One more late Christmas model car gift build to go! Now that the recipient has acknowledged receipt of the gift, I can complain about it:
Video-1, “Famous last words”:
Video-2, problems with their design:
Video-3, list of complaints:
Video-4, more problems:
Video-5, screw job:
Video-6, falling together, or falling apart:
Model Gift Build: 
FINALLY, #3!
50 years of Air Superiority
F-15A number one rolled out of the Saint Louis, Missouri, factory. Notice it does not yet have the DayGlo orange paint applied. McDonnell-Douglas photo, 26JUN1972.
McDonnell-Douglas F-15A number one gets packed aboard a Lockheed C-5A Galaxy, for its trip to Edwards Air Force Base, California.
McDonnell-Douglas photo of the first flight of F-15 number one, 27JUL1972. DayGlo paint not yet applied. Notice the shape of the wings and stabilators.
The first F-15A, #71-280, unveiled publicly after its first flight, July 1972, it now has the DayGlo paint applied. It was never called the YF-15 as several interweb sites say. From the beginning it was F-15 Eagle.
The McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle first took flight in 1972, beginning service in 1974. A total of 20 pre-production test and evaluation (T&E) Eagles were ordered, 12 for contactor (McDonnell-Douglas) development and eight specifically for the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
USAF promotional video, by Airman First Class Moses Taylor:
71-280 F-15A number one is now serving museum duty on Lackland AFB, Texas. However, it is painted to represent a different F-15.
This B-52 is carrying a 3/8th-scale F-15A drone, back then called a Remotely Piloted Research Vehicle (RPRV), 23OCT1973. This was done to test the possibility of stall-spins, before the real F-15A Eagles began their test flights.
The 12 contractor F-15As were used in Category I pre-production T&E, the eight USAF F-15As were used in Category II pre-production T&E. They were never officially designated as prototypes or even called YF-15 (as some online sites say), they were officially called McAir F-1 (for the F-15A single seaters) and McAir F-2 (for the TF-15 two seaters). The Category I phase was later re-named Contractor Development, Test & Evaluation, the Category II phase was renamed Air Force Development, Test & Evaluation.
Installing a F-15 style intake on a J85 nacelle. NASA photo, 1975.
The wedge shaped F-15 engine air intake was also tested on the highly modified three engined F-106B.
Photo via Edwards AFB photo shop. NASA’s F-15A 71-287 in 1976, testing the FMD version of Pratt & Whitney’s F-100. 287 would go on to test the HIDEC system, in the early 1990s.
I took this photo with a crappy little fixed focus 110 camera, in 1977.
This photo shows a T&E Eagle (possibly number one) with the straight edged stabilators. McDonnell-Douglas photo.
This photo shows the smaller speed/dive brake of pre-production aircraft F-15A number five (71-284). It was apparently the first F-15 to get the 20mm Vulcan gun, obviously not at the time this photo was made (due to lack of gun port). McDonnell-Douglas photo.
The pre-production T&E Eagles can be distinguished from later production Eagles by the shape of the wing tips, the shape of the elevators (officially called ‘snag stabilators’) and the size of the speed/dive brake. T&E F-15As had squared-off wing tips, stabilators that did not have a ‘dog tooth’, and had a smaller more rectangular speed/dive brake. However, several T&E F-15 Eagles were quickly updated with the snag stabilators, yet retained the original wing tips and small speed brake.
This photo shows one of the T&E Eagles updated with the snaggle toothed stabilators. USAF photo via the Edwards AFB photo shop, I got it in the mid-’70s but exact date it was made is unknown.
One of the T&E F-15s transferred to NASA, with original configuration wing tips and stabilators.
For kit builders, the first issue 1:72 scale Hasegawa, Revell U.S.A. and Monogram kits were based on the Category I McAir F-1 Eagles.
They were quickly revised once the final changes were established for the production F-15s.
The same T&E F-15, with the squared-off wing tips, but it has been updated with the dog-tooth elevators. NASA photo, 24FEB1978.
Development of the F-15A actually started in the late 1960s, it was designed as a pure dog-fighter, intended to replace the F-4 Phantom-2 in that role. The design was based on U.S. air combat experience over Viet Nam, and on incorrect assumptions about Soviet fighter development, especially the MiG-25 Foxbat.
The defected MiG 25P. This is the photo that inspired the artwork on Minicraft/Hasegawa’s black bordered box issue of their MiG 25 kit, in the late-1970s.
Before the defection of a Soviet pilot in a MiG-25P, to Japan in 1976, the ‘experts’ in the U.S. Department of Defense thought the Foxbat was a dog-fighter. The MiG-25 was actually a straight line Mach 3 bomber interceptor, it carried four long range anti-bomber missiles, and had no guns. Fortunately, the incorrect assumptions resulted in a still potent modern day dog-fighter (proven by the Israeli Air Force) that has also proved it excels at other forms of aerial combat.
TF-15A #71-290. Photo via the Edwards AFB photo shop. 290’s final mission would be as the NF-15B ACTIVE in the late 1990s.
I got this photo from the Edwards AFB photo shop in the mid-1970s. It is TF-15A/F-15B 71-291, which would go on to become the ‘demonstrator’ (mock-up) of the F-15E concept.
71-291 all gussied-up for the Bicentennial in July 1976, and flying over its birthplace of Saint Louis, Missouri. McDonnell-Douglas photo by Pat McManus.
Also in 1972, a combat capable trainer version was created called the TF-15A, but it was soon re-designated F-15B. The improved F-15C single seater, and the improved F-15D two seater, were created in 1979. Visually they all look the same as the improvements are internal.
Bare metal Streak Eagle, named because it was naked, not fast. In the 1970s there was a fad called streaking, which meant you got naked and ran as fast as you could through a public gathering. The insignia on the vertical tail was removed for the high speed runs.
Between 16JAN1975 and 01FEB1975, a bare metal F-15A nicknamed Streak Eagle, broke eight time-to-climb world records. It was then donated to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, in 1980, where it was painted to protect from corrosion:
The F-15 is used by Israel, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.
The second F-15A Eagle (71-0281) was turned over to NASA in February 1976. It was used in no less than 25 experiments which not only benefitted the USAF and NASA, but also the civilian airliner industry.
NASA F-15A #281 over the Mojave Desert, California, 03MAR1978.
This NASA F-15A Eagle was used to compare actual in-flight aerodynamic data to data collected from models in wind tunnels, 17MAY1978.
This is a NASA image showing what their proposed F-15-2D/STOL/MTD would look like, using NASA’s F-15B Eagle. The project would morph into the NF-15B ACTIVE program in the late 1990s.
Somewhere over NATO Norway, the Sun is setting on an F-4E Phantom-2, while its replacement, an F-15B Eagle flies in formation. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Edward Condon, 08MAR1982.
Potential satellite killer. An F-15 armed with the ASAT missile, sometime in 1983. USAF photo.
On Bitburg AFB, West Germany, an F-15D Eagle blows off steam, at full throttle in a ‘Baker Sound Suppressor Unit’. USAF photo by Jose Lopez Junior, November 1984.
