Michigan ANG 171st FIS F-112A Arrow

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:24:44 PM

Here's a Hobbycraft 1/72 CF-105 Arrow done up in Air Defense Grey for the Michigan Air National Guard's 171st Fighter Interceptor Squadron, of the 191st Fighter Interceptor Group, stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Southeast Michigan.

Decals are from some F-4C decal sheet that wasn't as cool as I hoped it was going to be (I thought there'd be more MiANG decals, instead there was only enough for one plane!).

I honestly had no idea what I was going to build this plane as when I bought it, but as I was looking through the decal box, I found the decal set.

The intake checkerboard from the F-4 fit perfectly on the Arrow's splinter plate, but hte tail checkerboard was the problem. I wanted to do the whole tail up in the yellow and black checker, but as I looked at pics of the various planes the 171st has used over the years, some of them had varying patterns on the tail. I decided that instead of torturing myself, I'd see what this version looked like. Turned out not all that bad.

Still having trouble with that damn camera, though.

I designated this plane the F-112A Arrow. It was built in conjunction with the F-108A Rapier, which had a higher top speed, but required a longer runway to take off from, and didn't have the payload of the F-112A. The two complemented one another. The F-112A was retired in 1984, having been replaced by multiple other aircraft, including the F-106 in ANG squadrons (cheaper to maintain), the F-4, and finally the F-16.

Selfridge's Arrows served from 1969 to 1976, when they were replaced by F-106's. One example remains at Selfridge, in the Selfridge Air Park and Museum's outdoor display.

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:25:11 PM

Rear view

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:26:10 PM

Side view (I hate my camera's flash)

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:26:41 PM

Top view

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:27:16 PM

Ground level view

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:27:45 PM

Ground level rear

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:28:51 PM

Here's a few pics of the USAF's two operational Mach 3 interceptors

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:29:20 PM

Another view

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 02:30:01 PM

Almost ground levelish type view thing...

John Howling Mouse · February 03, 2006, 03:57:38 PM

Wow!!! Love 'em both!

tigercat2 · February 03, 2006, 04:38:14 PM

Great job on two of my favorite aircraft!! I especially like the scheme on the '108. Is that the Anigrand F-108? When I built mine, I was amazed at how big that aircraft is - about the size of a B-58!!

Wes W.

tigercat2 · February 03, 2006, 04:44:59 PM

Here' s a shot of my '108 with FAST Packs and external tanks, along with a few semi-recessed AAMs. I had a bit of trouble with the vacuform canopy, but it was a great model to build.

Wes W.

anthonyp · February 03, 2006, 04:56:20 PM

Yep, it's the Anigrand one. Here's the thread I posted the pics of it in. Was gonna post it before, but forgot.

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/forum//index...?showtopic=5590

tigercat2 · February 03, 2006, 06:25:41 PM

We must think alike - here is a dream flight line from the late 60s.

Wes W.

Brian da Basher · February 03, 2006, 06:59:57 PM

Holy cow Anthony you're a whif-machine! Those are two stunning builds! That Arrow in MI ANG markings is one for the books!

Brian da Basher

P.S. Wes, your builds always amaze me too. I wonder if you and Anthony are somehow related.