Converting the Trumpeter 1/32 F-8E Crusader to an F-8C using Fisher and Avionix detail sets and Zotz decals

By  Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35220

Trumpeter #02272 1/32 F-8E Crusader, MSRP: $119.95 Web Site: www.stevenshobby.com Fisher Model and Pattern 1/32 F-8C Early Crusader Nose Conversion, MSRP: $42.95 Web Site: fishermodels.com/ Avionix #AV32053 1/32 F-8E Crusader (Early) Cockpit, MSRP: $39.95 Web Site: www.squadron.com Zotz Decals #ZTZ32/028 Fancy F-8C Crusaders VF-84 and VF-111, MSRP: $24.95 each Web Site: www.zotzdecals.com When I first heard about Trumpeters planned release of an F-8 Crusader in 1/32nd I was ecstatic, couldn't wait to get my hands on one. While I was at the Nationals in Virginia Beach I had the opportunity to buy one of the Avionics' Resin Cockpits for the F-8. What a tease, had this beautiful Cockpit set and nowhere to go. Then the wait started. Six months later the kit was finally released. It's a nice kit, very big and awkward to handle. Reviews on the Crusader are out there and one of the best is located here on the IPMS/USA site by our one and only Ed Kinney. I was already to build it when Fisher Models announced a conversion set to backdate it to a "C" model. Being the glutton for punishment I had to try and be different so I ordered one. Then Zotz Decals announced an F-8C decal set to go with Paul's conversion set, so there I go again and ordered it too. Squadron Mail Order carries everything except the Fisher set which you have to order direct Now that I had everything I needed, assembly commenced. The first and most important is to read and understand ALL the instructions/ directions. There is some major cutting and fitting required for the conversion and cockpit sets. You will have to cut off the nose section on the Trumpeter kit to accommodate the Fisher conversion. The directions show you exactly where to make the cuts. You will also have to cut the upper wings and remove the center section and install the filler piece provided in the conversion. These steps are relatively easy if you take your time and dry fit often. I did all this before I started on the cockpit tube. Building the Avionix Cockpit went pretty straightforward. Again dry fit. I had to sand/ grind off some of the bottom and sides of the tub to get a good fit with the new nose and fuselage sides. Take your time and everything will eventually come together. I painted the cockpit using Squadron's Walk Around on the F-8 Crusader as color reference. I did leave out the seat (used the one from the Fisher Conversion) and some of the little fiddly stuff until later in the assembly.

I decided to leave everything open on this kit so I commence to build the gun ports and wheel wells, prepainting them before installing them on the fuselage halves. Also built and painted the assembly that goes under the wing, the in-flight refueling compartment, the on the bottom air brake compartment and the emergency generator compartment. Once they dried I installed them as required. The engine comes next. Since the only thing you will see on the engine is the after burner section, I left out all the photo etch fan blades except PE4 which you do see when you look up into the burner from the rear. Also left off any detail parts that are not required.

Now comes the fun part. Trying to get everything to fit and glue the fuselage halves together. I did put in a couple of one ounce fishing weights to make sure it was not a tail dragger. I dry fitted everything a couple of times to see where the problem areas might occur and believe it or not everything fit, even the resin nose! So out comes the Testors Cement in the black bottle, applied it where it's needed, stuffed all the parts back in and guess what? It didn't fit. So after a couple of tries and some good old cussing, I finally got it together. The resin nose is held in by tabs in the back and a lot of CA in the front. The problem turned out to be some of the kit parts and not the nose as I thought. The rest of the kit went together without any major problems. The fit of the new section to the wings turned out relatively easy, if you follow the instructions. No filler or putty was required. I left the wing assembly off for painting ease. I also left the underwing pylons and weapons off. I could not find any photos that showed them installed. An area that will require attention is the where the flaps and fuselage meet. If you leave the flaps down as I did, you will have to sand/ remove/ file away a significant amount of the flap to get the wing to fit on the body. I didn't know this until after painting but the area I had to attend to, does show, so that was a good thing. Fisher provides new landing gear made from white metal. The details on these isn't nothing to brag about and not that good. I found that the kits gear had much finer detail. I still used the white metal gear due to the extra weight all the resin adds to the plane. (Note: Ernie Gee from G-Factor, http://www.gfactormodels.com/v1.html, has a real nice set made out of brass with nice detail for this kit, found out a little too late on these to include them.) The new resin nose wheel does look good.

One of the hardest choices to make was, what Squadron to use for the final finish. Zotz provides full marking for both Squadrons and they are both very nice. I like the sunburst of VF-111 but the flames on the intake for VF-84 won. I followed the painting instructions from the kit and the decal manufacturer. I used Model Masters paint for the white and gray, Floquil for the black and about three different shades of Alclad II for the burner section. All in all I had fun building the Crusader. It's not your standard out of the box version and that makes it even better. A little expensive with all the conversion and detail sets added. I wouldn't recommend the basic kit to a new or young builder due to the size and numerous small parts, but if you feel confident with handling a large model, go for it. As to the conversion and resin cockpit, again only for an experienced model due to the cutting, fitting and handling of CA Glues that is required. I would suggest the metal gear from G-Factor if you don't mind spending a couple extra dollars for it. The decals are of the finest quality and would recommend those to anyone, the only problem is they are for a "C" version so not that many will use them. Have fun and enjoy !!