ESCI 1:48 F-100D THUNDERBIRD

[MikeyKb]

I don't know what it is with me finding vintage kits and feeling the need to torture myself, especially as a beginner... but maybe that's why. I'd rather do the more complicated ones now, so that I can do the ever more complicated (and better fitting) ones later

I've been scratching my head as to if I wanted to attempt this GB. Haven't built an jet or airplane...well, ever... unless you can call what I did as a 9 year old 'modelling' and I couldn't really find anything that I wanted to do at this stage, especially with the other things I have on the go. While strolling through my LHS, I came across this one, don't know why it caught my eye, nor do I know why I didn't grab the 'current' version next to it

I got it for a GREAT price and am actually really looking forward to the finished product. Like all my models, I'll hopefully be trying new and different methods.

So, without further ado, here's my GB entry...




On 7 June 1957, an F-100D fitted with an Astrodyne booster rocket making 150,000 lbf (667.2 kN) of thrust successfully performed a zero length launch. This was accomplished with the addition of a large canister to the underside of the aircraft. This canister contained a black powder compound and was ignited electro-mechanically, driving the jet engine to minimal ignition point. The capability was incorporated into late-production aircraft. After a major accident, the USAF Thunderbirds reverted from F-105 Thunderchiefs to the F-100D which they operated from 1964 until it was replaced by the F-4 Phantom II in 1968.

Role Fighter, Fighter-bomber, Attack aircraft, Wild Weasel
Manufacturer North American Aviation
First flight 25 May 1953
Introduction 27 September 1954
Retired: 1979,United States Air National Guard; 1988,Republic of China Air Force
Status: Phased out of service
Primary Users: United States Air Force
Turkish Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
French Air Force
Produced: 1953–1959
Number built: 2,294
Unit cost US$697,029 (F-100D) ($6.06 million in today's dollars)
Developed from: North American F-86 Sabre
Developed into: North American F-107





Here's the 'bag-shot'


And all the pieces... as you can see, this doesn't exactly look like it's going to be longest build... but those decals looks WICKED. I'm maybe thinking trying Alclad for this baby and giving lacquer a shot... or maybe just my Tamya Chrome Silver



Sadly, the seat is empty I might need to find someone to sit in it... it might be just me though, but this 1:48 seat looks a lot bigger than the bum of my 1:48 figures... possible that it's a 'different' 1:48?


Now, I'm a bit confused. In the next series of shots you'll see what appear to be flash marks... but are identically symmetrical on each and every piece... nor do they look like traditional marks... BTW, there is NO flash on this kit, a tiny sanding here and there will be all that's needed for the pieces...but these markings... so weird...







Some of the markings even have detailing in them... I'm not sure what I'm going to do about them, I'll wait until it's assembled and sand if necessary then.. would it be wrong to just paint over them...?? They look almost 'normal'...

Sooo, I couldn't quite resist getting a little head-start, as I'm already a little late with this entry so I put the cockpit together!!

...annnnddd... DONE! .... ya... the rest is decals... don't know how I feel about it that hole is for THE stick, and that's it... but as I don't know the size of my pilot, I might have to adjust the hole where the stick goes... mooooving along...

Wings are SEAMLESS!! Literally a perfect fit, didn't expect that from this kit... hope this keeps up.



That's all I got for now, but it's looking like I might rip right through this one

[Gav0909]

Nice subject mate, and kudos for taking on an older kit.

Re: the "blobs" you first showed. No, I believe they are the locating pins as they are the underwing pylons if I am not mistaken. So they should be there. The flatter sections are more than likely rough representations of the weapon attachment to the pylon. Check the instructions, if the part looks like that on there, that's how its meant to be.

Re: the circle "markings" with the detail in them. They are meant to be there. Yes they look like ejection pin marks, but if there is rivet detail they are likely to be part of the airframe detail. If there is a flat circle that really looks out of place, chances are its an ejection pin mark. You will want to remove those. Best thing is to double check, refer to the instructions and pictures online.

Hope that helps

[Rob]

Good luck with this build. That is a fantastic looking colour scheme

[MikeyKb]

Nice subject mate, and kudos for taking on an older kit.

Best thing is to double check, refer to the instructions and pictures online.

Hope that helps

Thanks a lot!!! That's very helpful, unfortunately, the instructions pretty much suck I don't know if you can tell in the photos, but the instructions and photos are super crapolla. The photos online have the jet super 'smooth' looking without those 'blobs'... as for the injector marks, I'll take out the ones that are super out of place. Thanks for the info!!

[Gav0909]

Yeah, you have to remember that detail such as rivets, panel lines, access hatches etc aren't really raised on aircraft. They are raised in older models as the technology back then mainly meant that raised detail was easier to mold. This required material to be removed from the mold surface, rather than added as it is to create recessed detail. Nowadays molds are tooled by high-tech CNC machines etc.

There should be on EPMs on the outer surface of wings, fuselage etc. The wing pylons do seem to have raised circle detail, and an EPM, so just be careful which you remove, as some might be meant to be there!

[T3hGuppy]

Interesting choice buddy.

Will look impressive in those markings when finished.