Sheet:

Aeromaster 48-759: Before and After: F-106A

Units: See review

Price

$9.50

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

An interesting concept is this 'before and after' set. In this case, it is for an F-106A, which you can easily find in either Monogram or Revell boxes as the kit was recently reissued. Both of these markings are basically FS 36473 ADC Grey with red sections in the intake splitter plate. The instructions show this as an orange color, but I believe it to be red .

The basis for this sheet is the last F-106 to fly in USAF service; a 119 FIS New Jersey ANG aircraft. It was suitably painted up with special artwork for the occasion and then flown off to the boneyard. A few years later, it was recovered and entered into the full scale drone program, being converted into a QF-106A and operated by the 82 ATRS, homebased at Tyndall AFB. At this time, the international orange fin and wing tips markings were added and the 82nd was added to the list of operators on the nose art. Although the instructions do not say, I'm sure it was expended as it was not one of the half dozen QF-106s in the 'dead drones' line at Holloman when I visited in 1998. All are now gone to scrap yards or to provide artificial reefs as was done to a rather large number of A-6s when that program was terminated. You may note that the rudders on the QF-106s were never painted over. I don't know if that was to save on a few gallons of paint or because of some sort of trim deal as they had no compunction at all about painting over the elevons.

Late Note: I've been informed by several that this aircraft is still at AMARC awaiting a good home.

November 2005

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