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ESCI 1:72 F-100D SUPER SABRE
Reviewer: Geoff Goldfen (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review
submitted:
March
1999
Aircraft:
The F-100 has the claim to fame by being the first US production
Supersonic Fighter - able to break the speed of sound in level flight.
Nicknamed the 'Hun' as a shortened version of Hundred - signifying its F-100
designation, the aircraft was based on its predecessor, the F-86 Sabre and thus
was named Super Sabre. In spite of this, only a few components were
actually common between the two aircraft and the Hun was otherwise completely
new plane. It needed a long take off and landing run but pioneered the
Century Fighter Series production and performed well as a fighter-bomber with a
number of NATO countries. The F-100D was the definitive version and served
particularly with the USAF extensively through the Vietnam era and was only
retired from service in the early 70's.
The Kit:
The Esci kit has been around since the mid-eighties and is now rare to find
(swap meets and second hand sales only, I am afraid) - although there is some
talk that the kit will be re-released along with other Esci kits in '99
according to a reputable British scale model magazine. The kit is nicely
molded in injected plastic and features engraved panel lines that is up to
acceptable standards.
Construction:
The cockpit has an acceptable amount of detail for most modellers dabbling in
this scale. The seats are not very well done and could be replaced by one
of the aftermarket sets - Aeroclub comes to mind. I stayed with the kit
and made do with the ones provided. This is then encased in the fuselage
halves which go together very well, but needs a bit of sanding to smooth out the
join lines.
The intake, unfortunately, is very poor, insofar as much that it only extends inside the nose a small way. F-100's have a very long intake and it's a pity that the kit lets things down here. I was going to drill out the interior and pack the inside with milliput but decided against it in the hope it wasn't too noticeable - it is, but it can be lived with.
The wings and rear stabilisers fit on really nice but do need a bit of filler and sanding around the joints. General fit of all the other major components is very good. The undercarriage is well molded and goes into place very easily, and nicely. Wheel well detail consists of a few hydraulics and makes good detailing. No problems were encountered during the construction - fit is generally excellent.
Versions & Decals:
The kit allows one to reproduce three different versions - Danish, French and
USAF. I was going to perpetrate a Vietnam Hun in camouflage and USAF
colours, but decided against it, instead wanting to replicate a bare metal
version of the Denmark Air Force for something a little different. I gave
the aircraft an undercoat of white (gloss) before spraying on metallizer and it
comes up really nicely. I then weathered the model to replicate Gun
streaks and a burned rear end. From my photo references, it seems the
Danish looked after their Huns a little better than their USAF counterparts as
these reveal many 'mint' looking aircraft, although panels do differ in shades
of metal. The old Esci decals were a bit useless because of age but I
managed to get them to set okay on the model.
Overall:
It looks absolutely immaculate in finished form and takes up some very prime
space in the cabinet. The model itself is very accurate and really is
worth getting if you can get your hands on one. Highly recommended.
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Assuming the same molds are used, this is another
F-100D ESCI kit for the thunderbirds and I would expect the review above will
hold true for this one as well - my thanks to Walter Fischer for scanning and
supplying the boxart.