An F-15A Eagle gets armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder anti-aircraft missile, while taking part in wargames over Australia, 01OCT1985. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Marvin D. Lynchard.
An F-15B Eagle taxis past the then new air traffic control tower on Edwards AFB, sometime in the mid 1980s (1987?).
A pole dancing F-15C Eagle? It is mounted upside down on a pedestal at the Rome Air Development Center’s (aka USAF Super Lab) Newport, New York, test site. An external radar warning system pod mounted on the fuselage is being compared to the onboard radar warning system, 06OCT1988.
The ground attack F-15E Strike Eagle began service in 1989, however, the first production F-15E (86-183) came off the assembly line in 1986.
86-183, the first production F-15E.
At first it was just called the F-15E Dual Role Fighter, no Strike Eagle. They stenciled on the nose F-15E No. 1, to be clear that it is the first F-15E.
F-15E Strike Eagles, and a F-15C Eagle, are flanked by F-16s as they fly over burning oil wells, during Desert Storm in early 1991.
Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
NASA’s HIDEC (Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control) F-15A (NASA #835, USAF #71-287), Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards AFB, California, February 1993.
A 53rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle returns to Aviano Air Base, Italy, after a No-Fly-Zone mission over Bosnia-Herzegovina. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant David Mcleod, 12APR1993.
A 10% scale wind tunnel model of the F-15E Strike Eagle, used to test the viability of ‘pneumatic forebody controls’, September 1994.
Size comparison between USAF F-15C Eagle & E Strike Eagle, and a Slovak MiG-29 Fulcrum. According to the USAF, this was the first time F-15 Eagles and MiG-29s flew together. Photo by Technical Sergeant Brad Fallin, 25MAY1996.
The NF-15B ACTIVE (NASA #837, USAF #71-290) touches down on the Edwards AFB runway, 14APR1998.
Two Israeli Defense Force F-15I Ra’am over Nellis AFB, Nevada. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Kevin J. Gruenwald, 25AUG2004.
F-15E Strike Eagles using the Dare County Bomb Range, in North Carolina, July 2012. USAF video by Airman First Class Samantha Ducker:
December 2012:
For first time, JAPAN SCAMBLES F-15Js TO INTERCEPT CHINESE AIRCRAFT
NATO 2013:
May 2016:
OREGON KOTKAT LENTÄÄ SUOMEN YLI
USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Esteban Esquivel, of Israeli F-15I Ra’am operations on Uvda Air Base, Israel, May 2017:
A Ukrainian flag behind the windshield of a California Air National Guard (CANG) F-15D Eagle, 26OCT2017. A Ukrainian General is in the front seat while a CANG Lieutenant Colonel is in the back seat, it was a flight promoting the military partnership of California and Ukraine. CANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Chris Drudge.
Somewhere in the Middle East (South West Asia), September 2017 USAF video report about F-15E Strike Eagle operations against so-called Islamic State:
2018:
USAF photo by Airman First Class Codie Trimble.
MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, IDAHO, F-15E WALK-AROUND
California Air National Guard (CANG) video, by Staff Sergeant Christian Jadot, of historical moment when for the first time California’s 144th Fighter Wing lands their F-15C & D Eagles on Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, 06OCT2018 (it should be noted that it was not the first time for California to send aircraft to Ukraine, in 2011 the CANG sent F-16 Falcons):
CALIFORNIA OREL NAD UKRAINOY ОРЕЛ НАД УКРАИНОЙ
July 2019:
2020: 
Kadena Eagle celebrates 60 years of U.S.-Japan relations
Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C Eagles, over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Christopher Ruano, November 2019.
PANDEMIC OVERFLIGHT: THE SANDMAN ENTERS
The F-15 has adjustable air intakes. In this May 2020 video, pay attention to the intake as the turbines ignite:
IDAHO’S TIGERS & THUNDERBOLTS BLAST THE SKIES OVER FLORIDA!
USAF video of 493rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagles launching NATM-9M training missiles at aerial targets, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, 08DEC2020:
USAF video, by Master Sergeant Larry E. Reid Junior, showing Japanese F-15J Eagles landing on Anderson AFB, Guam, 28JAN2021:
March 2021:
The new Boeing F-15EX HAS ARRIVED! COMMANDER SAYS “IT’S AN EX-CITING DAY!”
SINGAPORE’S IDAHO BASED SKY PIRATES BOMB LAS VEGAS?
On 04MAY2021, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, based on the United Kingdom, conducted an “Independence Flyover” of the tiny NATO country of Latvia. Short video of F-15E getting refueled enroute to Latvia by Technical Sergeant Emerson Nuñez:
USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Danielle Sukhlall, of Japanese F-15J Eagles operating from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 07JUN2021:
A November 2021 USAF promo video, by Staff Sergeant River Bruce, states the F-15 series of aircraft has a long way to go before retirement:
In January 2022, at least six F-15E Strike Eagles (from Seymour Johnson Air Base, North Carolina) were deployed to NATO Belgium, for so-called air policing missions against Russia. Video via NATO:
February 2022:
Ämari Air Base, Estonia, U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Megan M. Beatty, 01FEB2022.
F-15E Strike Eagles ‘forward deployed’ to NATO Estonia
Israeli F-15I over Hatzerim Airbase, Israel, 23JUN2022. Photo by Ilan Assayag via Xinhua News.
July 2022:
F-15E GETS NEW COLORS, VIA VINYL DECALS.
Edwards AFB reveals it has the oldest, and fastest, operating F-15 in the world, USAF video by Giancarlo Casem:
USAF promotional video, by Harley Huntington, F-15 First Flight to F-15EX:
They’re not really on ice, but ice is on them.
From 20FEB2020 to 06MAR2020, Army National Guard units from several states, the U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force are taking part in U.S. Northern Command’s Arctic Eagle 2020, held in Alaska.
Video, preps for dust-off:
Video CH-47 flight from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to Deadhorse, Alaska, 24FEB2020:
Video, coming in for landing:
Rotor-wash.
Video report, Army National Guard CH-47 assists U.S. Marines in TRP:
Video from 2015, removing tail assembly, note the mobile tracked ‘spider’ crane in use:
OREGON WILDFIRES: MILITIAS LOVE IT, CH-47F AIRBORNE FIREFIGHTER!
2018: HAWAII MILITIA CHINOOKS SENT ‘STATE-SIDE’ TO HELP STRESSED GUARD UNITS!
2019: RED BANK & SOUTH FIRE HELICOPTER OPS
2012: Special Ops MH-47 spied at Pocatello Airport
1:48 scale, first issued 1961.
First issued 2006, also boxed by Revell-Germany.
1:48 scale skis by Black Dog. Lots of other after market parts available from several companies.
1:72 scale kits issued by: Airfix, Airmodel, Hasegawa (apparently co-issued as a Hasegawa-Monogram boxing of the Matchbox-Revell kit in the 1990s), Italeri (currently boxed by Academy), Matchbox, Revell (sometimes boxing of old Matchbox, sometimes Italeri), Trumpeter (currently issued by Monochrome). There’s a plethora of aftermarket detailing sets and decals by several companies.
