CAT4 1:48 F-8 Crusader conversion - first look

Rando Author
CAT4 coming to the rescue with what seems like a nice set of parts that can backdate the Hasegawa F-8E. While we all really want a full kit tooled by someone, getting conversion kits is the next best thing, and the ones out there are all but impossible to obtain, and none of them really capture the shape of the nose very well. Not anymore, for the moment at least. Tonight I got a good look at the nose shape of the new kit and find it compares well to reference photos. Next up is seeing how it fits on the F-8 fuselage, which means some plastic surgery.

Rando Author
Added some more photos comparing the kits with 1:48 F-8C scale drawings from the Muroc kit. So far I like the overall shape, but the front plate where the radome connects makes the nose a little too long overall. Might just need to shave it down and blend the shape some.

Sergej I
Following 👍

Rando Author
CAT4 has released an improved version of their nose. While the measurements don't appear to be perfect, it's better than the original and I'd feel much better about incorporating it into a kit. Seamless intake is a huge plus too 👍

Lionel S.
Thank you Rando, do you think we can get a décent F-8 C with this conversion from cat4 ?

Patrick Hagelstein
Very useful info for a 1/72 scratch conversion. Thanks Rando! 👍

Rando Author
Hi guys thanks for your interest. Lionel—mostly yes, however the nose cone for CAT4's improved release is still not accurate. I had one designed by a 3D printer expert who was kind enough to make the CAD and print them. It was made to fit CAT4's forward fuselage part and be as close to real dimensions as possible—still not totally accurate but mostly looks the part. You'll see in my current project I'm finishing—which is an F-8D—that it's a good bit of work to get the resin parts attached, particularly aligning the cut-off kit intake to the CAT4 inlet. If you like the Crusader and really want to build a backdated one, it's really the only game in town unless you want to scratchbuild. If people are interested, I can ask about more 3D printed nose cones. Vought F-8D Crusader, VF-32 "Swordsmen" | Album by Rando (1:48)

On that subject, Patrick—I also was playing with an idea to kitbash a 1/72 conversion with the Sword kit. Not a perfect idea because the bottom of the RF-8 fuselage has a flat profile, so some kind of solution will be needed to make the shape flush and correct. Vought F-8H Crusader, VFP-63 (F-8E + RF-8 kitbash) | Album by Rando (1:72)

Lionel S.
Thank you Rando, clear answer. I'm seriously thinking to build a 1:48 F-8 C from VF-111 on the intrepid during the VN war

Rando Author
A great choice. That's one of many in my plans too. For the C, make sure you get the early windscreen with the full length front window. Of all the parts CAT4 made, that might be the most essential, since you can reprofile the nose and remove the hump yourself, but it's much harder to replace that clear window. If you get CAT4's "early set" it has what you need for a C or a D except the windscreen a C needs. It also has the correct instrument panel with the round radar scope, which is nicely 3D printed. F-8 Crusader Conversion set (early) (CAT4 R48100, 1:48) F-8 Crusader Windscreen (early) (CAT4 R48102, 1:48)