Sheet #

Microscale 72-247 for F-101C Voodoo

Price:

$6

Units:

81 TFW and 91 TFS

Review By:

Scott Van Aken

Notes:

 

The F-101 Voodoo was initially designed to be a bomber escort fighter for SAC. To meet requirements, the aircraft had to be huge to be able to hold the fuel that was required to enable it to fly long distances. While the advent of air to air refueling lessened that need, the thirst of the twin afterburning J-57s that powered the F-101 still meant a large aircraft. 

The initial Voodoo was a single seater and armed with four 20mm cannon. It was also very fast and early versions set speed records. An aircraft with this speed made for a very good interceptor. Eventually the two seat F-101B was designed as an all missile carrying bomber interceptor. The single seaters had to perform this function until enough twin seat aircraft were built. Thanks to the early electronics, this was a long process.

F-101Cs were mostly used in Europe and based in England. They carried some very colorful unit markings and a couple of those have been chosen for this sheet. Originally this Microscale sheet came with a resin nose conversion, however, there were only a small number of those conversion sets made by Microscale. Other sets are available and I want to think that I got mine from Aeroclub. It is a simple matter to convert the Hasegawa 1/72 RF-101 C kit even if you do not have a dedicated conversion set as it is only the nose that needs changed.

The sheet provides all the common markings for two aircraft except for national insignia.  A nice touch is the inclusion of anti-glare shields as decals.

The first scheme is for a 91 TFS aircraft. The main coloring is red and if possible, it would probably be easier to paint the wing and tail tips in red rather than use the decals.

The other aircraft is for the commander's aircraft for the 81st TFW. This includes colors for all three squadrons in the wing and should look very nice.

In fact, both schemes are quite colorful and will look great regardless of which one is chosen.

Review copy courtesy of me and my now empty wallet!

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