Black Dog issues resin detail parts, including skis for snow.
http://thepastpresented.com/index.php/tag/monogram-models/
The classic Tom Daniel’s Monogram Beer Wagon (also issued as a Cola Wagon under the Revell-Monogram brand) was first issued in 1967. Apparently, it was last issued in 2016.
Photo by me.
I built two Monogram Beer Wagons as xmas gifts for two guys who love their specific brands of beer; Pabst and Iron Horse Brewery’s Irish Death.
Photo by me.
I used aftermarket Pabst decals meant for a 1970s gasser/drag racer. Alcohol based chrome paint was used on the headers, works good but is expensive.
Photo by me.
The markings for the Irish Death were cut from Iron Horse Brewery’s 36 square-root package, thinned down and pasted with clear setting glue. Then I covered with lots of clear paint.
Photo by me.
Photo by me.
I tried using different brands of gold spray paints, all claiming to look like gold chrome. None of them lived up to their promise.
Photo by me.
Video, the real 1:1 scale Beer Wagon:
Photo by me.
Notice that the front axle doesn’t sit properly on both kits.
Photo by me.
Photo by me.
Photo by me.
These old kits have a lot of fragile parts. Besides the plastic chains being prone to breakage, the rear light posts also like to break. On the Pabst Wagon I had to make new posts out of skinny plastic sprues. I drilled holes in the chassis to fix them in place, they turned out to be sturdier.
Photo by me.
I got this cool stretch version from a builder in Canada.
The kool thing about these old kits is that they’re great starting points for kool kustoms.
VEHICLE I-D with kit review: MODEL T & WHITE MOTOR WARRIORS
DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES!: REVELL USA IS DEAD, LONG LIVE REVELL GERMANY!
BLACKLIGHT REVELL DEAL’S WHEELS
Cool looking kit, but fiddly construction with instructions that don’t help.
REVELL 1937 FORD PICKUP OR WHY MODEL ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE WRONG!
The hood got a clear coat of Plaid acrylic matte. The inner lip of the front fender wells had to be sanded slightly thinner so the Bullet Mustang tires would fit inside. I think the problem was caused by the way I mounted the disc breaks on the front suspension.
MORE PROOF INSTRUCTIONS ARE WRONG:
Woooo, it’s the ghost of Willys’ van!
An old MPC custom Corvette and an AMT 1995 Corvette, missing parts, broken or unusable parts, combined to make a unique kit.
SALVAGING TWO DIFFERENT JUNK KITS INTO ONE UNIQUE CORVETTE
Open wide! In hindsight I should have used a wider/stronger chassis as the modified 2006 Mustang body is very heavy.
2006 Revell-Monogram MUSTANG FUNNY CAR DRAGSTER conversion
Iowa Air National Guard photo, November 1960.
174th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Iowa Air Guard, Sioux City Sue RF-84F, photo taken in 1960, aircraft retired 1961.
Iowa Air National Guard Photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, October 2013.
Sioux City Sue, 2013
Iowa Air National Guard Photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, October 2013.
Iowa Air National Guard Photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, October 2013.
Iowa Air National Guard Photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, October 2013.
Iowa Air National Guard photo, April 1958.
The secret hi-tech for 1960s aerial-recon; big lens, big negatives. The RF-84F also used a three camera system called Tri-Metrogon, to take horizon-to-horizon photos.
Iowa Air National Guard Photo by Master Sergeant Vincent De Groot, October 2013.
Official video report about the history of the RF-84 and the restoration of Iowa Air Guard gate guard Sioux City Sue:
Iowa Air National Guard photo, February 1960.
The large ‘screen’ at top center of the instrument panel is not for radar, it’s the pilot’s aiming view-port for the camera.
Iowa Air National Guard photo, June 1958.
Before the unit got the proper equipment for developing the massive negatives, they had to drape them over chairs to dry them.
Iowa Air National Guard photo, August 1958.
Republic Aviation Corporation YRF-84F Thunderstreak. NACA photo, 1954.
And now for something different, how about the YRF-84F? 51-1828 — NACA tail number 154. Only one built. NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station used the aircraft from 1954 until 1955.
Model Kit Round-Up: 
Italeri’s RF-84F was the first in 1:72 scale, first released in 1974 (according to ScaleMates). It’s also been issued by Revell-Germany and Testors. It’s a modification of their F-84F kit. It’s very basic, no interior details, surface details are raised. Reviewers say it has shape problems. With patient searching it can be had as a pre-owned kit for as little as five bucks (not including shipping), yet for some reason most internet sellers expect at least $20 and as much as $40 (outrageous).
Another RF-84F in 1:72 scale is the PJ Production multi-media kit, in resin, PE, metal and vacform plastic. It is highly accurate and detailed. Reviewers report it is not for beginners and requires a lot of dry fitting to reveal the difficult areas of assembly. The kit has been around for at least a decade, yet PJ Production website still lists it as a “new product”. It lists for 41.50 Euros (about $50 to $60 USD depending on the exchange rate).
PJ PRODUCTION HAS NEW STUFF FOR 2014!
Almost forgot that in 2018 Sword issued their RF-84F. The quality of the parts is typical of Sword kits. Issued in two boxings with four different markings per box. Initial reviews are good. In the United States the price ranges from $20 to $32, and they’re selling fast.
For decades the only 1:48 scale RF-84F was the not so good Heller kit. Apparently first released in 1979-80 along with its F-84F Thunderstreak. About four years later Monogram released its way better F-84F, but for some reason decided not to do a much needed RF version. The Heller kit is as basic as the 1:72 scale Italeri kit, it’s been re-issued continuously and the U.S. price for previously owned kits averages $20, while the latest new issues are going for as much as $40 (outrageous given its age and lack of quality).
About 15 to 20 years ago Foundier Miniature (FM) tried to improve the Heller kit by adding resin parts for the cockpit, metal parts for the landing gears, and PE parts for things like the speed brakes/spoilers. It was issued under their Xkit label. Beware, the kit I bought (second hand) has massive warp-age of the Heller parts.
It also has a massive decal sheet marked F-84F, and a tiny sheet marked RF-84F. The large sheet is from FM’s F-84F issue, but you’re meant to use the national insignia on that sheet for the RF-84F. The instructions are modified Heller instructions with additions to show the usage of the FM detail parts.
And now for something really outrageous. Recently a Japanese company called Tanmodel issued the newest 1:48 scale RF-84F. You’d think it was the best damn thing in the world going by how much sellers are asking for it. An internet review said it was better than the ancient Heller kit, but the recessed surface detailing is not much better than Monogram’s raised detailing. In fact the reviewer said the recessed rivets (which there are no such thing on real airplanes) look more like 1:32 scale rivets, the pics of the completed kit makes it look like the trench-n-divet surface details are raised because they’re so over-scale. You get air intake ducting and an exhaust pipe. You also get a detailed camera bay, which is pointless because the fuselage is not molded so that you can poise the access door in the open position (you could do surgery). The ultimate reason this kit is so outrageous is its asking price, I’ve seen prices ranging between $70 and $180!!!
