1/48 F-105 THUD

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:24 pm

I built this F-105 for the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, located inside the Lone Star Flight Museum.

It was built for Mr. Ron Bliss who flew Thud's over Vietnam. He was shot down and spent close to seven yrs in Hanoi. Sadly he passed away last year. God bless!

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:34 am

Great job!

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:29 am

That is very nice. I like that is a unique paint scheme, Looks sharp.

Please tell what you used for the Aluminum areas. I bought some bare metal foil but I don’t think I’m up to the task of using it (yet). I’d rather take the easy way out and use paint.

DanteC · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:05 pm

Sweet -105! That's my favorite scheme.

Dante

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:06 pm

For the bare metal believe it or not I used the small cans of Model Masters bufferizing aluminum. After it dries a bit you can buff it out. But you should really use a sealer, it can slightly rub off. I did about a months worth of research with Mr. Bliss to get details and photographs of his aircraft. I had to by a F-104 kit just for the Tactical Air Command shields for the tail. I bought after market brass landing gear for more details. The hydraulic hoses are raised off the struts. The Monogram kit didnt have landing lights of the main struts either. I purchased aftermarket landing lights as well.

I have the aircraft back in my posession because they downsized the display in the museum. I would like to mount the Thud on a frame board and put one of my reference books in there as well. Mr. Bliss signed the book for me as well. And then cover the frame with a plexiglass box. Im sure you've seen these, especially if you've been to the market at Oshkosh.

I also have created the "Red Nose" CAF P-51 for Lloyd Nolens exhibit, and a beautiful B-26.

Thunderhead7 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 5:39 pm

Great job, looks very nice, What Scale? I salute your friend who flew these in Vietnam!

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:47 pm

Its a 1/48 scale Monogram.

From 1964 until 1973, he was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force having flown 35 missions over North Vietnam in his F-105 Thunderchief where he was shot down, captured and held as a prisoner of war for six and one-half years. Ron was awarded: 2 Silver Stars; 1 Distinguished Flying Cross; 3 Bronze Stars; the Presidential Unit Citation; 2 Purple Hearts; 1 Air Medal; and 1 POW Medal. Bliss' story was included in the 2000 documentary Return with Honor.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:02 pm

it looks so good that i'd swear you stuck the real full sized aircraft in a sci fi movie "shrinking machine"!! you have much to be proud of!!!

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:49 pm

Thank you Tom.

f4phan · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 9:40 pm

That looks really nice ... Is a great job !

RJ

Waltz41 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:02 pm

hey elroy, nice work. did you use the sealer?? everytime i use it, it really takes the nice shine down, but without it....yeah, if you handle it, you are likley to get some on your.

brian

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:26 pm

Waltz41 wrote:

hey elroy, nice work. did you use the sealer?? everytime i use it, it really takes the nice shine down, but without it....yeah, if you handle it, you are likley to get some on your.

brian

I did use a sealer...but before I sealed it, the paint would come off a little bit. I just bought a 1/48 B-25 (Panchito/Monogram) and I will probably use the same process. And thank you!

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1/48 F-105 THUD

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