In Box Review of AMT/Ertl 1/48th Scale
U.S. Grumman F7F-2/2N "Tigercat" Fighter
Kit no. 8844
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 1996
I paid $11.69 at the Ertl factory discount store back in the 90's.
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 1996
I paid $11.69 at the Ertl factory discount store back in the 90's.
HISTORY:
Early in the production run of the F7F-1, the Navy directed Grumman to make modifications creating the -2 model. Aircraft Bureau Number 80261, the third production -1, was modified to include a second cockpit for a radar operator via the removal of the one fuselage fuel cell.
Further modification for the fitting of the AN/APS-6 airborne radar included the deletion of the fuselage .50 caliber machine guns, although provision was made for the reinstallation of those guns for day-fighter configuration.
The -2N retained the standard 20mm, wing guns and wing and fuselage ordnance stations. An 80-gallon auxiliary tank was designed to fit in the rear cockpit for modification to day-fighter standard, and the complete complement of .50 caliber and 20mm guns would be fitted, in addition to all bomb racks and rocket launchers.
The primary production version of the F7F-2 was the -2N night-fighter. Production records are somewhat confused and, although it appears the -2 was ordered as a night-fighter, photo archives verify that a number of aircraft were delivered as standard day-fighters with a metal plate fitted over the rear fuselage in place of the radar operator's clear canopy.
The first -2 was flown and delivered on October 31, 1944, and the last -2N handed over to the Navy on March 8, 1945.
VMF(N)-531 was the first unit to fly the -2N. After a period of work-up, the unit shipped out for combat duty in the Pacific on July 14, 1945.
The ship was nearing Guam when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Upon arrival at Guam, the unit flew to Okinawa via Iwo Jima in preparation for action, arriving the day before WWII ended.
In October, aircraft from VMF(N)-531 were ordered to China in a "show the flag" operation, where they remained as part of VMF(N)-533, flying armed reconnaissance missions until early 1947.
This AMT/Ertl kit provides modelers with the opportunity to build a highly-detailed replica of either the F7F-2 or F7F-2N.
Markings for -2 Tigercat's are almost painfully dull, consisting essentially of stars and bars. This kit provides you with markings for 2 F7F-2N's. One aircraft, in all yellow scheme, is from the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at Patuxent (Pax River), circa 1950. The other scheme represents an aircraft from VF(N)-52 during carrier qualification operations on the U.S.S. Antietam on April 8, 1945.
Early in the production run of the F7F-1, the Navy directed Grumman to make modifications creating the -2 model. Aircraft Bureau Number 80261, the third production -1, was modified to include a second cockpit for a radar operator via the removal of the one fuselage fuel cell.
Further modification for the fitting of the AN/APS-6 airborne radar included the deletion of the fuselage .50 caliber machine guns, although provision was made for the reinstallation of those guns for day-fighter configuration.
The -2N retained the standard 20mm, wing guns and wing and fuselage ordnance stations. An 80-gallon auxiliary tank was designed to fit in the rear cockpit for modification to day-fighter standard, and the complete complement of .50 caliber and 20mm guns would be fitted, in addition to all bomb racks and rocket launchers.
The primary production version of the F7F-2 was the -2N night-fighter. Production records are somewhat confused and, although it appears the -2 was ordered as a night-fighter, photo archives verify that a number of aircraft were delivered as standard day-fighters with a metal plate fitted over the rear fuselage in place of the radar operator's clear canopy.
The first -2 was flown and delivered on October 31, 1944, and the last -2N handed over to the Navy on March 8, 1945.
VMF(N)-531 was the first unit to fly the -2N. After a period of work-up, the unit shipped out for combat duty in the Pacific on July 14, 1945.
The ship was nearing Guam when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Upon arrival at Guam, the unit flew to Okinawa via Iwo Jima in preparation for action, arriving the day before WWII ended.
In October, aircraft from VMF(N)-531 were ordered to China in a "show the flag" operation, where they remained as part of VMF(N)-533, flying armed reconnaissance missions until early 1947.
This AMT/Ertl kit provides modelers with the opportunity to build a highly-detailed replica of either the F7F-2 or F7F-2N.
Markings for -2 Tigercat's are almost painfully dull, consisting essentially of stars and bars. This kit provides you with markings for 2 F7F-2N's. One aircraft, in all yellow scheme, is from the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at Patuxent (Pax River), circa 1950. The other scheme represents an aircraft from VF(N)-52 during carrier qualification operations on the U.S.S. Antietam on April 8, 1945.
THE KIT:
AMT/Ertl was a company based in Dyersville, IA, 52 miles NE of me. I went there often to their factory discount store and bought kits cheaply. This is one of them.
Ertl started out years ago as a manufacturer of metal farm toys - tractors, plows, combines etc. They later hooked up with ESCI in Italy for plastic models and used their molds. They have gone out of business and the factory has been sold to another toy company.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Tigercat taking off from a carrier deck. It is overall dark Navy-blue with a small white 23 on the sides of the cowling.
One side panel has kit features: Decals for two heavy F7F-2/2N Tigercat's, VF(N)-52 on board the Antietam and a test aircraft from the Naval Air Test Center (NATC). Over 120 parts with complete instructions. Engraved panel lines. Highly detailed cockpit, landing gear and Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22W engines. Paint and cement not included.
