First Annual USAF Vietnam Group Build

taxtp

Hi Ken,

It's an A-37B. This is the kit.

Cheers

Tony

Very cool Tony!  I remember the first time I saw these at Grissom AFB.  I couldn't believe how small they were.  They were lined up on the flight line like sports cars ready for a spin!  I always thought that they would be a lot of fun to fly.

Ken

MAgather

Darn you Medicine Man!  Here I am minding my own business in my first GB ever, (US Naval Carrier Aviation) and way over my head with a project that is testing my limits with lots of new skill builders. And I'm a slow besides.

Now you have to tempt me with this, probably my favorite genre ever. I don't know if I've got bandwidth to get a build done for this, but I'm bound and determined to support you.

The problem is I don't have a 'nice and easy' kit to enter.

My best option may be the Trumpy 1/48 F-100C.  

Let's go with that.

Thanks, Marty

Welcome aboard Marty!    No worries about timelines or deadlines here friend!  Too many of those going on in real life.  Like I said on the first page, what doesn't get finished in the first year we will just carry over to the next year.  I plan on making this a continuous annual build!  Let's just have fun!

Ken

Striker8241

 

Ken,

That's an interesting possibility. If anyone had some, I would think it would be them. I think the only things that would have been really classified back then would be the number, shape and position of antennas, and possibly the Fulton pickup system in the nose. However, the NVA and Viet Cong had an extensive spy network in South Viet Nam, even on our bases, and I'm sure if I went to a Hanoi museum, I could get detailed pictures and drawings .

Most of the ECM and sensor systems have been described extensively in accounts in books and online. In fact, I was startled at some of the information that has been released. But I guess that technology is old hat now and the principals are pretty well known. But I still don't talk about actual capabilities or characteristics. Just reading the details about new ECM systems in commercial magazines today  makes me break out in a sweat when I think about the stuff we had to keep mum about back then.

Cheers,

Russ

 

Bringing up security, I remember my Mom telling me a story about when my Dad's security clearance was about to be raised while he was in the USAF, the FBI came to his parent's house to ask them some certain questions!  Let's just say they were more than a little bit surprised!

Ken

Hi Ken,

It's an A-37B. This is the kit.

Cheers

Tony

Darn you Medicine Man!  Here I am minding my own business in my first GB ever, (US Naval Carrier Aviation) and way over my head with a project that is testing my limits with lots of new skill builders. And I'm a slow besides.

Now you have to tempt me with this, probably my favorite genre ever. I don't know if I've got bandwidth to get a build done for this, but I'm bound and determined to support you.

The problem is I don't have a 'nice and easy' kit to enter.

My best option may be the Trumpy 1/48 F-100C.  

Let's go with that.

Thanks, Marty

Bockscar

Hi Ken:

I still have a Dragonfly hiding around here, and some Thuds of various scales.

I also have a partially built F-84 Thunderjet which Walter Boyne called 'built like a tank, and 'darn' near as heavy.

This is a good thread for you, I think this is where your heart is. I'll kick around some ideas. Maybe a big 1/32 RF VooDoo.

Dom

Hi Dom,

Have you narrowed down your choices yet?

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

I thought it looked bigger.  It also had more of a downward angle to it.  Yes I am sure it is going to be very hard to find pictures of your version.  I wonder if the USAF National Museum would have any.  They collect pictures that are donated to them (I have donated some that my Dad took when he was in Vietnam).  If they have taken the time to sort any of them, surely this wouldn't be considered classified anymore.

Speaking of the USAF National Museum, I just happened to visit their website last night and saw that they are also victims to the sequestration.  The Presidential and Research and Development Galleries are closed until further notice.  Also the "Behind the Scenes Tours" of the museum's restoration area are cancelled as well.

Our local IPMS chapter is planning a one day trip to see the USAF National Museum (it is only a three hour drive from where I live) this summer.  I was put in charge of setting up the date.  I was going to setup one of the "Behind the Scenes Tours" for our visit, but now that is out the window.

Ken

Ken,

That's an interesting possibility. If anyone had some, I would think it would be them. I think the only things that would have been really classified back then would be the number, shape and position of antennas, and possibly the Fulton pickup system in the nose. However, the NVA and Viet Cong had an extensive spy network in South Viet Nam, even on our bases, and I'm sure if I went to a Hanoi museum, I could get detailed pictures and drawings .

