Hasegawa 1/72 F9F-2 Panther Photo Feature
By Richard “RJ” Tucker
| Date of Review | April 2022 | Manufacturer | Hasegawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | F9F-2 Panther | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 01242 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Easy assembly, inexpensive | Cons | See text |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | OOP |
Photo Feature
Here's the model finished as a VMF-115 Panther based at Pohang Korea.
In 1949, VMF-115 was the first Marine Corps squadron equipped with Grumman F9F-2 Panther jets, and on November 20, 1950, the first Marine squadron to carrier qualify all 18 pilots aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The squadron then deployed to Pohang, Korea, for combat operation in February 1952. In late-June 1952 they participated in the attack on the Sui-ho Dam. Throughout the Korean War, VMF-115 expended more ordnance than any other Marine jet fighter squadron. A total of 15,350 flight hours were logged on 9,250 combat sorties with a price of 19 aircraft lost. Six pilots were lost with their aircraft in a single day and a total of 14 pilots were killed in action. Close air support was provided by VMF-115 in battles such as Bunker Hill, The Hook, Reno, Carson-Elko, Vegas, Berlin, East Berlin, and the Marines famous battle at the Chosin Reservoir.
This is the Hasegawa kit with decals from Blackbird Models sheet "Panthers & Cougars" BMD72013. The bombs sre from an Italeri B-26K kit. The kit nose was replaced with a resin replacement from Scale Resin accessory kit: 1:72 7318. The gun barrels were replaced with steel tubing. The kit was painted with Model Master gloss Dark Sea Blue and Alclad ll duraluminium ALC-102.
