An Unpopular Way?, A 'Pup on a Hun, and Some Silver Martins, and White Whistles

 

A Different Way to Do It

Let's discuss a universal, and for the most part entirely absurd, truth today. Our initial premise is this: Somebody releases a new kit of a subject you happen to be fond of---for argument's sake let's say it's the latest annual release of yet another Me109G-Something or Other. It's there, from brand new tooling or maybe in our budding 3d age from brand new CAD data and 3d printing, and it's a marvel. Let's also presume that all the hype regarding its release is spot on for a change, and the kit is a true work of art in every way. It's a beauty, a one in a million girl (with apologies to The Toobs).

So there's the new kit and, in front of our very eyes, marching right in step to a strident drumbeat , are all the criticisms, both real and imagined, that show up every time a new kit is announced. Some are valid, of course, since nothing is ever entirely perfect, but some are also significant groupings of horse poot put out there by well-intentioned folks who either did poor research before writing or, worse still, parroted someone else who failed to do their homework. 

I digress, however. I do that a lot---just ask my wife---but the point is there's a new whiz-bang kit of something out there and it's actually as good as the internet says it is. What follows next is predictable; an outpouring of offers for the sale or outright gift of all the suddenly inferior kits of that particular subject that came before because they're now woefully obsolete and no longer worth building or even owning, even though they were the bombdiggity yesterday. Of course now they aren't, , not with that brand new latest and greatest iteration out there, so be there or be square and get that new kit NOW, and dump any of your older ones on some unsuspecting soul who won't know the difference!

Here's the deal, folks. The new kit of our hypothetical 109 probably really IS the ne plus ultra of its type, but all that really means is that it's the best one out there for the moment. You can rest assured something will be released (next year or even day after tomorrow if it's a 109 of any flavor) that will top that new one and transform the former champ into yet another also-ran, and on and on it goes. 

Think about this for just a moment. Any model airplane kit that's been released during the past twenty or so years probably has aftermarket available for it if you look hard enough, and a percentage of said aftermarket will actually be worth having. Unless they're of a highly collectable nature most kits lose their sale, or resale, value as they age out, and the aftermarket does the same unless it's of the brand spanking new 3d-printed variety, and even that will see its value diminish as it's inevitably replaced by newer and "better" offerings. It's the nature of things.

But Wait! Hmmm... Do I really want to get rid of my barely-one-year-old kit that's just been rendered obsolete in some self-appointed expert's mind, or do I want to build it since I've already got it, plus some or all of the aftermarket available for it? Or maybe I'm on a budget and can't afford the new whiz-bang model, but I can afford the old one languishing in the retail outlets or on the consignment shelves of many hobby shops. Sure; I can do that, and there's eBay too; not always a friendly place to be sure but definitely the home of affordable kits and accessories if the modeler knows what they're looking at. Let's go back to our imaginary Me109 for a moment for an example. Hasegawa's myriad of F, G, and K offerings in 1/48th scale have been around since the late 1990s and aftermarket, plus decals, abound for them. They're basic kits by today's standards but they're also easily correctable and I routinely see them on consignment shelves for under twenty bucks. Aftermarket for them is equally inexpensive these days, as are decals. The kits are workable, and getting hold of one, along with all the requisite candy we now find necessary any time we build anything, won't break the bank. The same research and modeling skills are required no matter how new or expensive a kit might be.

Here's a suggestion then, based on what I think is a valid conclusion. Do your own research, and make it fairly thorough. Do the math involved, particularly if you already have that now-unwanted older kit sitting on the shelf in your hobby room. Factor in some used aftermarket if you think you need it, and maybe look for decals that have moved into the unloved and unwanted pile in your local hobby shop. Do some planning. Hone your modeling skills. BUILD THAT OLD KIT. If you don't believe it's a viable thing, just go onto some of those internet modeling sites that feature showcase departments for completed models, and take a look at what people are doing with older and, in some cases, positively ancient, kits. Don't tell me those guys are better modelers that you are either, because even though they may actually be a step or two beyond your own personal capabilities, they had to learn somewhere. Not one of them started out in the hobby at the very top of the heap.

Feel free to take that advice with however many grains of salt you find necessary. I've just finished my third new Eduard P-40E and have just started a Hasegawa kit of the same airplane to go with them. The older Hasegawa offering will take a bit more work to achieve a really good model but it's entirely doable. Besides, there are far more productive things to do than pine away for new kits I don't have, or lament over the older ones I actually own. Translation: I'm going to go enjoy my hobby. How about you?

