In Box Review of AMT-Ertl 1/48th Scale Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat
Kit no. 8842
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1997
I paid $8.01 for my kit, when it was marked down from $9.83 at the Ertl factory discount store years ago.
It is available at one location overseas and from one individual in the U.S. on the web for $30.00.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1997
I paid $8.01 for my kit, when it was marked down from $9.83 at the Ertl factory discount store years ago.
It is available at one location overseas and from one individual in the U.S. on the web for $30.00.
HISTORY:
The Grumman F7F Tigercat is a heavy fighter aircraft that served with the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) from late in World War II until 1954. It was the first twin-engine fighter to be deployed by the USN. While the Tigercat was delivered too late to see combat in World War II, it saw action as a night fighter and attack aircraft during the Korean War.
Designed initially for service on Midway-class aircraft carriers, early production F7Fs were land-based variants. The type was too large to operate from older and smaller carriers, and only a late variant (F7F-4N) was certified for carrier service. Based on the earlier Grumman XP-50 that was eventually canceled, the company developed the XP-65 (Model 51) further for a future "convoy fighter" concept. In 1943, work on the XP-65 was terminated in favor of the design that would eventually become the F7F.
The contract for the prototype XF7F-1 was signed on 30 June 1941.
Grumman's aim was to produce a fighter that outperformed and outgunned all existing fighter aircraft, and that had an auxiliary ground attack capability. Performance of the prototype and initial production aircraft met expectations; the F7F was one of the fastest piston-engine fighters, with a top speed significantly greater than single-engine USN aircraft — 71 mph faster than a Grumman F6F Hellcat at sea level. Captain Fred Trapnell, one of the premier USN test pilots of the era, stated: "It's the best damn fighter I've ever flown." The F7F was to be heavily-armed — four 20 mm cannon and four 50 caliber (0.50 in; 12.7 mm) machine guns, as well as underwing and under-fuselage hardpoints for bombs and torpedoes.
This speed and firepower was bought at the cost of heavy weight and a high landing speed, but what caused the aircraft to fail carrier suitability trials was poor directional stability with only one engine operational, as well as problems with the tailhook design. The initial production series was, therefore, used only from land bases by the USMC, as night fighters with APS-6 radar.
While the F7F was initially also known as the Grumman Tomcat, this name was abandoned, because it was considered at the time to have excessively sexual overtones (from the 1970s, the name Tomcat became commonly associated with, and officially used by the Navy for, another Grumman design, the F-14 twin-jet carrier-based interceptor). The first production variant was the single-seat F7F-1N aircraft; after the 34th production aircraft, a second seat for a radar operator was added and these aircraft were designated F7F-2N.
A second production version, the F7F-3, was modified to correct the issues that caused the aircraft to fail carrier acceptance, and this version was again trialled on the USS Shangri-La. A wing failure on a heavy landing caused the failure of this carrier qualification as well. F7F-3 aircraft were produced in day fighter, night fighter, and photo-reconnaissance versions. The final production version, the F7F-4N, was extensively rebuilt for additional strength and stability, and did pass carrier qualification, but only 12 were built.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 2
Length: 45 ft 4 in (13.82 m)
Wingspan: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m)
Height: 16 ft 7 in (5.05 m)
Wing area: 455 sq ft (42.3 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 23015; tip: NACA 23012
Empty weight: 16,270 lb (7,380 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 25,720 lb (11,666 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 2,100 hp (1,600 kW) each
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed fully-feathering propellers
Maximum speed: 460 mph (740 km/h, 400 kn)
Range: 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi)
Service ceiling: 40,400 ft (12,300 m)
Rate of climb: 4,530 ft/min (23.0 m/s)
Armament:
Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) AN/M3 cannon (200 rpg, wing roots), 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun (400 rpg, in nose) (normal fighter versions only; replaced by radar unit in the -3N nightfighter)
Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, or 8 x 127mm unguided rockets under wings and 1 x 150 gallon fuel or napalm tank under fuselage, or 1 × torpedo under fuselage (day fighter only)
Avionics: AN/APS-19 radar
The Grumman F7F Tigercat is a heavy fighter aircraft that served with the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) from late in World War II until 1954. It was the first twin-engine fighter to be deployed by the USN. While the Tigercat was delivered too late to see combat in World War II, it saw action as a night fighter and attack aircraft during the Korean War.
