This is a double build up of the FJ-4B by Collect-Aire. I usually do not build two resin kits at a time but this kit is so easy to put together that I decided to make both variants in one shot. Most of the time I buy Collect-Aire's kits in doubles. One to collect and one to build. Well, in this case the subject was so appealing to me - two variants and the decals to do them - that I went against my rule!
The FJ-4 is well known to
anybody following the US Navy's airplane history. It was the last variant of the Fury family. Maybe it was even the best variant of North American's series of F-86 brothers and sisters. So I wanted to add the FJ-4 family to my collection of navy jets. Some years ago I bought the FJ-4B by Matchbox but never did anything with it because it was very wrong in profile and way too short in length. Not to mention the wing sizes and shapes. The worst part is that the published scale plans are not very good at all when compared with the real plane. I am lucky to live near the Pima Air and Space museum so it is very easy for me to go there and measure and photograph the real thing. Corollary. Never trust or take as gospel any scale plans. Measure and study the real thing as much as you can. Building the two Furies was a joy. The only comments I have for the prospective builders are the following. Add nose weight. Measure your vac canopy very carefully (you get two in case you screw up). Do not forget to use Future. It works miracles on Collect-Aire vac canopies. Be careful when you work on the nose intake ring. It needs a little attention to look just right. The decals snuggle down really tight but be careful not to rip them because they are very thin. Fotios Rouch
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Photos and text © by Fotios Rouch