F9F-2 Panther, ARA 0418, the Build
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/4/9/2/63492-12038-60-720.jpg)
Cockpit consists of 5 parts: Tub, seat, pedals, instrument panel and stick
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/4/9/3/63493-12038-51-720.jpg)
Olive drab, black and silver on dry brush for the tub
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/4/9/4/63494-12038-76-720.jpg)
The instrument panel, needs a bit of work
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/4/9/5/63495-12038-90-720.jpg)
After erasing a couple of ejector pin marks on both sides, some detail was added of styrene sheet.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/5/4/8/63548-12038-92-720.jpg)
Some more detail added, to already rich cockpit
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/5/4/9/63549-12038-79-pristine.jpg)
3 out of the 5 part cockpit in place
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/5/5/0/63550-12038-99-pristine.jpg)
3 levers were added out of heated sprue.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/5/5/1/63551-12038-82-pristine.jpg)
Cockpit ready, with a bit of wash and weathering
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/8/9/2/65892-12038-41-720.jpg)
Added some detail in nose gear walls and painted
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/8/9/3/65893-12038-22-720.jpg)
Fuselage halves glued together. Simple and easy
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/8/9/4/65894-12038-67-720.jpg)
Sanding the fuselage lines took.. a minute!
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/8/9/5/65895-12038-56-720.jpg)
The cockpit looks great
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/8/9/6/65896-12038-35-720.jpg)
A bit of putty and sanding was needed in this area only due to weird step..
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/8/9/7/65897-12038-96-720.jpg)
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/8/9/8/65898-12038-99-720.jpg)
I had to sand down the wheel holding thingy, for the wheel to fit, after a dry fit I did.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/9/5/9/65959-12038-46-720.jpg)
The Panther got its wings!!!
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/9/6/0/65960-12038-33-720.jpg)
Off a plastic sheet and some wire, FOD covers were made for the intakes.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/4/4/2/66442-12038-37-720.jpg)
some work on the landing gear
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/4/4/3/66443-12038-58-720.jpg)
main landing gear finished, waiting wheels
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/4/4/4/66444-12038-23-720.jpg)
addded some extra detail in landing gear bays
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/4/4/5/66445-12038-11-720.jpg)
addded some extra detail in landing gear bays
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/4/4/6/66446-12038-48-720.jpg)
wingtip fuel tanks. drilled for the fuel dump system
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/1/9/9/67199-12038-11-720.jpg)
A brand new tail skid! As it should be..
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/2/0/0/67200-12038-39-720.jpg)
Detailing tha arresting hook housing
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/2/0/1/67201-12038-37-720.jpg)
Approach lights to be fixed
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/2/0/2/67202-12038-49-720.jpg)
Auxilary lights to be fixed
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/2/0/3/67203-12038-69-720.jpg)
Some things must be corrected..
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/2/0/4/67204-12038-48-720.jpg)
Fixing the brackets
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/2/0/5/67205-12038-34-720.jpg)
Main landing gear doors brackets
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/2/0/6/67206-12038-60-720.jpg)
Cockpit overall view
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/2/0/7/67207-12038-51-720.jpg)
Added some instruments
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/2/0/8/67208-12038-23-720.jpg)
Some details were added
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/2/0/9/67209-12038-78-720.jpg)
The canopy opening system. 90% scratched and is not fixed in place.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/2/3/2/72232-12038-56-720.jpg)
Preshade
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/2/3/3/72233-12038-83-720.jpg)
A small gap on the windshield
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/2/3/4/72234-12038-12-720.jpg)
Fixed, using putty and Mr surfacer 1200
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/4/3/1/72431-12038-15-pristine.jpg)
Masked to receive the 2nd colour
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/4/3/2/72432-12038-69-720.jpg)
Paint job done
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/4/3/3/72433-12038-85-720.jpg)
Minor accidents... to be treated asap
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/4/3/4/72434-12038-11-720.jpg)
Canopy missing a line. It's not engraved, but you can find the right position if you dry fit the opening mechanism
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/7/0/8/73708-12038-32-720.jpg)
Wheels and their cables are in place
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/7/0/9/73709-12038-99-720.jpg)
Canopy opening mechanism cover attached
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/4/4/2/74442-12038-73-720.jpg)
Decals applied
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/4/4/3/74443-12038-57-720.jpg)
Decals applied
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/9/9/1/88991-12038-64-720.jpg)
Washed, filtered and weathered
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/9/9/2/88992-12038-18-720.jpg)
Washed, filtered and weathered
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/9/9/3/88993-12038-29-720.jpg)
...and 4 smoking barrels!!!
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/9/4/6/89946-12038-55-720.jpg)
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/9/4/7/89947-12038-30-720.jpg)
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/9/4/8/89948-12038-70-720.jpg)
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/9/4/9/89949-12038-90-720.jpg)
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/9/5/0/89950-12038-57-720.jpg)
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/9/5/1/89951-12038-21-720.jpg)
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/9/5/2/89952-12038-23-720.jpg)
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/9/5/3/89953-12038-59-720.jpg)
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/9/5/4/89954-12038-61-720.jpg)
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/9/5/5/89955-12038-97-720.jpg)
![Album image #58 Album image #58](/albums/img/9/5/6/89956-12038-77-720.jpg)
![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/9/5/7/89957-12038-29-720.jpg)
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/9/5/9/89959-12038-15-720.jpg)
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/9/6/0/89960-12038-41-720.jpg)
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/9/6/1/89961-12038-73-720.jpg)
![Album image #63 Album image #63](/albums/img/9/6/2/89962-12038-98-720.jpg)
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/9/6/3/89963-12038-64-720.jpg)
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/9/6/4/89964-12038-13-720.jpg)
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/9/6/5/89965-12038-97-720.jpg)
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/9/6/6/89966-12038-11-720.jpg)
![Album image #68 Album image #68](/albums/img/9/6/7/89967-12038-58-720.jpg)
![Album image #69 Album image #69](/albums/img/9/6/8/89968-12038-84-720.jpg)
![Album image #70 Album image #70](/albums/img/9/6/9/89969-12038-75-720.jpg)
Kommentare
1 15 May 2013, 13:34
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
It is very difficult to find pictures of Argentinean Panther cockpit's. I did my best based on those I found.
