Northrop's F-89 Scorpion was probably the last purpose built night fighter developed for the US armed services. By the time that later fighers appeared, night operations were no longer the specialty that it had been. Now combat aircraft are truly all weather and also multi-purpose as the cost is such that we cannot afford too many specialty aircraft.

Early F-89s relied on a sextet of .50 cal machine guns to bring down enemy bombers. Later versions dropped the  guns for a more advanced radar and missiles. Fortunately for the US and crews of the plane, the Scorpion never saw combat of any sort.

Their service in front line USAF squadrons was quite short due to the few planes built and the rapid development of aircraft in the early/mid 1950s. They were quickly pawned off to the ANG who used them for an equally short period of time thanks to the aircrafts high maintenance requirements.

This sheet offer three F-89Cs from the Air National Guard. The colors for the Michigan ANG are orange-red on the sheet vice the normal insignia red so Aeromaster provides a supplement sheet (not shown) for these markings.

The first plane is from the 171FIS, Michigan ANG with all the red trim. This is the only plane you can build without trying to match decal colors. The 171st went through a number of different aircraft types during its air defense history. It now flies C-130s in the air transport role from Selfridge ANGB.

Next is a 190 FIS Idaho ANG F-89C. This one requires that you paint on all the dark blue areas and put on the myriad of stars. Should look like a killer scheme when done. The 190th now flies A-10 Warthogs from Gowen ANGB in Boise.

Finally a 186 FIS Montana ANG Scorpion. This one will only require that you match the light blue for the tip tanks. The 186th is the only one of the three still flying the air defense mission. I believe they have now given up their F-16 ADFs for F-16Cs.

As with most decal sheets, you get common markings for one aircraft and in this case you need to get data info from the kit. There is only one kit of this plane available in 1/48. Monogram released this variant a few years ago and it should still be around as these big fighters have not sold as well as R-M would have hoped. One of the reasons the new buyers are no longer releasing any all-new aircraft kits.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet!!

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