References:
- Naval Fighters 18, Vought’s F-8 Crusader
Part 3, Marine Fighter Squadrons, and Part 4, Navy Fighter Squadrons, by
Steve Ginter
- F-8 & RF-8 Crusader, Detail & Scale vol.8, by Bert Kinzey and
Rock Roszak
Building the model
The F8U-1 is not available in 1/72 scale. So, you have to backdate a F-8E
to build a F8U-1. As the shape of the Hasegawa F-8 is close to that of an
early F-8, I opted to start from that model. Then I have added the airbrake
case and front wheel strut from a Heller model.
The conversion consists in cutting the top fuselage fairing, let the fins
and engine scoops aside, and reshape the nose in the pointed shape of a F8U-1.
As they are raised, the panel lines must be completely re-scribed. This job is
worth the effort as you obtain very fine lines. The Hasegawa front wheel is in
the spoked version of the F8U-1.
The cockpit is detailed with AIRES 7110 "Crusader cockpit set"
and the ejection seat comes from AIRES 7147 "A-7E early version cockpit
set. It is easy to make a Vought ejection for the F8U-1 from the very similar
A-7 Vought’s ejection seat.