To take advantage of the new Hasegawa 1/48 F-8J, Superscale has released a sheet with two interesting schemes. The aircraft is in Light Gull Grey over White as was the norm for all of the gunfighter Crusader's life-time. It was only the RF-8s that saw any of the low-viz schemes. Neither of these planes are CAG birds, and I guess Superscale has been listening to those of you who are tired of the gaudy birds and want something more representative of what the majority of pilots flew.

First up is a VF-194 F-8J from the USS Oriskany in 1976. I dare say that it was probably the last Oriskany cruise and also the swan song of VF-194 as a Crusader squadron as well. After it was disestablished, it came back for only about a year as a Tomcat squadron, but never made a cruise and was sent back to oblivion from which it has not arisen.

The other is from VF-301, a reserve squadron at NAS Miramar. This unit went on to Phantoms and then Tomcats before falling to the post Desert Storm axe that hit the Naval Reserve.

The sheet offers full markings for one of the two subjects.

Review copy courtesy of . Thanks for your support.