the USMC as a FAC a/c in Vietnam. So this seems very plausible.

Shoot, now you've got me wanting to print a Cougar to set up as a fast FAC or something! I already have so many things that I am either in the process of printing or want to print, it'll probably take me a couple of years to get to them all.

kerick · June 20, 2025, 02:24:44 PM

Quote from: Spino on June 20, 2025, 12:10:21 PM
Quote from: kerick on June 19, 2025, 10:04:11 PMThat's an interesting look. Makes me think about the Cougar I have.

My thought process here was something like "USMC A-10 but trade the gun and some of the loiter time/payload for more speed". It's certainly up there in the armament department as far as light attacks go, probably on par with the Harrier GR9.

Quote from: George the Cat on June 20, 2025, 12:11:02 AMIIRC the TF9J was briefly used by the USMC as a FAC a/c in Vietnam. So this seems very plausible.

Shoot, now you've got me wanting to print a Cougar to set up as a fast FAC or something! I already have so many things that I am either in the process of printing or want to print, it'll probably take me a couple of years to get to them all.

They also used the OA-4M in that role for a while. But at least you can get a kit of that from Fujimi. There is also a conversion out there for a two seat Cougar you could use for the fast FAC.