A nice surprise in this batch of sheets is this one for the F-105D Thunderchief. It contains five different markings options with all but one of them in the standard SEA camouflage scheme. There are several kits of the 105D out there so finding one should not be too difficult. Note that the Revell kit is a post-war aircraft or at least one with all the different reinforcement plates on the aircraft. You need to check your photos to see if your subject is so reinforced.

First up as shown in scheme A is from the 357 TFS/355 TFW and named "Suzi Baby". Like most 105 units, this one was based in Thailand at Takhli.

Scheme B is an early 105D so will have none of the reinforcements on the fuselage or wings. This is one that was assigned to the 4 TFW, the first unit to fly the plane. It is in overall silver lacquer with an OD anti-glare panel. This aircraft may not have the spine on the top of the fuselage as that was added as a result of combat experience. Basically it ran a bunch of electric and/or hydraulic lines away from the underside of the plane where they were being damaged by ground fire.

Scheme C is one assigned to the 340 TFS/388 TFW. It has the JJ tail code and the name "Hanoi Special".

Next is scheme D, an aircraft assigned to the 44 TFS. THis aircraft is pre-tail code and was based at Korat in Thailand. It is named the "Butterfly Bomber".

Finally, an RU tail code aircraft with the 357 TFS/355 TFW at Takhli in Thailand. This one is named "the Frito Bandito".

The sheet is superbly printed an provides enough insignia for two planes as long as one of them is the silver 4 TFW option. You should be able to glean other insignia and data markings from the kit decal sheet or aftermarket insignia sheets. As a final note, the camo on these planes was not identical so what is shown is a general approximation of the pattern. Best guide if you want to be exact, is a photograph.

July 2012

My thanks to www.hobbyshop.cz for the review sample. You can get yours direct from the hyperlink.