ESCI 1:72 F-100D SUPER SABRE

Reviewer: Geoff Goldfen  (rec.models.scale)

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 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.

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.

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.

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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