Most of the ECM and sensor systems have been described extensively in accounts in books and online. In fact, I was startled at some of the information that has been released. But I guess that technology is old hat now and the principals are pretty well known. But I still don't talk about actual capabilities or characteristics. Just reading the details about new ECM systems in commercial magazines today  makes me break out in a sweat when I think about the stuff we had to keep mum about back then.

Cheers,

Russ

Striker8241

 

Yup, its the Pinocchio nose . No problem, bud. Thanks for looking!  Apparently, the shorter nose aircraft were the very first C-130s with the Fulton pickup system. The aircraft was Top Secret at that time and photography of them was strictly forbidden so it's no wonder there are few pictures.

Russ

I thought it looked bigger.  It also had more of a downward angle to it.  Yes I am sure it is going to be very hard to find pictures of your version.  I wonder if the USAF National Museum would have any.  They collect pictures that are donated to them (I have donated some that my Dad took when he was in Vietnam).  If they have taken the time to sort any of them, surely this wouldn't be considered classified anymore.

Speaking of the USAF National Museum, I just happened to visit their website last night and saw that they are also victims to the sequestration.  The Presidential and Research and Development Galleries are closed until further notice.  Also the "Behind the Scenes Tours" of the museum's restoration area are cancelled as well.

Our local IPMS chapter is planning a one day trip to see the USAF National Museum (it is only a three hour drive from where I live) this summer.  I was put in charge of setting up the date.  I was going to setup one of the "Behind the Scenes Tours" for our visit, but now that is out the window.

Ken

Buffirn

It will be the Revellogram 1/72 B-52D since I can't find my DML 1/200 B-52D.

Very good Jim, page one has been updated!  That is still considered the best B-52 kit even though the molds are from 1968!  I have three of them in my stash.  I intend to build the D, F, and G versions (all Vietnam birds of course!).  I have been taking very careful notes of Russ's diorama build to use for the D version.

Ken

taxtp

Hi Ken,

I already have an Academy 1/72 A-37 Dragonfly promised for the other Vietnam Air War GB. It isn't started yet. Can I enter it here please.

I admire the work you have put into this already, and feel compelled to support it.

Cheers

Tony

Hi Tony,

Welcome aboard!    No problem with double dipping!  So which version of the Dragonfly are you going to build?

Ken

It will be the Revellogram 1/72 B-52D since I can't find my DML 1/200 B-52D.

Hi Ken,

I already have an Academy 1/72 A-37 Dragonfly promised for the other Vietnam Air War GB. It isn't started yet. Can I enter it here please.

I admire the work you have put into this already, and feel compelled to support it.

Cheers

Tony

Son Of Medicine Man

 

After looking at that picture and comparing it to the one I have, I think mine may be longer.  I will let you judge.  The email is on it's way.  Sorry if it doesn't help.  It is the only one out of the two books on the C-130 that I have that had one in it.

Ken

Yup, its the Pinocchio nose . No problem, bud. Thanks for looking!  Apparently, the shorter nose aircraft were the very first C-130s with the Fulton pickup system. The aircraft was Top Secret at that time and photography of them was strictly forbidden so it's no wonder there are few pictures.

Russ

Well I am off to bed.  I will chat with you all tomorrow.  Pleasant dreams!

Ken

Striker8241

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Russ,

I found a picture of a MC-130E-110-LM, 64-0568, of the 8th SOS, 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, FL.  It is a black and white photograph, but I think it does have the shorter nose.  I will scan it and email it to you.

Ken

Thanks, Ken!  Here's one of two pictures I found that show what the nose looks like.

After looking at that picture and comparing it to the one I have, I think mine may be longer.  I will let you judge.  The email is on it's way.  Sorry if it doesn't help.  It is the only one out of the two books on the C-130 that I have that had one in it.

Ken

Bockscar

Hi Ken:

I still have a Dragonfly hiding around here, and some Thuds of various scales.

I also have a partially built F-84 Thunderjet which Walter Boyne called 'built like a tank, and 'darn' near as heavy.

This is a good thread for you, I think this is where your heart is. I'll kick around some ideas. Maybe a big 1/32 RF VooDoo.

Dom

Hey Dom,

We had Dragonfly fighters at Nha Trang when I was there. They were eventually handed over to the South Vietnamese Air Force. Cool planes to watch in action.

Cheers,

Russ

The following four Combat Talon aircraft were at Nha Trang in 1971: 64-0568 (left on July 1), 64-0523, 64-0555, 64-0567. By 1972, they were all sent back to the states to be upgraded with the new radar system which resulted in the extended nose and some additional upgrades that, I believe, made them Combat Talon II aircraft.

