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Voka-Gran Ltd |
1/72 Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star |
Kit Number: 7202 |
Reviewed by Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146 |
MSRP: $12.00 History The developments of the P/F-80 were actually more important than the original model. A lengthened F-80 became the prototype for the T-33A, which became the standard Air Force and Navy jet trainer for many years, and the same prototype was again modified later in its career with the addition of armament and an afterburner to become the YF-94, which was produced as the F-94A, F-94B, and radically different F-94C "Starfire". So the P/F-80 was a historically significant aircraft, and it is surprising that so few kits of this aircraft have been issued in 1/72 scale. A good reference is the Squadron-Signal publication No. 40, which tells the story of the F-80 and its descendants. The Kit When I opened the box, my reaction was the same as the famous Yankee catcher Yogi Berra's remarkable quotation "It's déjà vu all over again." (Or something like that). It appears to be a reworking of the Airfix kit with only a few very minor changes. Most of the parts are interchangeable. A fuselage half from either kit fits the orther kit's half perfectly, only the Airfix kit has the fin and rudder integral with the left half of the fuselage, while the Voka kit has them on the right side. Really subtle change here. (See photos). One major difference, if this is major, is the fact that the Airfix kit has the flaps molded in the "up" position, while on the Voka kit, they are molded separately so they can be posed in the "down position". In addition, the pilot's seat in the Voka version is much narrower than that of the Airfix kit (maybe the Russians thought American pilots were skinnier than they actually were). Otherwise, the details are the same. So, a review of the Voka kit is essentially a review of the Airfix kit, only the moldings on the Airfix kit, or at least the version that I have, are somewhat cleaner and crisper. Both kits even have the same slightly raised panel lines. The Voka kit had a short shot on one wing panel, a defect easily remedied by putty, which is required anyway to fill in some of the seams. The rear portion of the canopy doesn't line up with the rear fuselage, and has to be trimmed and filled in with putty. |
Assembly The kit goes together easily, and would be appropriate for modelers of any level of experience. This kit is relatively inexpensive, so it might appeal to youngsters starting out in the modeling experience. The co*ckpit interior includes a floor, seat, instrument panel, and stick, and a decal for the instrument panel which I couldn't get to fit on the panel. Another panel serves as the top of the nose gear well. The nose gear had to be glued into the fuselage before the halves are joined, causing a potential accident when you accidentally knock it off during the process of sanding down the fuselage halves. That was the same as the Airfix kit, however, so we can't blame Voka for that one. It would have been an improvement to redesign the gear to fit into the wheel well. Once the fuselage components are installed, the fuselage halves can be joined. The tailpipe can be added later, although the instructions say to add it before assembly. Be sure to add some weight to the nose, or the finished model will sit tail down, a most unrealistic position. But after detailing the co*ckpit, you won't be able to see much through the thick canopy. The wing sections fit together nicely, with only a little trimming and sanding required, and the kit does, as does the Airfix version, have wheel well detail. The speed brakes also can be extended. If you are going to add the bomb racks, be sure to drill out the mounting holes before you join the wing halves together, as I didn't, or you'll have a devil of a time finding out where they go. I was fortunate to have the Airfix kit close by, as the parts are the same, so I knew exactly where to drill. Don't install them until the model is almost finished and the decals are in place. The landing gear is petite, but it assembles nicely, just like the Airfix kit. There are a lot of gear doors to keep track of, so follow the instructions carefully. I painted the airplane before I attached any of the main gear, but I had to mask off the nose gear, as it was already on. The aircraft carried two wing tanks, and tanks of the two major types are provided. Choose the correct ones and make sure that the seams are filled, as they don't fit together too well on their own. Finishing and Markings Recommendations In any event, this kit is worth getting if you don't have an F-80 in your collection. There are aftermarket decals for the Airfix kit that will be fine for the Voka issue, and an A, B, or C model can be built from this or the Airfix kit. Get one while you can, but get the putty out, as you'll need it. Thanks to Voka and IPMS/USA for the review sample. |
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