Anyone have any photos or information on the markings of the F-102 flown by President Bush while based in Texas ?
I would like to do a model of one and can’t seem to find any info on it. I don’t think any decal manufacturers have released a set like this.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Did he actually fly any? [:)]
Awaiting the flames…
Yeah, he flew. He flew as cargo in an S-3…
Now, we will see the flames.[:D]
Ok guys, when you have been in the service and have had pilot training you can make comments about others. Otherwise stick to the modelling topic.
Richard
Richard, U.S. Navy - flew S-3’s for four years and I am still flying civilian.
But you are right, we should stick to the subject of the forum. My apologies.
Ray[:)]
Sorry Richard, but as a matter of fact, it just so happens that last night I got a long text-mail from a good friend of mine and one of GWB’s 111th FIS squadron mates – someone who fulfilled a 20-plus year commtment to the guard as a pilot, and retired a Lt. Col., and is an avowed Republican, but he made it clear that “George” (his term, not mine) was not present very often, and that a lot of people more qualified academically and otherwise for flight training did not get in the guard because at that time those with connections (not just GWB) were getting the precious few pilot training slots. Getting the slots because they did not want to die as infantry Lts. in VN. Personally, I don’t criticise them for that. I criticise dishonesty and hypocrisy. The latter sentence is my opinion only. But as for the facts about GWB’s entering the Guard, I am not giving an opinion, merely reporting what was told to me by one who served in the same squadron flying Deuces at the same time. I have several friends who wound up doing a whole 20 years or more in the same air guard unit, and they unashamedly admit they went in the guard to avoid getting killed in a conflict that, by that time, was a losing proposition. Flying fighters seemed to them to be a much more attractive proposition. How can you disagree with that?
And, Richard, your comment is like me, as a former homicide reporter, saying, If you haven’t been at the scene of a few hundred murders like I have, you have no right to talk about the subject of murder. It is anti-logical. This is America, and we can talk about anything we want. Let the flames begin. I can take it.
PS Yes, I agree we should stick to modeling, but once the subject comes up, and someone makes a patently misinformed statement, I have a right to correct it if I have information that contradicts that wrong statement.
Tom
Se7eNE,
Thanks for the picture and links. Very interesting reading. I would guess that Texas Air National Guard pilots didn’t fly any one personnal aircraft during their tour but any aircraft available at the time. So building an F-102 in TANG markings would be a pretty good representation of President Bush’s '102 ?
Last question: Any decal manufacturers have decals for this subject?
PS: Thanks for stepping in Mats.Man, This is why I have been leary of posing this question. I don’t care if he flew it or not…I just want to build a model!
Sorry, I apologise for my ranting.
Ok folks, I come here to escape the dredgery of every day life. We are all here becuase we enjoy the hobby. Let’s be nice…but not too nice![:X]
And I too apologize for stepping over the political line. Having spent a lot of time around the unit, which is a typical air guard interceptor unit, I can tell you that, although each pilot has a name painted on the canopy frame, no pilot has dibs on any one a/c. There is always one plane painted in color with the commander’s name on it. A 111th FIS Deuce is a pretty plain a/c. The only thing you have to find is the squadron badge, which goes on the lower right corner of the vertical fin. I made a 1/72 scale 102 from this unit for a friend who wanted a model of the bird he soloed in and I found a squadron badge on a Microscale sheet that included a 111th F-101. Expert’s Choice prints 1/48 decals for this unit’s F-4s and F-16s, but to make the F-102, you’ll have to use standard markings for the period, which isn’t hard. Then you have to find the word “TEXAS” for the fin tip, which can be found in the old Monorgram F-84F, but, of course, that would be impractical, so do it with press type. (Check that Expert’s Choice sheet for the F-4. The more I think about it, it may have everything you need.) For a while they had a fin flash in insignia blue that was also on the drop tanks, but they weren’t on there when Bush was in the unit. Not long after, when they went to the F-101, they adopted the now-famous Texas flag fin flash they carry to this day. The plane on the pole in the photo is very representative of the 102s as flown when GWB was in the unit.
Again, as for the political thing, considered the sock inserted in my mouth. We make models here, not votes for this person or that.
BTW, that F-102 on the pole is an interesting story. I recognize the VFW hall in the background near the gate to Ellington ANGB. For many years that pole had a F-84F on it, with the “Texans” fin flash painted on it. I’m glad they finally got that Deuce up there (it had been sitting out on the end of the ramp for twenty years covered in yellow zinc chromate, along with a F-101F.). I’m glad they got the Deuce up, because the 111th never, ever flew the F-84F, and I don’t know where that one that previously occupied the pole came from.
Mats,
US Army here.
Whoops! I hit submit too early there.
I merely made a humorous comment, figuring I’d get flamed for it in good humor. I certainly agree that this forum is for enjoyment, not for politics.
Good luck with the 102 build!
I would build a model of the 111th with pride, not just for GWB, but for those forgotten guys who had to do countless hours of boring patrols to protect us from a stray Cuban Mig or Russian missile.
Scott
If anyone is interested the I visited the March AFB Museum on Saturday and they have a 102 painted in the markings used by George Bush during his duty term. I was advised that the markings are based on correct detailed data. I wpuld hope to have a picture of the A/C when an accompaning friend provides me with a copy of the photo he took. I will advise when i have the photo is anyone wants a copy. This assumes that I can figure out how to post the picture.
Richard
I have the picture of the George Bush F-102 as it appears at the March AFB Museum. If anyone wants a copy write to me direct at mats.man@cox.net
Here are some decals. http://www.kedidecals.com/bushF102decals.html
Tim Landers