1/48 Trumpeter F-100C

Gallery Article by Tolga ULGUR on Jan 19 2015

 

      

This is 1/48 Trumpeter F-100C finished with TuAF (Turkish Air Force) markings. This F-100C 54-2083 was from 112nd squadron. 

F-100 Super Sabres served in the Vietnam War from 1964-1971 were one of the longest serving aircraft type during operations. Then, following the arrival of F-4s and F-105s, the USAF sent the Huns back to the U.S, including the Air National Guard units called in as reinforcements to Vietnam in 1968-1969. These units flying F-100C models upgraded to D models or transitioned to other aircraft types. So it was decided to transfer the venerable F-100Cs to Turkey. The selected aircraft were refurbished at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California.

All of the veteran F-100Cs were flown by American pilots and brought to Turkey with the help of aerial refueling from USAF tankers. Those tankers also helped the F-100 packages in navigation across the Atlantic Ocean. With these reinforcements, first 112 Sqd received F-100Cs in 1972. followed by 182 Sqd. In 1973 3rd Jet Base Command stationed at Konya received F-100Cs for the 131 and 132 Sqd. F-100Cs saw action for the second time after Vietnam in the 1974 Cyprus Operation.

Reference picture (last photo) is from Hans Konig’s archieve and taken in 1973 during a squadron exchange visit at Norvenich Air Base Germany. 

 

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I started from the nose of the fuselage.  The nose section of the kit needs correction due to its wrong shape. To fix this I used AMS F-100 resin nose set.  I also re-positioned the horizontal stabilizators.

I have decided to improve some other areas on the kit. This means new purchases which are:

  • Aires F-100C Super Sabre cockpit set

  • AMS F-100C Seat ( Due to inaccurate seat in Aires cockpit set)

  • Aires F-100C/D Super Sabre Exhaust Nozzle

  • Aires F100 Wheels 

  • Aires F-100 Super Sabre Speed Brake (early)

  • Master 48-040 pitot tube.

  • Painting was done with Gunze Sangyo acrylics. Heat treatment of the metal in the afterburner section painted with different colors of Alclad.lacquers.

  • Roundels are from Turquoise decal set.

PS: Thanks to Levent Basara for the information about TuAF Huns

Reference:F-100 Super Sabre in Turkish Air Force –Vol2 / Levent Basara

Happy Modelling

Tolga ULGUR

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Photos and text © by Tolga ULGUR