In 1:32 scale there was the I.D. Models vac-formed kit, released in the 1990s. It was basic, no detailing, only the main fuselage and wings, canopy, external tanks, nothing else. Starting in 2014 there were rumors that Kitty Hawk was going to issue a 1:32 RF-84F. The rumors got a lot of people excited, so far nothing has materialized.
Everybody needs to contact the neue Eigentümer der Monogram and demand they make a 1:48 scale RF-84F!
For now (meaning whenever I get a round to it) I’m going to attempt to mate the nose and main wings of my warped Heller-FM RF-84F to one of the many Monogram F-84Fs in my stash. (somebody attempted it using a Kinetic/Italeri kit)
Vehicle I-D: TIME TO SEE THE ‘DOC’ (B-29)
RETIRED USN CRAFTSMAN RECALLS DAYS OF BEING PAID TO BUILD GIANT MODEL PLANES!
SUPER GUPPY BE OLD, BUT NASA STILL USES IT!
As far as I’m aware I’ve collected every North American F-100 Super Saber (I prefer the U.S. English spelling versus the Queen’s English spelling Sabre [for some unknown reason preferred by North American]) kit in 1/72 scale, I feel confident I can honestly direct you as to which F-100 kit to spend your hard earned cash on (please don’t make the Too Big to Jail banks rich by using credit).
I also have several books with scale drawings, and once again the ‘authoritative’ drawings themselves don’t match-up.
Detail & Scale Number 4 (1980) uses drawings by Rockwell/Ed Moore/Terry Smith. Detail & Scale Volume 33 (1989) uses drawings by Dana Bell and Terry Smith. Bunrin Do’s Famous Airplanes of the World Number 22 (May 1990) uses drawings that look like 1:72 but no scale is given.
Revell: According to Detail & Scale, this kit first came out in the 1950s and is a piece-o-crap (photos confirm this), it’s much larger than 1:72 scale. It’s supposed to represent a ‘A/C’ version of the F-100. According to Detail & Scale-33 it was last issued in 1987.
Detail & Scale-33 also talks about other ‘1:72’ scale F-100 kits issued by different companies in the 1960s-70s, apparently all actually being scales that are not 1:72.
IMC/Lindberg: According to Scalemates, the IMC kit was the first 1:72 scale Super Saber, out in 1965. Lindberg currently issues it. IMC marketed it as a ‘D’ version yet it has the wing of a ‘A/C’ version (Lindberg wisely dropped the reference to the ‘D’ version). The surface detailing is spurious. Detail & Scale-4 doesn’t mention it, and Detail & Scale-33 simply calls the kit a “gimmick with battle damaged parts”. I was surprised to find the wing, elevators and canopy matched dimension and shape of the Ed Moore and Terry Smith drawings! The vertical tail is too skinny, tall, and set too far back on the fuselage. The fuselage is a little long at the ass-end. The extra long external fuel tanks are too fat and the fins are grossly over-sized. You get separately molded air intake mouth and exhaust/afterburner butt-hole (this is the part that makes the fuselage too long). No weapons come with the kit. Compared to the Dana Bell drawings the fuselage and wing measures out the same as the previous drawings, but the elevators are narrower in span. The same can be said about the Bunrin Do drawings.
Hasegawa/Frog: According to Scalemates, the Hasegawa kit was issued first by Frog in 1970, then Hasegawa in 1971. According to the reviewers in Detail & Scale, it’s accurate shape-wise, but represents the F-100D before all the field mods were applied by the USAF, so it can’t accurately represent a service aircraft. Never-the-less Hasegawa continues to re-issue the thing, and people continue paying too much for it. Compared to the Ed Moore/Terry Smith drawings the fuselage, wing and elevators are a close match. The one piece canopy/windshield is smaller than in the drawings. Compared to the Dana Bell drawings the wing/elevators have too great a sweep-back. You get separately molded air intake mouth and exhaust/afterburner butt-hole, but the fuselage is too long at the air intake and afterburner. The canopy is even smaller compared to Dana Bell drawings. According to the Bunrin Do drawings the wing is very slightly narrower in chord, but good in span. The elevators have too great a sweep-back. The fuselage is too short and too skinny, the canopy is still small. The old kit comes with two styles of external fuel tanks, but not the extra long ones, plus what looks like napalm bombs and Bullpup missiles.
ESCI/AMT-Ertl: Scalemates says this kit first came out in 1982. Reviewers in Detail & Scale-33 praise the kit for being the most accurate F-100D at that time (yes, better than Hasegawa). ESCI was also the first to release a two seat ‘F’ version. It has detailed landing gear, extra long external fuel tanks, separately molded intake mouth, two styles of IFR probes and two styles of after burners. The only weapons are Bullpup and Sidewinder missiles. The wing is a close match to the Moore/Smith drawings, but the elevators are too narrow in span. The fuselage is slightly long at the mouth, the vertical tail is too tall. The canopy/windshield (molded as one) is the closest to matching these drawings. The wing is also a close match to the Bell drawings, but the elevator is not only too short in span, the sweep-back is too great. The fuselage is even longer, yet the tail is only slightly taller. The canopy looks good, but the windshield area looks small. Going by the Bunrin Do drawings the wing is just slightly narrower in span, the elevators match the shape and sweep but are slightly undersized in overall dimension. The fuselage is shorter and narrower, yet the tail matches the height of the drawing. The canopy/windshield looks like a good match.
Click the pics to make bigger:
Pioneer-PM: This monstrosity was unleashed in the early 1990s by British empire company Pioneer. It’s made by a company called PM, based in the NATO country of Turkey. The air intake mouth is molded as part of the fuselage halves. It’s marketed as a ‘C’ version but has the wing of the ‘D’ version. It comes with extra long fuel tanks, Bullpup missiles, blobs with fins that’re supposed to be bombs and an IFR probe that’s missing the receptacle end. Oddly the wing and elevators are a close match with the Detail & Scale drawings, yet the fuselage is too small in overall size (as is the canopy/windshield). Bunrin Do drawings show the wing to be slightly smaller in overall dimension, the elevators having too great a sweep-back, and the fuselage is even smaller, so small you’d think it was a different scale.
