Here is the third entry (actually, fourth, as I built two F-101 Voodoos) in my Century Series builds for this year, the F-102A Delta Dagger. This is a kit that I first built back in 1996, and the kit itself is a re-pop of an original Monogram release dating back to the 80s. My initial build of the Delta Dagger was one of those unfortunate builds that I lost in about 2006 when the shelves that it was displayed upon collapsed. I found this kit on eBay shortly thereafter, and it has been in my stash for what seems a very long time.
I built this F-102 as a member of the Texas Air National Guard, 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, circa 1972. This is the ride of a man who would some day become famous (or infamous, depending on one’s point-of-view).
This was an easy build for the most part. The primary gear are a bit wonky, and fit was not great along the wing roots. Kit is OOB save the decals, which came from the Caracal Models Air National Guard F-102A sheet. Paints are Mission Models ADC Gray, Mission Models Interior Green, Model Master Acryl Medium Gray, Model Master Metalizer Titanium, Model Master Metalizer Aluminum, Model Master Metalizer Jet Exhaust, Tamiya Khaki, Tamiya NATO Green, Tamiya Red, Tamiya White, Vallejo Black, Vallejo Tire Black, and Vallejo Chrome Yellow. I slobbered a Mig Pigments neutral wash across the exterior and then removed 98% of it, leaving enough to capture the excellent surface details that otherwise would have been invisible under the ADC Gray. The candy-striped pitot tube was a royal PITA to mask, but I thought it came out pretty good considering it was the first time I’ve ever attempted to mask something like that.
I’m not sure what is going on inside those intake trunks. I painted the inside titanium and did not do any filler work, yet this photo makes it appear there is something in there.
Seems a giant came along, picked up this -102, and left his fingerprint for all to see (except of course me until I saw it in the photo)
Okay, so now I’m going to see how long I can stay away from my bench. I am not employed, so this virus thing closing down our economy and society is not anything unusual for me. I do have a software project I’m working on, so I should focus on that for the next several days before I embark on the next entry in my Century Series, which will be Hasegawa’s F-104C Starfighter.