Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

New from Teknics is TK48088, a resin conversion kit engineered to enable you to convert the Trumpeter F9F-2 kit to the earlier XF9F-2 and –3 models.

The set is simplicity in itself. It comprises eight resin pieces in total, a pair of outer wings sans the tip tanks, a pair of smooth speed brakes, a pair of lengthened horizontal stabilisers and three pitot tubes of differing lengths.

Whilst the parts (apart from the pitot tubes) have been supplied as direct replacements for the kit parts – read no cutting required- Teknics have taken the opportunity to improve the wing fold detail on the outer wings to over and above what has been engineered into the kit parts which is a good thing as the wings on the experimental F9Fs stood up at 90 degrees exposing the wing’s structural details. The horizontal stabilisers simply require the casting plug to be removed as their attachment tongues are exactly the same as the kit’s ones. The speed brakes are also a drop fit also, they look as if they have been cast from suitably modified kit parts (all the external detail has been removed to give them a smooth surface).

The parts have been cast in a light grey coloured resin. The casting is well up to the standard we are accustomed to from Teknics too with no pinholes or miscast at all. The trailing edges of the wings and horizontal stabilisers are just as you want them sharp, thin and perfectly straight.

Support information comes via a black and white A-4 sheet that contains photos of the kit parts (wing and horizontal stabilisers) as well as a picture of a one-to-one-scale XF9-F and notes to aid you in the construction of your kit.

The parts come packed in a plastic zip-loc bag wrapped in bubble wrap which is in turn placed in a small but sturdy cardboard box which should easily resist damage in the post. Mention should also be made of the lengths that Teknics have gone to with the pitot tubes to ensure that they arrive in one piece. To do this, Teknics have cast them on a plinth with thick “sprues” on either end. They worked too as my sample arrived in one piece despite the sprue separating!

In summary, a very nice set from Teknics that would make a perfect entry into the world of aftermarket conversions for the novice.

Recommended.

Footnote

Should you opt to build one of these experimental Panthers, you are going to need markings for it.

Yellowhammer Models comes to your rescue here with their Hot Cats on Parade #3. It provides markings for three XF9F-2 schemes, two XF9F, XF9F-3 schemes, as well as an ATU bird from NAS Pensacola in gull grey and white paint scheme that can be built right out of the Trumpeter parts.

The sheet also includes BlackMagic pre-cut painting masks.

Thanks to Teknics for the review sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2007 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 06 May, 2007
Last updated 04 June, 2007

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