This second F9F-2 sheet covers three more options. Let's start with the Marine aircraft. Both of these are from VMF-311, though at different times. The first aircraft is an F9F-2B that flew the most combat missions of any Panther during the Korean war. it is shown in it's 1953 guise.The mass of mission markings is repeated on the left side of the aircraft. VMF-311 aircraft carried a lighter blue fin tip that has been confirmed by color photos. If doing either of these planes, you can't use the 'it was the squadron CO's plane so kept clean' excuse as both of these were flown hard and put away wet.

The other 311 aircraft is one that is pretty well known amongst Panther fans. This one is from 1952 and has the panther face in white and red. These markings were taken from photos and not the often-incorrect art work one frequently finds.

The third option is a Blue Angel Panther as flown by Lcdr 'Dusty' Rhodes in 1949. As is often the case, the color for this plane was mixed just for the team and the instruction sheet provides the mix that was used by Grumman for these planes. There is no FS 595 equivalent. All of the markings on this aircraft were also confirmed with photographs. When using these markings, one has to remove the long, vertical gas vents on the nose as they were not installed on any aircraft at this date.

The sheet is superbly printed and I've had to darken it some so that the white will show. There is also a stencil sheet that is not shown and a complete data markings placement guide in the instructions.

March 2007

Review copy courtesy of YellowHammer Models