Fujimi 1/72 Vought F7U-3 & F7U-3M Cutlass

FUJIMI 1:72 VOUGHT F7U-3 & F7U-3M CUTLASS
'Double INBOX Review'

Reviewer: John Lacey (rec.models.scale)
- Built up reviews of these kits exist on this site - see the respective fully built kit review index to locate review

I have decided to include both these kits in the review as they use the same airframe, differing only in detail parts & decals.

Aircraft History

An unsuccessful attempt by Chance-Vought to provide a new fighter for the fleet that included the first US jet with afterburners as standard and the USN’s first swept wing aircraft, the first XF7U-1 prototype flew in 1948 but by 1955, even the –3M version was phased out of service. The standard production F7U-3 carried a belly pack of FFAR rockets and could lift two 2000lb stores including nuclear weapons for the surface attack mission. This variant also had a refuelling probe in the extreme nose, allowing in-flight refuelling. The later –3M dispensed with both the IFR probe and rocket pack, added a second set of pylons under the outer wing panels and greater internal fuel and could carry four Sparrow I or Sidewinder AAMs.

Kit Parts

Fujimi’s family of F7Us include the –3, the –3M and the –3P recon variant. Each kit differs mainly in detail parts and decals, the –3P having a new forward fuselage for it’s camera systems. The basic kit includes a moderately detailed cockpit with decaled instrument panel and sidewalls, intake trunking and compressor faces, boxed in wheel wells and blanked off exhausts. The sprues themselves are full of finely recessed panel lines and delicate details. Clear parts include a windscreen and canopy and are thin and clear.

Options

Options are plentiful with either kit, both offering extended or retracted leading edge slats, optional position elevons and a simple mod for those wanting ‘wheels up’. The canopy is also designed to be moveable. The –3 Stores include the belly rocket pack and two drop tanks, but confusingly this variant hasn’t been given the option of a nose refuelling probe. The –3M carries the four Sparrow I AAMs but is given the option of the IFR probe that was deleted in production on the mark.

Instructions

A gatefold page of instructions for either type includes multilingual aircraft history, seven construction steps, a marking and painting guide and a parts map. An error for the –3 is a note to open holes in the outer wing panels that are for the –3M’s outer pylons in addition to the IFR probe being offered as an alternative part on the –3M.

Colour Options

Two basic colour schemes are offered for either kit, that being natural metal or gull grey over white. The –3 gives a total of four aircraft options, a gull grey VF-124 machine and natural metal birds from VF-124, VC-3 and VX-3. The –3M has a gull grey VX-4 machine along with two natural metal Cutlasses from VA-83 and VA-86 respectively.

Decals

Standard Fujimi here, with stencilling, walkway striping and national insignia for one aircraft and serials, squadron colours and modexes for each of the machines offered.

Impressions

With the exception of the nitpicks I have outlined, both kits are well detailed and accurate and certainly replicate Chance-Vought’s precursor to the F-8 Crusader faithfully.

Conclusion

I’m a big Cutlass fan, I just love the 50s look of the bird and can forgive it’s ‘Gutless Cutlass’ moniker. I’ll certainly be buying the –3P in the future, although it along with these two machines will be in the production line for upgraded ‘what if’ variants. Recommended without reservations.

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