I have the 1/48 Monogram F-100D and am going to convert it to a ‘C’ model so I can build the bird at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMF with green trim). The wing conversion is straight forward, but I’m still unsure of how to do the fin. I know that it’s shorter but I don’t remember where to cut it at. There was an article not to long ago in FSM on how to do it, but unfortunately I can’t find that issue! Does anyone know the right place(s) to cut the fin at to do the conversion right?
Jan. 2002. Page 86. Glue the fin halves together. Measure 7/8 inches form the bottom of the rudder. Measure twice! Mark a line parallel to the bottom of the rudder and carefully cut the fin. Now remove 1/4 inch from the bottom of the upper fin piece. Cut the rear of the fuel vent fairing flush with the trailing edge of the fin and fill the gap. File or sand the rest of the fuel vent fairing away. Line up the trailing edges of the fin and glue the upper and lower fin halves back together. There will be a “step” left in the leading edge when the two parts are glued back together. Cut away this “step” in the lower leading edge and fill the gap. The file or sand the leading edge smooth. That seems to be all the article says about converting the vertical stabilizer. Hope this helps! If you need more help, e-mail me and I’ll make you a copy of the article.
Cool, thanks! Just what I needed! As a little amusing story, here in Oklahoma City at the 45th Infantry Division Museum there are some aircraft displays representing the Oklahoma National Guard. There is a restored F-100 cockpit in the building complete with the SEA paint scheme on it. A couple years ago when I was in aviation maintenence school our class took the guided tour, and I’ll never forget the guide telling us about how the F-100 flew off aircraft carriers with the Navy in the Vietnam War. I kid you not… and no, I didn’t say anything.