Italeri/Revell Germany/Tamiya/Academy: Time to set things straight. This kit is not a re-box of the ESCI kit, it is a re-tooled/so-called improved version of the ESCI kit, first coming out in 1998. The surface details, and the wheel well/air brake well details, are exactly the same. The sprue layout is different. The external fuel tanks are much shorter than the ESCI tanks. You get optional IFR probes and afterburners. For weapons you get two ‘dumb’ iron bombs and two rocket pods. For some odd reason Italeri added a spurious frame to the canopy, about two thirds of the way back on the canopy, rendering it useless. The most noticeable change (besides the canopy guffaw) Italeri made was to the length of the fuselage, which now matches the Moore/Smith drawings. The tail is still too tall. The wing is slightly shorter in span to the Moore/Smith drawings, but the elevators are a close match (the opposite of the ESCI kit). Compared to the Bell drawings the wing is a better match, still slightly short in span. The elevators match the shape but are also slightly short in span. Interestingly the fuselage is too long for the Bell drawings, at the mouth, and the tail is still slightly too tall. For the Bunrin Do drawings the wing is too short in span, slightly narrow in chord. The elevators match. The fuselage is too short, yet the tail matches the height of the drawing. Revell AG (Germany) re-boxed the kit at the same time Italeri first issued it. Beware, Tamiya re-boxed the kit starting in 2001, and I’ve seen it command prices over $20 U.S. (just because it has Tamiya’s name on the box), Academy re-boxed the kit in 2017 also commanding a high price for it, don’t do it!
Trumpeter: And the winner is! Starting in 2009 Trumpeter issued what every Super Saber builder wanted; super detailed kits in the ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘F’ variants. The kit comes with separate flaps and slats for the wing. Optional IFR probes. Detailed exhaust/afterburner section (only the early non-f-102 style of afterburner). Air intake trunking (but the mouth is molded as part of the fuselage halves and is narrower than the other kits). Optional factory air brake or field modified air brake. Optional extended or folded nose pitot. Boarding ladder. Highly detailed interior parts. The instructions make it look like the canopy suffers from the now ubiquitous ‘parting line’ syndrome that most Asian kits are infected with, but the canopies that came with my kits (the ‘C’ and ‘F’ versions) were free of this parting line. For the ‘C’ version the instructions want you to attach the tail hook which, according to my references, the ‘C’ version did not have a tail hook. The weapons load is extremely limited (as is with all the kits reviewed); Sidewinders and ECM pods depending on the kit version. The external tanks are about the size of the Italeri kit’s. Detail & Scale-4’s drawings show the wing to be much too short in span, the elevators are a match. The fuselage is almost a direct hit with the tail being slightly too tall. The canopy and separately molded windshield both look slightly small. Compared to the Bell drawings, in Detail & Scale-33, the fuselage is almost a direct hit with the nose being too long. The canopy looks good, but the windshield still looks small. The wing is too short in span and slightly narrow in chord. The elevators look like a match. With the Bunrin Do drawings the wing is good span-wise but way too narrow in chord. The elevators are too long in span. The fuselage and tail are too short. The canopy is slightly small, but the windshield looks good.
Conclusion: Avoid the odd Pioneer F-100, with its 1:72 scale wings and 1:80(?) scale fuselage. If you want something cheap that you can assemble and paint in less than a day, then hang from the ceiling, then Lindberg’s re-issue of the ancient IMC kit is for you (sometimes you can find the Hasegawa kit for less cost than the IMC/Lindberg kit so go for that then). The old ESCI kit is still good-to-go for building something you want to proudly display on the shelf, but don’t waste your time and money on aftermarket detailing sets. If you want the most detailed F-100 kit available (and you were thinking of buying an ESCI kit plus detailing sets) then it’s the Trumpeter kit hands down, no need to buy aftermarket detail sets (but you can if you’re obsessive and rich ). Even with its flaws the Trumpeter kit is still better than all the other older kits available.
P.S. The most needed aftermarket item for these kits is a good variety weapons set.
Gate Guards: F-100 Super Sabre
1/600 MOSKVA: AURORA VS AIRFIX
BLACKLIGHT REVELL DEAL’S WHEELS
HEINKEL HE-51: HASEGAWA VS. ICM
GEORGIA’S MUSEUM OF AVIATION MODEL SHOW, 2017
RED DEVIL AWARDS 2017, ARE THEY REAL OR ARE THEY MODELS?
GROCERY STORE USES MODEL PLANES TO ATTRACT CUSTOMERS!
IDAHO CAT CAUGHT INSTRUCTING HUMAN HOW TO BUILD CORVETTE!
1:48 F-105G WILD WEASEL SHOWDOWN, HOBBYBOSS VS MONOGRAM
1:72 SHOCK & AWE LOCKHEED F-104 STARFIGHTER, OR, WHY YOU CAN’T TRUST SCALE DRAWINGS!
12MAY2018 /21:37 UTC-07 Tango 06 (23 Ordibehesht 1397/27 Sha’ban 1439/28 Ding-Si 4716)
“It is a sad time for the model building community… I have not seen anything ‘official’ from Revell, but It has been confirmed to me by a reliable source that Revell USA has in fact closed their doors.”-UP Scale Hobbies facebook post
Another victim of the so called recovered economy, the end of a long model building era in the United States, Revell USA (Revell-Monogram) is dead!
Starting out in California in 1943, as a subcontractor for plastics manufacturers, its first job reportedly being parts for washing machines, followed by anything relating to HO (1:87) scale train sets. It was known as Precision Specialties.
When the company decided to focus on toys the name was changed to Revell (Wikipedia says it’s from the French word reveille, however Revell is a English/French family name that goes back to medieval times). In the 1950s the focus was originally on model cars, but shifted to U.S. Navy ships, the most infamous being the constantly re-issued and horribly inaccurate USS Missouri. This is humorous because supposedly the USN kits were considered so accurate that the Soviet Union bought Revell kits to learn about U.S. warship development (maybe that’s why the U.S.S.R. was constantly behind in the naval arms race).
Purportedly this crappy kit is what got the ball rollin’ for Revell
The success of Revell’s ship kits led to the company producing kits of almost anything you can think of. However, this didn’t stop Revell from succumbing to the same economic forces as other industries, as I’ve previously explained in 1:72 SHOCK & AWE LOCKHEED F-104 STARFIGHTER, OR, WHY YOU CAN’T TRUST SCALE DRAWINGS! PLUS MASSIVE HISTORICAL CONFUSION ABOUT REVELL-MONOGRAM!
Monogram’s classic 1974 issue Do 335, Monogram was Revell’s biggest U.S. competitor at that time
By 2012, longtime model kit builders thought economic bad times were over for Revell when an employee owned, Illinois based company, called Hobbico bought and merged Revell USA and Revell Germany (GmbH). Wrong again! In January 2018, Hobbico went bankrupt busted and began liquidating its divisions. Immediately, Revell Germany issued a statement saying they were not impacted (“Hobbico’s bankruptcy filing was made in the United States and is strictly limited to the company’s U.S. operations, Revell-Germany is unaffected.”).
For decades (since 1970s) Revell Germany has reissued British Frog kits
Revell USA production was halted in April, even shipments of already packaged kits were stopped. A group of investors called Quantum Capital Partners aus München (for some odd reason many U.S. and British sources are calling the group Blitz GmbH, my source is Revell Germany itself) which bought both Revell Germany and Revell USA.
