Pavla Models

1/48 F9F-2 Panther detail parts For the Hobbycraft/Trumpeter kit

Stock Numbers: U 48-22, U 48-23 and U 48-24

Reviewed By  Charles Landrum, IPMS# 26328

MSRP: $24.50 ((U 48-22) F9F-2 Nose Gear Well and Fuselage Speed Brakes) MSRP: $10.95 ((U 48-23) F9F-2 Rudder and Elevators, Jet Pipe) MSRP: $9.95 (U 48-24) F9F-2 Fuselage Flaps Website: www.pavlamodels.cz The Hobbycraft/Trumpeter kit, while not without its issues, is a decent representation of the aircraft and bears an uncanny resemblance to the Monogram kit. Hobbycraft/Trumpeter upped the ante, however, by adding engraved panel lines, folding wings and droppable flaps. But, like the Monogram kit, there is still room for additional detail. Right after Hobbycraft/ Trumpeter came out with their F9F kit, there was a flurry of aftermarket sets released -- mostly dominated by a now defunct company. Those products are no longer available and Pavla has stepped up and filled the void with its own series of detail sets focused outside the cockpit. These are engineered to be an easy swap and, since the Hobbycraft/Trumpeter kit is so close to the Monogram kit, these same details will fit it with little trouble. Set 48-22. The biggest weakness of either kit is the nose wheel well, which screams for detail due to its size and the presence of the magazine feeds to the nose guns. Monogram greatly simplified the detail in this area and Hobbycraft/Trumpeter did the same (the parts are interchangeable). The speed brakes are acceptable as is, but since they are integral to the nose wheel well, a single replacement well was logical. That is the approach Pavla took providing a drop-in replacement with a tremendous amount of detail added. This is a nice, clean casting with the gun feeds and longitudinal structure added. Pavla also provides the missing compressed gas cylinders for the speed brake area as separate parts for ease of painting. The speed brakes of both kits are perfectly fine, detail-wise, but Pavla provides replacements in resin anyway. There is a difference in the backing structure but I cannot tell which is more accurate, since I have not been able find any clear photos of the speed brake assembly. The Pavla brake matches the one by Fisher Models in 1/32.

The other two set really are intended to animate the aircraft control surface as if on take off and landing. While Hobbycraft/Trumpeter provided dropped wing flaps, they neglected the ventral flaps that lower for takeoff and landing. Also they made no provision to animate the horizontal and vertical stabilizer control surfaces. Set 48-23 provides the detail for the stabilizers with separate rudders, new horizontal stabilizers and separate elevators, and a replacement exhaust pipe. The rudder will require some simple surgery to animate, while the other parts are drop-in replacements. The horizontal stabilizers are obviously made from kit parts and carry over the recessed panel line detail. If you are using these in the Monogram kit and are not engraving the entire plane, you may want to fill the recessed line and rivet detail with Mr. Surfacer or other filler. On the replacement elevators the trim tabs are offset -- a nice detail. The exhaust pipe adds a margin of additional detail and is completely interchangeable.

Set 48-24 corrects the omission made by Hobbycraft/Trumpeter when they dropped the wing's flaps by providing dropped ventral flaps as well for the correct effect for landing. This will require the some surgery to accomplish and, fortunately, Pavla provide not only the well but also the flaps with full interior detail. It is a busy area when in use and this set captures it well. The modeler will need to cut along the flap indentation, which I must say is clearer on the Monogram kit, which this set also fits. You will want to thin the kit plastic at the point of attachment to achieve a better, more scale appearance. All of these sets will enhance your F9F and give you additional options for display of your Panther.My thanks to Pavla for the chance to review these nice upgrade parts!