F-105D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/C 62-4357 was the original "Pussy Galore" and came to Tahkli RTAFB from the 80 TFS in Okinawa. Later, 62-4364 (hastily repainted to camouflage) was the version I have chosen for this project. So, my best information says this A/C was from the 44th TFS of the 355th TFW at Tahkli RTAFB. I left the NLG ILS reflector cover green, but have found no pictures of it. The green color was chosen based on the A/C 62-4338 flown by Col. Jack Broughton. I suppose the color of the cover could have also been silver, white or yellow. 

The steel rods from the LE slats in the kit. 

I used this Evergreen stock for the MLG base stack. 

I have no idea why the Trumpeter folks thought the original mold was sufficient for the base of the MLG that was potentially going to carry 500 grams of weight. Something had to be added that would bolster or expand the gluing surface. 

 

This is the #61 drill bit marked for drilling depth. 

 

 

Drilling the MLG struts requires the most time just to make sure the 3/4 inch of drilling is straight. 

This is the whole drilled through the top of the wing to accept the steel rod from the top of the MLG strut. 

 

 

A reenforcement strip was also added to the back of the MLG strut as this thin portion of the strut is the weakest part. The Evergreen strips are also very malleable for accepting the MLG door and using it for lateral strength when the door is attached and the axel is passed through the bottom of the strut. 

This shows the hole drilled for the steel rod. It also shows the necessity for adding the Evergreen strip on the back of the MLG strut. 

This image gives an idea as to the depth of drilling required (3/4 inch) so that the vertical rod does not interfere with the axel.