USAF Thunderbirds F-106

Ed S · September 12, 2013, 07:07:50 PM

In the late 60's, the Thunderbirds began looking to replace their F-100's. At the time, the Chief of Staff knew the Navy was planning to change to the Phantom for the Blue Angels. He basically told his staff that under no circumstances would the Thunderbirds use a Navy airplane. He wanted a Air Force airplane. So several types were trialed. The F-106 was selected as the Thunderbirds new mount.

d

I just finished this for the Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda group build over on BTS. It was built out of the box. The only change was to close up the missile bay. The doors didn't fit very well when closed. It took some putty to make it fit flush. The kit is the Hasegawa1/72 f-106.

Ed

Captain Canada · September 12, 2013, 08:24:31 PM

Oh yeah...could you imagine ? Was lucky enough to see them in F-5s, Phantoms and F-16s....but this would have been awesome ! Just something about those ( overpriced ) Hasegawa kits....canopy ? I remember paying almost $30 for a Crusader and it looked pure crap.....anyway, where I was heading with that was it's a perfect excuse to do another with the $10 dollar 48Th scale Monogram kit

Nice one, Ed !

McColm · September 12, 2013, 10:49:00 PM

Great build .

Dizzyfugu · September 12, 2013, 11:53:39 PM

Nice! I assume that the TB livery was applied manually/painted? I know there's an aftermarket sheet for such an aircraft out there, but yours looks like a true "home-made" work(?). Anyway, well done - an elegant bird with an appropraiate livery. Looks much better than a TB F-4, IMHO.

scooter · September 13, 2013, 02:06:56 AM

Beautiful work, Ed.

bobbo · September 13, 2013, 03:59:38 AM

. . . I think I'm in love . . .

bobbo

PR19_Kit · September 13, 2013, 04:01:02 AM

Ed, that's a MASTERPIECE!

I love your thinking about how the USAF should have done it, and the Six would have made a superb T'bird too. Why ever didn't they do it?

I saw the F4-E T'birds at an RAF Upper Heyford open day in the 70s and they were VERY loud, but took the entire county to make a 180 deg turn!

sandiego89 · September 13, 2013, 06:08:38 AM

I like it also. Looks like it must have taken lots of time cutting tape to outline the paint. Well done. I am a big fan of the six. Turn radius and energy bleeding would be an issue for a T-bird show, but what a sight and sound it would have been!

NARSES2 · September 13, 2013, 07:50:45 AM

That does look good

scooter · September 13, 2013, 01:54:53 PM

Quote from: sandiego89 on September 13, 2013, 06:08:38 AM... but what a sight and sound it would have been!

Something like this perhaps-

lancer · September 13, 2013, 02:07:58 PM

That is a very very very nice looking machine Ed. Always liked the '106

Captain Canada · September 13, 2013, 02:09:11 PM

Great formation shot ! Never seen that one before....awesome !

PR19_Kit · September 13, 2013, 03:09:20 PM

That Six formation must have sounded AWESOME!

Sadly I've never set eyes on one, even in a museum.

sandiego89 · September 13, 2013, 05:51:34 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on September 13, 2013, 03:09:20 PM
Sadly I've never set eyes on one, even in a museum.

Time to pack your bags and hop across the pond. I saw a few fly years ago. I can spend a long time looking at 106's on the ground- very neat lines and impressive.

PR19_Kit · September 14, 2013, 12:12:38 AM

Quote from: sandiego89 on September 13, 2013, 05:51:34 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on September 13, 2013, 03:09:20 PM
Sadly I've never set eyes on one, even in a museum.

Time to pack your bags and hop across the pond. I saw a few fly years ago. I can spend a long time looking at 106's on the ground- very neat lines and impressive.

I'd have to sell most of the contents of The Loft to be able to afford it I'm afraid. Unless I win the Lottery I've already made my last trip to the US.