The month before Revell was sold-off, Revell USA announced the much longed for reissue of the coveted Deal’s Wheels Baja Humbug
According to bankruptcy court documents, on 13APR2018 Quantum Capital Partners of Munich won the rights to Revell with a bid of about $3.9-million USD. Revell USA ceased to exist, Revell Germany will continue as if nothing had happened. I should point out that the $3.9-million was the high bid, apparently there was only one other bidder, it’s just more proof the model kit industry is in decline. Hobbico was hoping for $10-million.
According to a press release by Revell Germany, Deutschland is the new home base for all Revell operations, including ops in North America: “Revell is pleased to partner with Quantum Capital Partners who supports the company in its further international growth. At this point, I would also like to thank all trading and business partners for the Thank you for your confidence during the transition period in recent weeks.”-Stefan Krings, president of Revell Germany
“Revell is a renowned and well-established company and has been an impressive and internationally established successful toy brand. We will build on this strength and the brand with its unique positioning as a model maker….”-Steffen Görig, Quantum Capital Partners
Since its founding in 2008, Quantum Capital Partners (QCP) has taken over several dozens of companies including BASF, Bosch, Deutsche Bahn and even Airbus (even joining with the Islamic Investment Bank to make sure Airbus aircraft are Shariah compliant)!
Classic Hasegawa Voodoo, one of the first jet kits I built in the 1970s
By the way, Hobbico’s demise also affected Japan’s Hasegawa and Italy’s Italeri as Hobbico had become the distributor of those brands in the United States.
Italeri’s old M47 (first released around late 1970s early 80s) is so good that recently Korea’s Academy issued it
FALLING DOWN: U.S. MODEL KIT/RAILROAD HOBBY DEMISE, 2016-17
BLACKLIGHT REVELL DEAL’S WHEELS
Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in January 2018:
Trulia reports that overall housing rents across the United States jumped an average of 19.6% since the end of 2012, even though the majority of working class people saw no increase in pay.
Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart revealed the truth behind their pay raises and bonuses, by suddenly shutting down dozens of Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts killing thousand of jobs, plus announcing intentions to layoff 1-thousand corporate level employees between now and the end of 2019! Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.
California: Building maintenance contractor ABM Industry issued several shutdown WARNs, 365 jobs gone by the end of March! Absolute Screenprint shutting down its ops in Brea, 170 jobs gone in March! In Fresno, after 68 years Herb Bauer Sporting Goods shutting down when the inventory is gone, due to increased competition from ‘big-box’ national chain stores. Too Big to Jail San Francisco based Wells Fargo shutting down an additional 8-hundred offices across the U.S. by 2020. Bank execs officially blaming it on ‘Americans’ reducing the use of banking services, but analysts believe it’s blow-back for the bank getting caught massively ripping off its customers. 
Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down stores in Emeryville and San Jose, 113 jobs gone by April! It should be noted the stores were not listed on the recent nationwide shutdown list. Dollar Loan Center eliminating 41 jobs by the end of March. Montage Hotels and Resorts temporarily shutting down its Beverly Hills ops, 54 jobs gone by the end of March. StandardAero Business Aviation Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles ops, 63 jobs suddenly gone. Accounting company Vasquez issued a shutdown WARN for its Corona office, 53 jobs gone in March. Market research company Ipsos Interactive Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Fresno office, 88 jobs gone in March. Macy’s issued shutdown WARNs for stores in Fresno, Laguna Hills and Los Angeles, at least 436 jobs gone by mid-March! In Orangevale, iconic Wild Sports shutting down, the owners forced to retire due to ‘big box’ and online competition coupled with California’s police-state anti-gun laws. In Moraga, after eight years New Rheem Theatre shutdown due to increasing costs to maintain the 61 years old building, plus undisclosed rent which is more than $5-thousand per month, plus utilities averaging $5-thousand per month: “It’s tough to run a building of that age on the amount of people that come through the theater. The numbers don’t work.”-Derek Zemrak, theater operator
Colorado: In Denver, after 16 years Mile High Doggie Daycare shutdown and unable to refund money to customers who ‘pre-paid’ for services, the owners blame the lack of sales on the city’s gentrification of the area.
Connecticut: Retail service company Daymond Worldwide suddenly shutdown its Stamford ops, more than 50 jobs gone. After 19 years industry recognized RR Model and Hobby Supply shutting down so the owner can retire.
Delaware: Too Big to Jail Capital One sold 1-million retail brokerage accounts to E-Trade, and will eliminate an undisclosed number of jobs in Wilmington as a result.
Florida: Jackson National Life Insurance-National Planning Holdings eliminating 60 jobs by the end of 2018. Along with several Sears, Kmart and Sam’s Club shutdowns, Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its store in downtown Miami, 161 jobs gone by the end of March! In Jupiter, after 33 years Kretzer Piano shutting down in February, the owner lamenting “It’s iPads and kids doing techy things…..the days of gathering around the piano and singing are kind of gone.” Harbor Community Bank eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to being taken over by CenterState Bank! Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services eliminating 117 jobs at the end of March!
Georgia: In LaGrange, after 45 years Crockett Brothers towing shutdown due to the 70 years old owner’s health problems. In Athens, for a second time Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother eclectic junk store shutting down, this time due to the rent being jacked-up by 56%, and the property being secretly listed as for sale. The owner said he isn’t going to look for another location, he’s taking it as a sign to retire.
Hawaii: After nine years Central Guns and Ammo shutdown its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales. Monthly gun classes will continue.
Idaho: California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown its store in Nampa. Bon Ton owned Herberger’s announced it will exit its Pine Ridge Mall location, in Chubbuck, when the inventory runs out. It’s part of Bon Ton’s plan to shutdown dozens of stores in 2018.
Illinois: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down seven stores statewide. Champaign based Hobbico (formerly Don Anderson’s Great Planes Model Distributors and Bruce Holecek’s Tower Hobbies, and current owner of the iconic Revell brand) laying off 332 people, and is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale, blaming “an increasingly competitive industry, market headwinds and a series of one-off events with key suppliers.” In Wheaton, after five years women’s clothier Bella Roba shutting down at the end of February, due to owner getting married. In Barrington, after 29 years Pasquesi Home and Garden suddenly shutdown. Ascena Retail Group owned Loft shutdown its Champaign’s Market Place Mall store, as part of a plan to shutdown hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores stores across the U.S. At the O’Hare Airport, ABM Aviation issued a mass layoff WARN, 481 jobs gone by March! Just Ducky shutdown its five years old Plainfield store, local news media say at one time there were several Just Ducky stores across the state. California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown two stores in the Chicago area.
Indiana: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide. In Lafayette, after 60 years Trader Horn Boot Center shutdown, blaming internet competition. (when it comes to shoes I don’t understand the internet excuse, because shoe sizes have changed so much over the decades, even between manufacturers, that the only way I can buy shoes is by trying them on in a old fashioned store)
Iowa: Washington based investment company CUNA Mutual Group outsourcing 35 jobs in Waverly in an attempt to reduce operating costs. In Mason City, after 50 years the Hallmark gift shop shutting down by the end of February. Tradehome Shoes shutdown its Mason City, Southbridge Mall location due to crashing sales over the past few years. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.
