Furball Decals FDS48-03: Sea Blue F9F-8 Cougars

This is Furball Aero-Design's first sheet for the Kitty Hawk single seat Cougar. Most of you are aware that Revell did one of these back in days of yore, but most feel that was some scale other than 1/48 so I would not expect this sheet to fit that kit.

There are eleven very nice markings options on this sheet. All of these planes are overall gloss sea blue with corroguard leading edges to the flight surfaces and intakes.

First up is a blue trimmed plane from VF-13 aboard the USS Bennington in 1957. This aircraft does not have the nose probe. The sky blue on the wing tips will need to be painted.

Next is a VF-32 from the USS Ticonderoga in 1955. The white trim on the wing tips and rudder will need to be painted. In fact, this would be true of all the options with wing, horizontal tailplane or fin tip colors.

With a lot of yellow trim are two VF-61 planes. Both of these are from the USS Intrepid during 1956. At the time, VF-61 was carrying the Jolly Rogers name.

Also in yellow trim is a nicely done VF-74 plane from the USS Essex in 1957.

From the USS Lake Champlain in 1956 is a VF-81 plane.

VF-93's entry is from the USS Oriskany, also in 1956. No nose probe on this one.

With lots of yellow trim, most of which will need to be painted, is this VF-112 plane from the USS Essex in 1957. This one is also without a nose probe.

VA-113 is a unit popular with modelers of A-7s and they also flew the Cougar, this one being from the USS Essex in 1957.

Flying aboard the USS Shangri-La in 1956 is this VF-122 plane. Note that several planes have a decal provided to wrap around the nose probe and this is one of them.

The final option is with VA-126, the training squadron based at NAS Miramar in 1956. It is also without a nose probe.

There is a brief description that accompanies each option which provides some additional info. Included in the set is a set of instructions on making your Cougar more accurate as Kitty Hawk made a few errors. All are very easily handles. Note also that none of these planes had the splitter plate so leave that off your build. There are data and insignia decals for two planes. All of the white markings have been double printed for maximum opacity. You also find a complete stencil placement guide. Overall, this Cartograf printed sheet is an excellent choice of markings and one you should seriously consider picking up.

July 2015

Review sheet courtesy of http://furballaero-design.com. You can get yours now at this link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.