The Grumman F8F was one of the most potent of the last generation of piston engined fighters. It was too late to see US service during World War II but flew with the French, Thai and South Vietnamese air forces in South East Asia.

The F8F was the smallest airframe that could designed around the most powerful engine to create a high performance fighter.

Design started in November 1943 and the first prototype flew in August 1944 but they were about to enter US Navy service when World War II ended.

They flew with a number of Navy squadrons but were soon replaced by jet fighters.

Over a hundred were used by the French in Vietnam and some were later given to Thailand and South Vietnam.

This model represents a F8F-1 in service with the Armee de l’Air, Groupe de Chasse GC 12/1 in French Indochina in 1952.

Hobby Boss 1:72 kit with Print Scale decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in September 2021.