Kentucky: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Simpsonville location. In Bardstown, American Greetings eliminating 150 jobs in March, due to lack of demand for greetings cards!
Louisiana: In Shreveport, after 68 years Sun Furniture shutdown so the owner can retire.
Maine: In Lewiston, the 50 years old Goodwill thrift store shutdown because sales are too low.
Maryland: Ascena Retail Group owned Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Towson Town Center store as part of a plan to shutdown hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S. Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service. Urban Outfitters suddenly shutdown its Harborplace location, no explanation. Local news media reported that there are only two Urban Outfitter locations left in the state. In Bel Air, after 15 years Two Sisters Gallery American Fine Craft & Jewelry shutdown so the owners can retire.
Massachusetts: In Needham, after 46 years Taylor’s stationery and party supply store shutting down by March, so the owners can retire. In Attleboro, after 117 years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Highland Country Club now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, being liquidated to pay the debts. ‘Off price’ retailer Stein Mart shutting down its Westboro store as soon as the inventory is gone, due to crashing sales in 2017. Zoots Dry Cleaning chain suddenly shutdown and went chapter 7 bankrupt dead, the bankruptcy judge ordered the chain to re-open 18 locations so customers can get their clothing. The owners of Zoots said efforts to sell the dry cleaning service failed.
Michigan: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down six stores statewide. In Muskegon, after 24 years Carol’s Bridal and Tuxedo shutdown due to family health problems. In Detroit, after 70 years iconic Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop shutdown, the owners admitting that even though they beat-out the ‘big-box’ competition they just couldn’t “adapt” to online competition.
Minnesota: In Duluth, after 35 years the last Video Visions shutdown, news media say at one time there were six stores, the owners proudly stated “We were the first video rental store in Duluth and we’re the last.” Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide. Edna based Regis owned SmartStyle Salons shutting down 6-hundred stores located inside Walmarts across the U.S.
Missouri: In Normandy, after 113 years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Schulte Hardware & Supply shutdown, the owner blamed internet competition. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide. American Girl shutdown its doll store in the Chesterfield Mall, due to financial problems. To prove to you how many customers still shop the old fashioned way, and refuse to shop online, they started a petition to keep the store open because they didn’t want to drive three hours to the nearest American Girl store!
Nebraska: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Omaha location. What housing market recovery? In Lincoln, after five years low cost second-hand building material seller Eco Store shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease. The owner hopes to find another location.
Nevada: No luck as Lucky Dragon suddenly began halting casino and restaurant ops in Las Vegas, hundreds of jobs suddenly gone! Apparently Lucky Dragon is now focusing on hotel ops only.
New Jersey: What housing market recovery? Mortgage company PHH Home Loans eliminating 78 jobs by mid-March, due to a venture deal with a competitor, and a $45-million USD settlement concerning fraudulent foreclosures. JCPenney shutting down its 60 years old Westfield Garden State Plaza location by March, 144 jobs gone! In Lodi, iconic Party Box shutting down so the owners can retire. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down three stores statewide. Hollywood Speedway & Hobbies shutdown by a mysterious fire, which also damaged next door Sharp Elevator and Atlantic Protective Pouches.
New Mexico: In Albuquerque, House of Football shutdown, the owner said it was due to sales taking a huge dump after NFL players began protesting the National Anthem! In Nob Hill, gift shop Beeps shutdown, the 70 years old owner said sales are still good but she wants to retire. New Jersey based Bed, Bath & Beyond shutting down its store in Paseo by the end of February. Its part of a Bed, Bath & Beyond plan to shutdown stores as their leases expire.
New York: Clothier Zara shutdown its first flagship store in NYC, as a result of a $15-million USD lawsuit by the greedy landlord against Zara. After only ten months kids clothier MMKidz shutting down its Great Neck location when the inventory is gone, the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District admitted the local economy is in the dumps by saying “it would have been a surprise if they made it.” In Greece, Alfred Angelo wedding store suddenly shutdown, the money made from the two day going out of business sales was donated to charity. Also in Greece, after 91 years Blanchard Florist shutdown, with the owners blaming the internet. In Clay, children’s clothier Justice shutdown its Great Northern Mall store. In East Syracuse, utility service Osmose moving work to other locations, affecting 101 jobs! In Amherst, Dave’s All-Season Store forced to shutdown by the landlord who revoked the lease. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide, at least 250 jobs gone by mid-April! Sterling National Bank eliminating more than 1-hundred jobs across the state by the end of 2018! Contract manager Sykes Enterprises issued a shutdown WARN for its Amherst location, 89 jobs gone by the end of March. Payment processor First Data Remitco issued a shutdown WARN for its Staten Island location, 64 jobs gone in September. Blue Ridge Capital issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC ops, 55 job gone by the end of March.
North Carolina: California based background check company HireRight shutting down its Charlotte location, 93 jobs gone in September. After ten years Ciel Gallery shutting down by the end of February. After 21 years the Charlotte Art League being forced to move due to a greedy property developer. British empire United Kingdom based ‘professional services’ Aon Hewitt issued a layoff WARN for its Charlotte location, 76 jobs gone by March.
Ohio: In Cleveland Heights, after 27 years Big Fun Toys announced on facebook that it will shutdown this Summer. After 69 years specialty shop The Villager (formerly Mariemont 5 Cents to $1) shutdown due to the owner not being able to renew the lease. In Rocky River, after eight years Local Artistree shutdown blaming a shift in the maker community. Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Cincinnati/Hamilton store, 104 jobs gone by the end of March! On top of that, Cincinnati based Macy’s announced it will continue shutting down stores through 2018, plus eliminate 5-thousand jobs! End of year holiday sales rose by a piddly 1.1%, including Macy’s online sales! Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide. In Boardman, after 62 years Adamas Jewelry and Gifts shutdown so the owner can retire. Dover Business Services eliminating 48 jobs by June.
Oklahoma: Ascena Retail Group-Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Tulsa store as part of a plan to shutdown hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S. Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.
Pennsylvania: New York based, but British empire Canada owned, department store Lord & Taylor suddenly killed 202 e-commerce fulfillment jobs in Wilkes Barre, due to e-commerce ops being moved elsewhere! In York, after 20 years “the biggest O gauge dealer in Pennsylvania” B&E Junction Electric Trains shutting down in February so the owner can retire, don’t know if you can blame the internet because the owner has his own website (www.stevenheffnerart.com). In Titusville, after more than 45 years Tarr’s Country Store and Florist shutting down mid-February. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Erie location. In Honesdale, after three decades Country Dawn shutdown, the owners lamenting “It’s different times, different times than it was.”
South Carolina: Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) shutting down its Columbia Place Mall store in March. The Tanger Outlets Eddie Bauer in North Charleston shutdown. Banana Republic in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre shutdown. Mister Don Shoes and Dance in South Windermere Shopping Center shutdown. Antiques Market suddenly shutdown its Mount Pleasant location due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease.
