Thai F8F Bearcat in 1:100 for our friend Nobi

[MichaelS]

I have already built the Blue Angels version of Nobi's Bearcat but I wanted to do a build of his Thai Bearcat as a special gift in recognition of all the free kits he has made available over the years. . This little jewel is like most of Nobi's work it pretty much falls together. The former design he uses ensures nice smooth fuselage joints. Sometime I really need to print one of these natural metal birds out on some gloss photo paper.

The world has tried to intervene here at Chez MS but I refuse to let lying car salesmen and worthless internet techs invade on my retirement. I started this little bird a few days ago but didn’t take as many pictures as I usually do.

One thing I didn’t like about Nobi’s F8F was the landing gear. It is two dimensional which I suppose is OK with most people but I like my LG legs to be robust and as G’kid proof as I can make them. The pictures show these changes.

I also went a little crazy with my new toy a paper punch that someone here on the paper modelers forum turned me on to. It has an internal angled design that really makes nicely shaped paper wheels with just a hammer. Even a dumba$$ like me or Rata can do it! As long as I have been doing paper models the thing that has bugged me the most is the wheels and now I think I have found the solution.

[CMDRTED]

I see you found the coveted tapered paper punch. does make very nice wheels. the bearcat looks great too!

[MichaelS]

Ted,

Yes they are really great. WIth a little more practice I will have perfect wheels. Already ordered more. Wish they had a 7.5mm

[Falco]

I found out that carving Dollar Tree $1 foam bard makes great wheels... the foam is 5mm thick and can be sliced or stacked to make any wheel width desired. Even better if you use a scribe to do the crosshatch pattern on those big WWII aircraft wheel.

[Don Boose]

Looks great so far, Michael. The tubby Bearcat was a great-looking airplane!

Don

[Rata]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Even a dumba$$ like me or Rata can do it!

I appreciate your faith in me sport, but a compleecated newfangle gadget like ya hole-punch thingy might be bit much for me to wrap me head around. Guess I'll haffta keep chewin' the parts off the sheet with me teeth....

And the Bearcat's looking good- I'm with on the undercart legs. Interesting to see how your mods turn out.

[NOBI]

Great build, my friend. I love that way you rebuild landing gear. I use a 2D Flat Landing gear when I design because many people have a problem when roll a tiny landing gear. I saw 1/72 TSMC's model design using a flat landing gear and it turn out in great looking. So I use that Technic for my tiny 1/100 model but maybe next design I will offer both Flat and Roll landing gear.

Thank you very much for your shared pictures. I really enjoy looking your build.

[MichaelS]

Yes my friend. The LG option would be great in such a small size. Perhaps on the A6M2 / 3 that i just know are working on ( )


( i looked on ecards and could find no A6M2 / 3 listed. Also no Aichi D3A Val dive bombers)

[talls6]

Love the Bearcat and things are looking great so far. I used Toothpicks for some of my S&P builds. Definitely didn't look as good as yours.

Darren

[MichaelS]

And Another One Bites the Dust!

Thai F8F finished. There isn't much history on this little bird's service in the Thai AF.

I hope everyone and especially my friend Nobi enjoys my expression of his work.