This is followed by 3 color walk-around photos of the Tigercat in the canary-yellow scheme.
AMT/Ertl was a company based in Dyersville, IA, 52 miles NE of me. I went there often to their factory discount store and bought kits cheaply. This is one of them.
Ertl started out years ago as a manufacturer of metal farm toys - tractors, plows, combines etc. They later hooked up with ESCI in Italy for plastic models and used their molds. They have gone out of business and the factory has been sold to another toy company.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Tigercat taking off from a carrier deck. It is overall dark Navy-blue with a small white 23 on the sides of the cowling.
One side panel has kit features: Decals for two heavy F7F-2/2N Tigercat's, VF(N)-52 on board the Antietam and a test aircraft from the Naval Air Test Center (NATC). Over 120 parts with complete instructions. Engraved panel lines. Highly detailed cockpit, landing gear and Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22W engines. Paint and cement not included.
This is followed by 3 color walk-around photos of the Tigercat in the canary-yellow scheme.
The other side panel has another color photo of the Tigercat in the yellow scheme as a side view. Followed by specifications:
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22W of 2,100 hp.
Wingspan: 51' 6"
Length: 45' 6.5"
Height: 13' 9"
Weight: Empty, 15,861 lbs, gross, 21,720 lbs. max: 21,381 lbs.
Service ceiling: 40,600'
Range: 1,790 miles on internal fuel
Armament: four 20mm cannon, eight HVAR rockets
Crew: pilot & radar operator
This is followed by the copyright of the kit of 1996 and Ertl's address in Dyersville, IA.
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22W of 2,100 hp.
Wingspan: 51' 6"
Length: 45' 6.5"
Height: 13' 9"
Weight: Empty, 15,861 lbs, gross, 21,720 lbs. max: 21,381 lbs.
Service ceiling: 40,600'
Range: 1,790 miles on internal fuel
Armament: four 20mm cannon, eight HVAR rockets
Crew: pilot & radar operator
This is followed by the copyright of the kit of 1996 and Ertl's address in Dyersville, IA.
MADE IN MEXICO.
A 1-800 phone number is provided to use to call Ertl with any problem with the kit.
A 1-800 phone number is provided to use to call Ertl with any problem with the kit.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 7 light-grey trees, a clear tree, 2 instruction sheets, the decal sheet in 4 sealed clear cello bags and 3 loose black vinyl tires.
Trees are alphabetized, but not illustrated in the instructions and the alphabetizing is not mentioned in the assembly steps. Trees do have part number tabs next to the parts on them however.
Light-grey letter A tree holds: the fuselage and nacelles (6 parts)
This kit contains 7 light-grey trees, a clear tree, 2 instruction sheets, the decal sheet in 4 sealed clear cello bags and 3 loose black vinyl tires.
Trees are alphabetized, but not illustrated in the instructions and the alphabetizing is not mentioned in the assembly steps. Trees do have part number tabs next to the parts on them however.
Light-grey letter A tree holds: the fuselage and nacelles (6 parts)
There are 2 light-grey letter B trees. They hold the wing halves (2 parts each)
Light-grey letter C tree holds: a propeller, seat, wing flaps, elevator halves etc. (21 parts)
Light-grey letter D tree holds: the other propeller and elevator halves, nose-wheel gear, wheel center, rockets, bulkhead etc. (30 parts)
Light-grey letter E tree holds: engines, dashboard, cockpit floor, drop tank, wheel center, main gear legs etc. (19 parts)
Light-grey letter F tree holds: cowlings, bombs, floor, bulkheads etc. (15 parts)
The clear tree holds cockpit windows and light lenses (5 parts)
Next is the 3 black vinyl tires. When Ertl first issued this kit these tires had something inside them that would etch any of the plastic parts they contacted. Ertl redid the kit and recalled the kits that were sold. I donno if my kit has the bad tires or not ?
The main instructions comes as a single-sheet that accordion folds out into 6 pages in 17" x 8" page format. Folded again twice to fit the box.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history of the Tigercat, general instructions and recommended tools to use and Ertl's address in Dyersville, IA.
Page 2 through 6 gives a total of 18 assembly steps.
The decal sheet and the Blueprinter newsletter subscription card complete the kits contents.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the history of the Tigercat, general instructions and recommended tools to use and Ertl's address in Dyersville, IA.
Page 2 through 6 gives a total of 18 assembly steps.
The decal sheet and the Blueprinter newsletter subscription card complete the kits contents.
The second instruction sheet is a single-sheet printed on both sides in 8 1/2" x 11" format. It is the marking and painting guide.
The face side has a 3-view of the box art scheme (already described above).
The reverse side is the canary-yellow scheme of the NATC, also as a 3-view. It further shows a black 330 NATC above one wing.
There are no crew figures included. Kit has great engraved detail.
Highly recommended.
The face side has a 3-view of the box art scheme (already described above).
The reverse side is the canary-yellow scheme of the NATC, also as a 3-view. It further shows a black 330 NATC above one wing.
There are no crew figures included. Kit has great engraved detail.
Highly recommended.