Updated scribed surface details, more
detail around the airframe
Cons
Minor issues carried over from the
1/32 Trumpeter kit design
Skill Level
Basic
MSRP (USD)
$59.95
Background
The F-100A was a supersonic day fighter, a high-speed sports
model of the F-86 Sabre dogfighter. While the F-100A did enter
operational service, more aerodynamic problems were discovered
including inertia coupling and low-speed wing-tip stalling
which would lead to a sudden pitch-up of the aircraft. Despite
its problems, the F-100A was kept on operational rolls for
a number of years, but it was quickly displaced by the F-100C.
The F-100C had similar stability issues as the F-100A, but
it also incorporated additional pylons, air refueling capabilities,
and the ability to carry and deliver nuclear weapons. Like
the F-100A, the F-100C did not have trailing edge flaps for
take-off and landing - these were incorporated with the F-100D.
These aircraft did have the aerodynamically actuated leading
edge slats that were also used on the F-86 Sabre. The F-100C
did see combat with the Air National Guard, both Colorado and
New Mexico took their aircraft over to Vietnam for a tour of
close air support and tactical strike missions.
The F-100D incorporated numerous design improvements learned
from production and operational experience with the F-100C.
One of the most notable changes in the airframe was the updated
wings that incorporated trailing edge flaps to reduce take
off and landing speeds, thereby shortening the length of the
runway required. The F-100D also incorporated improved avionics
and a taller vertical stabilizer.
The Kit
Trumpeter has released its second installment in the 1/48th
scale F-100 series, the F-100D. Like the F-100C released a
few months ago, this kit is a simplified and scaled down version
of their 1/32nd scale design. As a result, this kit has similar
features as its larger cousin.
Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is presented on seven
parts trees plus two trees of clear styrene parts. Like the
F-100C kit, this kit features finely scribed surface details
and no sign of the 'mad riveter'. According to the specs, there
are 168 parts to make up this kit. Is this a scaled down version
of Trumpeter's 1/32 kit? Some parts of the design were scale
down, but there are interesting differences as well. So let's
get to the features:
Fuselage is molded without fuselage break
Fuselage has correct tail for D-model (and F)
Intake is flat on the bottom
Wing is correct for the D-model (and F)
Ejection seats are similar to the 1/32 kit w/seat cushions
and D/F styled headrests
Boarding ladder
Separately molded ailerons, stabilator, and rudder
Positionable flaps and slats
Two styles of speed brakes and brake wells
Positionable speed brakes
Straight and angled air refueling booms
Straight or stowed pitot booms
Full length air intake duct
Canopy looks great
Inverted Y-type Sidewinder missile
rail pylons for the inboards
Standard inboard pylons also included
TERS provided for the inboard pylons
Four AIM-9
Small and large external fuel tanks
This kit does have one other interesting difference over the
1/32 F-100D kit - there is no engine face at the end of the
duct in this kit. I'm happy to see that they didn't scale down
that odd bit out of the 1/32 kit.
There is one unfortunate difference between this kit and the
previous F-100C in this scale - the F-100D does not include
the F-102 afterburner nozzle. I received a number of complaints
from some of the hard core F-100 fans about the Trumpeter 1/48
F-100C release complaining that the kit included both types
of speed brakes and other details not found on the F-100C.
Clearly they didn't understand that many of these parts trees
are common to all of the F-100 releases.
However, when I examined this kit, I immediately noticed the lack of the F-102
afterburner nozzle and had to look at the F-100C kit to understand why
- Trumpeter had molded that part on the F-100C wing sprue which
would not be seen in the later releases. So, if you want to
model an Air National Guard D or F model, you'll have to get
an F-100C to get the F-102 afterburner nozzle.
Note that you will not use the F-102 nozzle on the F-100C as it was never
used on that airframe. You'll also never use the F-102 nozzle
on F-100D/F models before or during Vietnam. This innovation
came along after 1975.
F-100D-25-NA, 55-3634, 308 TFS/ 31 TFW, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN
F-100D-10-NA, 54-2154, 11-YK, French Air Force, Sharkmouth
A note on the camouflaged French F-100D. These aircraft were
delivered to the France as bare metal airframes, so while the camouflage
pattern looks similar to USAF patterns, check your references.
They were similar, but they were not identical and even the
colors were different.
Many of the sources I've been in contact
with have indicated the sharkmouthed Huns over Algeria were
light blue underneath, not gray as shown in the color profile.
The greens and tan were somewhat different though we don't
have good color match-ups yet. I bring all of this up as the
sharkmouthed Hun is one of the most interesting camouflaged
F-100s schemes I've seen.
Conclusion
We now have an updated version of the 1/48th scale F-100D
on the market with some good potential for detailing. While
the Monogram kit has been the mainstay of the Hun world before
these Trumpeter kits came along, the raised panel line detailing
was a legacy of the molding technology of the time and those
details disappeared near the seam lines, especially around
the nose. With this kit, the detailing is crisp and visible
all around the airframe. the flat-bottomed nose is still an
annoyance, but you do have a low-cost option available to you
- graft on the nose from your Monogram kit and make the necessary
adjustments to the underside of the Trumpeter nose to adapt.
The better news is that all of the aftermarket decals and
details you've been setting aside for your Monogram kit can
be used here as well.
I am really looking forward to the F-100F and I do
hope we'll eventually see the F-100F in 1/32 scale
as well!
