George W's F-106

Eric, GW defended Texas from the cockpit of an F-102.

Gary

echolmberg

HI guys,

Correct me if I'm wrong but did W fly F-106s or was he in F-102s?  And does anyone know if markings for his plane are available in the aftermarket world?

Thanks!

Eric

  The 147th never had the F-106, but was the training unit for the National Guard F-102s during the period Bush was there. They also did have the F-101, but the last of the F-102s weren't retired until 1974, after Bush was gone. I can't say if he flew only the F-101 or both aircraft. I don't know of any decals for the F-102, but I think there are some for the current F-16s that would give you a good idea of what the 102s had. I've seen the model the unit has of the F-102 and the markings are almost identical to the current ones adjusted for the type aircraft. Hope this helps.

  Also, some of the F-102s they did have were the TF-102 two seat trainers.

 A quick search turned up this set for their F-4s. They are the same with the lightening bolt on the tail being the main feature. Some showing much more extensive markings for a F-16 don't appear to be correct to me.

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=EP48011

The Deuce. And I would seriously doubt he "had" an airplane. He most likely flew different ones whenever he was in uniform.

The picture belows shows W beside what looks to be 58-1125, but that's a serial form a cancelled batch, so I'm figuring that it's 56-1125, which was an F-102A. According to Joe Baugher's serial list, 58-1125 was transferred from surplus to Greece & now resides in the Hermeskeil Aviation Museum (Germany).

Considering that this aircraft served with Greece, I don't know if the marking it now carries are anywhere near correct;

There are a list of decals for the F-102 here;

http://modelingmadness.com/decals/decals%20F2/f102.htm

The now defunct Kedi Decals had sheets for George Bush's F-102 in 1/72 & 1/48th.I still have my 1/72 scale sheet but sadly sold off my 1/48 one.I grew up near Ellington AFB (now Ellington Airport) when GW would have been buzzing around in the 102s.Here's some links regarding this line of decals:

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=243073

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/decals/kedi48001.htm

Cheers,Douglas

I took this picture several years back, it is the F-102 on display at Ellington Air National Guard Base and has Bush’s name on the cockpit.  I also have the unit’s 1923-1973 History Book and have collected color slides of the 111th FIS’s 147th FIG’s aircraft with couple of the F-102 in the stash if you need some pictures for a build.

I am working on building each type of aircraft the unit flew, primarily in 1/72 but where those kits do not exist I am going with 1/144.

I've noticed that there sure aren't that many visible panel lines on that plane on display.  Thanks for that pic!

Gary

Texgunner

I've noticed that there sure aren't that many visible panel lines on that plane on display.  Thanks for that pic!

Gary

Just a thought--before you use that as a guide for weathering, keep in mind that no aircraft will get so massively dirty sitting on display as they did when operational.  Panels that would constantly be opened and closed wear differently than panels that just sit.  The aircraft are painted when they get put on display, so any previous weathering on panel lines would not be visible.  Those early jets were smoky and dirty compared to today's fighters too.  Not too far from me is the USS Kidd, a WWII destroyer set up as a museum.  They have an A-7 Corsair on a pylon on display.  The only place where you can see panel lines shaded is on the underside where it is painted white.  The gray paint shows almost nothing for panel lines.  But operationally, those jets would get dirtier in short order.

That is so true F-8fanatic!

You guys are so awesome!  Thank you for all the insight.  I keep forgetting how, more often than not, pilots wouldn't normally have a plane that they would consider to be "theirs".  I wasn't sure if George W was fortunate to have one with his name on it or not.  I realized that I've got an F-101 in my collection which is in the markings of the TX ANG.  I forgot I had it because I don't always get a moment to just stare at what I've built so many years ago.  LOL!

Thank you for the offer for the reference info!  With the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking coming up, my 8 and 4 year old daughters want me to build the Revellogram model I bought for them last month.  I've got four months to get that finished first! 

Eric

I could only locate two color slides of Ellington F-102s in my stash but, neither have names on the cockpits.  I also looked through the F-101s and T-33s and those did not have names on them.  I only found one black and white photograph of an F-101 that had names on the cockpit.  I thumbed through the unit history book and could not locate names on any of the aircraft, T-33s, F-101s, F-102s or TF-102s in the book.  I am fairly certain it is only on the bases’ display F-102 as bragging rights and a link to the then President.  If you start a build of the 111th’s F-102 or other airplanes I am looking forward to the progress and finished pics.

If you start that F-101 build I can dig through my collection and the unit history book for in-service pictures of the airplane if you would like, and provide the serial number for me to hunt through the stash.

Looks like there are a few out there with the claim to fame;

Ellington;

& this dubious one in the markings of the Idaho ANG (190th FIS);

Some 111 FIS illustrations from Wings Pallete that may/may not be of use;

That was the Air Force and Air National Guard way in the '60's and '70's.  The Crew Chief owned the airplane and lent it to pilots on the flight schedule...

Love the "Deuce"...My Dad was the Wing Line Chief of the 51st FIW (The Checker Tails) at Naha, Okinawa from '61 thru '64

Ray

The gentleman that did the original F-102 Kedi Decals is going to re-issue them very soon in both 1/72 & 1/48 scale.  Check it out here:

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=243073

-Derek

That is awesome!!  I missed the oppurtunity to purchase a set or several sets when they were initially released.  I could not locate it but, is there any word who these will be distributed through?

Maybe he'll be doing more of Ellington's birds, such as "Miss Piggy."  Minicraft is releasing a C-131/Martin 202 in 1/144 that would benefit from a set of TEX ANG decals.

If I may ask,where did you find your book on the 147th? I would love to get a copy of that for my collection.Sadly.on the C-131 front Minicraft has announced that the kit is on indefinite hold due to the economy. Hopefully it will see daylight one day.

Cheers,Douglas

When they are released next month (fingers crossed), you can buy them right from the maker:

http://www.caracalmodels.com/index.html

I've bought from him before and have not been disappointed.  He has some really awesome F-100 decals but they are only in 1/48 scale right now.  He's promised to do some in 1/72 scale soon...

-Derek

roger wilco,  I got the book many years ago while attending one of the unit family days.  My father was with the 111th FIS 147th FIG starting in the late 80s and retired in 91 after time in the Air Force with two tours to Vietnam as a Spooky crewman and then a BUFF tail gunner, then separated for some time before joining the Army National Guard then the Texas Air National Guard when we moved from LA to TX.  Too bad about the C-131 but, I will keep my fingers crossed.

viking73,  thanks for the link, it is bookmarked and I will be checking regularly for the decal’s release.

When you find the markings, you need this figure from Monogram:

And then, with proper painting, he becomes THIS!

Hans von Hammer

When you find the markings, you need this figure from Monogram:

 

And then, with proper painting, he becomes THIS!

He is found in the Monogram F-4C/D kit which is presently available and quite cost effective.

Nice!  He even looks like G.W.B.!!