Academy RF-8A Crusader Conversion in 1/72

USMC squadron VMCJ-2 used six RF-8As during the Crisis (designation F8U-1P until September 1962), with others held in reserve, two flying out of Guantanamo Bay, and four out of NAS Key West.

- Stephen J Di Nucci 

An authoritative source records that the BuNos for the USMC aircraft at Key West were 144618, 145611, 145612, and 145635, however I couldn't find much photo evidence for any of these, specifically dated to October 1962. My research did reveal though that 145635 may have sported a black '1' on the nose, and 145611 a black'3. The two Gitmo aircraft were 145646 and 146863, and for these the evidence was rather better, so of the two I went with 146863, largely because this aircraft at least had a smarter bunny logo than some of the others, for which I had located a decal source.

Those wishing to model an RF-8 Crusader have for quite some years been assisted by Falcon from New Zealand and Hasegawa. Based upon the old Hasegawa kit, Falcon's triple conversion kit No.1 provides an alternative set of fuselage halves for the front section of an RF-8G, plus a part replacement upper wing centre section. There have been other attempts to provide the modeller with RF conversion sets, but the Falcon item is still available and is probably the best in 1/72. RVHP Models have resin sets in 1/72 for the Hasegawa kit (ref. 7263), and in 1/48 to convert the Hasegawa F-8E to a RF-8A (ref. 48012) and a RF-8A (ref. 48013).

I wanted to break new ground instead by combining the Falcon parts with the much more recent Academy kit. I wasn't aware of any other attempt at this one, so I approached the job with huge trepidation, conscious of possible failure and the total loss of a kit! Although still reasonably nice, the Hasegawa kit predates engraved panel lining, whereas the Academy kit is a stunner in this respect, so success would be a huge step towards a better Photo Crusader. In particular I wanted to try for a conversion that would be straightforward, and if the Academy kit really couldn't be matched to the Falcon bits, I would use them on the Hasegawa kit instead.