Got this from HobbyLink Japan, the Revell 1/48 F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel. A re-release of the classic Monogram kit. This version of the Thunderchief is known as the "Wild Weasel" variant. Its main task during the Vietnam War was SAM suppression. In my opinion, pilots who flew these mission had nerves of steel, that's because these guys went looking for trouble.
These guys were tasked to take out the anti-aircraft missile launchers of the North Vietnamese army so that the US fighter-bombers could do their jobs without the fear of being shot down hanging on their backs like a guillotine. Armed with anti-radiation missiles they played a deadly hide and seek game with the fire control radars of the enemy
From the onset I really liked the design of this aircraft, hence the acquisition of this scale model kit. Fear factor wise this for me is off the scale because of its weapons load out. This kit comes equipped with 2 AGM-45 Shrike missiles mounted on the outer wing pylons. An AGM-78 Standard missile on the inner wing pylon as well as a drop tank on the opposite inner wing pylon. The center pylon also has another drop tank. The inner fuselage also comes equipped with two ECM pods.
Inside the box is a single plastic bag which houses all the runners. Shot of the plastic bag is next to 6 inch ruler for comparison.
Just looking at the decal sheet I felt like breaking into a cold sweat because of the number of decals included. With the decals there is a option to detail it up in 5 different squadron variants of the Wild Weasel. According to the manual the decals are for the 35th TFW, 562d TFS; George AFB California (with shark mouth) and another of that without the shark mouth. Then there are also decals for the 354th TFS, 355th TFW, Da Nang AB South Vietnam as well as the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron, 338th TFW, Korat/Thailand and lastly for the 44th TFS, 355th TFW, Takhli AB, Thailand.
Included in the kit is a 14 page manual with German and English instructions. Color Guide is also included in the manual. Shots of the manual are next to a 6 inch ruler for comparison. There is an option to build this kit as either a F-105G of as an EF-105F.
Here's a shot of the runners of the kit. The main fuselage pieces aren't mounted in runners, but rather taped together. I was shaking with glee holding this one because of the size of the fuselage. I'm a kid at heart and every kid loves "big" toys, and boy is this fuselage huge.
Here's a shot of the runners which have the missiles, drop tank and ECM pods.
Here's the runner which has the upper half of the main wing, the landing wheels, elevators, nose cone and parts of the landing gears.
Here's the runner which has the lower half of the main wing, some parts of the thrusters, drop tank, pilot seat, some parts of the cockpit and the 2 pilot figures
Here's the runner for the clear canopy and heads up display
The cockpit was actually placed in a separate plastic bag and wasn't included in any of the runners.
I'm excited to build this kit because of the sheer size of it. Plus I get to practice adding camouflage again which comprises 2 different shades of green and a sandy brown color. I'd probably go for the build which doesn't have the "shark mouth" decal on it. It's a personal preference as I never found a plane that looked good with the shark mouth design on it other than the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.