There May Be Better Pictures Out There

But I'm having trouble finding them---me and a whole bunch of other people too! Yep, that dedicated Type X launcher for the Bullpup air-to-mud missile seems to be made of pixie dust, given the absolute paucity of images of the darned thing. Today I had a stroke of luck come my way, though; I was going through some thumb drives in search of something having absolutely nothing at all to do with either the Hun or the AGM-12, and I stumbled across this shot shared with me by Don Jay several years ago. 

 

So how about that! It's an air show shot, obviously, but it's also an image of F-100D-90-NA, s/n 56-3218, and she's carrying that elusive Type X launcher with a Bullpup A hanging off it!The slanted guidance antenna for the missile is nowhere to be seen, or at least I'm not seeing it, which makes me wonder if the A&E folks didn't just stick the launcher and a round on the airplane for purposes of the display or maybe removed the antenna for perceived security reasons, but that part of the thing is irrelevant in my world, because I found a shot of a real live Type X launcher on an airplane! Speaking of that, the airplane is from the 50th TFW at Hahn, which I presume you knew, although I'm not certain of the date; I strongly suspect the photo was taken sometime between 1965 and 1967-ish. That's a guess, but I'll stick with it until somebody comes up with a definitive one. 

For what it's worth, -3218 isn't included in the Bullpup-capable aircraft list I ran in that Hun article a couple of years ago, but Doug Barbier, who compiled said list, was up front in saying it was based on observation rather than any sort of official document. Maybe the jet actually was 'Pup capable or maybe it wasn't, but there's no guidance antenna visible to prove it either way. If you know better give me a holler at replicainscaleatyahoodotcom and I'll share the information.   NARA via Don Jay Collection

Does Anybody Besides Me Miss The Dog Whistle?

The Cessna T-37 family of jet trainers was one of those families that was a constant for those of us of a certain age. From 1956 (the year the first Tweet, as its high-pitched shrieking whistle caused it to be nicknamed, among other monikers, was delivered to the Air Force) until its final withdrawal from service in 2009, the mighty Dog Whistle trained untold thousands of American and foreign aviators. The type was so ubiquitous that many of my airplane-chasing friends wouldn't even look as one taxied past or flew overhead, but I always did, and I often photographed them as well. Here then is a small selection of white (they came in other flavors as well) T-37Bs for your perusal. 

56-3577 was a plank-holder in the world of the Tweet, being originally constructed as a T-37A and later converted to T-37B standard. She was serving with the 47th FTW at Laughlin when I found her back on 22 March, 1986, and took this photo. Notice the tiny "XL" up on the fin tip; it's a play on "excel", and the guys in the 47th took it seriously. She went to the boneyard in 2004.   Phillip Friddell

Built as a B-model, 67-14756 belonged to the 96th FTS out of Williams AFB, Arizona, when I found her on the ramp at Randolph on 19 January, 1985. Several of the ATC bases of that era used distinctive identifiers on their airplanes, as demonstrated by the name "Willie" on 56's fin fillet. This one evaded being turned into pots and pans and ended up in Columbia.   Phillip Friddell

In 1987 the 12th FTW at Randolph began painting their T-37s and T-38s in a really spiffy dark blue and white schemes, but everything was still in boring old white when I photographed 67-22248 on Kelly's transient ramp. The guys at Randolph began putting an RA tailcode on their birds when they started painting them in colors other than white, but this guy was still in the older "normal" scheme back on 17 May, 1986. It's a pretty airplane, tail code or not!   Phillip Friddell 

Let's close this essay with a sight we don't get to see anymore; Laughlin's 47th FTW T-37Bs all lined up on their ramp and basking in the Texas sun. The "Tigers" name on the vertical stab fillet and red fin tip tells us the airplane belonged to the 85th FTS. I shot this lineup on 22 March, 1986.   Phillip Friddell

I can't speak for anyone else, of course, but I sure miss those days!

They Came Early to the Party

Martin's B-57 jumped into the fracas in Southeast Asia very early in the game, with RB-66E Patricia Lynn reconnaissance aircraft from Det 1 of the 33rd Tactical Group beginning operations in theater on 07 May 1963. Actual combat operations involving aerial bombardment began during August of 1964, when the 3th and 134th Bombardment Squadrons began conducting missions. These photos, once again provided by Don Jay,  are from a bit later and illustrate a couple of B-57Bs from the 8th BS during operations out of Da Nang.

