F4D-1 Skyray supersonic Fighter Jet

Having built over 100 1/72 scale kits, I can honestly say that this one is in the top 5%. Molding is flawless, fit is perfect, and assembly easy as it gets. Landing gear is a bit fiddly, but well represented. Instructions are good, and should be followed carefully. Paint callouts abound. Decals are top notch. I would highly recommended this kit to all 1/72 aficionados.

The Douglas F4D-1 Skyray was the primary fleet defense interceptor for the U.S. Navy & Marines until the advent of the McDonnell F4 Phantom in the early 1960's. If there was ever a beauty contest for jet fighters, the Skyray would likely be the winner! But it was more than just a pretty face because it was very fast and would have been lethal as well, had it ever encountered a hostile enemy. I was looking for a fast and easy kit to build and this Tamiya Skyray was definitely it. Tamiya kits, in general, are among the best in all categories, whether aircraft, armor, ships, or autos, and this kit is right in there. All fits, scale fidelity, details, and decals are top notch with absolutely no negatives. I finished my Skyray with Testors gloss Gull Gray, lightened with 20% Flat White to get a scale gloss finish on the top portions of the model. I thoroughly enjoyed this build from start to finish and highly recommend this kit for all modelers.

This is a lovely kit of a beautiful airplane. I chose to build mine in a wheels-up configuration. The gear doors fit perfectly, as did all of the other parts in this kit. The only screw-ups were my own. I've built dozens of 1/72 kits, and I can't think of a better one than this. I was grateful for the amazing decals to help with all of the blue surfaces. I thought I might work my way up to some kind of con about this kit, but I just can't do it. You know those times when you're building a kit and you think, Oh, here's the part where I'll be filling and sanding for an hour. Not with this one. Astonishingly good fit. And what about the detail? I paused to take pictures of the panel lines before, during, and after painting. This is a great kit to geek out about, especially since few of us have ever seen one of these birds in person. And who can't love the sweeping lines and elegant curves? Highly, highly recommended.