Reviews : Hasegawa F-8E Crusader

This kit is very versatile, with a lot of options. PRO'S First you start with nice, engraved lines. Then you go on to a wing in the up or down position with nice detail inside. The wing flaps and ailerons in the down position, if the wing is in the up position. I choose the down position since I already have an older Monogram in the up position. A lot of detail in the wheel wells. Kit comes with Zuni rocket launchers and two wing pylons. I choose to just install two empty air to air missile launchers. A pilot is also included. An eight-page instruction book which is easy to follow. A ton of decals and decals for four different squadrons of CVW 19, which are very color full. Everything went together without any fit problems. CON'S The canopy can only be in the down position. You lose all the detail inside the cockpit. Also, I would have liked to have the marking and painting sheet separate from the instructions. The smaller print and so many numbers are difficult to follow. Am older and my eyes like the bigger sheets. I would recommend this for an experience builder only. If they get it in stock again, I will purchase another one and replace my old Monogram with the wing in the up position.

I really enjoyed this kit. The way the wings go on it really lends itself to an excellent paint job. My kit had some wing fitment issues. All it took was some filing and test fitting. It was meant to be built canopy closed, however it didn't want to open or closed so I had to improvise. Other than that it was a great build that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A fun build. Good detail and parts fit well. was fun looking into the tail number on the decals. You may want to upgrade the weapon systems as I did. All in all good build.