Here's a fine USAF image of a B-57B-MA, 53-3879, while serving with the 8th TBS/2nd AD and operating during a brief stay at Da Nang. It's worth noting that she's in well-worn natural metal, and those bombs she's carrying on her wing stations are a mix of 500 and 750-lb GP weapons. Given her lack of camouflage and general appearance, plus the fact that the Air Force thinks she was assigned to the 2nd Air Division at this time, leads me to believe those pylon-mounted bombs are from the WW2 AN/M family of weapons rather than anything beginning with an M. Her bomb bay is probably full of weapons from the same family but we can't see in there so that one has to be part of the Who Knows tree of knowledge! The airplane got around a bit, initially deploying with the 8th BS, then transferred to the VNAF, back to the USAF, and then returned to the land of the big BX where she was sent to DM (in 1969) and ultimately scrapped in 1971. A sad end to a proud warrior...   NARA via Don Jay Collection

Here's another view of -3879 as she taxis past at Da Nang. This pair of images should make it possible to construct a fine model of an early SEA-based B-57B for those so inclined. I have no idea when these shots were taken so you're on your own in that regard.  NARA via Don Jay Collection

 

Let's end this brief essay with a shot of 53-3879 running up and preparing to launch on a mission along with 53-3903, another B-57B-MA, , quite possibly on the same day (although I don't know what that day, or year for that matter, might be). There's a bit of confusion regarding -3903's unit at this time and I'm not going to guess it; if any of you know please drop me a line so I can correct the caption!   NARA via Don Jay Collection

Under the Radar

How long has it been since we've had a look at a book around here? I honestly don't remember, and yes; I could look back and find out, but that takes us back to that part where I'm lazy so let's just say it's been a while and leave it at that. It's been too long in any event, so here's a book you might want to take a look at if your thing is ANG Phantoms:

 

The Modeler's Guide to Aircraft Finish and Markings #006, U.S. ANG Phantoms, The F-4D/E In Service With the New Jersey Air National Guard 1980-1991, Don Linn with Barry Roop, 145 pp, Softbound, Double Ugly Books and Decals, 2024

This volume is number six in a series of similar titles and is a pictorial history of the F-4 during its decade of service with the 141st TFS of the NJ ANG. The book is exactly what its title claims it to be, an overview of camouflage and markings for the airplanes of one particular unit from initial receipt until leaving the airplane. There's virtually no text per se to be found anywhere in the book; let's get that out of the way right off the bat. Having said that, there's no shortage of information to be found within its covers either, since all of the information you might normally expect to find living within a more normal format as employed by most tomes of this nature is found in the highly detailed captions appended to each photograph instead. It's an efficient way to do that sort of thing if the goal is a book on camouflage and markings and it makes understanding each photograph easy, as well as making it easy to relate each image in context with all the others. 

The book is subtitled as a modeller's guide to the airplane's camouflage and markings while in service with the NJ ANG so readers shouldn't expect a detailed technical or day-by-day operational history of the airplane. What they should expect, and receive in full measure, is an excellent assortment of photographs, all in well-reproduced color, of the mighty F-4 in all phases of its appearance with the unit. Camouflage, official markings and personal artwork are all beautifully illustrated in this book, making it a literal tour de force for the enthusiast.

The subject matter may be a bit too esoteric or highly focused for some enthusiasts but the book is well worth having should your interests lie in the Guard, the F-4, or both. Highly recommended.

Happy Snaps

It's been just about forever since I've run a photo in this section, mostly since it's been just about forever since I've done a blog, at least if you don't count the ones from the past three weeks or so. Anyway, it's been too stinkin' long, which means It's Officially Time. FINALLY!

The year is 1990, January 23rd to be exact, and the place is best defined as somewhere over the Caribbean. Rick Morgan took this fine image of an F/A-18A from VFA-15 out of a VAQ-139 EA-6B that day, with his usually-stellar results. Some people come to photography naturally, while a great many more have to work hard at it. Rick is one of the naturals, as is proven once again by this shot!   Rick Morgan

The Relief Tube

Long-time contributor and friend Norm Camou passed along some of his memories of the early days of our hobby, back when he discovered scale modeling, and they're worth sharing: 

Hello Phil. Read the latest RIS about first models built.  Dad gave me the Revell Missouri with black rubber glue. 1956? Pushed into base pool (after hours) and it turned turtle and sank. Learned about ballast real quick.  Next model I remember is the Atlas Mercury kit seen... Built it and set up in hallway (1964)? Fired spring loaded toy missiles at it, rebuilding ‘till it wouldn’t come together anymore...

Oh gosh; how many times did I have a model ship capsize on me after it was done---I guess I wasn't my mom's brightest kid! I never did figure out that ballast thing---thanks very much for sharing your memories with us, Norm!

So how about it, folks? Does anyone else have a memory of their early days in the hobby they'd like to share? It would be fun to hear it and I'm definitely interested. If you'd like to share, well; you know the address!

That's it for this installment, then. Let's all cross our fingers that it signifies the beginning of an ongoing thing, but in the meantime be good to your neighbor and let's just presume we'll meet again soon!

phil