F9F-2 Panther, ARA 0418, the Build
Cockpit consists of 5 parts: Tub, seat, pedals, instrument panel and stick
Olive drab, black and silver on dry brush for the tub
The instrument panel, needs a bit of work
After erasing a couple of ejector pin marks on both sides, some detail was added of styrene sheet.
Some more detail added, to already rich cockpit
3 out of the 5 part cockpit in place
3 levers were added out of heated sprue.
Cockpit ready, with a bit of wash and weathering
Added some detail in nose gear walls and painted
Fuselage halves glued together. Simple and easy
Sanding the fuselage lines took.. a minute!
The cockpit looks great
A bit of putty and sanding was needed in this area only due to weird step..
I had to sand down the wheel holding thingy, for the wheel to fit, after a dry fit I did.
The Panther got its wings!!!
Off a plastic sheet and some wire, FOD covers were made for the intakes.
some work on the landing gear
main landing gear finished, waiting wheels
addded some extra detail in landing gear bays
addded some extra detail in landing gear bays
wingtip fuel tanks. drilled for the fuel dump system
A brand new tail skid! As it should be..
Detailing tha arresting hook housing
Approach lights to be fixed
Auxilary lights to be fixed
Some things must be corrected..
Fixing the brackets
Main landing gear doors brackets
Cockpit overall view
Added some instruments
Some details were added
The canopy opening system. 90% scratched and is not fixed in place.
Preshade
A small gap on the windshield
Fixed, using putty and Mr surfacer 1200
Masked to receive the 2nd colour
Paint job done
Minor accidents... to be treated asap
Canopy missing a line. It's not engraved, but you can find the right position if you dry fit the opening mechanism
Wheels and their cables are in place
Canopy opening mechanism cover attached
Decals applied
Decals applied
Washed, filtered and weathered
Washed, filtered and weathered
...and 4 smoking barrels!!!
Comments
1 15 May 2013, 13:34
Dimitris P.K.It is very difficult to find pictures of Argentinean Panther cockpit's. I did my best based on those I found.
15 May 2013, 13:40
Dimitris P.K.Cockpit finished. Attention to nose landing system and landing hook, before glueing together the 2 pieces of the fuselage.
16 May 2013, 15:02
Bill GilmanLooking good so far, will you fix the error in the windscreen and canopy? It's a simple fix and makes a big difference. The issue is described here:
tailspintopics.blogs..d-f9f-2-panther.html
11 June 2013, 16:27
Dimitris P.K.Thanx for pointing that out and for the link Bill. I came across it a few days back, but because I'm not there yet I didn't give much attention to it.
Now, because I'm gonna do some work on the canopy opening mechanism, an of course going to leave it open, I dont know if its going to be mush difference. (also I dont know how to correctly rescribe (and raise at a point) the canopy line that is going to be sanded down 😳 )
11 June 2013, 18:52
Dimitris P.K.Finally I'm done with the construction process.
The movie "The bridge at Toko-Ri" are the most helpful tool, if anyone wanna build this aircraft.
Next step, primer, assemply and preshade.
Stay tuned!
18 June 2013, 20:08
Dimitris P.K.A small update on the built (after SOOOO long way from my bench)
Primer, preshade, and small fixes + the windshield gap.
I already applied the belly color (white - XF-2), and I'm hoping tommorow I'm gonna apply the top one (grey - H315).
Stay tuned 🙂
1 August 2013, 20:23
Dave FlittonI love these "How To's". Excellent work. Can't wait to start mine!!! Keep going! I want to see how it ends!!
1 August 2013, 20:27
Dimitris P.K.Thanx a lot guys.
I already masked the bottom of the fuselage and wings, so next step will be to spray Gunze's H315.
I'm looking for some references on the top part of the nose cone (the panels of the guns housing) where on the limited photos I have, looks bare metal. This applies only to the Argentinean aircrafts.
Anyone with more info? Pleeeeeeeease ( pretty pleas with cherry on top??? ) 🙂
2 August 2013, 11:38
Dimitris P.K.Ok. So, the color is applied, with a couple of mishaps, but nothing to worry. I will let dry a couple of days before fixing the issues.
The weather is very hot and wet, and its a pain for the paints to work as they should.
Also, I'm lookinf for references (again) for 5'' rockets. In some B/W pictures, looks they were painted of 2 colors, but I cant find which. The other reference, speaks of full body olive drab. Any ideas?
3 August 2013, 19:20
Dimitris P.K.Small update on the project.
Just before applying the decals, Pledge Future wa applied on the the F9F, and some parts glued in place.
Hope it will ready by the end of the week!
14 August 2013, 19:54
Dimitris P.K.I just finished appling the declas, and I discovered that I must paint the tip of the wing fuel tanks, red! Something thats not mentioned anywhere..
So, weathering and completion will be delayed a bit 🙁
Meanwhile, I must prepare the canopy, pitots, antennas and accces step.
18 August 2013, 20:29
Dimitris P.K....and... S*#t happened!
Due to propably high temperatures this afternoon, the wingtip tank decals and the anchor onsignia on the upper surfaces of the wings, were destroyed, after being covered to spray the front part of the tanks (red)...
I have now to find a way to reset the tanks, repaint them, and then try to recreate the lighting style decals... damn....
19 August 2013, 21:18
Jose Miguel RodriguezDimistris: I don´t have any words..... If you need a replacement decals, think in Condor Decals to get one
20 August 2013, 00:15
Dimitris P.K.Thanx Jose for the tip, but their decal sheet is out of stock everywhere. Might be out of production as well.
With the price of $20-$22 for the decal sheet, I might get the same kit for about $12 😉
(or I'll mask and paint... 😛 )
20 August 2013, 01:38
Dimitris P.K.3 months later, I decided to restart this project.
I fixed the "lightnings" on the wingtip tanks, using printed decal foto on Tamiya's A5 grid-type masking sheet.
Then it was time to receive battle treatment: wash, weathering, as it should be the day after the Navy's Revolt in '63.
Also, re-painted the 5'' HVARS with a dull silver body, and olive drab warhead. Out of 0.1mm copper wire, I made the rockets wiring (fotos when I finish attching them... A Major Pain)
I filled the back of the canopy with milliput, while when open, a nice gap showed up. A rear-view mirror is ready to be attached.
Lastly, out o twisted 0.1mm copper wire, I made the rope ejection handles and painted them in ochre colour. Also waiting to be attached.
Hopefully, I'll be done in a couple of days.
24 November 2013, 12:30
Dimitris P.K.That's it... Finished, done, finito, ready!
Till the next Group Built...
Hope you like it!
1 December 2013, 19:53
Derek HuggettNice to see a Panther not in deep sea blue for a change! Lovely subtle weathering too. Love it!!🙂
10 December 2013, 10:13
Dimitris P.K.I'm glad you like it guys.
In 2014, I will focus on more exotic themes 🙂
10 December 2013, 15:35
