Monogram 1/48 XP-80 Shooting Star
| KIT #: | 5311 |
| PRICE: | $26.00 |
| DECALS: | Two options |
| REVIEWER: | H Davis Gandees |
| NOTES: | Mild conversion |
| HISTORY |
This is the early
prototype XP-80A “Gray Ghost”. The early P-80s were dangerous, killing ace
Richard Bong, Chief Test pilot Milo Burcham, and almost Chief test pilot
Tony Levier who bailed out of Gray Ghost in March 1945 because of a
catastrophic engine failure. Most problems were engine related, duct rumble,
aileron buzz and faulty fuel pumps. Two YP-80s were sent to England late in
WWII but did not see action. The later F-80s were successful but were soon
replaced by the superior swept wing F-86.
| THE KIT |
Original Monogram release 1977. Also released by Hasegawa/Revell. I would agree with Tom Cleaver that the Monogram F-80 is still the best there is.There is a 12-page instruction booklet with illustrations for decal placement for 2 F-80C versions and excellent color callouts. The engine can be presented with the tail section removed on an engine stand. A pilot figure is included, and the seat belt/harness is molded into the seat. Speed brakes may be opened or closed.
| CONSTRUCTION |
I backdated
the F-80C kit to build the early XP-80A “Gray Ghost” circa March 1945. In
late1945 my dad was stationed at Fort Worth Texas as a line mechanic. Just
before Christmas a new type of aircraft he had never seen or heard taxied in.
While servicing the aircraft, when the nose gun section was opened, dad noticed
there were several Christmas presents covered with heavy frost from the P-80’s
long high-altitude flight. This was his first jet experience in a long and
successful career in commercial aviation. The following are the
modifications to backdate the F-80C to an XP-80:
Eliminate boundary layer plates from intakes
Move under nose pitot to a music wire pitot on the upper tail
Remove dielectric panel on nose and replace it with a clear landing light
No tip tanks
Drilled out gun barrels
Delete kit gunsight for correct N-9 sight
Modify kit seat with no ejection system and add armor plate and leather headrest
Remove molded wiring on inside of canopy (not an easy task)
Removed A/C louvers from upper intake
Removed raised nav lights from wings.
After all this work, the build went ahead with no issues following the excellent instructions. Nose weight was added until eliminating tail sitting.
| COLORS & MARKINGS |
The cockpit was painted
interior green with flat black panels. The molded seatbelt/harness was painted
olive drab with silver buckles. The model was painted with two airbrushed coats
of Model Master Aircraft Gray FS 16473 a very close match to Lockheed “Pearl
Gray” FS16492. The Gray Ghost finish was very glossy. Flat black wing walks were
masked and painted. Wheel wells and gear legs were painted aluminum and the
tailpipe Model Master Jet Exhaust.
WWII national insignias and number 01s were sourced from the decal scrap bin, otherwise, kit decals were used for stencils and red flap warning outlines. Red/green/white nav lights were added to the correct locations.
| CONCLUSIONS |
The model was built specifically for my “Just Missed WWII Collection” (F7F, F8F, FR-1, P-51H, P-80). I would recommend the Monogram F-80C kit as a straightforward out-of-box project. I spent 45 hours over several weeks on my XP-80A.
If anyone has 2 ˝” long red Lockheed logo decals for sale, they would finish my XP-80A!
| REFERENCES |
The P-80 Shooting Star-Evolution of a Jet Fighter by E.T, Wooldridge, Jr. and Squadron Signal F-80 Shooting Star #40.
15 June 2026
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