F7U-3 Series Model Kits - Part Two

18 October 2004:  Sylvain Deloire informed me of the availability of "3D" decals for the 1/72 Fujimi kit. For details, click HERE

For an introduction and Part One, which was dedicated to the 1/72 Fujimi kits, click here: https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2024/10/f7u-3-series-model-kits.html

 Several model kits of the F7U-3 have been produced, beginning shortly after its first flight. Some are long out of production and now sought after collectors and modeling enthusiasts willing to pay many multiples of a kit’s original price. Note that the vacuum-formed kits consist of plastic sheets from which the individual parts have to be cut out and prepared for assembly.

For more detail on these kits and many others, search for "F7U" on Scalemates 

Vacuum formed

Airmodel 1/72 F7U-3/3P Kit Number 156: A very simple kit with no cockpit parts, decals, or landing gear. However, it is an appropriate basis for creating a manufacturer's desktop model.

 

Rare Plane 1/72nd Scale F7U-3: It is more complete than the Airmodel kit with good surface detail (female mold) but slightly inaccurate in shape and does not include decals.

ID Models 1/32 F7U-3 (subsequently reissued by Tigger Models):Vacuum formed on a male mold so the surface detail is all but nonexistent and complex shapes are not rendered accurately. The manufacturer characterizes them as “very basic canvases”, which is accurate.

Injection molded

 
Revell 1/60th Scale F7U-3/3M Cutlass: First released in 1953, there were several different variations released through 2010. It's pretty crude with raised lines for the placement or coloring of markings.

Brett Harper

Hobby Craft 1/48: This kit was first released in 1990 and subsequently released with other decals and/or  photo etched and while metal detail parts. Unfortunately, it has some notable shape and accuracy issues, e.g. the forward fuselage. For example, the radome and lower forward fuselage should not curve upward as much as they do in the kit. The windscreen has too big a step at its front edge and slopes aft at too shallow an angle. The cockpit detail is sparse and inaccurate, particularly the ejection seat. The late, great Phil (Bondo) Brandt also noted that the afterburners were undersized (read his full review and corrections—note that should not be an inflight refueling probe on an F7U-3M—HERE).

 As a result, several aftermarket improvements have been produced.

Lone Star Models produced a very detailed resin cockpit, that is far superior to the one in the kit as well as a resin F7U-3P nose. However, I was unable to determine their availability.

Reskit also produces a 1/48 Sparrow I missiles, RS48-0319.

CAT4 Scale Model Accessories has produced conversion parts for the detail problems other than the canopy:
R48029—Early F7U-3/-3M/-3P wheel hubs and tires
R48030—Later F7U-3/-3M/-3P wheel hubs and tires
R48040—Corrected radome (no inflight refueling probe)
R48041—Corrected radome with inflight refueling probe
R48046—Final production intake
R48047—Final configuration intake (Ubangi lower lip)

Falcon included a vacuum formed F7U-3 canopy in its Set No. 39, U.S. Navy Part 3 but it may not have improved on the shape in the Hobby Craft kit. Squadron subsequently produced one as a separate item, Squadron 9629 but again it is not known whether the shape was corrected; however, it is reportedly clearer and thinner than the kit canopy. Note that Squadron's name has been acquired by a new entity; the canopy is listed in their catalog but as out of stock.

Collect-Aire Models produced the ultimate Hobby Craft correction set.

Its resin parts replaced everything from the engine intakes forward. Also included was an accurate, but very thin vacuum formed canopy. Cast metal parts were provided for the cockpit detail and to replace the landing gear, except for the wheels. The decals allowed for the unique markings of VX-4 F7U-3M, a VA-212 F7U-3M, a VF-124 F7U-3M(129963?), and a VA-? (tailcode T) F7U-3M (129559?). One version of the kit and the Collect-Aire conversion is described in detail here: http://www.olddogsplanes.com/f7u.htm 

Resin

Fisher Model & Pattern 1/32 F7U-3M (#3209): Unfortunately not only out of production but the masters were destroyed in a fire since a complete, detailed, and accurate masterpiece can be created from the contents with no aftermarket corrections required.

Paul Fisher

In addition to exterior detail, the kit features inlet ducts leading to engine compressor faces and full-length afterburners. Brass main landing gear struts provide the strength necessary to support the weight of the resin wings and fuselage. All the control surfaces and the sliding canopy are positionable. There's a review with pictures by Mike Williams HERE.