Kit Previews E – I
EC 635 Eurocopter
The EC 635 is the military version of the EC 135 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a light-weight twin-engined, eight seat multi-role rotary wing aircraft built as a joint venture between Aerospatiale of France and Daimler Aerospace of Germany. It is in service with the military forces of France, Germany, Jordan, and Switzerland.
EDO OSE-2
EDO OSE-2 by Pro Resin (Olimp) 1/72 scale Cost: $30.00 Decals: One version (U.S. Navy prototype) Comments: Resin with photo-etch details, finely engraved panel lines and rivet detail; Rare U.S. Navy seaplane, never entered production History The EDO OSE-2 was part of...
F2A-3 Buffalo
Brewster F2A-3 Buffalo by Special Hobby 1/72 scale Kit No. SH72126 Cost: $20.00 Decals: Three versions, all for U.S. Marine Corps aircraft of VMF-221 stationed at Hawaii, later Midway, in mid-1942 Comments: Engraved panel lines; detailed cockpit with resin pilot's...
F2H-2N Banshee
The F2H-2N Banshee followed McDonnell’s FH-1 Phantom into U.S. Navy service in 1949, and saw combat in Korea escorting B-29 bombers on night raids…
Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight
Entering service with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in 1951, the Douglas F3D Skyknight was the world’s first jet fighter specifically designed for use as a carrier-based night fighter. Its radar equipment required a wider-than-usual fuselage, which led to its unflattering nickname, “Willie the Whale.” The Skyknight has the distinction of being the only Navy/Marine fighter to fly combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
F3F-2 “Flying Barrel”
Grumman F3F-2 Flying Barrel by Special Hobby 1/72 scale Kit No. SH72106 Cost: $26.00 Decals: 4 versions Comments: Engraved panel lines; includes resin and photo-etched parts; very detailed example of U.S. Navy’s last biplane fighter History The highly maneuverable...
Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair
The F4U Corsair marked a turning point in piston-engined fighter design and pointed the way to the highest-performing and final generation of such aircraft before jet fighters came on the scene. It was the first single-engined fighter with an engine capable of power in excess of 2000 hp, and was also the first fighter to exceed 400 mph in level flight. The F4U-4 saw action in the Pacific in the final months of WWII but came into its own during the Korean War.
F-4B Phantom II
McDonnell F-4B Phantom II by Fujimi 1/72 scale Kit No. G-11 Cost: $14.00 Decals: Two versions, both for U.S. Navy squadrons (VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" and VF-213 "Black Lions") Comments: Crisp mold, very good external detail but the engraved panel lines are a bit weak....
F-4C Phantom II
Monogram’s 2010 re-issue of its 1979 F-4C Phantom includes a 20mm gun pod, full complement of Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles, an electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod, underwing drop tanks, and a multi-part canopy.
F-4C/D Phantom II
McDonnell F-4C/D Phantom II by Accurate Miniatures 1/72 scale Cost: $23.00 Decals: 9 versions - 2 flown by Colonel Robin Olds, USAF, 1967; 1 of 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, with Bicentennial paint scheme; 1 flown by Colonel Chuck Yeager, C.O., 4th Tactical...
F-4E Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II by Esci 1/72 scale Kit No. 9027 Cost: $12.00 Decals: Four versions -U.S. Air Force, Israel, West Germany and Australia Comments: Engraved panel lines; nose cone consists of two halves; full load of air-to-air missiles; decals are high...
F-4E Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II by Hasegawa 1/72 scale Kit No. CT2:900 Cost: $12.00 Decals: Two versions - both U.S. Air Force Comments: Sparrow missiles only; mix of engraved and raised panel lines; TISEO target acquisition camera; choice of standard or...
F-4F Phantom II
The F-4F was a cheaper, simpler version of the F-4E, modified to Luftwaffe specifications for export to West Germany. Nearly identical to the F-4E, it had the same General Electric J79 powerplant, integral 20mm cannon and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, but had a simpler version of the F-4E’s fire control radar.
F-4J Phantom II
McDonnell F-4J Phantom II by Monogram 1/72 scale Kit No. 5440 Cost: $15.00 Decals: One version - U.S. Navy VF-92, U.S.S. Constellation Comments: Outstanding cockpit detail, time-intensive intake construction, very good decals History The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom...
F-4J Phantom II
The McDonnell F-4J was an improved version of the Navy’s F-4B. It featured upgraded J79-10 General Electric engines capable of a greater maximum take-off weight of 58,000 lbs., the J also had greater thrust at sea level, 17,900 lbs. The F-4J incorporated a host of improved avionics: upgraded radar warning and fire control systems, and an improved navigational computer. But it also carried equipment the B lacked altogether — an inertial navigation system.
F-4S Phantom II
The McDonnell F-4S was an upgraded U.S. Navy F-4J with improved radar equipment, and entered service in July 1977….
F-5A Freedom Fighter
Northrop F-5A by Kinetic 1/48 scale Kit No. K48020 Cost: $40.00 Decals: By Cartograf for 16 different versions - USAF (3), Canadian Air Force (3), Netherlands Air Force (2), Royal Norwegian Air Force (2), Greek Air Force (5), and South Vietnamese Air Force (1)...
F-5E Tiger II
Northrop F-5E Tiger II by AFV Club 1/48 scale Kit No. AR 48102 Cost: $35.00 Decals: Four versions - U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Singapore Air Force Comments: New tooling, engraved panel lines, drop tanks, two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles History...
F6F-3 Hellcat
Grumman’s F6F Hellcat did more than any other Allied naval fighter to turn to tide of World War II in the Pacific. Otaki’s kit of the F6F-3 features no-hassle, straightforward construction, engraved panel lines, and a modicum of cockpit and landing gear detail to remain competitive over 30 years after its initial release in the 1980’s.
F-8 Crusader
F-8E Crusader by Hasegawa 1/72 scale Kit No. 339 / C9:900 Price: $15.00 Decals: Three Versions - One U.S. Navy (VF-162 "Hunters"); One U.S. Marine Corps (VMF(AW)-312 "Checkerboards"; and one French Navy (Flottille 12F (VF-12) Comments: Older kit, basic cockpit, raised...