1/48 Scale
Skill required: Intermediate
Background of Aircraft
The McDonnell F3H Demon was a subsonic swept-wing United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter aircraft. After severe problems with Westinghouse J40 engine that was ultimately abandoned, the successor to the F2H Banshee served starting in 1956 redesigned with the J71 engine. Though it lacked sufficient power for supersonic performance, it complemented daylight dog-fighters such as the F8U Crusader and F11F Tiger as an all-weather, missile-armed interceptor until 1964. It was withdrawn before it could serve in the Vietnam when it, and ultimately also the Crusader, was replaced by the extremely successful F4 Phantom. McDonnell's Phantom, which was equally capable against ground, fighter and bomber targets, bears a strong family resemblance as it was itself conceived as an advanced development of the Demon. The supersonic USAF F-101 Voodoo also retained much of the Demon's layout.
Quality:
This kit is a true multi-media kit with
78 pieces of plastic,
74 pc. yellow cream coloured resin,
27 metal etched parts,
1 sheet of maskings for the canopy and wheels,
printed acetate sheet for cockpit dials
and a sheet of colourful decals for two aircraft.
The decals are for either the:
F3H-2M Demon, Bu.no.137072, VF-24, USS Lexington (1958)
or the
F3H-2M Demon, Bu.no.137037g, VF-61, USS Saratoga (1957)
Conclusion:
I would recommend this for modellers that have worked with resin and etch in the past. The instruction are good but are basic compared to Tamiya and Dragon for exact placement of parts. You should/will need some good reference photos to help place the one or two parts that need it.
Everything you would need to make an great model is right there in the box with no need for any aftermarket extras.
Recommended
Review by: Scott Danis - www.inscale.org
I wish to thank Rob at West Coast Hobbys Model Shop