Grumman F9F Panther
08-22-2005, 08:09 PM
#1
Grumman F9F Panther
I posted last week about my new kit I received and thought I would start a thread to see others who may have one and might want to join in as we build this bad boy. the kit arrived in a really big box, nicely packed, wrapped in foam and bubble wrap. A cursory check revealed that everything that was supposed to be there is there. At this time there is no instruction book, so it is pretty much an experienced builder's kit, that is why I have spent some time on the phone with the designers who are giving me explicit details on what to do next, as well as sending me pics. Hopefully the pics will be used to form a nice manual or CD to help the builder along. Here are some of the parts as I unwrapped them. Very nice, smooth finish with molded panel lines and access panels.
08-22-2005, 08:14 PM
#2
RE: Grumman F9F Panther
As you can see there is a large (100 oz) tank which comes with the kit. The tip tanks are already molded together and comes with a separated molded "dump" valve for the tip tanks. I had the chance to see some of Henry's work on Sung's F9F and was admiting the work he did on the tips tanks of the Airworld Panther. Luckily that is already done here.
Next is the wings and "retractable" canopy frame (uncut)....
The wings are all composite and super strong. There is already a channel present for the lighting option, which I plan to install. There are panel lines scribed for the pylon placements, etc. Nothing is hinged yet.
Next is the wings and "retractable" canopy frame (uncut)....
The wings are all composite and super strong. There is already a channel present for the lighting option, which I plan to install. There are panel lines scribed for the pylon placements, etc. Nothing is hinged yet.
08-23-2005, 08:01 AM
#11
RE: Grumman F9F Panther
Got that taken care of...circa 1969 GI Joe Aviator...found the helmet from one of the collectors. Now for a little painting...
...I intend on replicating a F-9-F dash 5 Marine training plane found at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, which is in restoration. They are helping me with the paint and documentation.
Sorry, won't make it to Wacko, but will try and bring it with me to Superman.
Dan, that sure is one sweet looking bird. Love the paint, the close ups you sent are really nice. Hope mine turns out that well.
Tommy
...I intend on replicating a F-9-F dash 5 Marine training plane found at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, which is in restoration. They are helping me with the paint and documentation.Sorry, won't make it to Wacko, but will try and bring it with me to Superman.
Dan, that sure is one sweet looking bird. Love the paint, the close ups you sent are really nice. Hope mine turns out that well.
Tommy
...Sent you a PM
08-24-2005, 07:25 AM
#20
RE: Grumman F9F Panther
r3bldr,
The kit is from a guy in Lousiana and sold thru Details 4 Scale, they may have a website. I heard about it thru an RCU buddy here and managed to get one of the first released kits.
LIGHTEMUP
I will be at Superman, but doubtful this puppy will fly. I will have my Ziroli F9F there, and probably will bring this one, but right now I am waiting on the gear. I spoke with Robart and the gear you would be looking for on this plane is the 636RS (635 bodies with 85 degrees rotation) and the 638HDRS nose gear (which is the 635 nose gear with 90 degrees rotation). I ordered the bodies thru my LHS at approximately $260 for the set. The struts are being custom made by a guy out of Texas and I have not received them nor seen them in person yet, but they are supposed to be really nice with "dress up" features which are being made special by Dan Gill to make these gear look really scale. I ordered the CAI Panther wheels from Glennis. Hopefully gonna start making a few cuts in the fuse tonite and installing some servos. I am still waiting on some of the things, like the bypass and pipe, but I knew that going in. The price on this kit is really good for what you get and the quality is excellent. The designer did his homework here. I am a big Panther fan and this is not a kit to be missed if you love the F9F. Flying reports substantiate that fact.
Hope to see some more out there so we can build along on these.
Tommy
The kit is from a guy in Lousiana and sold thru Details 4 Scale, they may have a website. I heard about it thru an RCU buddy here and managed to get one of the first released kits.
LIGHTEMUP
I will be at Superman, but doubtful this puppy will fly. I will have my Ziroli F9F there, and probably will bring this one, but right now I am waiting on the gear. I spoke with Robart and the gear you would be looking for on this plane is the 636RS (635 bodies with 85 degrees rotation) and the 638HDRS nose gear (which is the 635 nose gear with 90 degrees rotation). I ordered the bodies thru my LHS at approximately $260 for the set. The struts are being custom made by a guy out of Texas and I have not received them nor seen them in person yet, but they are supposed to be really nice with "dress up" features which are being made special by Dan Gill to make these gear look really scale. I ordered the CAI Panther wheels from Glennis. Hopefully gonna start making a few cuts in the fuse tonite and installing some servos. I am still waiting on some of the things, like the bypass and pipe, but I knew that going in. The price on this kit is really good for what you get and the quality is excellent. The designer did his homework here. I am a big Panther fan and this is not a kit to be missed if you love the F9F. Flying reports substantiate that fact.
Hope to see some more out there so we can build along on these.
Tommy
08-24-2005, 10:17 PM
#24
My Feedback: (37)
RE: Grumman F9F Panther
i just picked up the proto type struts and trunions. i wanted stout gear. so the legs and trunions are out of 7075. the legs are 5/8 in diameter and the trunion accepts the larger leg. also, the legs are generic as is the trunion and should fit any jet looking for the BEEF. like a eurofighter etc. as for scale struts, dan is going to make the scale fufa's for the struts. the scale parts just want be critical for strength. i will test hop her this weekend at bomber. barry ps, the nose gear wil be ready in a week or two.