1:72 F-8 FN/P CRUSADER

Armycast F-8 FN/P Crusader, decals 1:72

A decal sheet from Armycast for models of the Vought F-8 Crusader carrier fighter in 1:72 scale, marked for the FN and P versions. The package holds decals only; the model, paints and glue are not part of it. The sheet is intended for modelers who want to build a Crusader outside standard American service.

The real subject

The Crusader was a single-engine supersonic carrier fighter with a variable-incidence wing, thanks to which it could keep the fuselage level for takeoff and landing. In its day it was among the fastest machines of its kind and it became famous for an armament that still relied on cannons. Besides the US Navy it also served abroad, where the machines flew from decks and from land bases for a long time after the original user had retired them. Foreign aircraft carried different national insignia, numbers and lettering, so they can be told from the American machines at first glance.

How to apply the decals

In 1:72 scale the motifs are small, so work with smooth-jawed tweezers and a fine brush. The surface must be glossy and clean. Soak the decal, let it rest and slide the film onto a drop of water, in which you align it into position. Soak the excess up with the corner of a paper towel, not with your finger. Use a softener only once it has dried and do not move the decal any more, otherwise it will tear. A final varnish unifies the gloss and hides the edges of the film.

Who the sheet is for

• builders of the Crusader in 1:72 scale
• anyone interested in the foreign users of American carrier fighters
• modelers for whom the schemes from the original box are not enough
• collectors of Cold War aircraft

This is a decal sheet, not a kit. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.