F-100D Super Sabre 481 TFS, "Pretty Penny", Ta Son Nhut AB, 1960s (1:72)

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2122
F-100D Super Sabre "Pretty Penny"
481 TFS, Ta Son Nhut AB, 1960s
True 1/72 scale

Professionally painted
Great attention to detail
All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
Option to display the model on a stand that is provided
Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions
Optional armament has been provided
Canopy displays open or closed
Pilot figure
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
Highly collectable

The "D" variant was the ultimate version of the F-100 with 1,274 aircraft being produced. The production of the F-100 ended in August 1959. The F-100D arrived in Southeast Asia in 1962 with its primary mission being close air support and ground attack within South Vietnam. This role was eventually taken over by the A-7 Corsair II. The aircraft became affectionately known as "The Hun", short for "one HUNdred". The last F-100 left Vietnam in July 1971 but not before 242 of these aircraft was lost. The "Hun" was eventually replaced by the F-4 Phantom II and the F-105 Thunderchief.

The 481st TFS Crusaders arrived at Tan Son Nhut on June 21, 1965 and began flying combat missions in South Vietnam the same day. The 481st TFS flew an average of 30 sorties a day and by November 27, 1965 when they left for home at Canon AFB they had flown 3,600 sorties and had a total of 5,025 combat flying hours. One of the 481st TFS F-100D was 56-3285 flown by 1st Lt Peter Vanderhoef and 1st Lt Jerry Sloame. The aircraft was named "Pretty Penny" after Sloame's wife.