ikar

I'm getting ready to do a "D" model from U-tapao in 1972. I'm going to make one of the ships that scored a mig kill (it really hapened twice, I talked to one of the gunners a couple days after.) I have collected various information from Boeingto help detail the bomb bay, tail gun, and so on. If necessary I'll go to the airport and get some pictures of the "D" on display there for antenna shape, location, and other details they missed. You're right, the tall tails had the classiest look of the series. During cell take offs it was like watching a black finned shark. You could see the top o

As far as the one wing being level and the other riding on its outrigger wheel, don't worry about it. During vietnam I used to see 52s come back quite often with one wing high, both the "D" and the "G". I didn't know if it was equipment failure or battle damage.

PM sent.

I did a model of a C-47 that I flew on during a TDY I had to take to Bangkok during the Vietnam war. It had the typical camoflage for the area but it did not have boots on it.

Politics? It was probably just a decision on the part of the munitions squadron and the wing deputy officer who is in my experience, a pilot. They hash out all these details during the various meetings they have.

Years ago when I was asigned to Loring AFB in Maine I went south towards the coast to a airshow at Camden (I think.) It was at the Owlshead Museum. They had quite a collection of old items that included a hanger of WWI aircraft. They said that if it didn't work, it wasn't there. A few of the aircraft that flew that day included a Curtis pusher, Neuport, Fokker triplane, and a couple staggerwings.

One little modeling note: replace the antenas on he top with sometings a lot thinner.

As long as we're on the subject, what about 1/72nd?

Another possible reason the B-58 never deployed to SEA is that it could be used to drop nukes. I know that there was a proposal for the F-106 to be deployed over there because it was a good dog fighter and had a tactical display unit, but the idea wa cancelled because it was armed with a nuke on a steady basis.

Back in the mid 70s there was talk of adding an afterburner to the A-7. I talked to a couple Sluff pilots in the 3rd TFS and while one said that he would like the afterburner, the other one said the his instruments rattle in their sockets. This picture could be a test of that upgrade. I've never seen a picture of it until now.

Are you sure that what you have on that picture is a "E" and not a "B" or "D"?

Why not twin mers, one behind the other on the wing root hard points, a light pylon on each wing with an ecm pod, a laser designator pod center infront of the big bag, and a refueling receptical on top?

Before the rescue herks went to camoflage they were also grey. Just like the lower half of the C-141 and C-5, probably the same grey used on the F-106.

Here's a couple tips for the 106. This kit comes with the long verticle strip instruments in the center of the panel. At a distance they look black with the numbers being somewhat difficult to see. The tactical screen on the bottom on the instruments was a medium green, almost translucent. the light on the side of the tail does not line up with the other side. It's best to remove one and drill a hole through the tail. After painting, just fill it in with white glue or something similar. The same goes with the wing lights, except they will have to be colored. I can't find my book right

Are those Voodoo tanks strapped to the bottom?

If you look at the avionics boxes in the first picture you will notice the sticker marked "confidential". As I found out while taking some pictures in Bay 5, they are classified and were not supposed to be photographed. Confidential is a very low priority so the pilot wasn't too worried about it. Do you remember the tail number of the aircraft in the pictures?

More than likely they are the "A"s. But you will find that they will also have two "B" models assigned also. Every squadron is equipped with two "tubs" for various reasons, pilot qual tests, incentive rides, V.I.P flights, and so-forth. If I remember right at one time they carried the dive brake strikes on their aircraft. I talked to one of their pilots about it during a show here and they said that they came with the ships so they thought they would put them on to be a little different. No idea how long they kept them but I have seen photos of them like that. I picked up the Monogram F-

As far as I kow the USAF did not operate the H-21 armed. I think that the first copters they armed were the H-3 and H-53.

Very good work! I'm not sure that I could do it. Maybe you have those special qualities needed for a project like that: room, talent, and a need for self abuse. Once again, good job.

I remember Shima's. When I was there he was having rouble with the other shop down the street next to the cloth store. Shima found out that some of his shipments were being interferred by the other shop. I also heard that some things from the mainland could not be shipped to Okinawa because they were not full Japanese. If you were a regular customer of his, on occasion Shima would give a discount or throw in a freebee. Sure do miss it over there.

Remember Ghengis Kahns Mongolian BBQ?

If this helps, according to a flying schedule from Kadena, dated 27 Sep - 3 Oct 82, all F-15Cs were numbered 78-470 to 545 were assigned to one of three squadrons. All "C" models had the metallic green in bay 5.

What time period and B-52 did you have in mind, The "D" or the stubb tails?

That ship is on display as a monument. A little park has been set up around it for visitors and various functions. There have been a couple attempts by certain people to have the land turned back to the city so it can be used for other, more practicle things. Fortunately, they can't touch it. yet. I have a suspecision that they might be sitting back and are going to let the aircraft rot away in an attempt to get the land that way. I need to go get some pictures of the tail gun area for an upcomming project, but it's posted to stay off. I might take a step ladder and try it anyway, even

thanks for the info and advice.