Subject: Re: Aircraft Model Submission #4... But Who's Counting :)
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "David Mielke" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:17:16 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Mielke 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, August 27, 2007 7:34 PM
  Subject: Aircraft Model Submission #4... But Who's Counting :)

  Gallery Template #04

  "AMT 1/48th F7F-3N Tigercat" 

  by David Mielke "VMFA314Knights"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  Next in the line on my "Korean War" aircraft shelf is AMT's F7F-3N Tigercat (8842).  This "cat" is marked in VMF(N)-513 "Flying Nightmares" and had the distinction of getting the first night victory for the U.S. Marines as well as the first ever victory for the F7F.  (Dick Heyman of the 8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Wing shot down the first Po-2 at night)  The aircraft was crewed by Capt. E.B. Long and W.O. R.C. Buckingham on the night of July 1st 1951 when they intercepted a NKAF PO-2 north of Kimpo.  

  After overshooting on a couple of passes they managed to get into a good firing position and downed their prey with a burst of 20mm.  A radar intercept at night on an aircraft like this is made even more difficult as the PO-2 aircraft is fabric covered (which doesn't lend for a good return) not to mention it is one comparatively slowwww target.  

  After another Marine aircraft shot down a third PO-2, the North Koreans got the message and quit running nighttime heckling missions for the rest of the summer.

  Click on images below to see larger images

         Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg 
        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 

  I don't know about the rest of you but I think AMT had an excellent line, especially considering their price point.  They introduced subjects that were not typically available and did a good job in depicting the aircraft.  I bought this F7F as well as their -2 version and a couple of their A-20 series kits for $15 - $20 CDN each.  

  The F7F series from AMT has finely detailed engraved panel lines and very nicely detailed R-2800 engines (I did add the wiring).  I believe the props, cockpits and nicely done but rubber tires have received criticisms however this is one nice kit to build (with the possible exception of the nacelle fit - no big surprise as this area is tough on a lot of twin engine kits.)  BTW when they instruct you to add a lot of weight to the nose, add a lot of weight. and then a bit more just to be sure. I thought I had this nailed down, in my initial fitting, until the final assembly and the nose still floats!  My only saving grace is this aircraft is known for being "nose light" without fuel so I can say it is realistically modeled J.   I hear I should replace the rubber tires before they destroy the hubs. I painted both the rubber wheels and the hubs in some hope of slowing down this deterioration. let me know if I should rush out and replace them ASAP if you've had a bad experience with these tires.  Light weathering was achieved by an undercoat of silver and some "chipping" as well as chalk dusting the exhaust stains.  I'm happy with it and where else can you get this many hours of fun for less than $20. and I paid retail.  J  

  P.S. Thank-you all for the continued inspiration from this sight.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  Photos and text © by David Mielke

  Keep on modeling.

   

  David Mielke

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