Russ

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Russ,

I found a picture of a MC-130E-110-LM, 64-0568, of the 8th SOS, 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, FL.  It is a black and white photograph, but I think it does have the shorter nose.  I will scan it and email it to you.

Ken

Thanks, Ken!  Here's one of two pictures I found that show what the nose looks like.

Striker8241

Hey Ken,

I'd like to join. I plan to build the Italeri 1/72 C-130E as an C-130E "Clamp" Combat Talon aircraft. There were four of these at Nha Trang AB in 1971 - I plan to model tail number 64-0555. I may also add some aftermarket stuff down the road.

Cheers,

Russ

Hi Russ,

I found a picture of a MC-130E-110-LM, 64-0568, of the 8th SOS, 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, FL.  It is a black and white photograph, but I think it does have the shorter nose.  I will scan it and email it to you.

Ken

Buffirn

Add me to the list !  I'm gonna build a B-52D OOB.  This will get me going.  I have several more to build if I follow my personal plan.

Welcome Jim!    All I need is the kit manufacturer and scale and I will add you to the roster!

Ken

Add me to the list !  I'm gonna build a B-52D OOB.  This will get me going.  I have several more to build if I follow my personal plan.

gunner_chris

I would like to join this one but not yet.  Got my hands full currently but I will be watching, admiring and plotting until then......

Welcome Gunner_Chris!    No problem, feel free to drop by anytime!  And when you are ready to join just say the word.

Ken

I would like to join this one but not yet.  Got my hands full currently but I will be watching, admiring and plotting until then......

Striker8241

Nice job, Ken!   Man, that looks like a lot of work!

Russ

Thank you Russ!  Yes, it took a good bit of time looking at the pictures in "The Modern Phantom Guide: The F-4 Phantom Exposed" by Jake Melampy, then orienting where each place was from the pictures on the actual wheel bay, and then painting each of the colors.  I used my OptiVISOR with the VisorLIGHT to help me see while I was painting.

Ken

Nice job, Ken!   Man, that looks like a lot of work!

Russ

Hi Everyone,

My F-4E Phantom II is a work already in progress.

Today I worked on the Aires resin front wheel bay.  I had already painted it white using Model Master enamel and let it dry thoroughly.  Today I added some color.  Here it is:

Once again I used Model Master enamel so I will wait for this to cure for at least 3 days then I will add the wash to bring out the details.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

~

That is a cool tail number, "triple nickel".  I know there were some fighters that ended with that number.

Ken

Thanks, Ken and np   Rgr on the fighters - we had an F-105 with the 555 tail number at Takhli in 69.

Cheers,

Russ

Son Of Medicine Man

Bockscar

Hi Ken:

I still have a Dragonfly hiding around here, and some Thuds of various scales.

I also have a partially built F-84 Thunderjet which Walter Boyne called 'built like a tank, and 'darn' near as heavy.

This is a good thread for you, I think this is where your heart is. I'll kick around some ideas. Maybe a big 1/32 RF VooDoo.

Dom

Thanks Dom!  Yes, this is where my heart is!  I am going to enjoy this build a great deal.  I am really looking forward to it!

Ken

Hi Dom,

Have you narrowed down your selection yet?  Of course you could just write each one on a piece of paper, put them in a hat, and draw one out! 

Ken

Striker8241

Hey Ken,

I'd like to join. I plan to build the Italeri 1/72 C-130E as an C-130E "Clamp" Combat Talon aircraft. There were four of these at Nha Trang AB in 1971 - I plan to model tail number 64-0555. I may also add some aftermarket stuff down the road.

Cheers,

Russ

Welcome aboard Russ!   Sorry for the delayed response but I did already update the front page last night with your project!

That is a cool tail number, "triple nickel".  I know there were some fighters that ended with that number.

Ken

Bockscar

Hi Ken:

I still have a Dragonfly hiding around here, and some Thuds of various scales.

I also have a partially built F-84 Thunderjet which Walter Boyne called 'built like a tank, and 'darn' near as heavy.

This is a good thread for you, I think this is where your heart is. I'll kick around some ideas. Maybe a big 1/32 RF VooDoo.

Dom

Thanks Dom!  Yes, this is where my heart is!  I am going to enjoy this build a great deal.  I am really looking forward to it!

Ken