Beetle Bomb Bearcat

Neuling
Very nice build! What´s the purpose of this "beetle bomber"?

Robert Podkoński
Thanks a lot. When "Blue Angels" begun to perform in June 1946 the routine included "shooting down" yellow painted North American SNJ-6 'Texan' with hinomarus applied on the wings and fuselage, that descended trailing fake smoke and parachuted a dummy pilot, who was next "captured" by a detachment of Marines on the ground. Since a plane with hinomarus was still not very much welcomed by the spectators, these were next removed from the yellow Texan and substituted with blue titles "US Navy" and the plane earned a nickname "Beetle Bomb". When the team transitioned to Bearcats (August 1946!) one of them inherited the name and the role - allegedly the "dummy" pilot was carried under the wing and dropped after being "shoot down" - but I have found no photos to confirm that. Interestingly - the "Beetle Bomb" Bearcat was a part of the team still when "Blue Angels" flew F7U-1 "Cutlass"-es, but only as a support plane (whatever it means).

Neuling
Nice story, thank you!

Robert Podkoński
Neuling, you are welcome🙂 Thanks for the likes, mates.

Mark K
How did I miss this? Charming model and fascinating story!

Jan Peters
Original model, with a nice story behind it, whats not to like?

Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Mark and Jan, much appreciated 🙂

Charlie Spitfire
love the smoke did you airbrush it

Robert Podkoński
Perhaps it is too heavy, but I assumed that there must had been added something to fuel, if during the show it "went down trailing smoke"... Actually I used weathering pencils and dry pastels here.

Charlie Spitfire
oh i do have a airbrush and after finishing construction of my brstol blenheim i want to use it to make some smoke lines but i think i will have to bore out the ends of the pipe first if you want go check it out on my page i would appreciate some feed back as i do not usually have to opportunity's for actual modelist to help me

Guy Rump
Nice build and great back story Robert. 👍

Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Guy 🙂

Thomas Kolb
You got the yellow finish really radiant, what primer did you use underneath?

Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Thomas. As far as I remember first I spray painted Tamiya light gray primer and next white finishing primer (but forgot to paint the cowling white). Then I airbrushed Tamiya yellow 50:50 flat and gloss. The addition of flat yellow gave better coverage, I think.

Djordje Nikolic
Now you don't see that every day. Nice!

Robert Podkoński
Thanks, Djordje!

Boris B
I had missed that one too, until now... Nice build ! I was thinking about doing it in 1:48, but ended up making the SNJ version (i'm still missing the proper 'US Navy' decals), and will probably make a 'normal' Blue Angels Bearcat.
I was going to say something about those airplanes being kept very clean, but you have already answered that comment.
Did you use the box decals ?

Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Boris, for your interest and kind words. Yes, I used the decals from the box, they behaved very well, actually.

Greg Baker
This is very nice!

Michael Kohl
Like it too

Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Greg, thank you, Michael, much appreciated! 🙂

Bernd Grün
Joining in late. Very nice build,, Robert! Congrats, mate! 👍

Robert Podkoński
Thanks for reaching this out, Bernd 🙂 You're too kind to me.

Johan van Meerloo
I just bought a Bearcat a month ago I think
but this looks great in yellow

Robert Podkoński
It looks unusual for sure in this livery - perhaps you've noticed Johan that I have a soft spot for unusual planes and liveries 😉

Johan van Meerloo
yeah, Im not sure yet for my bearcat, on the stream with mos6510 we always have fun with the bearcat jokes on mondays.
I got some 19th air wing colour decals for a bearcat so that might be nicer then what came with the kit.
but this yellow one looks stunning!