Global Scale Modeller

The F7F Tigercat, which was derived from Grumman's first twin-engine fighter, the XF5F-1 Skyrocket, appeared as the result of a Navy request in June 1941 for development of a larger, twin-engine fighter for use on board the planned large aircraft carriers (Midway-class). The airplane was the first twin-engine fighter ordered in large quantities and the first carrier aircraft to incorporate tricycle landing gear. Built in single and two seat variants, the heavily armed fighter served in ground support, night fighter and photo reconnaissance roles after World War II and in Korea.

Ordered by the Navy in June 1941, the XF7F-1 was Grumman's second attempt at a twin-engine fighter, the first having been the unsuccessful XF5F-1 Skyrocket. The new fighter, intended for use aboard the large Midway-class carriers, would be the first carrier aircraft to employ tricycle landing gear.

The new airplane, while designated a fighter, was heavily armed to perform as a ground support aircraft, equipped with four 20mm cannon and four .50-caliber machine guns. It also was capable of carrying two 1,000 lb. bombs on underwing stations or one torpedo under the fuselage. First flown in December 1943, the XF7F-1 was hurried into production to meet Marine Corps demands for 500 of the aircraft to support Pacific operations. Deliveries began in April 1944, but changes in operational requirements led to production delays. With 34 single-seat models delivered, production switched to a two-seat night fighter, designated the F7F-2N, a total of 65 of which were built. Grumman then built 189 F7F-3s, which were similar to the F7F-1, but modified with higher rated Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W engines.

Further production under the original contract was cancelled as war's end drew near, but a separate contract produced 60 more F7F-3Ns and 13 F7F-4Ns, production ending in late 1946. Both models were configured as night fighters, equipped with radar in an elongated nose, and a larger fin. The F7F-4N was equipped with an arresting hook for carrier operation, the only model in the series so configured. Later modifications produced specially equipped F7F-3Es and F7F-3Ps for electronic reconnaissance and photo reconnaissance respectively.

Too late for service in World War II, the Tigercat served in several Marine Corps squadrons after the war and later performed close air support, night fighter, reconnaissance and utility missions during the Korean War. Well designed, the F7F was one of the fastest fighters of the World War II era. Unfortunately, its operational life coincided with the advent of more powerful, faster jet aircraft, rendering it obsolete after only a few short years.

BigWall wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 3:36 am I hope your dog continues to recover well.

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 1:05 am Sorry to hear about the family dog - the furry ones become part and parcel of the family. Our Toby, who passed over the bridge in 2017 managed to tear both cruciate ligaments, 1 in one year, 1 the next- £4,500 a side. Thank god for pet insurance!! He became a bionic dog - so much titanium in his rear legs. Maggie who adopted us next is a disaster on 4 legs - ex-racing Greyhound who has two speeds, on and off. Front room is carpet, kitchen is tiled so when she races out the back invariably she loses traction on the tiled area, bounces off the washing machine then the fridge then the side of the counter top before getting out the door. We are just waiting for the hammer to fall - either repairs to dog or replacing appliances.....
Stash reduction could be a good thing - When financial normality returns you then have a good excuse for going spending to replenish the stash!! Accompanied by the dog

aur0ra145 wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 4:52 am Well, it's not been the cheapest or easiest week.

Today I hand washed all my parts with a toothbrush and soap. Hopefully this fixes the mold release agent issue.



The margs help the process. Wife is skeptical; but, happy Goose is still around.



Goose did take a trip back to the surgeons today. Turns out she's doing alright, and hadn't tore any of her sutures. She has rapidly regained her personality. So that's really encouraging. It only cost roughly 50 Wingnut Wings kits.

Gary30 wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 1:03 pm Wingnut Wings aren't all that anyway

Rather have your buddy alongside you than 50 boxes of plastic sitting in the attic

aur0ra145 wrote: Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:53 pm So turns out I have a ton of leave days saved up, so I took the rest of the week off to take care of Goose. This means, tons of model time!

As for the kit. I guess I'm going to try and wash them to get the mold release agent off. I've not dealt with this sort of thing before. Any pointers or someone with prior experience would be appreciated.

BigWall wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 12:58 am I'm glad your paint is sticking now.

Give Goose a pet for me.

RangerNeil wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:41 am Glad to hear the washing worked OK for you! Avoid anything by AModel if you dont like doing it as this is a de rigeur procedure. You can literally feel the agent on your fingers after handling parts from the box.

Also glad to hear Goose is on the med. Dogs and medication are a thing I guess. Our old dog, Toby, was so smart/cute at not taking his meds that we ended up crushing the tablets, pouring it over a slice of ham and giving him the ham - which he loved. He had no choice then but to eat it. We tried hiding them in his food but we would find them an hour or so later neatly dropped in between the pad of his bed and the sidewalls. Maggie our current dog is nowhere near as smart - she just refuses to eat but with her we can poke the meds into a lump of cheese and it goes down that way!

RangerNeil wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:24 pm Its looking really good despite all the issues you've had. I am looking forwards to the finished build.
Is the clear plastic THAT brittle that a corner broke whilst masking??

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Oct 04, 2020 10:55 pm Glad to see the resistance from the kit is lessening

Is that a British Army Mk 10 "Turtle" on the floor between the cabinets??

aur0ra145 wrote: Sun Oct 04, 2020 11:48 pm

RangerNeil wrote: Sun Oct 04, 2020 10:55 pm Glad to see the resistance from the kit is lessening

Is that a British Army Mk 10 "Turtle" on the floor between the cabinets??

Good eye! Yes, it's a British Turtle helmet. The seller said it was original from WW2 and based on the condition and wear, I tend to agree. I've not really found a cool way to display it yet.