Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby *Finished*

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Barry
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Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby *Finished*

Post by Barry »

I was once asked how I decided what kit to build 'next'. In this case, I needed a small US Marine Corps emblem for the nose of my Planet Models R3D and found it with this kit (#38 on the decal sheet) in the stash. So, as long as it was now in my hands at the workbench....might as well go ahead an build it.



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Not too many parts....good fitting,clear canopy
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Nice decals, little bit of brass

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The floor was a little too wide and the sides of the seat needed to be thinned drastically before it would fit.
Not my best cockpit, but it pretty much disappears inside the fuselage.

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That thing under the tail represents 'clam shell' doors enclosing the arresting hook and needs to be thinned to more of a wedge shaped cross section tapering toward the rear.

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I need to clean up the rudder hinge line before adding the tail planes.

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2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
MerlinJones

Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by MerlinJones »

That's a nice kit, barry...though you'll need some of your modelling skill.
Here's mine;
http://gregers.7.forumer.com/viewtopic. ... 79&start=0;

Regards,
Bruce
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by JamesPerrin »

One day, one day I'd really love to build all the Grumman Naval fighters F1F to F8F. The tubby barrel fighters are so attractive. Look forward to seeing you work your magic on this!
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Barry
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Barry »

Thanks for the review Bruce. I'd forgotten that you had built that. Since I've already got a number of colorful 'yellow wings', this one is going to be in the short lived 1940 scheme of overall light grey with white lettering.

Quite a project for you James....Grumman made a lot of fighters.
2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
deckape
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by deckape »

Ahoy Barry
Great choice the flying beer barrow has always been my favorite od all biplane fighter od the golden age of aviation. dont for get the hand crank on the right side of the fuselage inside the cockpit, ans paint it red this is the crank that retracts the landing gear, your on a great start I might pick me up one of those kits for 1/72 its a small gem great job I be watching with great entrest.

Boats :) :) :) :)
Barry
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Barry »

I thinned the edges of the cowling

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It seems to me that, with the cowling where it looks right, the engine sits too deeply inside it; so I've shimmed it out by about 1.5mm. Also, agreeing with Bruce, the engine-cowling assembly seems to sit to high so I lowered the mounting hole for the engine by about 2mm.

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2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
Barry
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Barry »

It's always nice when you can do the rigging before the top wing goes on.

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2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
deckape
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by deckape »

Barry wrote:It's always nice when you can do the rigging before the top wing goes on.

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Ahoy Barry
Looks real sharp what did you use for the rigging fuse wire or monofiliment. your a smart man that is the best way to rig those old biplanes save head aches useing dividers to measure your rigging. Good job.

Boats :) :) :) :)
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Stamford
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Stamford »

Looks great - makes me want one!
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Barry
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Barry »

Ahoy Boats I just use stretched sprue for rigging


@Stamford: Its a pretty nice kit and makes a very colorful addition if you do one of the the yellow wings versions.
2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by PaulBradley »

Looking very sharp, Barry.
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Barry
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Barry »

Thanks, Paul....I finished it today except for adding radio aerials so, final pics to follow as soon as I do that.
2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
Barry
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Barry »

gun ports are different sizes. Armament was .30 cal port side and .50 cal starboard side.

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I'm glad I didn't add ignition wires. They wouldn't have been very easily seen.

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2012 A:12 B:13 C:0
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novokits
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by novokits »

well done, nice view!
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Ian
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Re: Grumman F3F-2 1/72 Special Hobby

Post by Ian »

That looks really good.
I like that you can see the Grumman pedigree in it too. If you imagine it without the top wing, you've almost got a Wildcat.
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