The P-80 can lay claim to being the USAAF's first operational jet fighter. It was a design that fit a typical WWII airframe with the new turbojet engine. Though lacking power and needing a lot of fuel (which was typical of turbojets in the early years), it was a reasonably reliable aircraft. Most of the plane's problems came from the new engine. The lack of engine reliability and it's propensity to flame out at the most awkward moments caused the death of many pilots, some of whom had a great deal of flying experience.

Nevertheless, these steps had to be taken and lessons learned. What resulted was eventually a workhorse of an aircraft that was built in relatively large numbers. The T-33 trainer variant was built in even larger numbers and is still flying today.

This sheet covers the early P/F-80A airframe. It is a shame that there is not a really good kit of this plane in 1/72. The only option one has to build it is the rather elderly Airfix kit. While a nice model can be made, it is simply a 1960's kit with all the foibles of kits of that era. If Academy would like to help modelers, instead of doing kits that already have a decent model of them available from other companies, they should invest in having their moldmakers do an F-80.

Backdating the Airfix kit is not that difficult. The later F-80As had the new ADF antenna fitted into the nose like the later C models. All that has to be done for them is to have the little bump on the back of the canopy removed. For the earlier P-80A, simply cut a notch in the nose, insert a piece of clear plastic and reshape. This is the landing light.

The sheet provides for five aircraft. 

The first is a 62 FS F-80A in natural metal with red trim. On this plane the wing tank is split into a red front and yellow rear with a black stripe separating the two colors.

Next, a 61 FS F-80A, also in natural metal with medium blue trim. The front portion of the wing tank is blue with red on the back half .

The next two schemes are P-80As from the 412th FS. Like other early P-80s,they are in a glossy pearl grey. The top one, 'Stormy' has red trim while 'Rhapsody in Rivets' has yellow trim.

Finally a 94th FS F-80A in natural metal with red 'arctic' markings. This aircraft has blue trim on the nose and on the white tip tanks.

There are all the markings you need to build all five examples except for insignia. Those will have to be gleaned from another sheet or the spares box.

Overall, five very nice schemes for a very overlooked aircraft.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

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