Italeri F-7F 3 Tigercat

[DarrenCo]

Cold War

I have chosen the Tigercat for the cold war GB ( because it was on my shelf ) . On inspection of the kit some areas lack detail and i will make decision as i get into the build if to go with some aftermarket parts or not. There is some clean up to be done on the parts, looking forward to getting stuck into it

Out of the 6 versions that are available in the kit i have chosen the US Version Naval air station Washington 1950


The Tigercat

On the 25th of June, 1950; communist forces from North Korea invaded South Korea and successfully kicked off the first armed conflict of the cold war. Marine Corps fighter squadron VMF(N)-513 was rushed to Japan in order to begin flying night interdiction missions against targets over the Korean Peninsula. By the spring of 1951, the Korean War was in high gear, and the 15 Tigercats of VMF(N)-513 were now calling Pusan West their den of choice. The squadron eventually coined itself “Flying Nightmares”, under the lead of commanding officer Lt. Col. James R. Anderson. During the month of March 1951, the squadron flew over 2,000 hours during 604 sorties as the UN Forces only night fighter and night interdiction squadron. The boys of VMF(N)-513 continued to fly the Tigercat until the spring of 1952 when the squadron transitioned in theatre to F3D-2 Skynights, but not before bagging two Polikarpov Po-2s while prowling the skies of the Korean Peninsula in their Tigercats. Tigercats continued to serve in the Marine Corps until 1954 when the last remaining planes were pulled from service.
The Grumman F7F Tigercat is a twin-engined single- or two-seat fighter bomber and night-fighter aircraft produced by the US-American manufacturer Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. The F7F was operated by the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
Some F7F were converted to firebomber aircraft after their military service.


Crew 2
Propulsion 2 Radial Engines
Engine Model Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp
Engine Power (each) 1566 kW 2100 hp
Speed 700 km/h 378 kts 435 mph
Service Ceiling 12.405 m 40.700 ft
Range 1.932 km 1.043 NM 1.200 mi.
Empty Weight 7.380 kg 16.270 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight 11.666 kg 25.719 lbs
Wing Span 15,70 m 51 ft 6 in
Wing Area 42,3 m² 455 ft²
Length 13,83 m 45 ft 4 in
Height 5,05 m 16 ft 7 in
First Flight 03.11.1943
Production Status out of production
Production Range 1944-1946
Total Production 364

[DarrenCo]

Started the build, and going well, Cockpit done and decals applied, Decal seemed very thick but with plenty of Micro sol it went down ok. Gong for a used look so started weather. Using for the first time Ultimate Dark dirt and letting it dry before wiping off.

[gaz45]

Nice start there mate

[pourquoi61]

I like it that your model is just one out of the stash.
Looking nice so far.

[DarrenCo]

Yep i think thats clamped!

[DarrenCo]

20180522_102952 by Darren Coates, on Flickr


The seam is ok but great,left a lip in some places, i can see re-scribing mission in my future.

[pourquoi61]

Sorry mate but no pictures keep coming.

[NorthernModeller]

Looking great mate, Missing a couple of pics and would love to see how this is coming along

[DarrenCo]

Sorry guys, don't, know why the picture did not show , seems to be working again now. So ive added the wings, fit ok but filling needed and alot of rescribing.

[DarrenCo]

20180604_153201 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

now its time for the engines20180606_102441 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

The fir of the engine bay is not great, filled with vallejo and top coat of Mr hobby surfacer to smooth out the marks.

[DarrenCo]

Inside of bays painted ready to start on the body colour, odd colour the yellow but after research seems correct.

20180606_102437 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

OK, thats blue! wow thats bright!

20180608_153139 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[pourquoi61]

Sorry to have to tell you but there are still no images on the forum page.

[DarrenCo]

Thanks for letting me know, i have swapped them over to Flickr

[DarrenCo]

Decals still need work , big trim areas
20180617_230104 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

Well some of the parts leave alot to be desired. both are the same
20180613_125028 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

Now there sorted, took a while to make them look better, files, Ultimate sticks and patience sorted them out

20180619_221949 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

undercarriage went together ok, parts don't quite fit , the hinge parts needed a fair fit of clean up
20180618_230308 by Darren Coates, on Flickr
20180618_230254 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

Starting to get there, undercarriage on, but it all looks a bit new for me so time to start it making it looked liked it works for living. The whole front end of this is filled with ballbearings and it still does not want to sit on its wheels, time to rethink that one.

20180619_225226 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

I used Ultimate dark wash to bring down that very blue paint and know need to start on bringing down the chipping work to blend in the wear and tear. Also started to put on black pigment for the exhaust area, planning to remove allot of the pigment but want to get the general shape of exhaust ,
20180620_234148 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

A little more weathering, still need to bring it down a touch, thing is i do like a dirty bird
20180623_170306 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[pourquoi61]

Yes I also like a dirty bird.

[DarrenCo]

canopy needed very little work, so just a simple paint needed.
20180620_234130 by Darren Coates, on Flickr

[DarrenCo]

So its finally complete, a straight forward out the box model. No real issues to speak of, apart from a fair but of rescribing. I prefer to see planes in use than shiny perfect examples| (just my preference), so tried to stop myself from over weathering, i think i managed that, just!
Actros-1-2 by Darren Coates, on Flickr