The USAF's first truly capable interceptor was also it's last dedicated one. The F-106 was initially designed to be the F-102C, but was so much changed and improved as to get its own designation. A child of vacuum tube electronics, much of the nose of the aircraft was taken up with the massive MA-1 fire control and guidance system that was designed to allow the aircraft to accurately find and destroy its target. 

The 106 was equipped with Falcon and Genie missiles, both of which were temperamental at best. To hear Robin Olds describe his wing's use of the Falcon when he was flying F-4Ds in Vietnam is one that leaves his audience in stitches. His description of the steps required to get the missile to be effective and the frustration at the continued failure of his unit to use it as a dogfighting missile leaves one to wonder how the F-106 could have used it effectively. One can only assume that it would have been good enough against bombers as it sure was a failure against the Mig-21!

The 106 was removed from the USAF inventory upon the introduction of the F-4C Phantom and the USAF FIS units gradually went away, though the ANG flew them a few years more. The last active USAF units to fly the 106 were the 87th and 49th FIS.

There are  two schemes on this sheet, mainly due to the size of the tail markings . Both aircraft are in overall ADC grey, FS16473, though the instructions call for the use of FS16440, which is NOT correct.

Superscale provides enough stenciling for one aircraft. National insignia will have to be found somewhere else, though sizes and the appropriate Superscale sheet number is provided. Fortunately, a complete stencil guide is on the instructions for this one.

To say this offers two units is a bit of a misnomer. Most of the sheet is given to the 87 FIS. On this you can do any of three aircraft. The 87 FIS had a number of aircraft bedecked with nose art for the 1972 William Tell competition and three of them are provided on this sheet. 

You get 'Jack the Gripper' 90088, 'Lurch IV' 90089, and 'Bones Crusher' 90094. You also get the big Bull tail marking and two wing tank decals. The stencil last two digits is provided for you to change the tail from 90089 to the others, but you will have to find some white decal sheet to replace the white background that will be cut out to put in the other numbers. I fear that most will just do 'Lurch IV' rather than try to cut out the serials.

For the 2nd FIS, you get the insignia for the right and the left of the tail band. The band must be painted on the aircraft, though the upper and lower black borders are on the sheet. You do get a full tail serial number as well.

This sheet is in perfect register and is a must to replace the rather poor sheet that comes with the Monogram 1/48 F-106.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

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