1/48 Academy Bearcat

"RTAF Fighter type 15"

by Colin Whitehouse

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This was a quick build as I wanted to make a Bearcat before I left Thailand and didn't have much time. This is one of the great piston engined fighters and as one of the first to arrive on the UK airshow scene in the early 1980's, its one I always loved the sound of.

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Thailand bought F8F-1 Bearcats from the US support program in the early 1950's and they served from 1951 to 1960 under the designation "Fighter type 15". Many were ex French aircraft from Vietnam. This represents a plane from 43rd Bomber sqn, 4th Wing at Takhli AFB, Nakon Sawan in 1955 which saw action over Cambodia in the Late 1950's. The history of the plane in the museum is that it sat outside an airbase on a pole with another until the French wanted one for their museum. The deal seems to have been for the French to restore both and then donate one plus a replica Breguet 14 to Thailand.

The kit fitted together well and with a bit of resequencing of the construction I finished it it 2 weeks with 3 spraying sessions. I set out to copy the plane in the RTAF Museum at Bangkok airport but on closer inspection its markings were a bit spurious so I used a set from the sheet by ASI decal. These decals are made here in Thailand and come with 3 sets of plans, 3 sheets of colour profiles and markings for 2 complete aircraft with 12 options. The whites coloured easily over the blue, stuck well and were very thin. Excellent value.

I usually use Mr Colour paint but their Midnight blue' is totally wrong so I tried Xtracolour thinned with Tamya X-20 enamel, (which worked better than with Xtracolour thinners).  The planes in service were well worn so I might do some weathering when I get time.

Colin

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Photos and text © by Colin W