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This model depicts what is arguably one of the most famous of all the more than 5,000 Phantom aircraft that were built.
F-4J Phantom number 158800 nicknamed "Showtime 100" was the "CAG Bird" (aircraft marked for the Commander, Air Group) of VF-96 aboard USS Constellation when it was involved in an historic air combat.
On 10th May 1972 the aircraft was flown by Lt. Randall H. Cunningham and Lt. (JG) William P. Driscoll armed for a bombing mission against railyards in Haiphong, North Vietman. During the mission a number of North Vietnamese MiG 17 fighters attacked and in the resulting dogfight Cunningham and Driscoll succeeded in shooting down three MiG fighters, the last flown by Colonel Nguyon Tomb who had 13 victories over US aircraft to his credit.
The three victories during this dogfight, added to two already scored earlier in their deployment, made Cunningham and Driscoll the first US "aces" of the Vietnam War.
On exiting the combat area Showtime 100 suffered hydraulic damage from a surface-to-air missile which meant that the crew had to eject but were quickly rescued, the aircraft being lost.
NOTES ON MARKINGS
Following Cunningham & Driscoll's first victory, the silhouette of a MiG 21 was painted in white on the black triangle of the tail of the aircraft. Cunningham & Driscoll's second kill, on 8th May 1972 resulted in the removal of this marking, to be replaced by two North Vietnamese flags on the intake inlet ramps adjacent to the air intakes, which was carried out between 9-10th May.
Thus when Showtime 100 was lost following the above combat it had been carrying the markings depicted on this model for less than 24 hours.
MARTIN AM-1 MAULER
Below are some shots of a model at various stages of contruction
These first four photos show the main fuselage and wing assemblies complete, together with propeller and other minor parts. Note the metal detail parts and the as yet unassembled parts (mainly weapons)
Wing and tail now assembled.
Note the Tiny Tim rockets and 750lb bomb under construction
Sub-assemblies: Undercarriage, canopy, prop, 5" HVAR rockets, 750lb bomb and Tiny Tim 11.75" rockets
Ready for final painting. Note sub-assemblies already painted and canopy and undercarriage legs fixed in place
After an initial coat of gloss sea blue
Most of the painting is now finished
The decals have been applied and given a coat of varnish
THE FINISHED MODEL
Now with a final coat of matt varnish, some weathering and exhaust stains and the ordnance and radio aerial in place
Boeing XF8B-1 experimental fighter. Designed and flown at the end of WWII, the XF8B-1 showed excellent performance but even it's gigantic four-row, 28 cylinder, 3000HP Pratt & Whitney XR-4360 engine couldn't compete with the jet engines then arriving on the scene and only three prototypes were built.
