TRUMPETER 1:72 SHENYANG F-8 II
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale)   

Kit Details

History

Development of the F-8 was similar to the Su-9, -11, -15. Design was started in 1964 to a requirement for an interceptor more powerful than the Mig-21. The first versions of the F-8 looked like an enlarged Mig-21 with two engines. The first flight was made in 1969. After a lengthy development and testing period it finally entered production in 1979 as the J-8 I, with the first examples being delivered to the Chinese air force in 1980. Although it was upgraded to the J-8E standard its performance remained unimpressive. Around a 100 machines of these early versions where built, and it receive the NATO designation Finback A. Already before the F-8 I entered service the development of a more capable version was ordered. In 1982 a radical redesign was undertaken resulting in an aircraft looking very similar to the Su-15. It was first flown in 1984 It had more powerful engines and it was hoped it could be fitted with western avionics and radar. However after the Tienanmnn square masacre in 1989 this became impossible. The J-8 II (J-8B), NATO name Finback B, entered service in the early 90’s. Some 30 machines have been upgraded with in flight refueling capability for the Chinese naval air forces to become J-8D. Due to the lack of western electronics the F-8 never fully satisfied the requirements. Therefore it was once again redesigned, this time with Russian support. The engines where upgraded, the airframe refined and strengthened so it can withstand higher G-loads, and it received new more modern electronics. This version is the F-8 IIM or F-8H? It is claimed that this version is comparable with early versions of the F-16 and Mirage 2000. This is probably an exaggerated claim but it surely is a cheap alternative for potential buyers.  Existing F-8 II’s maybe updated to M standard and this type has also been offered for export. So far only the Chinese operate the F-8, and to date about 300 of all versions have been built. The F-8 gained instant notoriety when one collided with an EP-3E, leading to a diplomatic row between China and the USA in 2001.

The kit

The kit is packed in Trumpeters trademark blue sturdy cardboard box. The four grey sprues are all separately packed as are the transparencies and decals. Surface detail is finely engraved and very convincing. There is no flash, no sink marks and no visible ejector pin marks. Parts fit very well and little or no filler will be needed. The transparent parts are as they should be; clear and thin. The small decal sheet is sharply printed , but the red is slightly out of register. It offers 3 ready made registrations. There are also extra registration numbers so that it is possible to build any machine you want. Instructions consist of a 12 page A4 size booklet. In 20 easy to follow diagrams it is explained how to put everything together.  On a separate full colour sheet two decal options are shown. 

Accuracy

I can be very brief here. Looking at the parts it is immediately clear that the people at Trumpeter must have had access to the real thing. The level of detailing is very high throughout the kit. Panel lines conform perfectly to the few high-res photos I could find, and the model captures the lines of the real machine to a T. Measurements are also absolutely spot on. 

Construction 

As per usual construction starts with putting together the cockpit. Al together 10 parts are used here. The instrument panel, side consoles and side walls are covered with decals. Although the decals are sharply printed this solution lacks realism somewhat, because dials and buttons are flat. I personally prefer dry brushing raised detail. The HUD is a transparent part but it has a mold seam running down the middle so replacing it will probably be easier than trying to clean it up. Next the nicely detailed wheel and airbrake bays are installed into the fuselage, after which the two halves can be put together. The engine exhaust section is made up of 7 parts, with scale depth burner cans, very nice. The nose cone is added at this stage too. The main gear legs look good too (5 parts each). The airbrakes can be depicted open or closed. The air intakes (3 parts each) are deep enough, and look convincing. The flaps ailerons and rudder are separate parts and can be positioned as you like. After main construction is done there are still some 15 smaller pieces to be fitted. To load the machine up there are 3 fuel tanks and 4 PL-8 AAM’s (another 25 parts). 

Painting and Decals

Colour call-outs are in Gunze aqueous and Mr. Color numbers and general terms. I would have liked an FS number too, to get an idea of the correct shades, as Gunze Sangyo paints are very difficult to come by in this part of the world. You can have your F-8 in any colour as long as it’s white. Adding a touch of weathering will be needed to break up an otherwise rather bland paint scheme. The full colour paint scheme shows a standard F-8 with the Chinese stars and bars in 6 positions and a red ID number on the nose. The other machine is painted the same but it has a badge on the intake and another on the tailfin. There is no stenciling.

Conclusion

I was hoping we would see an F-8 in 1/72 and when Trumpeter announced one I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. It is good to see they did their homework on this one, and the result is a kit that is easily on the same level as current Hasegawa kits. I hope this kit will do well for Trumpeter. If so they might be tempted in doing an F-7MG and FT-7,or a A-5 or even a Harbin Y-12….. How about it Mr. Trumpeter? 

References

 

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