F-100C exterior 1/32

F-100C exterior details in 1:32 scale

A photo-etched detail set aimed at the exterior of a model of the American North American F-100C Super Sabre fighter-bomber in 1:32 scale. It is not an aircraft kit but an accessory for a plastic model. Exterior detail sets usually bring the fine flat elements that injection-molded plastic cannot capture — covers, grilles, stiffeners, hinges for moving surfaces and small aerodynamic details. The exact make-up of the package is not stated here.

The real subject

The North American F-100 Super Sabre was an American single-seat jet combat aircraft with a markedly swept wing, powered by an afterburning turbojet. The F-100C version was a fighter-bomber: it received a wing adapted to carry fuel, an in-flight refueling probe and underwing pylons. The surface of the aircraft was broken up by a great many panels, access covers and vents, which in a large scale have a pronounced effect on the final impression a model makes.

Usage tips

Exterior parts are fitted only to a finished and filled surface, as sanding would otherwise damage them. Separate the photo-etched elements with a scalpel on a hard surface and make the bends in a bender. Degrease the metal and cover it with a primer so that the paint will hold. They are glued with cyanoacrylate in tiny drops — excess glue would leave a visible stain on a smooth surface, so apply it with a thin wire. Once it is dry, spray the whole surface, or the metal parts will differ in color. Accentuate the panel lines with a capillary paneliner.

Who the set is for

• Builders of a large Super Sabre model who want a well-drawn surface
• Modelers for whom suggested plastic exterior detail is not enough
• More experienced builders with experience of photo-etch
• Those preparing a model for a competition or for a display case