fotofrank

Yeah, the Bearcat held the time-to-climb to 10,000 feet set in 1946. Climb rate of 6400 feet per minute, meaning 96 seconds to 10,000 feet. The Bearcat held that record until the F-4 Phantom II came along.

 

Bill

Wasn't the F-4D capable of 100,000 feet plus?

Rugged-looking aircraft. The rate of climb (and record to 10,000 ft) sure suprised me.

You sure got some great results from 2 layers of paint in the wheel wells.

Will be following along.

The Bearcat was designed to be the pinnacle of piston powered fighters. An alot of war-time experience went in the design. Probably not the best in every scenario but probably the best in most of them.

Looking forward to seeing this one completed.

I would have to see the conditions to see if the Phantom did really beat the Bearcat to 10,000 feet under the same conditions.  I should research it but I recall the Bearcat record was from a standing start. They had a big rope on the tail and when the engine was at full power the rope was axed.  Not much time was spent on the ground after that.

That would make a cool diorama John

The F4D, and jacking stik entirely here, was a weird Navy requirement for a quick climb defence fighter,

The one really operational squadron was assigned to NORAD and was transfered to a base in the midwest, although nominally in San Diego.

One of the last of the German inspired aircraft designs.

But it did go up like a bat from Hell.

Bill

Actually, per wiki, the USN had 13 squadrons that flew the F4D, and the USMC another 8, and over 400 were built. One USN F4D squadron was the only Navy squadron ever assigned to NORAD. Most F4D squadrons flew from carriers, as dedicated fighter interceptors. It was the first operational USN fighter to be supersonic in level flight, in addition to its superb climb performance for that time. The only real problem with the F4D was that avaiation technology was rapidly progressing at that time, and that the design was not multi role, like the types that would succeed it, such as the F8U Crusader and F4H Phantom.

That is some great work there stik. I have 3 Bearcats in the stash all in 1/48 scale. Black basing creates shadows in corners and breaks up the monotone colors. Marbling is another great method under the lighter paints adding tonal changes. I think the Bearcat would have chewed up the best planes Japan had at the end. I could imagine a dog fight between a Bearcat and a Tony or a George. 

The Bearcat is my favorite prop plane. It was one fast and power brute on full throttle. Back in 1980 as a deputy we patrolled inside the outer perimeter road of the Miami International Airport. I remember seeing a gorgeous restored Bearcat parked in one of the hangers. I actually sat in the cockpit of that beautiful plane. I wonder if it’s still around after all these years.

Here’s a cool clip, turn up the sound and listen to that monster radial scream

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw6UWPaTUt0

stikpusher

Actually, per wiki, the USN had 13 squadrons that flew the F4D, and the USMC another 8, and over 400 were built. One USN F4D squadron was the only Navy squadron ever assigned to NORAD. Most F4D squadrons flew from carriers, as dedicated fighter interceptors. It was the first operational USN fighter to be supersonic in level flight, in addition to its superb climb performance for that time. The only real problem with the F4D was that avaiation technology was rapidly progressing at that time, and that the design was not multi role, like the types that would succeed it, such as the F8U Crusader and F4H Phantom.

 

Exaxtly, Stik.  Another great plane in search of a mission.

And now back to work on this project…

I resumed work in the cockpit, using a 3-D print decal seat harness, modifying a F6F-5 IP decal for use on this one, and some final detail painting plus dry brushing

and I started painting the engine

More in a day or two…

Progress today! Got the wings and fuselage assembled! Woohoo! 

Just need to do the seam clean up, glue these assemblies together, and it will start looking like an aero plane…

Between yesterday and today I did most of the seam clean up on the separated wings and fuselage, then glued them together. I also added the vertical stabilizer, engine, wing cannon drum bulges and cockpit rollover brace.

Afterwards I have been doing some sanding to improve the fit of the cowling to the fuselage. It was a bit off, but with some work, now fits pretty well. I just placed it on for the photo, as I still need to paint the interior color.

I have a bit of seam filling to do before the next update…

Looking great so far.  Really enjoying this...love the bearcat!

Thanks MM. The Bearcat has always been something of an unknown to me until I started researching for this build. Now it's growing on me.

More progress to report! 

I finally glued the horizontal stabilizers in place… also shows a good view of the fuselage spine seam clean up.

that was done after seam clean up on the vertical stabilizer. The kit provides separate tails for a -1 or -2 (as well as cowling and exhausts), but the seam was quite pronounced, along with a slight step. Since I’m doing a bare metal scheme, I had to make sure that the plastic was sanded and buffed super smooth….

Then of course I had to test fit the cowling again for the latest profile shot….

Man this cat is looking like a bear from this angle! 

A little more progress to report…

First up, I drilled out the exhaust stacks and installed them in place

Then I installed the bomb racks and rocket stub launchers. I also added some sway braces to the pylons. And lastly I glued together the ordnance that I’m going to mount- four 5” HVARs and the centerline drop tank

I also polished up the canopy & windscreen and gave those items their dip in Future. Those are drying now, so no photos until they’re masked off and glued in place prior to painting. Hopefully that will be tomorrow….

Stik. Nice looking Bearcat, are you going with BMF?

Great progress.  Looking forward to the paint.

Nick & John, thanks for looking in and commenting.

Nick, yes, I'm going to go with a BMF scheme. That's how they finished their service life with the VNAF.

John, you and me both about looking forward to getting some paint on this thing.

More progress! Woohoo!

First up, I added some acetate for the reflector gunsight lens

Then I masked up the canopy and windscreen and glued them into place

Tomorrow I’ll work on the seams around the windscreen, and after that I can start initial painting!

Today I airbrushed on the anti glare area using good old Testors enamel Flat Black. I’ll let that dry overnite, then tomorrow mask off and get down a base coat for the NMF areas. 

Everytime I reply.......

403 Forbidden

disastermaster

Everytime I reply.......

403 Forbidden

 

 

I wonder why you keep get that? At least this reply came thru.

Looks good Stick. I picked up one a couple weeks back.

modelcrazy

Looks good Stick. I picked up one a couple weeks back.

 

Steve & Omar, thanks for your kind words. I  sure that both of you will enjoy building this kit, since you've both picked one up. It's not the best kit, but it's good enough and looks the part. O, all the extra goodies should really make it shine. For $8 you got a real bargain on that purchase!

Ill get back to that Harrier one day soon. I really do want to get it completed! Other projects keep popping up and taking up my bench time. True Modelers A.D.D. here... 

Yeah, just like modelcrazy and oortiz10, I am moticated to find this kit and do a similar build, either RVAF or a French Bearcat during the Indochina War.

As luck would have it, next weekend is IPMS Space Coast ModelFEST 2022 over in Cocoa Beach. This kit will be on my shopping list.

So since my last update I’ve been slowly working on the Bearcat. First up I had to paint the wing walk and exhaust areas flat black, as I forgot to do so when I painted the anti glare area on the nose. 

Next I airbrushed on an overall coat of a satin light gray as a base for the NMF

Then I airbrushed on a coat of Humbrol non buffing metal cote Aluminum

It turned out a bit rougher than I though it would, but should look the part for faded weathered aluminum in the end. Next I airbrushed on a coat of Future for decals

Then today I applied the decals. They are fairly simple- national insignia, squadron insignia, and plane in group ID letter

The decals need another dose of decal set to snuggle into the panel lines, then another light Future coat before I can do a wash in the panel lines…

Great progress!  Those markings look great - the yellow and red really pops.  I would say that she looks a little more grey than NMF but perhaps the clear coat will remedy that.