Designed initially for service on Midway-class aircraft carriers, early production F7Fs were land-based variants. The type was too large to operate from older and smaller carriers, and only a late variant (F7F-4N) was certified for carrier service. Based on the earlier Grumman XP-50 that was eventually canceled, the company developed the XP-65 (Model 51) further for a future "convoy fighter" concept. In 1943, work on the XP-65 was terminated in favor of the design that would eventually become the F7F.
The contract for the prototype XF7F-1 was signed on 30 June 1941.
Grumman's aim was to produce a fighter that outperformed and outgunned all existing fighter aircraft, and that had an auxiliary ground attack capability. Performance of the prototype and initial production aircraft met expectations; the F7F was one of the fastest piston-engine fighters, with a top speed significantly greater than single-engine USN aircraft — 71 mph faster than a Grumman F6F Hellcat at sea level. Captain Fred Trapnell, one of the premier USN test pilots of the era, stated: "It's the best damn fighter I've ever flown." The F7F was to be heavily-armed — four 20 mm cannon and four 50 caliber (0.50 in; 12.7 mm) machine guns, as well as underwing and under-fuselage hardpoints for bombs and torpedoes.
This speed and firepower was bought at the cost of heavy weight and a high landing speed, but what caused the aircraft to fail carrier suitability trials was poor directional stability with only one engine operational, as well as problems with the tailhook design. The initial production series was, therefore, used only from land bases by the USMC, as night fighters with APS-6 radar.
While the F7F was initially also known as the Grumman Tomcat, this name was abandoned, because it was considered at the time to have excessively sexual overtones (from the 1970s, the name Tomcat became commonly associated with, and officially used by the Navy for, another Grumman design, the F-14 twin-jet carrier-based interceptor). The first production variant was the single-seat F7F-1N aircraft; after the 34th production aircraft, a second seat for a radar operator was added and these aircraft were designated F7F-2N.
A second production version, the F7F-3, was modified to correct the issues that caused the aircraft to fail carrier acceptance, and this version was again trialled on the USS Shangri-La. A wing failure on a heavy landing caused the failure of this carrier qualification as well. F7F-3 aircraft were produced in day fighter, night fighter, and photo-reconnaissance versions. The final production version, the F7F-4N, was extensively rebuilt for additional strength and stability, and did pass carrier qualification, but only 12 were built.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 2
Length: 45 ft 4 in (13.82 m)
Wingspan: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m)
Height: 16 ft 7 in (5.05 m)
Wing area: 455 sq ft (42.3 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 23015; tip: NACA 23012
Empty weight: 16,270 lb (7,380 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 25,720 lb (11,666 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 2,100 hp (1,600 kW) each
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed fully-feathering propellers
Maximum speed: 460 mph (740 km/h, 400 kn)
Range: 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi)
Service ceiling: 40,400 ft (12,300 m)
Rate of climb: 4,530 ft/min (23.0 m/s)
Armament:
Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) AN/M3 cannon (200 rpg, wing roots), 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun (400 rpg, in nose) (normal fighter versions only; replaced by radar unit in the -3N nightfighter)
Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, or 8 x 127mm unguided rockets under wings and 1 x 150 gallon fuel or napalm tank under fuselage, or 1 × torpedo under fuselage (day fighter only)
Avionics: AN/APS-19 radar
THE KIT:
AMT-Ertl was a farm toy manufacturer, based in Dyersville. IA. Which is 50 miles north of me. They used to manufacture plastic model kits too for a while. They sold the plant to another company that also makes farm toys. I used to drive up there to buy kits at their discount store.
This kit comes in a blousy, shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 3 ½” too long.
The kit is shrink-wrapped in a tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of an F7F-3N Tigercat in flight over an airfield. It is overall dark Navy-blue. It has a white no. 19 on the side of its nose, followed by 2 narrow red vertical stripes with 2 white horizontal rectangles with black DANGER on them. A white star with bars on the sides of the fuselage, followed by white MARINES over VMF 542, a large white WH on the rudder sides.
One side-view of the box begins with a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme. Followed by specifications of the aircraft (already listed above). Copyright of the kit is 1997, over Ertl’s address in Dyersville, IA. Kit made in Mexico. Glue required for assembly. Paint recommended. Over 120 parts and a phone no. to call to make comments about the kit or ask questions. Skill level of the kit is 2.
AMT-Ertl was a farm toy manufacturer, based in Dyersville. IA. Which is 50 miles north of me. They used to manufacture plastic model kits too for a while. They sold the plant to another company that also makes farm toys. I used to drive up there to buy kits at their discount store.
