In 1945,  the USAAF recognized that all the early jet fighters lacked sufficient range to escort bombers to the target. So proposals for a penetration fighter were requested. In 1947, McDonnell submitted its larger-sized F2H proposal, and was chosen for two prototypes, designated XF-88 Voodoo. The other designs entered in the competition were the Lockheed XF-90 and the North American YF-93A. In 1948, the XF-88 made its first flight. Handling was acceptable but the speed was disappointing. So the second prototype was modified with two afterburning turbojets, and was redesignated XF-88A. The XF-88A reached higher speeds, but still not fast enough. In June 1950, after a fly-off with the XF-90 and YF-93,  the USAF chose the XF-88A as the winner of the contest. However, no production order was justified at the time because of the outbreak of the Korean War. At the war’s conclusion,  the USAF still required a modern escort fighter. McDonnell was asked to develop an advanced design based on the XF-88. Two prototypes were ordered that became the F-101 with the same name of Voodoo. One XF-88 was modified with a turbo-prop in the nose to become the XF-88B. Neither prototype survives today.

Molded in Anigrand's now common buff resin with well defined engraved panel lines and the usual air bubble holes and flash, the kit provides all that you need to make an excellent model for your shelf as it comes. If you are into doing some extra work in the detailing department, a real show winner can be made.

These garage kits always provide a bit of a challenge to the modeler, but when you reach the level where you are building kits like this, you have to have the skills needed to correct what you find. It is the nature of the beast that you'll find no two kits exactly alike. Some will require a bit more work than others. This particular one suffers a bit more than the norm from molding glitches. For instance, the strut mounting holes have gone all the way through the wing. There are quite a few air bubbles on the tip of the right wing, the left fuselage half has a section that is very thin and the nose gear well and interior have a lot of additional gunk in it that will have to be chipped out. All of this can be easily repaired using either super glue or epoxy filler and then carefully sanded smooth.

The cockpit consists of a seat, instrument panel and control stick. No instrument detail is provided. The wheel wells have some detail in them made from strip plastic and just in there for looks as the real well detail bears no resemblance at all. But it doesn't really matter to most modelers and those seeing it on display certainly won't know. Gear doors are somewhat thick and need to be cut, for the most part, prior to use. On this kit, the main wheel is molded to the nose gear. Wheels are also quite generic and look very much like the ones used on a dozen other Anigrand kits. No indication of how much weight is needed in the nose, but I'd put in as much as possible to be sure of no tail sitting. A single somewhat cloudy vac canopy is provided with somewhat indistinct frame lines.

Instructions are unchanged from kit #1 with a history and photo and exploded view and parts list on one side. The other is a painting and decal guide with a nice three view. I should point out that the nose anti-glare panel shown is for the second prototype. The first prototype has a more straight line to it. Markings are provided for both prototype aircraft and differ only in serial number. The sheet for the YF-93A is provided where you can glean the insignia. Apparently the aircraft never carried the USAF or US Air Force markings. The initial rollout of the first prototype did carry the 'McDonnell XF-88' logo and would have been nice to have.

I should also point out that the first prototype never had guns or fairings and it wore a nose tip probe for its entire existence.

If you have liked the previous kits from Anigrand, then you will like this one just as much. It is a fine kit for those who are getting into resin and is a subject that has only been available in vacuform before this. I know that it will look great on your shelves and will find a place in my P-1 to F-117 US fighter collection.

May 2006

Kit instructions.

My thanks toNostalgic Plastic/Anigrand USA for the review kit. Get yours from the link and pay no shipping in the US.

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