15 May 2013, 13:40
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Cockpit finished. Attention to nose landing system and landing hook, before glueing together the 2 pieces of the fuselage.
16 May 2013, 15:02
![](/profiles/img/10105-s.jpg)
Looking good so far, will you fix the error in the windscreen and canopy? It's a simple fix and makes a big difference. The issue is described here:
tailspintopics.blogs..d-f9f-2-panther.html
11 June 2013, 16:27
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Thanx for pointing that out and for the link Bill. I came across it a few days back, but because I'm not there yet I didn't give much attention to it.
Now, because I'm gonna do some work on the canopy opening mechanism, an of course going to leave it open, I dont know if its going to be mush difference. (also I dont know how to correctly rescribe (and raise at a point) the canopy line that is going to be sanded down 😳 )
11 June 2013, 18:52
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Finally I'm done with the construction process.
The movie "The bridge at Toko-Ri" are the most helpful tool, if anyone wanna build this aircraft.
Next step, primer, assemply and preshade.
Stay tuned!
18 June 2013, 20:08
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
A small update on the built (after SOOOO long way from my bench)
Primer, preshade, and small fixes + the windshield gap.
I already applied the belly color (white - XF-2), and I'm hoping tommorow I'm gonna apply the top one (grey - H315).
Stay tuned 🙂
1 August 2013, 20:23
![](/profiles/img/11091-s.jpg)
I love these "How To's". Excellent work. Can't wait to start mine!!! Keep going! I want to see how it ends!!
1 August 2013, 20:27
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Thanx a lot guys.
I already masked the bottom of the fuselage and wings, so next step will be to spray Gunze's H315.
I'm looking for some references on the top part of the nose cone (the panels of the guns housing) where on the limited photos I have, looks bare metal. This applies only to the Argentinean aircrafts.
Anyone with more info? Pleeeeeeeease ( pretty pleas with cherry on top??? ) 🙂
2 August 2013, 11:38
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Ok. So, the color is applied, with a couple of mishaps, but nothing to worry. I will let dry a couple of days before fixing the issues.
The weather is very hot and wet, and its a pain for the paints to work as they should.
Also, I'm lookinf for references (again) for 5'' rockets. In some B/W pictures, looks they were painted of 2 colors, but I cant find which. The other reference, speaks of full body olive drab. Any ideas?
3 August 2013, 19:20
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Small update on the project.
Just before applying the decals, Pledge Future wa applied on the the F9F, and some parts glued in place.
Hope it will ready by the end of the week!
14 August 2013, 19:54
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
I just finished appling the declas, and I discovered that I must paint the tip of the wing fuel tanks, red! Something thats not mentioned anywhere..
So, weathering and completion will be delayed a bit 🙁
Meanwhile, I must prepare the canopy, pitots, antennas and accces step.
18 August 2013, 20:29
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
...and... S*#t happened!
Due to propably high temperatures this afternoon, the wingtip tank decals and the anchor onsignia on the upper surfaces of the wings, were destroyed, after being covered to spray the front part of the tanks (red)...
I have now to find a way to reset the tanks, repaint them, and then try to recreate the lighting style decals... damn....
19 August 2013, 21:18
![](/profiles/img/12151-s.jpg)
Dimistris: I don´t have any words..... If you need a replacement decals, think in Condor Decals to get one
20 August 2013, 00:15
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
Thanx Jose for the tip, but their decal sheet is out of stock everywhere. Might be out of production as well.
With the price of $20-$22 for the decal sheet, I might get the same kit for about $12 😉
(or I'll mask and paint... 😛 )
20 August 2013, 01:38
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
3 months later, I decided to restart this project.
I fixed the "lightnings" on the wingtip tanks, using printed decal foto on Tamiya's A5 grid-type masking sheet.
Then it was time to receive battle treatment: wash, weathering, as it should be the day after the Navy's Revolt in '63.
Also, re-painted the 5'' HVARS with a dull silver body, and olive drab warhead. Out of 0.1mm copper wire, I made the rockets wiring (fotos when I finish attching them... A Major Pain)
I filled the back of the canopy with milliput, while when open, a nice gap showed up. A rear-view mirror is ready to be attached.
Lastly, out o twisted 0.1mm copper wire, I made the rope ejection handles and painted them in ochre colour. Also waiting to be attached.
Hopefully, I'll be done in a couple of days.
24 November 2013, 12:30
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
That's it... Finished, done, finito, ready!
Till the next Group Built...
Hope you like it!
1 December 2013, 19:53
![](/profiles/img/13151-832-s.jpg)
Nice to see a Panther not in deep sea blue for a change! Lovely subtle weathering too. Love it!!🙂
10 December 2013, 10:13
![](/profiles/img/12038-s.jpg)
I'm glad you like it guys.
In 2014, I will focus on more exotic themes 🙂
10 December 2013, 15:35