South Dakota: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Rapid City location. Clothier Glik’s suddenly shutdown its Northridge Plaza store due to lack of sales, the landlord was shocked saying “It was very sudden. We had no idea.” Family Dollar shutdown its store in Brookings, the district manager told local news media “We are just told that that store is closing, and we just oversee that. This is one of several that are closing, but there are so many that open and close. They relocate them, close them.”
Tennessee: In Franklin, after more than ten years ThriftSmart shutdown as part of consolidation plans that the operators hope will provide better funding for charities. Hallmark shutdown its 43 years old gift shop in the Northgate Mall, and its gift store at the Hamilton Place Mall.
Texas: In Amarillo, after 51 years Duncan & Boyd Jewelers shutting down so the 70 years old owner can retire. Blockbuster shutdown its last video store in The Lone Star State, in Edinburg. Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide. After spending big bucks the past two years building 21 new stores, women’s clothier A’gaci now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down 49 stores, admitting it “spread the organization too thin”. What automotive industry recovery? After almost 24 years the Honda of Houston motorcycle dealership shutdown, with no explanation. However, weeks after the shutdown announcement it was revealed that Honda of Houston was sold to Drake Powersports, who will supposedly continue operations in that location as Honda of Houston. In Corpus Christi, Cinemark Dollar Cinema shutdown, local news media say the owner Cinemark refused to respond to their questions. In Austin, Bobalu Cigar Company suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming “deteriorating situation and terrible neglect by the City of Austin”.
Virginia: After less than two years Todd’s Hobbies shutdown, the owner saying “The clientele that I have are predominantly in the retired community. They appreciate having a store handy. The younger segment of the population that are into model railroading I think are much more comfortable with buying online.” In Gretna, Nett’s Nest thrift store shutting down by March, due to the owner’s health problems. Ocracoke Station, the only fuel station on Ocracoke Island, suddenly shutdown because the owner was unable to pay a back due fuel bill due to health problems that resulted in hospitalization. Hallmark gift shops in the Towers Shopping Center, the Tanglewood Mall and the Valley View Mall all suddenly shutdown, one local news source said inquiries as to why they shutdown were not answered. In Richmond, after 41 years W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs shutdown, so the owner can go to Puerto Rico to help relatives deal with hurricane recovery. In Lynchburg, after more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Sheard’s Beauty Shop shutdown due to new city parking rules which drive away customers: “Why would they pay to park here when they can go to the mall?”-Mamie Branham, owner
Washington: In Seattle, after 42 years Zanadu Comics shutdown its last store, at one time there were three, the upset owner blames the un-recovered recession saying “There’s a feeling of loss……Maybe I’ll go get a real job.” State Farm shutting down two call centers in Tacoma, 8-hundred jobs gone by the end of 2018! Tacoma experienced the highest rent increases of any U.S. city in 2017, by 8.8%.
Washington DC: After 84 years iconic Johnson’s Florists and Garden Center shutdown: “This closure is a direct result of the significant increase in rent and other related fees of occupancy imposed upon us by the building’s owner. Despite months of earnest negotiation we have been unable to arrive at a mutual understanding with our landlord.”
Wisconsin: Department store Younkers issued shutdown WARNs for its stores in Appleton and Wausau, 138 jobs gone in March! Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide. France based ‘body care’ store L’Occitane en Provence suddenly shutdown its seven years old Hilldale Shopping Center location. Local news reports say L’Occitane en Provence began shutting down its U.S. locations in 2017. Olympia Resort and Conference Center shutdown without warning, causing more than 60 people to become jobless and organizations scrambling to find a new place to hold their events. Local news reports say organizations found out about the shutdown from laid-off employees. It turns out the Conference Center is part of a lawsuit and has been up-for-sale for some time. In Milwaukee, after ten years Jokerz Comedy Club suddenly shutdown. In Delafield, after eight years Bittersweet Gifts and Accessories shutdown, the owners saying “Retail is quickly changing, and we feel it is time for us to change as well.”
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL
U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, December 2017: “DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS”
SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JANUARY 2018: 103+ NEW STORE SHUTDOWNS ANNOUNCED!
U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, January 2018: “MARKET CONDITIONS” BLAMED ON POPULATION DEATH SPIRAL!
Dumbing Down the U.S.A., January 2018:“LET’S PISS IN HIS MOUTH.”
U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, January 2018: “TOUGH CHALLENGES THAT WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE”
U.S. government shenanigans, January 2018:SEX & DRUGS = THE AMERICAN WAY!
U.S. food crisis, January 2018: “IT’S TIME TO ADAPT OR DIE”
ObamaCare ACA death spiral, January 2018:“INADEQUATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES”
Here’s a look at some of the neon, blacklight reactive Deal’s Wheels kits I’ve recently built, clicking on the pic will make them bigger:
More neon kits:
Woooo, it’s the ghost of Willys’ van!
MULTI-MAVERICK OR WHY MODEL ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE WRONG!
When it comes to the new high tech produced Hobby Boss F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel, versus the old-but-gold classic Monogram kit, price is the deciding factor.
I swear I had some 1:48 scale drawings for the F-105, but, despite tearing apart my decades old collection of modeling and aircraft magazines, I can’t find them. Oh well, I did discover with my F-104s that scale drawings can be inaccurate, as well.
Click on the gallery pics to make them bigger and read the comparisons of the kits:
Monogram first issued their F-105 series of 1:48 kits in the late 1970s early 1980s. Believe it or not they’re still viable and available today, currently issued by Revell (which took over Monogram in the 1990s).
Monogram Plus: Generally accurate, good details. Price buster; if you shop on the internet, and are patient, you can get one for as little as ten bucks (or less, not counting shipping cost)! I once saw Revell’s new Thunderstick version in a brick-n-mortar shop for $15! The Hobby Boss kit will cost you anywhere from $35 to $65 USD depending on where you get it (also not counting shipping cost if purchased on the internet or old fashioned mail order).
Hobby Boss Plus: Generally accurate, good details. Extra parts like an engine, radar, 20mm Vulcan and an extended inflight refueling probe (F-105s had both refueling probe and receptacle. Oh no, not a hermaphrodite!?). More decals.
Cold War: 
GOING ‘GANGBUSTERS’ WITH TEXAS F-4C & GEORGIA F-105G!
1:72 COMPARISON F-86 SABER FUJIMI VS HELLER, OR, NOBODY IS PERFECT!
1/48 SCALE COMPARISON A-7 CORSAIR 2: AURORA, REVELL-MONOGRAM, ESCI, HASEGAWA & HOBBY BOSS.
1/72 REVISED COMPARISON A-7 CORSAIR 2: FUJIMI, ESCI, AIRFIX, HASEGAWA, MATCHBOX, REVELL & HOBBY BOSS. MORE REASON NOT TO TRUST SCALE DRAWINGS?
Model kit politics: IRAN TO DISPLAY LIFE SIZE MODEL OF CAPTURED U.S. STEALTH DRONE, SENDS OBAMA A SMALLER HOT PINK VERSION
Review out of box: ITALERI P-51 MUSTANG 1 OUT OF BOX REVIEW
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