Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat (Blue Angels Aircraft)

Blue Angels Bearcat at Grumman factory, 1946. 

The Monogram kit depicts an F8F-2 version (more or less), including an extra frame on the canopy, which had to be removed. 

The -2 version also had 4 20mm cannons, which were removed. To accommodate the cannon ammunition feed drums, bulges were added to the ammunition doors on each wing. These were also removed, and the panel lines re-scribed. The -2 also had a taller tail than the -1 by 12 inches to offset the torque created by a more powerful engine. The Monogram kit has a tail that is between the -1 and -2 tail heights. I have decided not to modify the tail for this build. 

All parts primed and ready for painting.