This kit comes in a blousy, shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 3 ½” too long.
The kit is shrink-wrapped in a tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of an F7F-3N Tigercat in flight over an airfield. It is overall dark Navy-blue. It has a white no. 19 on the side of its nose, followed by 2 narrow red vertical stripes with 2 white horizontal rectangles with black DANGER on them. A white star with bars on the sides of the fuselage, followed by white MARINES over VMF 542, a large white WH on the rudder sides.
One side-view of the box begins with a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme. Followed by specifications of the aircraft (already listed above). Copyright of the kit is 1997, over Ertl’s address in Dyersville, IA. Kit made in Mexico. Glue required for assembly. Paint recommended. Over 120 parts and a phone no. to call to make comments about the kit or ask questions. Skill level of the kit is 2.
The other side-panel of the box says: Kit include – Over 120 parts with complete assembly instructions. Highly detailed cockpit. Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22M engines and landing gear.Paint and cement not included. Included are markings for a F7F-3N from VMF(N)-513, Korea 1952 and F7F(N)-312, August 1950. Followed by 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 6 off-white parts trees, a clear tree, 4 black rubber tires and the decal sheet in 4 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that is folded into 6 pages in 6 ½” x 12 ¼” page format. Folded again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme. Over one-paragraph histories of the F7F-3N, international assembly symbol explanations and a listing of paint colors, in 4 languages, including English. The bottom of the page repeats the phone no. to use with questions etc. about the kit and Ertl’s address in Dyersville, IAA.
Page 2 on through to page 4 gives a grand total of 8 assembly steps.
Pages 5 & 6 are painting and marking guides. Both pages show 4-views.
The 4-view on page 5 is of the box art scheme. It further shows a white star with bars on top of the left wing and below the right and white 19 WH atop the right wing and white MARINES below the left wing.
It was BuNo 80506 VMF(N)-312, August 1950.
The 4 view on page 6 shows a F7F-3N, that also is overall dark Navy-blue. It has a black 8 on the sides of its nose, white star with bars on the fuselage sides, large black WF on the sides of the rudder, white star with bars below the right wing and atop the left.
It was F7F-3N VMF(N)-513, Korea 1952.
Trees are alphabetized on tabs on them, but not in the instructions or illustrated there.
There are 2 off-white letter B trees that hold wing halves. (2 parts ea.)
The kit holds 6 off-white parts trees, a clear tree, 4 black rubber tires and the decal sheet in 4 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that is folded into 6 pages in 6 ½” x 12 ¼” page format. Folded again to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model made up in the box art scheme. Over one-paragraph histories of the F7F-3N, international assembly symbol explanations and a listing of paint colors, in 4 languages, including English. The bottom of the page repeats the phone no. to use with questions etc. about the kit and Ertl’s address in Dyersville, IAA.
Page 2 on through to page 4 gives a grand total of 8 assembly steps.
Pages 5 & 6 are painting and marking guides. Both pages show 4-views.
The 4-view on page 5 is of the box art scheme. It further shows a white star with bars on top of the left wing and below the right and white 19 WH atop the right wing and white MARINES below the left wing.
It was BuNo 80506 VMF(N)-312, August 1950.
The 4 view on page 6 shows a F7F-3N, that also is overall dark Navy-blue. It has a black 8 on the sides of its nose, white star with bars on the fuselage sides, large black WF on the sides of the rudder, white star with bars below the right wing and atop the left.
It was F7F-3N VMF(N)-513, Korea 1952.
Trees are alphabetized on tabs on them, but not in the instructions or illustrated there.
There are 2 off-white letter B trees that hold wing halves. (2 parts ea.)
There are 2 off-white letter D trees. Both trees hold: props, tail wings, gear legs etc.
One of them also holds: gear well doors, seat etc. (21 parts)
The second one also holds: engine fronts, rockets, a barrel, fuselage wall (29 parts)
Off-white letter E tree holds: engines, drop tank, landing gear legs and wheels etc. (19 parts)
Off-white letter F tree holds: cowling fronts, bombs etc. (14 parts)
Un-alphabetized off-white tree holds: the fuselage halves and cowlings (6 parts)
The clear parts tree is letter G it holds cockpit canopy parts and light lenses (5 parts)
Final parts are the black rubber tires (3 parts)
The decal sheet and The Blueprinter subscription card completes the kit's contents.
There are no figures included.
The detail is very nice.
Recommended.
The detail is very nice.
Recommended.