Trumpeter 1/48th F-100D Super Sabre
By Gary Meinert
BACKGROUND
North American's F-100 Super Sabre was the follow-up to the successful F-86 Sabre of Korean War fame. Originally designed as a day fighter for the air superiority mission, the F-100 later became a fighter bomber. The F-100 was the first operational USAF jet fighter to exceed Mach 1, and the first of the famous Century Series fighters.
The F-100D was produced in greater numbers than other variants, and it was employed primarily in the fighter-bomber role. F-100Ds were deployed to Europe and the Far East with USAF tactical fighter wings during the cold war years. The aircraft was also supplied to allies, notably France,Denmark, and Turkey. In Vietnam, F-100Ds saw early action and were widely used through most of the conflict. Close air support for ground troops was its forte.
After Vietnam, F-100Ds continued in service with the Air National Guard until 1979. During the 1980s, many of them were converted into QF-100 target drones.
THE KIT
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After previously producing F-100 kits in 1/32 and 1/72 scales, Trumpeter has now relased this subject in 1/48th scale. The kit is nicely packaged in three bags along with separate smaller bags for the clear parts.
The parts are well-molded with no flash, and only a few ejector pin marks in visible areas (speed brakes, inside surface of upper intake trunk). However, there is an annoying mold line along the bottom of each fuselage half that will need to be removed by the modeler. The only sink marks I spotted were on the outer main landing gear doors. The clear parts are of good quality - no significant scuffs or scratches are noted.
Surface detailing consists of engraved lines and tiny holes to represent the panel lines and flush fasteners on the airframe. This recessed detail is restrained and looks much better than on some of the earlier Trumpeter/Hobby Boss kits.
The kit is engineered in the normal configuration with full-length left and right fuselage halves, and upper and lower wing halves. A deep air intake tunnel 4 inches long is provided, but without an engine or engine face. At the other end, the jet exhaust nozzle assembly is almost 2 inches long.
FEATURES
The kit has separate wing control surfaces - all of which are designed to tab directly into the neutral position. The exception is the leading edge slats, which are designed to hang down (correct for a parked aircraft on the ground). The tiny wing fences are especially well done. The rudder is also a separate piece and can swing on locator pins.
The canopy can be posed in the raised position, although there is no actuator to hold it up. A ladder is also provided in the kit.
Other choices include: two styles of refueling probe, two styles of speed brake, and extended or folded pitot tube.
The comprehensive cockpit has the usual tub, instrument panel, seat, etc. The seat has an erroneous back cushion molded in - the back area should be empty. There are no seat belt/ shoulder harness straps provided. The instrument panel with raised detail is useable, but there is a curious blank area on the right side where some detail is missing. Also missing is the throttle handle for the left console.
Only the early style afterburner nozzle is included, but it is the correct one for the aircraft choices in this kit.
EXTERNAL STORES
There are two "banana-style" drop tanks in the kit. Apparently, these are the original 275 gallon size, which were common the 1950s and 1960s. (A longer, 335 gallon banana tank was also developed and widely used during the Vietnam period.)
Although Sidewinders were not often carried by the F-100D, the kit provides four AIM-9Bs and associated racks. Triple ejector bomb racks (TERs) are supplied for the inboard pylons--again, not a typical item for the F-100D.
For the centerline pylon, the choices are a practice bomb dispenser or an ALQ-31 pod.
ISSUES
The most important problem with this kit is the nose air intake. The intake is too small and has a flat bottom, instead of being curved all the way around. This is a very noticeable and obvious flaw, but unfortunately there is no practical way to fix it.
Another very visible flaw concerns the wheels. A group of recessed oval shapes is molded into the sidewalls of the tires. These shapes are exaggerated (particularly on the nose wheels) and should be filled in. The main wheels are also too thin and too large in diameter.
INSTRUCTIONS AND DECALS
The instructions are the typical exploded diagrams organized into steps. They are clear and easy to follow. A parts map is also present in the instructions, The full color painting and marking guide has color call-outs in various brands of model paint. The color guide shows the same camouflage colors for French and USAF birds, but this is incorrect.
Most decals are on one large sheet, while a smaller supplemental sheet has console and instrument panel decals . Decals are provided for four aircraft:
- USAF 31st TFW, 308TFS (tail code SM) in camouflage
- French AF 3rd Escadre in silver
- French AF 11th Escadre in camouflage
Some of the decals are useable, but many are not because of color or printing errors. For example, the French roundels and U.S. star and bar are out of register. And the 20th TFW medium blue streak and bands are printed as purple. The instrument panel and console decals are not very realistic.
MONOGRAM 1/48th F-100D
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Some modelers might wonder about the Revell-Monogram kit, which has been around for the past 30 years. A detailed, item by item comparison of Trumpeter vs. Monogram F-100D kits is beyond the scope of this review, but I will make the following observations:
- Monogram's kit has the fuselage molded in top and bottom halves(the opposite of Trumpeter's left and right halves). Builders report that this produces a bad fit of the two fuselage pieces forward of the wing
- Internal detail of the cockpit, wheel wells, and speed brake wells is similar in the two kits.
- The Monogram kit has the old-fashioned raised panel lines and lacks the extensive petite surface detailing of the Trumpeter kit.
- The Monogram kit has an accurately-shaped nose air intake.
As always, personal preferences and price will come into play when deciding between the two kits.
CONCLUSION
Modelers of 1/48th scale jets are well-served by Trumpeter's new family of Super Sabres (F-100C, D, and F). Except for the air intake, the glitches can be dealt with. Although I have not yet dry-fitted any parts other than the two fuselage halves, I don't expect major fit problems with this kit.
Thanks to Stevens International for the review sample.